Dirty Business

Frenchurch Falls #1

by Evie Hunter

The first book in BRAND NEW gripping gangland thriller series by bestselling author Evie Hunter! High stakes, killer secrets...

Frenchurch Falls is a playground of indulgence for the rich and famous. But behind its gleaming facade, lie dark and dangerous secrets. And some of them will prove deadly…

When Callie Renfrew’s husband, Gavin, vanishes, she isn’t entirely surprised. As the owner of Frenchurch Falls, Callie has always known Gavin had a knack for skirting the law. But what she uncovers about his dealings will drag her into a web of danger.

Gavin’s disappearance threatens more than Callie’s business—it also threatens the lives of her oldest friends, Angela Dalton and Dawn Frobisher, each tied to the spa in their own way. Drawn into the chaos, together, they must uncover the Is Gavin alive, or has someone already exacted vengeance?

With mounting debts, ruthless enemies circling, and a crumbling control, Callie must rely on Angela and Dawn like never before. But trust comes at a price, and in a world this deadly, misplaced faith could cost Callie everything— even her life.

A brand new gangland series perfect for fans of Kerry Kaya, Gillian Godden and Edie Baylis.

'A brilliant read that hooked me from the outset. I couldn’t tear myself away!' Bestselling author Gemma Rogers

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2025

About the author

Evie Hunter is actually two authors Caroline McCall and Eileen Gormley who met at a creative writing workshop in Dublin in 2010. On discovering that they shared a passion for erotic fiction, they became the best of friends. In early 2012 they got a chance to co-write a series of erotic novellas for an American publisher. When they completed the second one without killing each other, they decided to take on something bigger. Eventually, they emerged into daylight, clutching THE PLEASURES OF WINTER, saying 'Never again' ... until the next time.

Reviews

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evie Hunter has launched a brand new gangland thriller series with "Dirty Business," a thrilling story set in the apparently luxurious but perilously clandestine world of Frenchurch Falls. The first book in the series throws readers straight into a high-stakes world where money and power conceal a dark underbelly of crime and deadly secrets.

The story revolves around Callie Renfrew, owner of the exclusive Frenchurch Falls, whose somewhat estranged husband Gavin abruptly disappears. Although Callie is not surprised by Gavin's disappearance, considering his past record of shady business practices, the reality she starts to uncover is much darker and more extensive than she could ever dream of. Hunter masterfully employs Gavin's disappearance as a trigger to uncover the dark underbelly beneath the glitzy façade of Frenchurch Falls.

What makes "Dirty Business" most compelling is the emphasis on the relationships among Callie and her two oldest friends, Angela Dalton and Dawn Frobisher. All three women are inextricably linked to the spa, and as Gavin's disappearance endangers Callie's livelihood, it also puts their lives and occupations at risk. The relationship between these three women constitutes the emotional center of the story. Their loyalties, their common history, and their respective strengths become important as they are pulled into the perilous turmoil left behind by Gavin.

Hunter weaves a tense plot with accumulating debts, merciless enemies hiding in the shadows, and Callie's tenuous hold on control slipping. The main enigma about Gavin's destiny – is he alive, or has someone already exacted vengeance? – holds the reader captive and in suspense. The plot effectively weighs the external dangers against the internal demons of the characters as they fight their way through a world where trust is a brittle and possibly deadly currency.

For fans of the gangland thriller genre, specifically readers who appreciate authors such as Kerry Kaya, Gillian Godden, and Edie Baylis, "Dirty Business" has the potential to deliver the goods in terms of thrills and tension. The location of Frenchurch Falls offers an interesting context, juxtaposing the external facade of opulence against the harsher truth of the criminal underworld that exists below.

In summary, "Dirty Business" is an exciting beginning to a new gangland thriller series. Evie Hunter has written an engaging story with interesting characters, an entertaining plot, and an evocative setting. Fans of tales of high stakes, risky secrets, and the tenacity of friendship despite troubles will surely find themselves immersed in the dirty business of Frenchurch Falls.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW!!! Dirty Business by Evie Hunter was an excellent gangland crime thriller from start to finish. It is full of brilliant twists and turns that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat! Superb book!

I loved the 3 main main character Callie Renfrew and her friends Angie Dalton and Dawn Cavendish, they were excellent and it was great to have a gangland crime thriller mainly about women!
When Callie Renfrew’s husband, Gavin, vanishes, she isn’t entirely surprised this has happened!. He is the owner of Frenchurch Falls and this is the playground of indulgence for the rich and famous.
Callie has always known Gavin had a great knack for skirting the law. But, this time he hasn't been so lucky! and what she uncovers about his dealings. . . . will drag her into a web of danger.

Now, with Gavin’s disappearance this threatens more than Callie’s business, it also threatens the lives of her oldest friends, Angela Dalton and Dawn Cavendish. They are each tied to the spa in their own way. Now, drawn into the chaos, they all must uncover the truth: The biggest truth they all need to find out. . . . . .

Is Gavin alive, or has someone already exacted vengeance?

With mounting debts, ruthless enemies circling to get their monies, everything is crumbling around them!,
Callie must rely on Angela and Dawn like never before. But. Trust means everything and it comes at a price! in this world this can be deadly, misplaced faith could cost Callie everything and even her life and the life of others!

WoW. this book is so good I ended up reading it in one sitting and I loved it. . . . Looking forward to the next one.

I highly recommend this book!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK!
When Callies and Angies husbands go missing, there's a target on the ladies' backs. Someone wants Callies spa, but will she sell?? Callies husband Gavin has disappeared without a trace, but Callie knows he has been laundering money through her business. Are the husbands together? Are they even still alive? Will the ladies get to the bottom of why and where their husbands have gone?
King pin Okeefe and Stafford are the main players in their gangland world. Will they get what they want? Everyone is not all they appear to be!
I was blown away by this book. I was gripped, I like the way the ladies took the main parts of the book.. definitely recommend

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great start to a gangland thriller.

The main character, Callie Renfrew, owns a spa that serves as a front for money laundering. When Callie's husband Gavin suddenly disappears without a trace, she, along with her friends Angela Dalton and Dawn Frobisher, begins to investigate his dealings, unsure if he is alive or dead.

Callie didn't realize just how devious her husband was or the extent of his connections in authority.

What a gripping book this is! Great story! It's fast-paced, leaving you wanting more after each page.

We encounter the rich, the famous, and the downright ruthless.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Business is a thrilling start to a new gangland series with strong female characters. Callie and Angela's husbands have disappeared and with the help of her friends Callie needs to find out if they are alive and why and where they have vanished too while keeping the spa business operating. Featuring the rich and famous you can't trust anyone as they are not all what they seem on the surface and some are downright ruthless. It's a fast paced read and after every page you just want more! I enjoyed that the females were the leading characters and I have a feeling that one of them is hiding something.

[Lovetoread2023 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new gangland series and as always packed with strong female characters, each dealing with the fallout of the disappearance of the men in their lives.
I'm looking forward to learning more about Dawn as the series progresses,Callie and Angie are more center stage in this one and she only features towards the end, and I'm sure she's hiding something!!
This is definitely just one more chapter read.Roll on book 2.
RECOMMENDED
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the Arc

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends Callie and Angie are shocked when both their husbands disappear. Angie then finds out her son Henry is also missing. On looking into what’s happening they find there is a lot about their husbands they didn’t know. Mixing with violent gangsters and then leaving Callie to face them on her own, Callie soon realises that Gavin was up to something far more dangerous than even she imagined. Who can Callie trust and just where has Gavin gone. This is a great start to a new gangland series.

[Angela Banfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book I’m looking forward to reading the follow up?

[Carole Templeton · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read

I thought this book was a bit slow at first, however the mystery and intrigue started and it was head on from there. I couldn’t put it down .

[CATHERINE WAY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thriller

Enjoyed the concept with strong women coming together. However felt the ending was a little rushed .
Will see how the next book goes.