Dark Waters

DS Kate Hamilton #2

by Gaye Maguire

A young girl trapped in a nightmare. Only one way to escape.

A brilliant young student named Emily walks into the sea on a cold January night after posting a suicide note online. It instantly goes viral and there’s a huge public outcry over the negative influence of social media on young people.

But when her body turns up on the Welsh coast, the post mortem reveals that Emily had been the victim of a violent sexual predator. Was that why she took her own life?

Detective Kate Hamilton and her partner Rory are tasked with the investigation and soon uncover dark secrets in the girl’s life.

As the Serious Crimes Unit push hard to identify the person who was preying on Emily, another student goes missing, and a wealthy young man is found murdered – his dead gaze focused on the same South Dublin shoreline. Are these tragedies somehow linked?

As the investigation moves forward, the squad delve into the sinister depths of the dark web, uncovering a network of abuse fuelled by online predators. Can they find the perpetrator and save the missing girl before it’s too late?

Dark Waters – the second in the gripping new series featuring DS Kate Hamilton.

Genres: Fiction

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2023

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young girl anonymously puts a video on YouTube saying she is going to end her life it quickly becomes a big thing across Ireland and the world. Many people called 999 but they haven’t found anyone at least not yet. Detective Kate and Rory get a sign to finding out who this girl is and after a couple of hours they’re pretty sure this girl is Emily Sweeten and set out to find out why the young beautiful intelligent girl would hurt herself. We then see Emily with her best friend Max in Ashland talking about setting up a site to be financial dominatrix. With just a little flirting and maybe a faceless pic could get you money. This is how Emily meets easy Rider he is nice and send her pics she see’s how handsome he is and eventually over the summer when she’s lonely and missing her friends decides to meet up with him in person and unfortunately he is the reason you’re not supposed to meet strangers off the Internet because he sexually assaulted her and then blackmails her with the pics and video he took ,so bad not only does she continue to do it but doesn’t report him at all. this one mistake wears down her spirit and she can find no goodness in the world especially knowing she can’t end it but who is the sky? Will Kate and Rory figure it out when was she successful and ending her life? Not only that keep gets up enough courage to open a box she’s been having since she was almost murdered and the things ended give her more questions than answers. Let me just say I didn’t know this was part of a Siri‘s and even though I don’t like coming in on the middle of a story I will say this book was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it I found the story engaging in hard to put down and I would definitely be interested in reading the next book. I want to thank the publisher and that galley for the arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Dorothea Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be chosen to read an ARC version of this book.

Things that happen in the dark corners of the web are scary and dangerous. What happens when a group of young friends unknowingly become involved with someone who plays in those dark corners? Death, Abuse, sexual assault…

But what happens when someone gets word of what this individual does to his victims? Well, he could become a victim himself.

In this story, a small group of friends come up with a seemingly innocent way to make some cash to help cover their rent and bills. Why not talk to guys online who would pay them for their time? It’s just talking with them, what the harm? Well, sometimes the wrong people are on the other side of that keyboard. Mistakes are made, people meet, regret becomes overwhelming.

But, who is this man? He’s not new at what he does, and eventually the wrong person finds out what he does. Who decided to make him pay?

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is back at work with the Dublin murder team. However, they are asked to look into a vied on social media that appears to be a suicide note from a young woman. As no body is found, although they do think they know who made the video and she is missing, the investigation takes a back seat. This escalates when a man is found dead in his car and one of the missing girl’s friends also goes missing. Kate faces a race against time.
Well worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Krys · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Let me start off with a couple of things with this one. To begin with, you do not have to have read the first book in the series in order for this one to make sense. Yes, events from the first book are referenced, but it is done so in such a way that manages to provide the information the reader needs without overshadowing the complexities of this book.

And boy, what a complex book this one was. On top of the girl in the red coat, as the video was dubbed, there are other things at play here, including something big in Kate's personal life. I liked this added touch as it gave a more human aspect to Kate, showing that she wasn't just a member of the police.

The writing was solid, and the storyline was compelling, made moreso by the murder of someone who, at first, was seemingly unconnected to the other events currently taking place. I will admit that it was a little slow-going in some parts as officers chased one dead-end lead after another. I especially liked the idea of a group of women avenging other women who had been wronged.

The problem I had with this one was the ending.


The fact that no one was held accountable for what happened, however, left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Sure, we knew who did what and why, but I needed them to be brought to some kind of justice so for that not to happen? It kind of made the rest of it feel like a waste of time.


All things considered, however, I did enjoy this one, and I would definitely read more from this author. In fact, I am excited to go back and check out the first book in this series. I recommend this novel to those who are fans of police procedural novels as this felt more like it falls into that category than the suspense or thriller categories.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Alison Starnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

DS Kate Hamilton investigates the apparent suicide of female student, Emily Sweetman.

Emily and her best friends, Aisling and Max, use rich benefactors - referred to as Pay Pigs - to supplement their meagre student income. One of these rich benefactors takes advantage of Emily in the most horrific way, with the saddest of consequences.

The body of a man is then found in a car and investigations link him to the attack on Emily.

Around the same time, Aisling is reported missing and Kate and her colleagues face a race against time to locate her.

I found this a gripping narrative that is skilfully woven together and it kept my interest throughout. We also learn more about Kate's personal life, including her search for answers around her birth family, and there is a good balance between this and the investigative elements of the story.

Gaye Maguire has definitely raised the stakes in this second instalment. The ending doesn't give all the answers, suggesting further investigations to come. Kate is a persistent and committed detective and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next for her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and this one was just as good. If you haven't read the first one, this works well as a standalone. There's some references to Kate's personal background that have spilled over from the earlier book but there's enough explanation provided to not feel left out.

The suicide of a young woman starts off the story and it becomes clear that there was some violent acts performed on her in the weeks leading up to her death. When someone else then goes missing and then there's the discovery of the body of a man, Kate and Rory have a lot on their plate trying to link things together. I am already invested in the characters in the book even though its only the second book, and I enjoyed the insight into the personal lives and not just the police procedural part.

There's references to sexual violence here but nothing in detail and an interesting twist towards the end. I particularly liked the ending. Looking forward already to the third book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When bright, beautiful student Emily post a suicide note on social media the Garda phone lines are swamped with calls about the girl in the red dress. Eventually they have a name & DS Kate Hamilton and DC Rory Gardiner try to get to the bottom of why this happened. When a body is washed up on the Welsh coast the post mortem reveals that drink & drowning were not the only things to befall poor Emily. Looking deeper into the lives of Emily & her two close friends revels the evil that goes on within the Dark Web. When Emily's friend Ashling goes missing the race is on to stop her becoming a victim.

This is the second book in the series & although I hadn't read the first one, that didn't impact on my enjoyment of this one. I loved the relationship between Kate & Rory. The story moved at a good pace & I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dangers of the dark web and meeting strangers from the internet - Emily, a young student found out exactly how dangerous it could be, and it led to her taking her own life.

A sexual predator with a taste for BDSM then preys on Emily's friend, and she disappears and Detective Kate Hamilton is tasked with finding her and solving the reason Emily committed suicide.

Another excellent police procedural by Gaye Maguire. I like the way the story incorporates the personal lives of the investigators as well as the fast paced, logical solving of crimes.
I cannot recommend this book and author enough. A totally gripping read.
A very definite 5/5 stars from me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tony M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Waters is a very well written crime thriller with a tight contemporary plot; believable and engaging central characters in DS Kate Hamilton and DC Rory Gardiner of the Serious Crimes Unit of An Garda Siochana; and enough unexpected twists to keep most fans of the genre happy. This is the second book featuring DS Hamilton and although I have not read the first book, I was able to enjoy Dark Waters as a stand-alone story while being sufficiently intrigued by references to the first in the series to want to seek it out and read it. The ending of the book also left the way open for a third book featuring DS Hamilton and I am looking forward to it with eager anticipation. Recommended reading for those who enjoy an intelligent, fast-paced crime thriller.

[Brenda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Web is no place to play, especially for a group of young college friends. When they come up with a seemingly innocent way to make some cash, they have no idea they’ll cross paths with someone who really enjoys playing in those dark corners.

When one of the girls commits suicide, an investigation begins into why. The second girl goes missing soon after and Detective Kate Hamilton and her partner Rory quickly realize the cases may be connected. When a wealthy young man is then found murdered in his car on the same shoreline the first girl committed suicide, the investigation turns even darker. Are they all connected? And will they find the missing girl in time?

Another great police procedural, there’s also a look into the detectives personal lives that adds an extra layer. Having not read the first book in this series, it read well as a stand-alone, but I definitely want to read the first now. And the ending left me wanting more!

Thanks to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for my ARC!
#DarkWaters #NetGalley #GayeMaguire

[Kess Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book from NetGalley blissfully unaware that it was the second book of a series and yet… it still kept my interest. Very entertaining novel filled with twists and turns when a young girl uploads a YouTube video with a chilling message and goes missing. I will admit that this book discusses some topics that may be triggering for some so be careful. I will be reading more from this talented author and now plan to read the first book of the series to connect a few pieces from the secondary story line.

[CJ Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a first for me in this series (book two) and it certainly won't be my last.

This was a faced paced read that started on a cliff hanger and ended with you pondering the next instalment.

It was detailed, gritty, suspenseful an engaging read.

Kate is a great character and we get an insight into both her personal and professional life which always helps to connect to the character.

[blueyed_cntry_girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gaye has done a magnificent job with this story. It captivates you from the beginning to the end. You are just waiting to see if they get the bad person and make them pay. The characters are great but the reality of the situation is extremely sad. Definitely Highly Recommended!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! This is an edge of your seat page turner that had my adrenaline flooding my body reading this thriller it's filled with unexpected twists and surprises that will have you shuddering. I recommend this book to all of those who like nail biting crime suspense stories.

[Deb Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping thriller that held my attention the whole way through. When financially struggling students try to make easy money on line, things get out of hand very quickly. Dark and haunting read, this is a real page turner.

[valerie gosling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Utterly compelling storey unfolds slowly drawing you in slowly keeping guessing and making you turn the pages until the very last page

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first looked up Dark Waters, I was a little intimidated. I hadn’t read the first book and historically hate going into series that way, no matter how anthological the author claims it to be. However, Gaye Maguire did a brilliant job at making this book completely accessible for any audience, no matter how familiar they are with Kate Hamilton.

Kate is this series’ protagonist, a detective tasked, in this instalment, with uncovering the mystery around young Emily Stillman, who posted her suicide note in the form of a viral Youtube video. Given the nickname “The Girl in the Red Dress”, her body is found in the ocean a few days later. Her tragic suicide is marked by the discovery that evidence of sexual assault is found on her corpse, leading Kate to suspect this could be part of the reason this otherwise bright and happy girl would kill herself.

Remnants of the last book, Blood Mothers, are present still, though artfully weaved through the existing plot. Kate, having been adopted, doesn’t know her biological family, and due to the mystery from the first book, she learns she may finally be able to meet one of the members. The building relationship between Kate and her long-lost grandmother, Marina, does a good job at characterizing Kate outside of her job.

This book also works off relationships presumably introduced and built up in Blood Mothers, such as with her detective partner, Rory, and her boyfriend, Greg. The close friendship between Rory and Kate, regardless of their age gap, is one of my personal favourite parts of the book, as they help to ground each other amidst the stressful nature of detective work.

Dark Waters takes place in Ireland, and Maguire creates a very realistic environment here. I felt entrenched in this culture and loved noting the little cultural differences here and there.

My biggest problem with the book does lie in another aspect of the worldbuilding, however, which is the way Emily’s suicide video goes viral in the first place. It is laid out as an established point in the book’s opening, but I personally had some trouble believing that this video posted to a random account with no established following would go so viral in one night.

This suspension of disbelief was a bit distracting at the beginning, but ultimately I was drawn into the plot nonetheless, especially with the multiple POV’s included in the narrative. Emily’s best friends, Max and Ashling, are given a lot of character development, and specifically Ashling’s eventual storyline does a good job at hammering home the “shark infested waters” of social media, if a bit heavy-handed.

Overall, Dark Waters was a very enjoyable introduction to Maguire’s writing, operating as a fun new addition to the DS Kate Hamilton series. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for the next book in this saga.

Review can also be found at:
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[Rock Chick Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good procedural then this a book for you.

A young girl commits sucicide, a game on the dark web?
Lots of bodies piling up
A Good read.

I receieved a free ARC and I am posting this review voluntarily.