What do you think?
Rate this book
Cam Killick Norfolk Mysteries #1
The Troubled Deep
A gripping, propulsive and atmospheric crime thriller perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter James and Elly Griffiths. Your new Norfolk crime obsession starts here...
Nobody ever knew what happened to the Brindleys. One summer they were there - flashy, loud and beautiful - and then they were gone. A mother, father and two children, vanished into the East Anglian night.
Some said the family never made it home from the party; their speeding car thrown off the tracks and the four of them silently buried in the marshes. Others said they had simply moved on. For thirty years, the case remained as cold as the freezing waterways of the Norfolk broads.
Until Cam Killick found the car.
An ex-marine and ex-SBS officer, Cam Killick's PTSD has made the return to civilian life a living nightmare. The only place he can find peace is underwater, where the world is muffled to white noise. As a cold case diver it is his job to scour the waterways of the country for the lost, the submerged, the drowned, laying their stories to rest alongside them.
Except when Cam throws open the doors to the Brindley car, all four bodies are missing. And Cam will soon learn that some secrets, once submerged, are better off staying that way.
Nobody ever knew what happened to the Brindleys. One summer they were there - flashy, loud and beautiful - and then they were gone. A mother, father and two children, vanished into the East Anglian night.
Some said the family never made it home from the party; their speeding car thrown off the tracks and the four of them silently buried in the marshes. Others said they had simply moved on. For thirty years, the case remained as cold as the freezing waterways of the Norfolk broads.
Until Cam Killick found the car.
An ex-marine and ex-SBS officer, Cam Killick's PTSD has made the return to civilian life a living nightmare. The only place he can find peace is underwater, where the world is muffled to white noise. As a cold case diver it is his job to scour the waterways of the country for the lost, the submerged, the drowned, laying their stories to rest alongside them.
Except when Cam throws open the doors to the Brindley car, all four bodies are missing. And Cam will soon learn that some secrets, once submerged, are better off staying that way.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2025
24 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Rob Parker
31 books69 followersRob Parker is a married father of three, who lives in Warrington, UK. The author of the Ben Bracken thrillers, Crook’s Hollow and the Audible bestseller Far From The Tree, he enjoys a rural life, writing horrible things between school runs. Rob writes full time, attends various author events across the UK, and boxes regularly for charity.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 24, 2024
I'm not sure I've ever mentioned this before but I don't like water. I don't like to be in it, or on it in a boat, or even flying over it in a plane. So I'm not entirely sure what possessed me to pick up a book where the main character is a diver and it seems rather obvious that he'll be spending quite some time under water.
Cam Killick is a retired diver, suffering from PTSD and anxiety. Every day is a struggle for Cam, only made slightly easier by medication and his trusty and utterly adorable dog, Nala. But when Cam sinks his teeth into a cold case featuring a missing family, things are about to change massively.
Nearly forty years ago, the Brindley family consisting of dad Freddie, mum Maud, son Tommy and daughter Hannah vanished on their way home from a party. The police stopped their investigation into the disappearance a long time ago. But Cam is determined to find their car and he is convinced it can only be somewhere under the water. When he finally finds it, the mystery deepens even more though. The car is empty. There are no bodies. The entire family is still missing.
Cam's discovery sets a whole series of events in motion though. Suddenly, he finds himself in danger. People are coming after him, wanting to know what he knows, and they're not exactly asking nicely. It seems they are desperately trying to hold on to a secret they thought was long buried. But what does any of it have to do with the Brindley family. What happened to them? Where are they? The truth shall be revealed slowly but surely.
It goes without saying that, as the reader, I firmly planted my feet right behind Cam and rooted for him all the way. I liked seeing him slowly regain some little bits of his former self and not letting his "issues" (he'd hate me for using that word) hold him back from fulfilling his mission, no matter how hard it gets for him. Along the way he receives help from Rogers, a detective who realises they don't have all the information they need. I enjoyed this unlikely pairing a lot and hope to see more of them.
'The Troubled Deep' is an excellent start to, what looks like, a brand new series from Rob Parker. While I figured a few things out along the way, the bigger picture surrounding this puzzling and rather complex mystery eluded me until the reveal and it was far murkier than I had anticipated. I appreciated the way the author tackled Cam's troubles without overdramatising them. Not knowing when anxiety would strike him added a whole other level of tension to the story, though.
