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The Flood
The flood waters are rising. And so is the body count…
Police officer Fiona MacLeish has been ordered to step back from her role in Police Scotland. Haunted by the murder of her parents, she’s dangerously close to breaking and is back in her remote childhood home nestled in a valley on the Scottish border. But there’s a terrifying storm coming…
When Fiona finds the bloodied body of a neighbour in their flooded house, a chill runs through her veins. The bruising around his throat tells Fiona someone wanted this elderly man dead. And with the torrential rain cutting the farming village off completely, the murderer must still be nearby.
But flood waters continue to rise, and landslides force Fiona to take shelter with a crowd of locals at the highest-standing farm. Then, another victim is found, with more suspicious wounds. Trapped at the farm with a killer, with no hope of outside help, can Fiona catch them before more of the isolated community become victims?
The Flood is the first book in the Fiona MacLeish series. With an unforgettable setting, a strong female lead and packed with twists, this is the perfect read for fans of J.M. Dalgliesh, J.D. Kirk and Simon McCleave.
Read what everyone is saying about The Flood :
‘ I read this book in one day . It had me on the edge of my seat and didn't want to put it down . I had to know what happened!! I would definitely recommend.’ @70booklover , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Wow! That just about sums it up right there! Twist, turns, suspense, THRILLER! I loved how much this book made me hold on with both hands! One chapter after another!… Fantastic! ’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fantastic… Had me hooked from page one … So vivid that I felt as if I was standing there with Fiona MacLeish watching everything unfold… I would definitely give more than 5 stars if it was possible .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Atmospheric and tense… Had me hooked from the off and didn't let go until the final paragraph … A fabulous read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A delicious page-turner right from the start. Every time I had to put it down, it was all I could think about. I did end up finishing way past my bedtime, just so I would be able to sleep .’ Goodreads reviewer
‘An absolute corker of a book … Ah, the tension… The wind screaming past the house, the water rising… I can picture it all … Very well-crafted novel and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I was gripped by this story within the first few pages… Full of twists and turns … The excitement level is through the roof. I couldn't put this book down and wanted to zoom to the end .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Police officer Fiona MacLeish has been ordered to step back from her role in Police Scotland. Haunted by the murder of her parents, she’s dangerously close to breaking and is back in her remote childhood home nestled in a valley on the Scottish border. But there’s a terrifying storm coming…
When Fiona finds the bloodied body of a neighbour in their flooded house, a chill runs through her veins. The bruising around his throat tells Fiona someone wanted this elderly man dead. And with the torrential rain cutting the farming village off completely, the murderer must still be nearby.
But flood waters continue to rise, and landslides force Fiona to take shelter with a crowd of locals at the highest-standing farm. Then, another victim is found, with more suspicious wounds. Trapped at the farm with a killer, with no hope of outside help, can Fiona catch them before more of the isolated community become victims?
The Flood is the first book in the Fiona MacLeish series. With an unforgettable setting, a strong female lead and packed with twists, this is the perfect read for fans of J.M. Dalgliesh, J.D. Kirk and Simon McCleave.
Read what everyone is saying about The Flood :
‘ I read this book in one day . It had me on the edge of my seat and didn't want to put it down . I had to know what happened!! I would definitely recommend.’ @70booklover , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘ Wow! That just about sums it up right there! Twist, turns, suspense, THRILLER! I loved how much this book made me hold on with both hands! One chapter after another!… Fantastic! ’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fantastic… Had me hooked from page one … So vivid that I felt as if I was standing there with Fiona MacLeish watching everything unfold… I would definitely give more than 5 stars if it was possible .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Atmospheric and tense… Had me hooked from the off and didn't let go until the final paragraph … A fabulous read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A delicious page-turner right from the start. Every time I had to put it down, it was all I could think about. I did end up finishing way past my bedtime, just so I would be able to sleep .’ Goodreads reviewer
‘An absolute corker of a book … Ah, the tension… The wind screaming past the house, the water rising… I can picture it all … Very well-crafted novel and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I was gripped by this story within the first few pages… Full of twists and turns … The excitement level is through the roof. I couldn't put this book down and wanted to zoom to the end .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
294 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2023
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 1, 2023
The first on a series featuring Scottish copper Fiona who is on a forced sabbatical in the eildnrst of scotland when a flood tskes plac.
The nartator did a pwefect job and it was an easy listen with good distinction of chatacters voices and teal emotion making the story come alive.. what i loved about this listen was the pacing was so spot on and i understood and believed in fiona throughout the clever twists and turns and flaws of each character kept me hooked. Fiona backstory was touched on a fair bit and i gueese it has jooked me in to the swries as i would like to see it resilved.
I was listening intently to this and when the ending came it seems to be over too quivkly i wanted to know more.
A smashing opener look firward yo the test. Thanks to net gallwry publisher and narrator this is a solid 5 star listen or read highly recommended.
The nartator did a pwefect job and it was an easy listen with good distinction of chatacters voices and teal emotion making the story come alive.. what i loved about this listen was the pacing was so spot on and i understood and believed in fiona throughout the clever twists and turns and flaws of each character kept me hooked. Fiona backstory was touched on a fair bit and i gueese it has jooked me in to the swries as i would like to see it resilved.
I was listening intently to this and when the ending came it seems to be over too quivkly i wanted to know more.
A smashing opener look firward yo the test. Thanks to net gallwry publisher and narrator this is a solid 5 star listen or read highly recommended.
September 13, 2023
Great detective novel! Kept me guessing the whole time and how everything tied together so nicely was fantastic. The addition of the flood making everything that much more intense made story a great read. Will look for more from detective Fiona! Thanks to net galley for the audio!
September 22, 2023
This was an enjoyable book. It takes place in the course of one day and during a flood. It’s very descriptive, I felt like was right there next to Fiona. I liked Fiona and how she had everything wrapped up in a neat bow. It certainly kept me guessing. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
September 23, 2023
I was hooked from the beginning of this thrilling book. It had everything from suspect, thriller, full of action and was gripping too. Good characters. Totally unputdownable crime novel
January 4, 2024
Intriguing and thrilling read.
Well written with great characters and shocking twists and well worth a read on a cold, wet and windy night.
Leaving your bedroom lamp on is optional!
Well written with great characters and shocking twists and well worth a read on a cold, wet and windy night.
Leaving your bedroom lamp on is optional!
November 9, 2023
Unfortunately another one not for me :( It was like listening to the weather channel mindlessly drone on about the rain, I don't mean to sound so harsh, but it was just too slow and nothing happened and I honestly didn't care what happened to any of the characters.
Just my personal opinion, I know others have really enjoyed this one.
Just my personal opinion, I know others have really enjoyed this one.
September 22, 2023
'Worst of all, Fiona was looking into the eyes of a killer from the wrong end of a shotgun.'
The first book in a new crime thriller series featuring Scottish police officer Fiona MacLeish.
Fiona is on sabbatical and visiting her Aunt Mary in a remote valley location when a storm brings an unprecedented flood to the local farmland and community. Finding a dead body that has been murdered and not drowned can Fiona solve the crime and save the lives of those around her?
It's a clever idea as the remote location and flood set up a whodunnit very much in the style of a locked room mystery. There's a limited number of suspects as our characters take refuge at a local farm and there's no chance of help until the storm subsides. In a neat twist no one knows that Fiona works for the police apart from her aunt. Can she use that to her advantage or will there be more deaths from the killer or from the increasingly dangerous flood?
There's a nice bit of backstory with Fiona and her motivations for joining the police. Her parents were murdered while she was at school and no one has ever been brought to justice for the crime. I suspect that this mystery will deepen as the series progresses.
Fiona is a likable lead character and the remote location and storm is described well.
The early section of the book is particularly exciting with the discovery of the body and the dangers of the rising floodwater.
As the story progressed there were sections where the plot slowed down and almost became a little repetitive with characters having to brave flood waters multiple times for various reasons.
For a debut it's a solid start, the crime is interesting and even if you guess the killer there are plenty of twists and motivations for character actions to keep you reading and with short chapters the book has that 'one more chapter' feel so that it's a quick read.
A good introduction to Fiona MacLeish and I'm moving straight onto read the second book as the first two are being released together.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-ARC.
The first book in a new crime thriller series featuring Scottish police officer Fiona MacLeish.
Fiona is on sabbatical and visiting her Aunt Mary in a remote valley location when a storm brings an unprecedented flood to the local farmland and community. Finding a dead body that has been murdered and not drowned can Fiona solve the crime and save the lives of those around her?
It's a clever idea as the remote location and flood set up a whodunnit very much in the style of a locked room mystery. There's a limited number of suspects as our characters take refuge at a local farm and there's no chance of help until the storm subsides. In a neat twist no one knows that Fiona works for the police apart from her aunt. Can she use that to her advantage or will there be more deaths from the killer or from the increasingly dangerous flood?
There's a nice bit of backstory with Fiona and her motivations for joining the police. Her parents were murdered while she was at school and no one has ever been brought to justice for the crime. I suspect that this mystery will deepen as the series progresses.
Fiona is a likable lead character and the remote location and storm is described well.
The early section of the book is particularly exciting with the discovery of the body and the dangers of the rising floodwater.
As the story progressed there were sections where the plot slowed down and almost became a little repetitive with characters having to brave flood waters multiple times for various reasons.
For a debut it's a solid start, the crime is interesting and even if you guess the killer there are plenty of twists and motivations for character actions to keep you reading and with short chapters the book has that 'one more chapter' feel so that it's a quick read.
A good introduction to Fiona MacLeish and I'm moving straight onto read the second book as the first two are being released together.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-ARC.
September 22, 2023
The Flood by G.N. Smith was an exciting contemporary crime thriller. It is the first book in A Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller series which promises to be thrilling.
The leading lady is very believable. She is cool and calm as a crisis unfolds, and she is tenacious in her search for the truth. Her police training means she carefully pieces together the evidence to decipher the perpetrator – unlike me who hadn’t got a clue!
We see how our upbringing shapes us into the adults we become. No closure in youth means the leading lady is determined that no one will suffer like she has and is relentless in her pursuit of the truth.
Guilt overtakes a character who realizes their trust was misplaced.
Atmospheric weather adds to the tension as a raging storm mirrors the action.
The opening of the book was superb as the reader experiences heightened emotions – and then we are all flung eight hours backwards in time as we wonder what just led up to the scene we just witnessed?
The Flood was a thinking man’s crime thriller that made my heart race. It would make a marvellous television series.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The leading lady is very believable. She is cool and calm as a crisis unfolds, and she is tenacious in her search for the truth. Her police training means she carefully pieces together the evidence to decipher the perpetrator – unlike me who hadn’t got a clue!
We see how our upbringing shapes us into the adults we become. No closure in youth means the leading lady is determined that no one will suffer like she has and is relentless in her pursuit of the truth.
Guilt overtakes a character who realizes their trust was misplaced.
Atmospheric weather adds to the tension as a raging storm mirrors the action.
The opening of the book was superb as the reader experiences heightened emotions – and then we are all flung eight hours backwards in time as we wonder what just led up to the scene we just witnessed?
The Flood was a thinking man’s crime thriller that made my heart race. It would make a marvellous television series.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2023
thanks to @netgalley @bookouture and the author for this advanced readers copy. 🥳🥳 (all opinions are mine).
𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: sigh. the plot seemed reasonable. however, the author did not do justice to the story’s intensity. there was no element of surprise or plot twist (despite the fact that it was meant to be a whodunnit plot). they made the murders appear so simple and basic, as if to say ‘well! it just another dead body.’ 🤷♀️
also, how do you make the first suspect (whom the author made apparent and everyone would literally guess) the murderer???? sigh. 🫤 i felt this book was overly long, and the descriptions were neither gripping nor intriguing. I felt lost much of the time. sigh. seemed like it could have been a really good book, but it definitely didn’t excite me
there’s a sequel, titled ‘the island’ (pub day: 22/09/2023) and i’m not sure i’ll be getting into it any time soon. 🥺🥺
𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: sigh. the plot seemed reasonable. however, the author did not do justice to the story’s intensity. there was no element of surprise or plot twist (despite the fact that it was meant to be a whodunnit plot). they made the murders appear so simple and basic, as if to say ‘well! it just another dead body.’ 🤷♀️
also, how do you make the first suspect (whom the author made apparent and everyone would literally guess) the murderer???? sigh. 🫤 i felt this book was overly long, and the descriptions were neither gripping nor intriguing. I felt lost much of the time. sigh. seemed like it could have been a really good book, but it definitely didn’t excite me
there’s a sequel, titled ‘the island’ (pub day: 22/09/2023) and i’m not sure i’ll be getting into it any time soon. 🥺🥺
September 25, 2023
Before I start my review I just want to say that the attention to detail in this book is outstanding so is the rich descriptive detail of the landscape and the surrounding area.
Police officer Fiona MacLeish has come to her childhood home of her Aunt Mary in the Scottish Borders to take break, a few days later a huge mega storm has hit with the cottage about to flood they grab what they can and leave but before they do Fiona goes to check on Mary’s elderly neighbours, she gets a huge shock when she does.
This was such a good locked room mystery or in this case a locked farm mystery because Fiona and her Aunt Mary or sheltering on the closest farm with a handful of other villagers and one of them could be a killer.
I kept switching who I thought was the killer all the way through, the author definitely kept me on my toes.
One part I enjoyed was the flashback chapters, I loved getting to know about Fiona’s teenage years and the tragedy that occurred.
Police officer Fiona MacLeish has come to her childhood home of her Aunt Mary in the Scottish Borders to take break, a few days later a huge mega storm has hit with the cottage about to flood they grab what they can and leave but before they do Fiona goes to check on Mary’s elderly neighbours, she gets a huge shock when she does.
This was such a good locked room mystery or in this case a locked farm mystery because Fiona and her Aunt Mary or sheltering on the closest farm with a handful of other villagers and one of them could be a killer.
I kept switching who I thought was the killer all the way through, the author definitely kept me on my toes.
One part I enjoyed was the flashback chapters, I loved getting to know about Fiona’s teenage years and the tragedy that occurred.
September 22, 2023
The Flood (A Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller Book 1) Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my early copy to read and review. PC Fiona MacLeish is on enforced leave from Police Scotland following a death of a colleague. She returns to her Aunt Mary's in Scales Valley, approx 2.5 miles from the town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders. Whilst there, there is a massive storm - Storm Odin, which threatens the homes of the quiet, sleepy hamlet with the winds and rain making the river swell and spill over the banks. Fiona decides to check on the elderly neighbours nearby and finds an incident that she wasn't expecting. Fiona and Aunt Mary try to leave the valley but are stopped by a fallen tree. They return and they are offered safety at a farm that is higher up. From there, the plot twists and turns with an ending that I was surprised with. I highly recommend you read this book.
August 30, 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery thriller in the first of a new series, we meet Fiona MacLeish a feisty young police woman, forced to take a sabbatical back at home with her Aunt Mary in the beautiful Scottish Borders, I could smell the air, even though there had been an awful flood, and multiple deaths, that Fiona has to solve while keeping the rest of her neighbours and her beloved Aunt Mary safe.
While it’s gripping, and terror filled. This sits well within my “cozy mystery” ranks. Helen McAlpine, as always provides fantastic narration and really gives voice to the characters. I’m looking forward to what comes next from Fiona.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookature Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
While it’s gripping, and terror filled. This sits well within my “cozy mystery” ranks. Helen McAlpine, as always provides fantastic narration and really gives voice to the characters. I’m looking forward to what comes next from Fiona.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookature Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
August 30, 2023
So this was my first book/audio by this narrator and I wasn't sure initially but yes it was worth it really good . It is such an amazing premise and really works I was there in the flood in the Scottish farming community. Slowly secrets come out and all is revealed. Really good listen.
The narration really worked it just got so involved in the story..
The aunt was amazing - and I so loved her voice.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and Bookouture but the review is entirely my own.
The narration really worked it just got so involved in the story..
The aunt was amazing - and I so loved her voice.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and Bookouture but the review is entirely my own.
November 25, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m not sure that I’ll go and read the next in the series.
The premise was good but there was far too much description of how they were battling through the flood waters to do various things. I know us Scots are obsessed with the weather but I eventually found myself skimming pages of this book as it was becoming far too repetitive for my liking.
The premise was good but there was far too much description of how they were battling through the flood waters to do various things. I know us Scots are obsessed with the weather but I eventually found myself skimming pages of this book as it was becoming far too repetitive for my liking.
October 9, 2023
Loved this book from start to finish, kept me guessing the whole way through. Highly recommend, now to start book 2 The Island 😁
October 10, 2023
First I’ve read by this author. First in a new series too. But, not sure I’ll be going back for more.
Although this one had the makings of a terrific plot, it just didn’t work for me. Fiona is a Scottish Police Officer who is currently out on leave. She goes to visit her Aunt Mary and finds herself caught in a terrible storm.
And just as they start making plans to evacuate, all hell breaks loose, and a dead body turns up. BUT, they did not die of natural causes, they were murdered.
The book progresses to show each and every terrible turn of the storm. And all the neighbors in this rural town decide to stick together to try to make it through. But, there just might be a killer among them…
Again, seemed like this could be really good. Great characters. Scary theme. Murders… But it just didn’t pull me in.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture Audio for the ARC of the audiobook which will be released on September 22nd.
#GNSmith #TheFlood
Feel free to follow me on insta for more book reviews!
#BookReviews_with_emsr
Although this one had the makings of a terrific plot, it just didn’t work for me. Fiona is a Scottish Police Officer who is currently out on leave. She goes to visit her Aunt Mary and finds herself caught in a terrible storm.
And just as they start making plans to evacuate, all hell breaks loose, and a dead body turns up. BUT, they did not die of natural causes, they were murdered.
The book progresses to show each and every terrible turn of the storm. And all the neighbors in this rural town decide to stick together to try to make it through. But, there just might be a killer among them…
Again, seemed like this could be really good. Great characters. Scary theme. Murders… But it just didn’t pull me in.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture Audio for the ARC of the audiobook which will be released on September 22nd.
#GNSmith #TheFlood
Feel free to follow me on insta for more book reviews!
#BookReviews_with_emsr
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews