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The River Man
Clem knows every inch of Watersmeet like the back of his hand. After all, he’s controlled crime here for most of his career. But after a shock murder, he meets jaundiced yellow eyes shining out of the darkness beyond the houses on the village’s eerie southern slopes, and everything he thought he knew about the place is thrown into question.
Clem’s grown up with local legends, just like everyone else. But could the River Man be real, and might this creature be behind the recent mysterious killings? It’s a theory – and not one that his superiors want to hear. They’re more interested in courting soundbites and social media with their own wild explanations. Drugs? Gangs? Clem just doesn’t believe it.
Suspended, he takes matters into his own hands and strikes out into the woods behind the farm. Here, amongst the trees and hidden caves, he discovers more than he ever wanted to. Something that’s been hiding. Something that needs to be smoked out. Clem sets out to solve the village’s biggest crime ever, but at what cost?
Clem’s grown up with local legends, just like everyone else. But could the River Man be real, and might this creature be behind the recent mysterious killings? It’s a theory – and not one that his superiors want to hear. They’re more interested in courting soundbites and social media with their own wild explanations. Drugs? Gangs? Clem just doesn’t believe it.
Suspended, he takes matters into his own hands and strikes out into the woods behind the farm. Here, amongst the trees and hidden caves, he discovers more than he ever wanted to. Something that’s been hiding. Something that needs to be smoked out. Clem sets out to solve the village’s biggest crime ever, but at what cost?
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Published March 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 12, 2024
Somewhat creepy, but not my cup of tea I guess.
April 24, 2024
I haven't been able to find out anything about R. B. Croft but, as far as I can tell, 'The River Man' is a debut novel. It's an Audible Original, ably narrated by Dominic West and is only available as an audiobook.
'The River Man' is an engaging mix of Police Procedural and Creature Feature. It's set in an English village but not the cosy southern villages that Miss Marple or Inspector Barnaby would be comfortable in but in the wilder, more remote North Pennines between Cumbria, Northumberland, and County Durham. The sense of place is important to the story both for the origin of The River Man legend and for shaping Clem, the policeman from whose point of view most of the story is told. He's spent his entire career in the village and his approach to policing is based on a desire to keep the peace and help his neighbours.
Clem, who is at the end of his career and who has accepted a demotion so that he can carry on as a Special Policeman, is a well-crafted, engaging character who I was able to root for. His superiors on the other hand come across as ego-driven attention-seekers who have no respect either for the people in the village or the staff who work for them.
This isn't a cosy mystery. The killings in the story were graphic and bloody and although two of them occurred off-stage, the mutilated remains were left on display.
His bosses don't want Clem to be involved in the case. He's seen as out-dated and his judgement is not respected. So, of course, he's the only one who figures out what's going on. Unable to get anyone to listen to him, he determines to find and stop the Riven Man alone.
I enjoyed the first half of the book, which set up the situation and introduced the characters and the place. I liked that R. B. Croft took the time to make the village and its people feel real.
The pace picked up for the confrontation between Clem and the creature, introducing a real sense of urgency and a high level of threat.
I was less satisfied with the ending of the story. It had a Happy Ever After feel that was too cosy for my taste and which clashed with the tone of the rest of the novel. It also ran a little long as the author felt the need to tie up everything neatly.
Still, it was an entertaining story that was well-suited to the audiobook format.
'The River Man' is an engaging mix of Police Procedural and Creature Feature. It's set in an English village but not the cosy southern villages that Miss Marple or Inspector Barnaby would be comfortable in but in the wilder, more remote North Pennines between Cumbria, Northumberland, and County Durham. The sense of place is important to the story both for the origin of The River Man legend and for shaping Clem, the policeman from whose point of view most of the story is told. He's spent his entire career in the village and his approach to policing is based on a desire to keep the peace and help his neighbours.
Clem, who is at the end of his career and who has accepted a demotion so that he can carry on as a Special Policeman, is a well-crafted, engaging character who I was able to root for. His superiors on the other hand come across as ego-driven attention-seekers who have no respect either for the people in the village or the staff who work for them.
This isn't a cosy mystery. The killings in the story were graphic and bloody and although two of them occurred off-stage, the mutilated remains were left on display.
His bosses don't want Clem to be involved in the case. He's seen as out-dated and his judgement is not respected. So, of course, he's the only one who figures out what's going on. Unable to get anyone to listen to him, he determines to find and stop the Riven Man alone.
I enjoyed the first half of the book, which set up the situation and introduced the characters and the place. I liked that R. B. Croft took the time to make the village and its people feel real.
The pace picked up for the confrontation between Clem and the creature, introducing a real sense of urgency and a high level of threat.
I was less satisfied with the ending of the story. It had a Happy Ever After feel that was too cosy for my taste and which clashed with the tone of the rest of the novel. It also ran a little long as the author felt the need to tie up everything neatly.
Still, it was an entertaining story that was well-suited to the audiobook format.
May 21, 2024
Fast-paced and very entertaining. This had the right amount of thriller and mystery. I love an old folk tale that is true within the novel.
June 4, 2024
Decent listen. Reader was great and the book had a cozy feel overall. The vibe was better than the story itself.
June 9, 2024
When Clem retired from the local police force he found it hard to adapt to non-police life, so signed up as a Special Constable. Clem is called to reports of 'something' strange in the forest, and when weird things start happening, he has to draw on all his local knowledge to try and convince the current force that he is not just an old cop losing it!
A great mix of police procedural, modern folklore and with a great character in Clem, plus narrated by the brilliant Dominic West, this was well worth a listen.
A great mix of police procedural, modern folklore and with a great character in Clem, plus narrated by the brilliant Dominic West, this was well worth a listen.
August 24, 2025
Loved this!!! Well written cryptid horror is quickly becoming my favourite genre. Monsters, mystery and humour in good measure.
This is midsummer murders meets Devolution.
Ignore the genre you are most likely going to enjoy this.
This is midsummer murders meets Devolution.
Ignore the genre you are most likely going to enjoy this.
November 19, 2025
First audible listen! I love my friends so much for buying me a subscription, it was the best surprise ever. I listened to this because it kept getting downloaded. Since it wanted to be listened so badly I decided to give it a listen.
An interesting police story with a supernatural (?) twist. Unfortunately I wasn't satisfied with the ending nor with the explanations to the Riverman mystery. I was confused between wanting to give a colonial reading to this or to keep it light, and supernatural. I decided the latter, but I cannot completely disregard my uncomfortable feelings.
Anyway, I liked how the corruption in the police was portrayed and I found Clem a light within the shithole.
An interesting police story with a supernatural (?) twist. Unfortunately I wasn't satisfied with the ending nor with the explanations to the Riverman mystery. I was confused between wanting to give a colonial reading to this or to keep it light, and supernatural. I decided the latter, but I cannot completely disregard my uncomfortable feelings.
Anyway, I liked how the corruption in the police was portrayed and I found Clem a light within the shithole.
July 6, 2024
Urban legends aren't my cup of tea and i didn't read the synopsis
June 20, 2024
I liked this story, it was a decent murder mystery.
We had some lovely characters and despite some very brutal murders the whole thing came across as quite quaint.
Our protagonist Clem is an old policeman, well I say old, he’s only 62 but he’s been written off because of his age and a bit of an issue when he got carried away with a suspected missing person and he now can’t shake the reputation that he might be losing his marbles. Sadly he also lost his wife recently. Clem is a nice old fashioned guy who cares so he doesn’t let any of this stop him from being the best policeman he can be, because despite everything he cares deeply about his little village and everyone in it.
In this gripping tale he sets out to protect everyone and to undo some of the wrongs he feels he has done when he let these people down.
The story carries on at a decent pace and although frustrating at times (aren’t bent coppers always frustrating in books?) it’s a fun read with a fair bit of excitement and a heartwarming thread that runs through it.
All in all I liked this. 3.5 stars but rounding up.
We had some lovely characters and despite some very brutal murders the whole thing came across as quite quaint.
Our protagonist Clem is an old policeman, well I say old, he’s only 62 but he’s been written off because of his age and a bit of an issue when he got carried away with a suspected missing person and he now can’t shake the reputation that he might be losing his marbles. Sadly he also lost his wife recently. Clem is a nice old fashioned guy who cares so he doesn’t let any of this stop him from being the best policeman he can be, because despite everything he cares deeply about his little village and everyone in it.
In this gripping tale he sets out to protect everyone and to undo some of the wrongs he feels he has done when he let these people down.
The story carries on at a decent pace and although frustrating at times (aren’t bent coppers always frustrating in books?) it’s a fun read with a fair bit of excitement and a heartwarming thread that runs through it.
All in all I liked this. 3.5 stars but rounding up.
June 21, 2024
Honestly I really hoped it ended any other way except this...
September 20, 2024
The perfect length. Any longer and it would have got dull. But the story was interesting and enjoyed the questions still had at the end
October 17, 2024
Really enjoyed this, nice bit of creepy and who dunnit with a mix of folk horror. Well written, well narrated, couldn't stop listening!
November 13, 2024
This just wasn’t it for me. Started ok and I think was trying to be a bit grittier than it came off. Reminded me of Heartbeat off of the 90s with Nick Berry 😆
January 19, 2025
Not worth your time, not even if it’s free on audible and you have a 6-hour solo drive ahead of you (tested today)
February 6, 2025
Hayed it, really not my cup of tea. The writing was nice but the plot bored me. Only listened cause it was free on audible. I need to stop doing this.
May 16, 2024
Entertaining audiobook, the narration was really good. I was especially interested as I have seen one of these human creatures before. :)
September 19, 2025
This was an audio book. Dramatised version.
It’s a was a good yarn but not show stopping.
It’s a was a good yarn but not show stopping.
June 21, 2024
Good story, good concept, preposterous twist and ending.
April 27, 2024
🎧4.5⭐️
Available on audible plus
I had the audiobook read by Dominic West in this debut supernatural crime thriller who does a great job.
Clem has spent his life in the police force, working in quiet village of Watersmeet reluctant to retire he is now a special constable. Then comes a shock murder, the biggest case in the history of the village.
When Clem responds to the frightened call of a young girl left home alone and reporting seeing a monster, on checking to put her mind at ease he sees big jaundiced yellow eyes on a large looking thing/ man. Clem has grown up with the local myths and legends, could the River Man be real? Could he be responsible for the murder?
Clem is just adorable, a great main character he is really well crafted to make him both very likeable and relatable. He is lonely as his wife has died, feeling that work is his life, but due to circumstances that we find out about he is now given next to no responsibility. Clem is so caring and empathetic with old school values. He is determined to search for the killer when his senior officer dismisses his theory. I was rooting for him throughout. I love that his bicycle is called Black Beauty it gives him a sweet quirk to his personality.
The book isn’t long, it has a good pace, with plenty of interest and a bit of action. The supernatural element is well portrayed so that I could buy into it. I sympathised with the antagonist.
This is just a lovely listen, I loved it.
Available on audible plus
I had the audiobook read by Dominic West in this debut supernatural crime thriller who does a great job.
Clem has spent his life in the police force, working in quiet village of Watersmeet reluctant to retire he is now a special constable. Then comes a shock murder, the biggest case in the history of the village.
When Clem responds to the frightened call of a young girl left home alone and reporting seeing a monster, on checking to put her mind at ease he sees big jaundiced yellow eyes on a large looking thing/ man. Clem has grown up with the local myths and legends, could the River Man be real? Could he be responsible for the murder?
Clem is just adorable, a great main character he is really well crafted to make him both very likeable and relatable. He is lonely as his wife has died, feeling that work is his life, but due to circumstances that we find out about he is now given next to no responsibility. Clem is so caring and empathetic with old school values. He is determined to search for the killer when his senior officer dismisses his theory. I was rooting for him throughout. I love that his bicycle is called Black Beauty it gives him a sweet quirk to his personality.
The book isn’t long, it has a good pace, with plenty of interest and a bit of action. The supernatural element is well portrayed so that I could buy into it. I sympathised with the antagonist.
This is just a lovely listen, I loved it.
June 13, 2024
This started off with a lot of potential. A very likeable honourable main character and an eerie monster whose introduction scene was so creepy I had to turn my bedroom light back on.
I thought it would be a mystery, then I thought it would be horror, and then it kind of trailed off and lost momentum and became an uninteresting investigation. The best part of the book was the allure surrounding the creature and this was hardly a big part of the book. Most of it was police corruption and familial guilt. The pace just kept dropping and by the time the ending came round I wasn’t that invested anymore. I wish this story had been handled differently, more fantasy fictional or magical realism meets myth, rather than this weird clash of crime and not-so-thrilling thriller. Also I wish we’d gotten more background or questions answered about the river man- who I think was a very misunderstood character.
I thought it would be a mystery, then I thought it would be horror, and then it kind of trailed off and lost momentum and became an uninteresting investigation. The best part of the book was the allure surrounding the creature and this was hardly a big part of the book. Most of it was police corruption and familial guilt. The pace just kept dropping and by the time the ending came round I wasn’t that invested anymore. I wish this story had been handled differently, more fantasy fictional or magical realism meets myth, rather than this weird clash of crime and not-so-thrilling thriller. Also I wish we’d gotten more background or questions answered about the river man- who I think was a very misunderstood character.
June 30, 2024
A creepy and audictive listen …
... that gripped me and never let go. Though not my usual genre, l located it in the Audible Plus catalogue. "The River Man" is a quick and intense thriller. Dominic West's narration is superb, and I'm adding him to my list of favorites. Author R.B. Croft creates a chilling tale that explores the darker side of human nature. We follow Clem, a seasoned detective who's not surprised with the dark side of Watersmeet. A shocking murder and a mysterious creature challenge everything he thought he knew. Aware that his superiors are more interested in covering up a chaotic secret, Clem takes matters into his own hands, resulting in an intriguing and dangerous finale. Highly recommended and worth a treasured credit. However, I urge those interested to grab it now at no cost.
... that gripped me and never let go. Though not my usual genre, l located it in the Audible Plus catalogue. "The River Man" is a quick and intense thriller. Dominic West's narration is superb, and I'm adding him to my list of favorites. Author R.B. Croft creates a chilling tale that explores the darker side of human nature. We follow Clem, a seasoned detective who's not surprised with the dark side of Watersmeet. A shocking murder and a mysterious creature challenge everything he thought he knew. Aware that his superiors are more interested in covering up a chaotic secret, Clem takes matters into his own hands, resulting in an intriguing and dangerous finale. Highly recommended and worth a treasured credit. However, I urge those interested to grab it now at no cost.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
What I enjoyed most about this book was its setting in the wild North Pennine area nestled between Cumbria, Northumberland, and County Durham. Dominic West captured the soft accent with its swallowed 't's perfectly.
It should be the perfect location for a mystery with hints of folk horror. For me though, it didn't work. The mystery wasn't so much the discovery of the unknown as the struggles our hero, Clem, has in convincing everyone else of its existence. Sometimes that premise does work. Not this time.
RB Croft is new on the scene apparently. I'll be interested to see what else they write.
It should be the perfect location for a mystery with hints of folk horror. For me though, it didn't work. The mystery wasn't so much the discovery of the unknown as the struggles our hero, Clem, has in convincing everyone else of its existence. Sometimes that premise does work. Not this time.
RB Croft is new on the scene apparently. I'll be interested to see what else they write.
April 29, 2024
It's actually some cryptozoological apeman!!! Wonder if this is tied to some folklore or whatever!
I was expecting this to be a crime novel, at some point the story would unravel into drug or past vendetta or something, BUT NO, it's actually a river man!!
The lead character is weird though, not really consistent in it's portrayal, from past to the story time. If anything, it represents all the boomer mentality, that their time were better, they were better, newer gen are kids and know nothing about dealing with stuff in real. I wonder if the author have such view in life to come up with such a character.
Narrator is good but story isn't worth the hours.
I was expecting this to be a crime novel, at some point the story would unravel into drug or past vendetta or something, BUT NO, it's actually a river man!!
The lead character is weird though, not really consistent in it's portrayal, from past to the story time. If anything, it represents all the boomer mentality, that their time were better, they were better, newer gen are kids and know nothing about dealing with stuff in real. I wonder if the author have such view in life to come up with such a character.
Narrator is good but story isn't worth the hours.
May 25, 2024
THE RIVER MAN
The River Man was an utterly compelling listen.
A short story but with great pace. I sped through this one.
The narrator Dominic Wests portrayal really brings this supernatural story to life.
A compelling, credible horror story, with a supernatural aspect, which is portrayed so that you can easily see it happening in real life.
A superb listen which I highly recommend even if this isn’t your usual genre, you might just surprise yourself.
#author #RBCroft #narrator #DominicWest #Audible #audiobook #supernatural #horror #crime #thriller #superbnarration #newauthor #compelling #credible
The River Man was an utterly compelling listen.
A short story but with great pace. I sped through this one.
The narrator Dominic Wests portrayal really brings this supernatural story to life.
A compelling, credible horror story, with a supernatural aspect, which is portrayed so that you can easily see it happening in real life.
A superb listen which I highly recommend even if this isn’t your usual genre, you might just surprise yourself.
#author #RBCroft #narrator #DominicWest #Audible #audiobook #supernatural #horror #crime #thriller #superbnarration #newauthor #compelling #credible
October 24, 2025
The concept grabbed me right away and the opening delivers. The closing chapters land well and gave me what I was hoping for ☺️. The middle section drags and I skipped a chunk to reach the end. The mystery element is light with more atmosphere than puzzle, though the sense of place is vivid and the voice feels assured for a debut.
I listened on Audible narrated by Dominic West. His deep delivery and clear character work kept me engaged even when the plot slowed. Three stars for the idea, the strong start, the finish, and the narration. I would try the author again as this was a debut -as it seems- book.
I listened on Audible narrated by Dominic West. His deep delivery and clear character work kept me engaged even when the plot slowed. Three stars for the idea, the strong start, the finish, and the narration. I would try the author again as this was a debut -as it seems- book.
June 28, 2024
Thoughts: Very quick listen for free on audible. Was vaguely interested while I was listening but ultimately the killer ended up being a bigfoot-esque monster which I was disappointed by. Don’t love supernatural endings to thrillers.
Plot: mostly told from the perspective of a police officer in the UK (I think) who is semi retired seemingly forcefully. People start dying in the small town and the current police force is all show for cameras and blames it on the drug cartel. Turns out it’s actually “the river man” who has lived in the woods of his friends property for decades. Ends with the man attempting to reason with this monster, the police officer drugs the monster with poison berries then kills it.
Plot: mostly told from the perspective of a police officer in the UK (I think) who is semi retired seemingly forcefully. People start dying in the small town and the current police force is all show for cameras and blames it on the drug cartel. Turns out it’s actually “the river man” who has lived in the woods of his friends property for decades. Ends with the man attempting to reason with this monster, the police officer drugs the monster with poison berries then kills it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2024
It's hard not to feel a soft spot for Clem the washed up Northern English special constable caught up in some horrific discoveries in the backwater village where he is ostracised by his force, grieving for his wife and unable to keep out of trouble. Dominic West does a fine delivery of this audiobook, which does best when it gets you into Clem's head, and less with the narrative, which has moments of horror and tension but is also predictable and a bit incongruous at times. Enjoyable debut, well read.
September 2, 2025
Story was interesting in parts and mostly fast paced and adrenaline filled, but also predictable (our hero vs. bent cops) and in parts a bit repetitive, especially the use of sentences like …. “In the forest, somewhere, was … THE RIVER MAN!” “And there he was … THE RIVER MAN!” Stretching bounds of credulity with the urban myth/folklore aspect and also Clem: a 62 year old man who behaves more like … okay scratch that: Tom Cruise is 63.
Story: maybe a 3. Plus an extra star because of Dominic West’s narration.
If this is a debut novel, I think Croft has potential. I’d probably try another one.
Story: maybe a 3. Plus an extra star because of Dominic West’s narration.
If this is a debut novel, I think Croft has potential. I’d probably try another one.
August 27, 2024
Most if the way this was a 4 star read but this fell a bit flat at the end. I lived the inclusion of legend within the murder mystery, and enjoyed the older main character. It is generally well written, although there are a couple of places where a thesaurus would have been beneficial, and it is well paced, but the villains were too villainous and the heroes faultless. Would still read more from this author and hope that they develop a bit as they go along.
April 19, 2024
I loved this story by R.B. Croft. It’s a great blend of police procedural with a presumed past it cop, the ‘new lot’ who don’t understand the area and its lore and mythology. Clem is a great character who goes off on his own to make his village safe.
Does he manage it? Listen to this great story, and the fabulous narration. More please, R.B. Croft!
Does he manage it? Listen to this great story, and the fabulous narration. More please, R.B. Croft!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews