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Tidal Pools
Making the most of incredible plot twists, dark settings, and the use of ancient religious rituals, this thriller will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final pages. In the Galeegi Islands along the coast of South Carolina, the former prime suspect in a 40-year-old, controversial murder case is found dead of a questionable suicide. Tyler Miles, a newly recruited patrolman with the Galeegi Police Department, becomes an unlikely part of the investigation and is immediately swept up in a tidal wave of violence and deceit that threatens to impact the entire Lowcountry. Working side-by-side with Chloe Hart, a research biologist for the EPA, Tyler must find a connection between the suicide and the old murder, all the while facing a new rash of killings and an imminent, destructive threat to the islands and the surrounding marshlands. From behind the screen doors of the island’s most impoverished hovels to the marble floors and crystal chandeliers of its finest plantation homes, Tyler will race to unravel the mystery behind the chilling case. And, in his search for justice, he will come face to face with an evil as old as hatred itself, cryptically finding his answers only in what the tide leaves behind.
297 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
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425 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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February 1, 2014Outstanding. A great story, beautifully written.
February 27, 2016
I spent an entire sunny Sunday afternoon indoors reading this book cover to cover. Succinctly, great writing! Recognizable characters, a tight plot line, and wonderful prose masterfully combined with vivid descriptions of my beloved South Carolina Lowcountry kept me glued to the pages of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
All that said, I admit to two disappointments. First, it took me a long time to finally order this work. Second, I blasted through the 296 pages so quickly that I now find myself on the hunt for another great read. Good news here...I've just ordered Lawrence Thackston's debut novel, The Devil's Courthouse.
As ever, I encourage you to read the book and form your own opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
All that said, I admit to two disappointments. First, it took me a long time to finally order this work. Second, I blasted through the 296 pages so quickly that I now find myself on the hunt for another great read. Good news here...I've just ordered Lawrence Thackston's debut novel, The Devil's Courthouse.
As ever, I encourage you to read the book and form your own opinion.
September 1, 2014
This is a book for people who are willing to dig through the jumbled writing style to see the potential that this book squanders. The overall premise, the very broad strokes, is very similar to thousands of other police procedurals out there. The African culture and mythology aspect, however, should have made it shine. That could have been fascinating if it was woven into a competent and intriguing narrative. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. If this book were to add more layers and tidy up the writing, it could be very good, for what it is.
Full Review Available Here
Full Review Available Here
February 16, 2014
This book is truly a page-turner. I read it in just a few days, because I could hardly put it down. I'm usually a 2-3 page reader before I fall asleep at night, but with this book it was several chapters a night. I found the author's style easy to read and the story captivating.
February 28, 2014
Tidal Pools by Lawrence Thackston was a page-turning thriller with many shocking plot twists. The author’s characterizations were spot on. The hero, Tyler Miles, sizzles on the pages. I rate this book a five-star read.
January 8, 2023
I sincerely enjoyed this book. This is written such that the reader is learning only as much as the characters. However, there’s just enough foreshadowing to not be left in the dark and keep you on the edge of your seat. His ability to tell a story, or describe a scene while hiding a HUGE secret in plain sight was actually quite astounding. Having reached the end, I found myself scanning back to earlier scenes wondering how I’d missed the clues. The author is quite talented. I’ll be pondering the last page enigma for quite some time.
Well done.
Well done.
September 19, 2019
Fun to read about the places I have been to, and an artiest , Steven Jordan, by whom I have two works. A bit bloodier than suits my taste, and I wonder why the characters did not suffer extreme PTSD, but then it is fiction.
April 6, 2014
Thackston paints a vivid picture of the havoc wreaked on a small island community when a serial killer serving a vengeful Vodun (voodoo) god metes out justice on unsuspecting islanders.
Tyler Miles, fresh out of school, and two-weeks new on the Galeegi police force could not have imagined that his first month following in his uncle's footsteps would be so terrifying. For Galeegi Police Chief Fletcher Tate, a typical day consists of answering phones, routine island patrol, and keeping his sergeant and his nephew Tyler from killing each other. Then, when a former islander returns home, old wounds are opened, and what appears to be a simple suicide, or at worst, a revenge killing, sparks a slaughter that threatens to destroy the tiny islands.
Tyler and Fletcher must uncover a killer before it is too late - with each murder, the violence intensifies. The killer leaves no evidence behind save for the sign of the Vodun god Xevioso, drawn with the blood of the victims. As the killings continue, the FBI is called in to assist with the case, along with a Vodun expert. With no clues or connection in sight, suddenly the sign left at the scene changes, signifying that the worst is yet to come.
Without spoiling anything, there is also a love interest for Tyler with the beautiful and intelligent biologist Dr. Chloe Hart, in town to do research for the EPA. The romance aspect is very nicely done, believable, and Tyler's struggle between protecting Chloe and allowing her to use her work and her intelligence to assist with the case is very real. There's nothing cheesy or mushy, and there's no in-your-face crazy physical romance. The whole thing is handled nicely, in a way that it compliments the plot rather than distracting from it. I also appreciate the fact that it seems clear that Thackston has done his research as to the voodoo religion and Gullah culture, as well as police procedure.
The plot twists and turns kept me changing my guess at who was really behind it all. And, just when I thought all secrets had been revealed, the final twist just shattered everything. Thackston's writing is excellent. His attention to detail and research creates a very real story for the reader.
Tyler Miles, fresh out of school, and two-weeks new on the Galeegi police force could not have imagined that his first month following in his uncle's footsteps would be so terrifying. For Galeegi Police Chief Fletcher Tate, a typical day consists of answering phones, routine island patrol, and keeping his sergeant and his nephew Tyler from killing each other. Then, when a former islander returns home, old wounds are opened, and what appears to be a simple suicide, or at worst, a revenge killing, sparks a slaughter that threatens to destroy the tiny islands.
Tyler and Fletcher must uncover a killer before it is too late - with each murder, the violence intensifies. The killer leaves no evidence behind save for the sign of the Vodun god Xevioso, drawn with the blood of the victims. As the killings continue, the FBI is called in to assist with the case, along with a Vodun expert. With no clues or connection in sight, suddenly the sign left at the scene changes, signifying that the worst is yet to come.
Without spoiling anything, there is also a love interest for Tyler with the beautiful and intelligent biologist Dr. Chloe Hart, in town to do research for the EPA. The romance aspect is very nicely done, believable, and Tyler's struggle between protecting Chloe and allowing her to use her work and her intelligence to assist with the case is very real. There's nothing cheesy or mushy, and there's no in-your-face crazy physical romance. The whole thing is handled nicely, in a way that it compliments the plot rather than distracting from it. I also appreciate the fact that it seems clear that Thackston has done his research as to the voodoo religion and Gullah culture, as well as police procedure.
The plot twists and turns kept me changing my guess at who was really behind it all. And, just when I thought all secrets had been revealed, the final twist just shattered everything. Thackston's writing is excellent. His attention to detail and research creates a very real story for the reader.
June 19, 2014
Based in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Lawrence Thackston presents his second book, Tidal Pools. In the ficticious Galeegi Islands, there have been some unsolved murders that newcomer Tyler Miles must solve. Miles works with research biologist, Chloe Hart, in the search for the connection between a case that took place many years ago and a suicide. With this action-packed book, you will be up all night trying to figure out the ending (which certainly came as a surprise).
"And, in his search for justice, he will come face to face with an evil as old as hatred itself, cryptically finding his answers only in what the tide leaves behind."
"And, in his search for justice, he will come face to face with an evil as old as hatred itself, cryptically finding his answers only in what the tide leaves behind."
April 5, 2014
Obligatory disclaimer: I won this book as a First-Reads giveaway.
Tidal Pools is a well-written thriller set in the fictional Galeegi Islands off the coast of South Carolina. It works on its most basic level, as a whodunit (or whatdunit!), but was particulary interesting for its contrasting of traditional, Western culture with that of the African descendents who inhabit the islands on which the mysterious deaths being investigated take place. Throw in a romantic element between the lead character, a neophyte police officer, and a sexy PhD biologist, and it adds up to a fine read.
Tidal Pools is a well-written thriller set in the fictional Galeegi Islands off the coast of South Carolina. It works on its most basic level, as a whodunit (or whatdunit!), but was particulary interesting for its contrasting of traditional, Western culture with that of the African descendents who inhabit the islands on which the mysterious deaths being investigated take place. Throw in a romantic element between the lead character, a neophyte police officer, and a sexy PhD biologist, and it adds up to a fine read.
October 6, 2014
i read 200 pages today and i just couldn't put down the book it was just great! With so many different murders and killers it kept the book going. It also made the book different then others because usually there aren't many deaths and different killers and i liked how they changed that up. Great Book!!!!
March 25, 2014
Exceptional writting you do not want to miss reading this one. Thanks to Lawrence for my copy. I am going to recommend this book for years to come.
April 11, 2014
I received this book in a giveaway from Goodreads. I loved it.Once I got started reading it I couldn't put it down. I don't normally stay up all night to finish a book but I did with this one.
March 8, 2016
great page turner.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews