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The Dark Water Series
Book 1 - Undercurrents (You never know what, or who, is around the corner)
Eight women falling to their deaths in this stretch of river over the last year is not a coincidence. They can’t all have had the same ‘accident.’ So what’s going on?
The police won’t listen. I should know — I’m engaged to one of them. But as a journalist for the local newspaper, I’m well-placed to investigate for myself. Mark, my husband-to-be, isn’t happy at me ‘undermining’ the police in this way, but I don’t care. The women who have died deserve justice — and the rest of us deserve to feel safe enough to walk freely after dark.
The rest of my life is idyllic. Mark is everything I could ever want, we have a beautiful daughter and our fairy tale wedding to look forward to. My career is starting to take off and I feel invincible.
But the death toll reaching double figures reminds us that none of us are.
The police aren’t doing their job properly. How is it that I’ve managed to uncover the eerie connections between the victims, but they haven’t? Mark worries I’m becoming obsessed with it all and in doing so, he says I’m putting myself at risk.
But I’ll make them listen. Even if it’s the last thing I do…
Book 2 – Drowned Voices (When guilt cannot be silenced)
All I want is get back to normal. Whatever ‘normal’ is these days. After all, our family will be scarred forever after everything that’s happened.
My sister-in-law falling prey to the serial killer that stalked our usual peaceful town is something I’ll never get over. But equally, I’m beyond relieved that my husband has been exonerated of involvement in any of the women’s deaths. Our nightmare is finally over.
Or is it?
When another victim is pulled from the tranquil river Alder, it’s clear the wrong person has been blamed for the deaths that went before. Meanwhile, my husband is disappearing at all hours of the day and night, and even when he’s at home, he’s unbearable to be around. Suddenly, I’m forced to question everything I thought I knew about him.
And then I find his computer search history
The chilling truth starts to unravel as I discover just how close to home the killer is lurking. I have to protect our daughter — I have to protect myself.
But at what cost?
Book 3 – Emergence (When you've reached a dead end, where can you go?
They don’t need to name the dangerous prisoner who’s escaped whilst in transit between prisons. The chill that snakes up my spine tells me exactly who it is.
And I know the first place he’ll be heading.
With a history of my own escape from him twelve years ago, I can already foresee the relentless manhunt that’s about to unfold. The question is, will he be caught before he can do any more damage?
As a fresh wave of killings creeps closer to our new hometown on the east coast, I know one thing for certain.
That he’s coming back for me.
With this shadow from our past again on the loose, my family become prisoners at home, each of us not allowing the others out of sight. But one family member seems to think she knows better than the rest of us,
Putting the theory, blood is thicker than water, to the ultimate test.
Eight women falling to their deaths in this stretch of river over the last year is not a coincidence. They can’t all have had the same ‘accident.’ So what’s going on?
The police won’t listen. I should know — I’m engaged to one of them. But as a journalist for the local newspaper, I’m well-placed to investigate for myself. Mark, my husband-to-be, isn’t happy at me ‘undermining’ the police in this way, but I don’t care. The women who have died deserve justice — and the rest of us deserve to feel safe enough to walk freely after dark.
The rest of my life is idyllic. Mark is everything I could ever want, we have a beautiful daughter and our fairy tale wedding to look forward to. My career is starting to take off and I feel invincible.
But the death toll reaching double figures reminds us that none of us are.
The police aren’t doing their job properly. How is it that I’ve managed to uncover the eerie connections between the victims, but they haven’t? Mark worries I’m becoming obsessed with it all and in doing so, he says I’m putting myself at risk.
But I’ll make them listen. Even if it’s the last thing I do…
Book 2 – Drowned Voices (When guilt cannot be silenced)
All I want is get back to normal. Whatever ‘normal’ is these days. After all, our family will be scarred forever after everything that’s happened.
My sister-in-law falling prey to the serial killer that stalked our usual peaceful town is something I’ll never get over. But equally, I’m beyond relieved that my husband has been exonerated of involvement in any of the women’s deaths. Our nightmare is finally over.
Or is it?
When another victim is pulled from the tranquil river Alder, it’s clear the wrong person has been blamed for the deaths that went before. Meanwhile, my husband is disappearing at all hours of the day and night, and even when he’s at home, he’s unbearable to be around. Suddenly, I’m forced to question everything I thought I knew about him.
And then I find his computer search history
The chilling truth starts to unravel as I discover just how close to home the killer is lurking. I have to protect our daughter — I have to protect myself.
But at what cost?
Book 3 – Emergence (When you've reached a dead end, where can you go?
They don’t need to name the dangerous prisoner who’s escaped whilst in transit between prisons. The chill that snakes up my spine tells me exactly who it is.
And I know the first place he’ll be heading.
With a history of my own escape from him twelve years ago, I can already foresee the relentless manhunt that’s about to unfold. The question is, will he be caught before he can do any more damage?
As a fresh wave of killings creeps closer to our new hometown on the east coast, I know one thing for certain.
That he’s coming back for me.
With this shadow from our past again on the loose, my family become prisoners at home, each of us not allowing the others out of sight. But one family member seems to think she knows better than the rest of us,
Putting the theory, blood is thicker than water, to the ultimate test.
852 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
About the author
Maria Frankland
87 books622 followersMaria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novel - Ties That Bind.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novel - Ties That Bind.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 28, 2025
Gritty family based police procedural
Someone is drowning drunk women in the river, the police dismiss these as accidents but Lauren freelance reporter refuses to believe it. But investigating will have tragic and decades long consequences. The story follows her family over the following years and is told from various character points of view. Emotional and gritty family based police procedural with stunning twists and shocking turns. The writing is wonderful, the characters are strong and complex and the story gripping. Stunning dark series. Narration by Naomi Rose-Mock is excellent who despite being American manages a decent English accent and is easy to listen to. Highly recommended.
Someone is drowning drunk women in the river, the police dismiss these as accidents but Lauren freelance reporter refuses to believe it. But investigating will have tragic and decades long consequences. The story follows her family over the following years and is told from various character points of view. Emotional and gritty family based police procedural with stunning twists and shocking turns. The writing is wonderful, the characters are strong and complex and the story gripping. Stunning dark series. Narration by Naomi Rose-Mock is excellent who despite being American manages a decent English accent and is easy to listen to. Highly recommended.
February 1, 2024
Wow an Amazing Trilogy
This trilogy was one of the best I've read. I was gripped from the moment I opened the first book and couldn't read it fast enough to get to the final conclusion. I felt like I knew all the characters personally. What an explosive conclusion to a brilliant series. 👏
This trilogy was one of the best I've read. I was gripped from the moment I opened the first book and couldn't read it fast enough to get to the final conclusion. I felt like I knew all the characters personally. What an explosive conclusion to a brilliant series. 👏
January 16, 2025
Amazing! Couldn't put it down!
I'm so glad 3 books were made because I just wanted it to keep on going. I'm actually sad it's stopped now. It kept me gripped throughout. I loved it. Brilliant writing, amazing writer!
I'm so glad 3 books were made because I just wanted it to keep on going. I'm actually sad it's stopped now. It kept me gripped throughout. I loved it. Brilliant writing, amazing writer!
July 23, 2025
Wow wee what a trilogy to read. Hooked from start to finish but didn't want it to end. Im hoping there's going to be a next book about alysha the Daughter of will and see if there's any antics from her. I highly recommend you read this dark water series, the twists and turns omg
June 25, 2023
Great!
A great trilogy keeps you guessing the whole way through. Still has a huge twist at the end that I didn’t see coming!! Great stuff!
A great trilogy keeps you guessing the whole way through. Still has a huge twist at the end that I didn’t see coming!! Great stuff!
February 19, 2025
brilliant read as usual.
At the moment I’m reading all of Maria’s books, each time looking forward to the next one. Love the Dark Water series .
At the moment I’m reading all of Maria’s books, each time looking forward to the next one. Love the Dark Water series .
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews