For fans of Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell comes a powerful and haunting novel about family, secrets and murder.
Is blood thicker than water?
At 5am one summer's morning, police diver Jen Harper wakes to find herself submerged in the silt of a river with no memory of how she got there.
Forty-eight hours later, she's called to dive in the same river in search of a missing woman, Claudia Franklin.
But for Jen, this is no ordinary job. Her and Claudia's families were entangled for decades—there is unresolved resentment between them, unspoken secrets.
Jen hasn't seen Claudia for twelve years now. Or has she?
I have a new book coming which I'm so excited for you to read! It's called TO LOVE A LIAR and it's out in September 2025. You can pre-order now in paperback, ebook, and audio.
My backlist titles are -
SILENT WATERS, THE TWINS (Richard and Judy Bookclub pick) and THE PRANK. All published by Welbeck/Mountain Leopard Press, Hachette.
For any queries, please go via my agent, Camilla Bolton, at The Darley Anderson Agency
I don’t think I have ever read a book about a police diver before. It was so interesting to see things from this side of the investigation. I would absolutely read more.
This is such a binge worthy listen, I powered through it in a day. So many secrets and lies..and those twists.. wow! I need more books by this author now. I do love a story about complicated relationships and this one had so many of them. It was so very well done.
The narrator was fantastic and kept me wanting to hear more.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and WF Howes for my advanced listening copy. Out on September 14th.
Mess of a book, felt like it was running around in circles, it was obvious from the start. The led up to the end was convoluted and ran around in circles. I really liked the premise of the book learning about the activity/ life of a police diver. I just didn’t like the execution of it and the plot.
For me, reading the book lacked something, couldn’t put a finger to it but it just lacked the twists in the book. I was expecting twists to be dotted around the book, but it was very limited. Some parts felt like it dragged on and on, and some parts felt useless to relive over. Also to note, this book does talk about predators, people in a position of power abusing it ( just as a heads up if people are interested in ready to be prepared for).
L.V. Matthews is one of my auto buy authors because I always know I'm getting a brilliant thriller with clever twists. This one was no different.
A very unique character and premise. Never read about a police diver before so was an interesting concept. Not that I'd want to be one because I'm terrified of water 🤣
I loved the ease of reading. It went from one POV to another effortlessly and cleanly. As the front of the books says, even good people do bad things. And despite the characters making the wrong choices, I didn't care.
Didn't see the end twist coming. Another brilliant shock! Definitely worth reading if you love a good thriller that isn't your normal crime thriller with the same old detective.
Silent Waters by LV Matthews is a gripping and thoroughly enjoyable read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The author's attention to detail is evident in the vivid descriptions of Jen's job as part of the police dive team, which adds a unique and exciting element to the story. The characters are well-developed, with Jen being a complex and intriguing protagonist. Her relationships with Kerry and her brother Bill are believable and well fleshed out, although some of their actions and reactions may seem a bit over-the-top at times. The book covers a lot of ground, including police dive team logistics, professional diving, love triangles, abusive relationships, affairs, and murder, deceit, and lies. This can make the story feel a bit overwhelming and unfocused at times. There are a few minor confusing things at the beginning of the book, and the sleepwalking aspect, while fascinating, can feel like a bit of a detour from the already complex story, as well as some extra added elements that I personally don’t think they were necessary in the story but they just add a new layer to the overall view. Silent Waters is a thrilling and engaging read that is sure to keep you guessing until the very end.
Silent Waters is a standalone psychological mystery by author, LV Matthews. The story follows Jen who is a Police diver who becomes entangled in the mystery of Claudia Franklin. Unbeknown to her work colleagues, Claudia and Jen have a complex history full of untold secrets. What this history involves you will have to read until the end to find out. I loved following our amateur detective, Jen and making her a Police diver was interesting and the standout character for me. The story is told in multiple POV and timelines as we uncover the truth about these characters and their pasts. I enjoyed the use of Jen’s sleep walking as an unreliable narrator trope. This meant we we’re never really sure if we can trust her perspective on things, could she have done something and not known?! This was my second read by this author and I am looking forward to seeing what else they write. Thankyou to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an arc of this book.
I was super excited to receive this book for review from Jonathan Ball Publishers. I loved The Twins – which I read in July 2022 – and I could not wait to dig into this one. Needless to say, this one skipped to the top of my TBR. You can expect some late-night reading when you reach for Silent Waters. It’s a gripping, entertaining read about family, secrets and murder that will keep you glued to the pages. The author does an amazing job of bringing the family relationship to life in this story. She focuses on both the good and the bad, making the story realistic. The characters are fabulous, I love the way she shows the various character traits while explaining the cause of the various behaviours. I loved how you are left feeling connected to Jen and her struggle between loyalty to family and her work commitments. Jen wakes in the early hours of the morning with her feet in the water. She is used to her sleepwalking, but she has never gone into the water before. Two days later, she is called upon to join her police dive search team to look for a missing woman – Claudia Franklin. Jen used to know Claudia, but she hasn’t seen her in years, has she? A dog walker spotted something floating in the river – very close to where Jen woke after sleepwalking. I loved the internal conflict in this story. Jen is a good police officer, but her brother is the only family she has. Her constant struggle trying to decide what she should do had me glued to the pages. I could not race through this book fast enough. The characters in the book were a brilliant bunch. Jen tries very hard to do the right thing – for her brother, but also her son. This little boy adds a softer touch to the story with his innocence and love for his mother. The Franklins – both Veronica and Claudia have a habit of leaving you amazed with their selfish behaviour. I could not believe that Jen and her brother struggled to see the truth about Claudia – what a horrible person. This book was a brilliant read and I am happy to add it to my loved list for 2023. I am keen to see what this author sends our way next. Her writing is wonderfully entertaining. If you are keen on a crime novel about family relationships, dark secrets and murder, then you will love this book. I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR – you are guaranteed a late-night read when you reach for Silent Waters. https://featzreviews.com/silent-water...
4.5/5 - thoroughly enjoyed this twisty, shocking thriller! I could not put it down and read it in 24 hours just about! It’s an unusual theme but it is extremely captivating. The characters are very likable and you can easily form a connection with them. There are twists every few chapters and it is definitely a book that keeps you guessing. The only reason this isn’t a 5 star is because I feel like there could’ve been slightly more to the ending …
3.5 Stars. This book is filled with twists and turns so keeps you on your toes. The policing aspects were really quite accurate which made the story even better. Would recommend
Silent Waters is one of my favourite reads of the year so far: Firstly, the plot! It’s suspenseful and completely and utterly addictive, to the point I couldn't leave it alone. I just had to know what was happening and why. There was so much going on, lives intertwined, a sleepwalker, a missing person, and many complicated relationships, however, thanks to Liv’s confident and clever plotting, I never felt confused or overwhelmed, which is a testament to how seamlessly Liv can skilfully weave and layer storylines together.
What else struck me was just how well researched the police diving aspect was; the details and descriptives transported me so vividly I felt that I was right next to Jen as she made her way through the freezing, murky waters. I have never read a book so submersive in this aspect, and it was just completely brilliant writing; I felt almost claustrophobic at certain points. The Olympic diving element was another extremely clever aspect that added uniqueness and tightened the plot as a whole.
The pacing was perfect, there was no lull, and the ending was unexpected and was the perfect conclusion. If you love wordsmiths like Lucy Clarke and Gillian McAllister, you’ll love this. Highly recommended! Five stars.
This my friends is how you do unreliable narration! You make the characters as murky as the river hiding the body and you make them all liars.
Jen Harper is a police diver and also a single mum to Sam. She relies heavily on her brother Bill and friend Kerry. She also sleepwalks when she is stressed, often finding herself back at the water or the barn. The barn is what turned them all into liars and omg you know people say they shout at the television and books. That barn had me shrieking like a banshee WTF HAPPENED AT THE BARN??? The author alludes to the barn throughout but wow does she keep her secrets to herself.
Jen is currently on a job looking for a missing woman but she hasn’t let on to her team that Claudia was a childhood friend until it turned sour. The banter of her team lightened the mood a little and gave an insight into a job that many of us know little about. Extra points for originality.
Jen, Bill, Kerry and Claudia’s husband Mark all have motive and I suspected them all at certain points but I knew I was missing something. I had a feeling it was that damn barn again!
The current of the plot pulled me under, twisted me every which way and then caught me in its tide until my breath was nearly spent. The only fish in this river being red herrings and they are plentiful, like me I expect you will be caught in the authors net.
This was an unnerving book to read at this time. A novel about a police diving team looking for the body of a woman in a river strikes a bit too close to home given the current news.
This was a 'read now' book on Netgalley which I don't normally go for however this one really pulled me in. And I am so glad it did. If it is still read now, I would encourage everyone to go and grab a copy.
Such a well paced story, my favourite type of book which slowly drip feeds one little morsel after another leading to a very satisfying ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Welbeck publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this twisting thriller, my first read from Matthews. In particular, I appreciated the different prospective we are given as the protagonist is a police diver. I sure have not read a book whereby we follow a police investigation not from the officers in charge, but being a part of the diving team as they look for evidence.
A fresh and different psychological thriller with a unique premise! 😍
Matthews well and truly submerges you into a gripping read that flows slowly at first, but quickens as you read on, and trust me, I had to read on. I finished this buddy read two days early!
The book is splashed with secrets and intrigue which stems from the protagonist’s childhood and I found this read very enjoyable. I’ve never read a book based around diving and it was so interesting.
Jen, a police diver, wakes one morning submerged in a river with no recollection of how she got there. A few days later she is called to dive in this same river to search for missing woman Claudia Franklin. However, Jen and Claudia’s families were entangled for decades and she hasn’t seen Claudia for years now. Or has she?
The abject horror the police diving chapters enforce on you is crazy! I was petrified for Jen. Drowning would honestly be my worse nightmare. This topic was just so unique and really made this read stand out. I just wish there were more chapters on this.
Matthews has articulated a clever and intricately plotted thriller which takes you on a very unexpected journey. I only predicted a few things, but the rest were a surprise to me. The amount of times I changed my ideas really made this read appealing. I also liked the exploration of specific topics which I will not mention to avoid spoiling this read.
I loved how nothing was plain sailing for Jen and I really liked her character. Although, I did feel really sorry for her Son Sam, but I’m sure @clairsbooks will talk about this in her review. I loved watching all of the secrets unravel and how they were subtly streamed throughout.
I buddy read this with @mynextreads and @clairsbooks and we all had slightly differing opinions. I absolutely loved our chats and thoroughly enjoyed this book. ❤️
If you’re looking for a book that’s easy to follow, is full of secrets and makes you want to turn the page, then look no further and dive into this book, Silent Waters! 😍
P.s., I just couldn’t help incorporating all of these water based words. 🤣
💬: -‘anyone, if pushed to their limits, can tip into a state where primal emotions are unleashed.’ -‘He took a leap, he thinks, and it was for love, but love makes people do stupid things.’
Another cracking novel from LV Matthews - a little darker than her previous books but one you won’t want to miss.
Jen Harper sleepwalks - she does so when she’s stressed but hasn’t done so for years- so when she wakes in a nearby river, soaking wet and cold, something must be up.
It’s only when a local woman - Olympic diver Claudia Franklin- is declared missing and Jen as a police diver is called in to investigate, she worries that something might be a miss.
Jen and Claudia once were friends and dived together, Claudia being chosen for the olympics and Jen missing out after a sudden illness shattered her dreams. Where is Claudia? Is Jen to blame?
This is a story about family relationships and dynamics just as much a missing persons and suspicions.
I loved the relationship between Jen and her brother Bill, how they trusted one another implicitly and showed that blood truly is thicker than water.
The relationships between all the character were complex, which I felt added to the intrigue; I was never quite sure who to trust - especially when it came to Mark, Claudia’s husband. My opinion of him kept changing throughout.
I devoured this book in a little under 24 hours and I hope others love it like I did.
The novel I recently enjoyed immerses readers into the captivating world of police divers, shedding light on the unique job that blends silence with powerful characters. It's a narrative that skillfully unravels the underwater mysteries, keeping you engaged with unexpected twists and turns.
The characters, brought to life by the author, make for a compelling ensemble, and the meticulous description of their underwater investigations adds an immersive dimension to the story. This book is a must-read for both diving enthusiasts and those who relish suspenseful crime fiction.
With its finely crafted characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very last page, this novel takes readers on a remarkable journey through the depths of human determination and the secrets concealed beneath the waves. It's an engaging literary experience that's not to be missed.
This book had so many twists and turns in it and had me guessing a lot throughout which I love with a book. The different characters and how they were written was so good and how they were portrayed with their relationships. There was some characters who I really disliked throughout the book and was suspicious of which just added to the experience of trying to find out what actually happened to Claudia. I enjoyed the change up of character points of views which added a different perspective to the plot and made me change my mind on multiple occasions. I guessed a few bits along the way which I wasn’t mad about because it just adds to it but also some of my other guesses weren’t right at all. I’d definitely recommend picking this up if you like to play detective and put together the pieces to try and guess what’s happening
Lots of twists and turns and no one can be trusted, not even the main character herself!
It is a decent story and it keeps you turning the page, but a did find most of the characters frustratingly weak wet blankets. Particularly Bill. The only characters this didn't apply to was our strong and humble protagonist and our evil, calculating antagonist. All quite disappointingly typical.
However, I really enjoyed the detail surrounding the story. A police diver and Olympic diving is a niche career and sport and it was interesting to read about and how it was tied in to the story. Not bad.
Well its fair to say that there's a lot packed into this. A great missing person storyline with superb twists and turns that you just cant see coming at all.
A small group of characters considering the amount of storyline that happens which makes this feel all the more tense and claustrophobic.
Some interesting characters, some truly despicable characters, its hard to know who to trust.
Clever and razor sharp, You will be kept on your toes,
⭐️ 3.25/5 📍 🇬🇧 🗂️ Thriller 📖 Jen loves water and always has. It’s just another day in her job, until things get complicated. Who knows what’s lurking under the water today? 1️⃣ My first book by this author ❤️ Insight into MC’s job - one of the early descriptions had me wincing ❤️ Loved reading the dedication to the bloggers in the acknowledgements ✅ Surprises and decoys along the way 😬 There were 2 things that ran throughout the book that I just couldn’t get past but they didn’t bother my buddy readers 😩 I was expecting about half of the twists and I do like to be shook 👆 💬 “Love makes people do stupid things” 📆 20th February 2024
I was hooked on this book straight away, the twists and turns were addictive as the characters. The authors writing style was definitely a bit of me!
I really felt like I got to know the characters completely and loved the different timelines. The sleep walking was so tense, loved finding out about the loop! But the dives freaked me out the most! Especially a certain one where Jen makes a decision 😬
From the writer of last year's 'The Twins' comes a new thriller with so many twists and turns you won't want to put it down. Ooh Liv – this is so so good!
As someone who absolutely hates water and almost drowned (allegedly, but not according to my parents) in Malta when I was five – I have an absolute fear of the stuff.
Not so our main protaganist Jen, a former Olympic medal hopeful in diving, she's now a police diver and is prone to bouts of sleepwalking, which is where the story starts.
There's SO much I want to tell you about this book but can't for fear of the many potential spoilers.
What I will say is that – for me – it had one of the best plot twists (I won't say when) since Gone Girl.
Yes, that's right, a scene so Gone-girl-esque that my jaw may have literally dropped!
But the twists don't stop there as more mysteries are revealed and the murky waters of Jen and her family's past begin to clear for the reader.
Great writing and a twisty turny story makes for a much recommended read – and the cover quotes are definitely warranted. Add this to your list of must-reads this year when it's released in July.
My thanks to the publisher for my Net Galley ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was just spellbinding. I was utterly captivated from the start and the book kept me intrigued throughout.
This is one of those cleverly written, layered thrillers that just keep on making your head sping the whole way
The characters are realistically written and 3d. They're complex and don't always opt for the "right" choice. It's that question of how far a person will go to save themselves and protect their own even when it may not be morally right.
The story keeps a good pace throughout, it's quite slow going but it really needs to be for the level of complexity it weaves. There is so much going on and it isn't until the end that you realise just how complicated this tangled Web is. There are so many strands and they all come together flawlessly. There are no plot holes or loose ends, the natural conclusion is just Brought together perfectly.
It's very character led but it never feels boring or stilted. There is this amazingly eerie atmosphere built up throughout and the descriptions underwater make you feel like you are down there with her. It's such a unique plot and premise and the underwater setting gives it a whole new dimension.