This is a compelling mystery about how far - or low - some will sink to protect themselves and keep their skeletons firmly hidden in the closets. The Norfolk landscape makes for the perfect atmospheric setting in 'The Troubled Deep' and even all the talk about water won me over, especially when you start to realise how important it is to Cam. Even if it made me feel slightly claustrophobic.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first introduction to Rob Parker and I look forward to more from both him and this series.
Cam Killick is a retired diver, suffering from PTSD and anxiety. Every day is a struggle for Cam, only made slightly easier by medication and his trusty and utterly adorable dog, Nala. But when Cam sinks his teeth into a cold case featuring a missing family, things are about to change massively.
Nearly forty years ago, the Brindley family consisting of dad Freddie, mum Maud, son Tommy and daughter Hannah vanished on their way home from a party. The police stopped their investigation into the disappearance a long time ago. But Cam is determined to find their car and he is convinced it can only be somewhere under the water. When he finally finds it, the mystery deepens even more though. The car is empty. There are no bodies. The entire family is still missing.
Cam's discovery sets a whole series of events in motion though. Suddenly, he finds himself in danger. People are coming after him, wanting to know what he knows, and they're not exactly asking nicely. It seems they are desperately trying to hold on to a secret they thought was long buried. But what does any of it have to do with the Brindley family. What happened to them? Where are they? The truth shall be revealed slowly but surely.
It goes without saying that, as the reader, I firmly planted my feet right behind Cam and rooted for him all the way. I liked seeing him slowly regain some little bits of his former self and not letting his "issues" (he'd hate me for using that word) hold him back from fulfilling his mission, no matter how hard it gets for him. Along the way he receives help from Rogers, a detective who realises they don't have all the information they need. I enjoyed this unlikely pairing a lot and hope to see more of them.
'The Troubled Deep' is an excellent start to, what looks like, a brand new series from Rob Parker. While I figured a few things out along the way, the bigger picture surrounding this puzzling and rather complex mystery eluded me until the reveal and it was far murkier than I had anticipated. I appreciated the way the author tackled Cam's troubles without overdramatising them. Not knowing when anxiety would strike him added a whole other level of tension to the story, though.
This is a compelling mystery about how far - or low - some will sink to protect themselves and keep their skeletons firmly hidden in the closets. The Norfolk landscape makes for the perfect atmospheric setting in 'The Troubled Deep' and even all the talk about water won me over, especially when you start to realise how important it is to Cam. Even if it made me feel slightly claustrophobic.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first introduction to Rob Parker and I look forward to more from both him and this series.
February 16, 2025
3.5 / 5.0
Not too sure if this will be a series, but the book is ok. It does delve into the character of Cam Killnick an ex- military, ex- SBS diver who suffers from severe PTSD. I found the book to be a slow burn, and slow release making it almost a bit too slow for my liking. Still trying to decide whether this book makes it on the list of return and whether we shall see another book with Cam. Overall not bad but wasn’t really my cup of tea.
Not too sure if this will be a series, but the book is ok. It does delve into the character of Cam Killnick an ex- military, ex- SBS diver who suffers from severe PTSD. I found the book to be a slow burn, and slow release making it almost a bit too slow for my liking. Still trying to decide whether this book makes it on the list of return and whether we shall see another book with Cam. Overall not bad but wasn’t really my cup of tea.
January 4, 2026
Brilliant start to 2026 Reading Challenge
August 19, 2025
4.5 stars. The story follows Cam, an ex-SBS diver who suffers from PTSD. His only solace is found under water, where he can finally be at peace and have a quietness of the mind. Retired from the military, he does freelance diving jobs, and he ends up making a home in Norfolk. He listens to a podcast, and Cam becomes obsessed by a local mystery. The Brindley family left a party 40 years ago, never to be seen again. Cam is convinced the answer lies within the depths of the water that surround their old home...
This was a slow burn as Cam started to grapple with the mystery of what happened to the family. Soon, it becomes apparent that a lot more is going on and his own life is at risk. I thought the story was really engaging and well written.
Cam was a likeable character, and I enjoyed his unofficial partnership with Rogers. They worked well together. I thought the author did a good job with portraying the reality of living with PTSD and the crippling effect this could have on everyday life. I also liked Jess and Johnjo, and of course, Nala needs a special mention!
I liked the premise of the story, and I was keen to find out what happened to the missing family. Although a slow burn, it kept my interest, and the ending was satisfying.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will definitely read more. I'd love to see more of Cam and Rogers!
Huge thanks to the author, Bloomsbury Publishing, Bloody Scotland, and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
This was a slow burn as Cam started to grapple with the mystery of what happened to the family. Soon, it becomes apparent that a lot more is going on and his own life is at risk. I thought the story was really engaging and well written.
Cam was a likeable character, and I enjoyed his unofficial partnership with Rogers. They worked well together. I thought the author did a good job with portraying the reality of living with PTSD and the crippling effect this could have on everyday life. I also liked Jess and Johnjo, and of course, Nala needs a special mention!
I liked the premise of the story, and I was keen to find out what happened to the missing family. Although a slow burn, it kept my interest, and the ending was satisfying.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will definitely read more. I'd love to see more of Cam and Rogers!
Huge thanks to the author, Bloomsbury Publishing, Bloody Scotland, and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
October 11, 2024
This is going straight on the list of must-read crime series. The protagonist (Cam Killick) is similar to Washington Poe, Cormoran Strike, and Nick Stone in that he is a highly skilled yet damaged veteran. His character is wonderfully complex yet likeable at the same time. The setting is the beautiful yet haunting Norfolk Broads and the plot is fast-paced and immersive! For fans of M.W. Craven and Andy McNab.
December 28, 2025
Incredible read! First book I have read by Rob Parker that I received as a mystery book as part of the Crime Freaks Book Box and it will definitely not be the last! A very high recommendation to read if you enjoy Crime Mysteries!
October 17, 2024
Cam Killick is an ex marine and SBS officer who now spends his time as a cold case diver, while struggling with crippling PTSD. It is on one of his dives he tears open a case from years ago, where a local family disappeared. Soon he learns that sometimes secrets are best kept that way.
This is the first book in a new series and I found the focus of the protagonist being a cold case diver intriguing and original. After finishing I can certainly say this was a very well written story, which was complex and clever.
Knowing the setting well I was drawn into the atmosphere and it was beautifully portrayed. The main character was likeable and you could really get a feel of how damaged he was, while empathising and rooting for him. He is instantly up there with some of the well known, classic protagonists from other popular crime series. I found some scenes very poignant and managed to feel a range of emotions reading. The twists are conveyed well and although slow to start, by the end I was gripped to the high suspense and action. A brilliant start to a new series and one I will be continuing with. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
This is the first book in a new series and I found the focus of the protagonist being a cold case diver intriguing and original. After finishing I can certainly say this was a very well written story, which was complex and clever.
Knowing the setting well I was drawn into the atmosphere and it was beautifully portrayed. The main character was likeable and you could really get a feel of how damaged he was, while empathising and rooting for him. He is instantly up there with some of the well known, classic protagonists from other popular crime series. I found some scenes very poignant and managed to feel a range of emotions reading. The twists are conveyed well and although slow to start, by the end I was gripped to the high suspense and action. A brilliant start to a new series and one I will be continuing with. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
September 30, 2024
This book had a really interesting premise, I loved the fact it followed an ex SBS officer who has a penchant for finding his peace underwater. The diving aspect added a claustrophobic element to this book, especially knowing the waters of the Norfolk Broads are murky and unforgiving.
I don't usually find interest in thrillers having a somewhat political element, but this one kept my intrigue and was an addicting read. The end twists were dramatic but felt they weren't overdone. It says this book is one for fans of Ann Cleeves and Peter James and I would definitely agree. It's an easy read while still having the ability to keep your attention the whole way through. It's satisfying and the characters you end up really warming to.
I can't wait to see what direction this series goes in and I would highly recommend!
A huge thank you to @robparkerauthor, @bloomsburypublishing and NetGalley for my arc.
I don't usually find interest in thrillers having a somewhat political element, but this one kept my intrigue and was an addicting read. The end twists were dramatic but felt they weren't overdone. It says this book is one for fans of Ann Cleeves and Peter James and I would definitely agree. It's an easy read while still having the ability to keep your attention the whole way through. It's satisfying and the characters you end up really warming to.
I can't wait to see what direction this series goes in and I would highly recommend!
A huge thank you to @robparkerauthor, @bloomsburypublishing and NetGalley for my arc.
February 23, 2025
I bought this book from my favourite bookshop – Holt Bookshop in North Norfolk – having read about it in Norfolk magazine. It is written by a Warrington (or as its now known Littlertown) based crime writer who visited Norfolk (particularly the Broads) on holiday as a child.
The character in this, is Cam Killick whose 20 year “elite military diving career” including with the Special Boat Squadron, left him suffering from PTSD which he can only just about keep under control with a cocktail of pills and who can only find any sense of peace underwater – which includes sleeping under bath water wearing a snorkel watched over quietly by his dog Nala, a Shorkie (matching what seems like a very passive role for her in this book).
I have to say I found this quirk odd in a way which I rather marred for me an early sense of connection and credibility with the crime-solver character Cam.
Cam – around 40 - used his military pension and PTSD compensation to buy a converted barn on the edge of the Norfolk Broads and makes a seasonal living as a diver-for-hire, recovering things lost overboard for example both on the Broads and off the Norfolk coast.
The author has said
I came across this idea of a diver who only feels any modicum of balance when he's in that very precise atmosphere of the underwater world, where it's quiet, it's cool, it's calm, there's pressure - a comforting pressure of the water against your body, in an almost womb-like way - then I was thinking: ‘right, where can I put him?’ And then I remembered I'd always wanted to write about the Norfolk Broads. You've got all these waterways, miles of rivers and dykes, so much of which is hidden, in a completely unique area with its own sense of myths and history. Suddenly the two strands came together and it was a bit like a perfect storm
Cam has become obsessed with and obsessive about an unsolved cold case – the disappearance more than thirty years ago (in 1987) of a well-known and publicity hungry socialite family – the Brindley’s including their two children, never seen after leaving a society party in their green jaguar.
Cam’s theory – which has bought him into contact with a wary Detective Sergeant Claire Rogers (herself interested in the case as the shock of the disappearance of Tommy – the oldest child and in the year above her in Scouts – sparked her interest in becoming a policewoman wanting to solve mysteries) – first getting to know her case via a Norfolk Unexplained podcast run by two extremely quirky (one alien obsessed) Eastern Daily Gazette (*) journalists Ferris and Gupta.
(*) the renaming of the real life EDP is an example of the way in which the series sits somewhere between the parallel Norfolk of Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series and the real Norfolk of Ross Greenwood’s Ashley Knight series.
The novel’s modern day action opens on the way when Cam brings his three year search to a culmination – having become convinced that the car went into some water and looking for areas accessible in 1987 but now not and likely to be undisturbed he locates a long overgrown slipway down to Hickling Broad (from which boats are banned) and after only a brief dive with sonar equipment locates the family car – to his shock there are no bodies in it.
To his and Claire Rogers greater shock, the senior police who never seemed interested in the case and whose efforts to solve it in 1987 appear to have been perfunctory, announce the case as closed – implying implausibly the bodies must have decomposed.
Even more seriously Cam is violently threatened first by a group of heavies and then by a gun toting person he soon realises is a very famous local politician now in the House of Lords and warned in no uncertain terms to forget the case (while the heavies and politician – who he quickly works out are linked – are very keen to find out if he has found some photos).
Also drawn into the case – and subject to being used as hostages to get Cam’s co-operation – are a local man Johnjo Tabernacle and his daughter Jess (who works at Roys of Wroxham). Tabernacle oddly has been employed for years by an odd French company to keep an eye on precisely the path down to and small part of the Broad where the car was located (which is privately owned by the French firm who turn out also to own the abandoned Brindley family manor) – and this is his first occasion to try to defend his charge.
Things get even more complex when Cam finds some photos in a lake near that abandoned manor – of the Brindley father with various people but they do not seem to be the photos in question, even while allowing Claire (now effectively working unofficially on a case she was told to drop by her superior who is in one of the photos) to trace some of the Brindley’s associates (well known if fictional personalities from the 1980s - I was reminded of the sort of people who invested in Lloyd’s of London).
And woven through the story are first party present tense accounts of events in 1987 by Hannah – the Brindley daughter – which begin to uncover the crime (but quite how we are reading these only adding to the mystery).
Overall this was an interesting book.
On one level it feels like a one-off (given Cam’s years of research and a case which eventually is not just solved but which sets Cam, Johnjo and Jess on a new path and which clears out the police cover-up) but I am fairly certain it will be the first in a series (not least as too many characters are undeveloped – Claire’s marriage issues for example only hinted at, the two podcasters seeming oddly undeveloped, Nala shirking her Shorkie duties).
And I think I will look out for future books in the series - although unlike Ross Greenwood I think it will take Parker some time to conceive and then write one.
The character in this, is Cam Killick whose 20 year “elite military diving career” including with the Special Boat Squadron, left him suffering from PTSD which he can only just about keep under control with a cocktail of pills and who can only find any sense of peace underwater – which includes sleeping under bath water wearing a snorkel watched over quietly by his dog Nala, a Shorkie (matching what seems like a very passive role for her in this book).
I have to say I found this quirk odd in a way which I rather marred for me an early sense of connection and credibility with the crime-solver character Cam.
Cam – around 40 - used his military pension and PTSD compensation to buy a converted barn on the edge of the Norfolk Broads and makes a seasonal living as a diver-for-hire, recovering things lost overboard for example both on the Broads and off the Norfolk coast.
The author has said
I came across this idea of a diver who only feels any modicum of balance when he's in that very precise atmosphere of the underwater world, where it's quiet, it's cool, it's calm, there's pressure - a comforting pressure of the water against your body, in an almost womb-like way - then I was thinking: ‘right, where can I put him?’ And then I remembered I'd always wanted to write about the Norfolk Broads. You've got all these waterways, miles of rivers and dykes, so much of which is hidden, in a completely unique area with its own sense of myths and history. Suddenly the two strands came together and it was a bit like a perfect storm
Cam has become obsessed with and obsessive about an unsolved cold case – the disappearance more than thirty years ago (in 1987) of a well-known and publicity hungry socialite family – the Brindley’s including their two children, never seen after leaving a society party in their green jaguar.
Cam’s theory – which has bought him into contact with a wary Detective Sergeant Claire Rogers (herself interested in the case as the shock of the disappearance of Tommy – the oldest child and in the year above her in Scouts – sparked her interest in becoming a policewoman wanting to solve mysteries) – first getting to know her case via a Norfolk Unexplained podcast run by two extremely quirky (one alien obsessed) Eastern Daily Gazette (*) journalists Ferris and Gupta.
(*) the renaming of the real life EDP is an example of the way in which the series sits somewhere between the parallel Norfolk of Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series and the real Norfolk of Ross Greenwood’s Ashley Knight series.
The novel’s modern day action opens on the way when Cam brings his three year search to a culmination – having become convinced that the car went into some water and looking for areas accessible in 1987 but now not and likely to be undisturbed he locates a long overgrown slipway down to Hickling Broad (from which boats are banned) and after only a brief dive with sonar equipment locates the family car – to his shock there are no bodies in it.
To his and Claire Rogers greater shock, the senior police who never seemed interested in the case and whose efforts to solve it in 1987 appear to have been perfunctory, announce the case as closed – implying implausibly the bodies must have decomposed.
Even more seriously Cam is violently threatened first by a group of heavies and then by a gun toting person he soon realises is a very famous local politician now in the House of Lords and warned in no uncertain terms to forget the case (while the heavies and politician – who he quickly works out are linked – are very keen to find out if he has found some photos).
Also drawn into the case – and subject to being used as hostages to get Cam’s co-operation – are a local man Johnjo Tabernacle and his daughter Jess (who works at Roys of Wroxham). Tabernacle oddly has been employed for years by an odd French company to keep an eye on precisely the path down to and small part of the Broad where the car was located (which is privately owned by the French firm who turn out also to own the abandoned Brindley family manor) – and this is his first occasion to try to defend his charge.
Things get even more complex when Cam finds some photos in a lake near that abandoned manor – of the Brindley father with various people but they do not seem to be the photos in question, even while allowing Claire (now effectively working unofficially on a case she was told to drop by her superior who is in one of the photos) to trace some of the Brindley’s associates (well known if fictional personalities from the 1980s - I was reminded of the sort of people who invested in Lloyd’s of London).
And woven through the story are first party present tense accounts of events in 1987 by Hannah – the Brindley daughter – which begin to uncover the crime (but quite how we are reading these only adding to the mystery).
Overall this was an interesting book.
On one level it feels like a one-off (given Cam’s years of research and a case which eventually is not just solved but which sets Cam, Johnjo and Jess on a new path and which clears out the police cover-up) but I am fairly certain it will be the first in a series (not least as too many characters are undeveloped – Claire’s marriage issues for example only hinted at, the two podcasters seeming oddly undeveloped, Nala shirking her Shorkie duties).
And I think I will look out for future books in the series - although unlike Ross Greenwood I think it will take Parker some time to conceive and then write one.
January 16, 2025
Nearly forty years ago, the Brindley family disappeared after leaving a glamorous house party in the Norfolk Broads. The wealthy couple and their two children were never seen again. The police pronounced the case closed, after a woefully brief investigation, and interest in their possible whereabouts waned. Until ex-marine and ex-SBS officer, Cam Killick decided to investigate the cold case himself, searching the depths of the East Anglia's remote waterways in search of the Jaguar that never made it back to Brindley Hall.
The search is a talisman for the solitary Killick, a man who feels safest alone in the company his dog, Nala. The hours he spends in the water bring him peace from the PTSD that plagues him, but when he finally discovers what he has been looking for all this time, a lot of unwelcome attention comes his way. Unexpectedly, the car is empty, and no one seems keen to delve into exactly what happened to the Brindley family, except a single copper who shares Killick's passion for digging up the truth - DS Claire Rogers, who has been told in no uncertain terms that she must ask no questions. Killick needs answers, and this is about to make him the target for some very dangerous men who would prefer their secrets did not come to light...
I have been a fan of Parker's writing from almost the very beginning of his career, consuming everything he has written from the action-packed Ben Bracken Series, his gritty gangland Thirty Miles Trilogy, and his standalone novels as well. This is the first part of a brand new series, following the cold case investigations of a very unlikely sleuth - diver Cam Killick, who is haunted by the ghosts of the things he has seen in his former career as an ex-marine and SBS Officer.
The Norfolk Broads is an area Parker has written about before. I was delighted with the nods to his literary past with the mention of Killick being involved in a salvage operation in the vicinity of The Penny Black, which was the venue for a shoot-out of stunning proportions in the Ben Bracken thriller of the same name. The way Parker connects his books like this always makes me smile, so hurray for a new series in the same world!
The novel unfurls through the gripping adventures of Killick, both above and below the water (solid research on the diving aspects here); with heart-rending flashbacks to 1987 through the eyes of young Hannah Brindley, the daughter of the family. There are thrills, spills, bad guys a-plenty, enough action to make authors like Lee Child take a moment (as I have come to expect from Parker), and a mystery that really keeps you guessing.
This is powerful storytelling, with beautifully drawn characters that stir your emotions, and the way this book grips you also has a lot to do with the care and attention he gives to his psychologically damaged hero. Parker approaches PTSD with insight and sensitivity, at no time trivialising the toll it takes on Killick, or his journey back to some semblance of normal life. He builds a lovely team around Killick too, who I am really looking forward to reading more about as the series unfolds - it was great to have a strong, older female character in DS Claire Rogers; the alien obsessed journalists Gupta and Ferris are a joy; and I hope to see more of wily old Johnjo Tabernacle and his daughter Jess (who prove to be a lot more intriguing that it first appears). And of course, there is the delightful Nala, who you will fall in love with.
The fingerprints of an accomplished crime writer are all over this book. It is bursting with the experience and maturity Parker has garnered over his career, with entertaining echoes of everything that has come before, woven into an opening gambit in a series with the legs to run and run. It is also a stonking page-turner that begs to be read in a single sitting - which I most certainly did. More please, Rob!
The search is a talisman for the solitary Killick, a man who feels safest alone in the company his dog, Nala. The hours he spends in the water bring him peace from the PTSD that plagues him, but when he finally discovers what he has been looking for all this time, a lot of unwelcome attention comes his way. Unexpectedly, the car is empty, and no one seems keen to delve into exactly what happened to the Brindley family, except a single copper who shares Killick's passion for digging up the truth - DS Claire Rogers, who has been told in no uncertain terms that she must ask no questions. Killick needs answers, and this is about to make him the target for some very dangerous men who would prefer their secrets did not come to light...
I have been a fan of Parker's writing from almost the very beginning of his career, consuming everything he has written from the action-packed Ben Bracken Series, his gritty gangland Thirty Miles Trilogy, and his standalone novels as well. This is the first part of a brand new series, following the cold case investigations of a very unlikely sleuth - diver Cam Killick, who is haunted by the ghosts of the things he has seen in his former career as an ex-marine and SBS Officer.
The Norfolk Broads is an area Parker has written about before. I was delighted with the nods to his literary past with the mention of Killick being involved in a salvage operation in the vicinity of The Penny Black, which was the venue for a shoot-out of stunning proportions in the Ben Bracken thriller of the same name. The way Parker connects his books like this always makes me smile, so hurray for a new series in the same world!
The novel unfurls through the gripping adventures of Killick, both above and below the water (solid research on the diving aspects here); with heart-rending flashbacks to 1987 through the eyes of young Hannah Brindley, the daughter of the family. There are thrills, spills, bad guys a-plenty, enough action to make authors like Lee Child take a moment (as I have come to expect from Parker), and a mystery that really keeps you guessing.
This is powerful storytelling, with beautifully drawn characters that stir your emotions, and the way this book grips you also has a lot to do with the care and attention he gives to his psychologically damaged hero. Parker approaches PTSD with insight and sensitivity, at no time trivialising the toll it takes on Killick, or his journey back to some semblance of normal life. He builds a lovely team around Killick too, who I am really looking forward to reading more about as the series unfolds - it was great to have a strong, older female character in DS Claire Rogers; the alien obsessed journalists Gupta and Ferris are a joy; and I hope to see more of wily old Johnjo Tabernacle and his daughter Jess (who prove to be a lot more intriguing that it first appears). And of course, there is the delightful Nala, who you will fall in love with.
The fingerprints of an accomplished crime writer are all over this book. It is bursting with the experience and maturity Parker has garnered over his career, with entertaining echoes of everything that has come before, woven into an opening gambit in a series with the legs to run and run. It is also a stonking page-turner that begs to be read in a single sitting - which I most certainly did. More please, Rob!
September 20, 2025
I've heard so many great things about Rob Parker's The Troubled Deep and having enjoyed a number of his previous books, I had a feeling I was in for a treat. I wasn't wrong and I raced through this dark, atmospheric thriller as it exceeded my high expectations. This introduction to a new series is a seriously addictive read!
The book opens with a brief but heartrending scene set in 1987 told from the perspective of a young girl before switching to the present day as Cam abruptly wakes up in the middle of the night, then begins what is clearly the regular routine he needs to keep himself functioning. As a former SBS officer, he is tortured by his crippling PTSD but medication and his highly unusual sleeping place helps to calm him. It's when he awakens again at daybreak that readers learns more about what really gives him the peace of mind he so desperately needs; Cam is a diver and as he makes his methodical preparations before embarking on an underwater exploration of Hinckley Broad, Rob Parker's impressive research becomes evident. The level of detail here brings such depth to proceedings. Cam has been obsessively searching for a car which has been missing for decades, along with its occupants – Freddie and Maud Brindley and their two young children – but his excitement at finally locating the Jaguar soon gives way to trepidation as he tentatively expects to find the Brindley family in their watery graves. However, when he realises their bodies are nowhere to be seen, this poignant mystery takes a much darker turn.
He contacts DS Claire Rogers who is grudgingly impressed that Cam's dogged endeavours have finally paid off, while the introduction of a local man, Johnjo Tabernacle presents more questions to the confused scene. This is very much a Cam Killick book but both Rogers and Johnjo have important roles to play and as always, Rob Parker's characterisation is exemplary. Cam quickly finds himself in mortal danger as it transpires there are people who wanted the car – and the real story of what really happened to the Brindleys – to remain forgotten. It's not just this external peril which puts pressure on him, however, and his PTSD is an almost constant torment. Although Cam knows how to manage his condition, his reactions are blunted and with violent enemies on his tail, he has to decide how best to protect himself. Rob Parker's informed, empathetic portrayal of Cam's suffering is excellent throughout, with his description of a panic attack being particularly excellent.
In spite of all he endures, Cam is troubled by the unknown plight of the missing children, Tommy and Hannah and is driven to discover what happened to them, particularly as the police are not interested in pursuing the case. Although the nerve-racking sense of tension barely lets up, Cam begins to open himself up to friendship and even the possibility of romance, which adds a moving layer to this compulsive read. Rogers also has her own soul-searching to do and the chapters which follow her involve her being forced to make some difficult decisions which she knows could change everything. Meanwhile, the chapters set in 1987 and written from Hannah's perspective describe the events leading up to that fateful night. Her heartbreaking portrait of a family in trouble is chilling and reveals they had dark secrets, although the terrible truth isn't fully disclosed until much later in the story.
Cam pays a visit to their old home in a nailbitingly suspenseful scene and the revelations here lead to further altercations with antagonists who are by turns, ruthlessly ambitious and well-connected, mercilessly brutal, and almost slavishly loyal. With more twists and turns than a Great Yarmouth rollercoaster, the stage is set for a dramatically climactic showdown. Rob Parker's superbly immersive sense of place pays dividends throughout; despite the horrors depicted here, this is still a love letter to Norfolk's ancient beauty as well as its more modern attractions.
Perfectly paced and utterly compelling from start to finish, The Troubled Deep is an outstanding thriller – I can't wait for more! Very highly recommended.
The book opens with a brief but heartrending scene set in 1987 told from the perspective of a young girl before switching to the present day as Cam abruptly wakes up in the middle of the night, then begins what is clearly the regular routine he needs to keep himself functioning. As a former SBS officer, he is tortured by his crippling PTSD but medication and his highly unusual sleeping place helps to calm him. It's when he awakens again at daybreak that readers learns more about what really gives him the peace of mind he so desperately needs; Cam is a diver and as he makes his methodical preparations before embarking on an underwater exploration of Hinckley Broad, Rob Parker's impressive research becomes evident. The level of detail here brings such depth to proceedings. Cam has been obsessively searching for a car which has been missing for decades, along with its occupants – Freddie and Maud Brindley and their two young children – but his excitement at finally locating the Jaguar soon gives way to trepidation as he tentatively expects to find the Brindley family in their watery graves. However, when he realises their bodies are nowhere to be seen, this poignant mystery takes a much darker turn.
He contacts DS Claire Rogers who is grudgingly impressed that Cam's dogged endeavours have finally paid off, while the introduction of a local man, Johnjo Tabernacle presents more questions to the confused scene. This is very much a Cam Killick book but both Rogers and Johnjo have important roles to play and as always, Rob Parker's characterisation is exemplary. Cam quickly finds himself in mortal danger as it transpires there are people who wanted the car – and the real story of what really happened to the Brindleys – to remain forgotten. It's not just this external peril which puts pressure on him, however, and his PTSD is an almost constant torment. Although Cam knows how to manage his condition, his reactions are blunted and with violent enemies on his tail, he has to decide how best to protect himself. Rob Parker's informed, empathetic portrayal of Cam's suffering is excellent throughout, with his description of a panic attack being particularly excellent.
In spite of all he endures, Cam is troubled by the unknown plight of the missing children, Tommy and Hannah and is driven to discover what happened to them, particularly as the police are not interested in pursuing the case. Although the nerve-racking sense of tension barely lets up, Cam begins to open himself up to friendship and even the possibility of romance, which adds a moving layer to this compulsive read. Rogers also has her own soul-searching to do and the chapters which follow her involve her being forced to make some difficult decisions which she knows could change everything. Meanwhile, the chapters set in 1987 and written from Hannah's perspective describe the events leading up to that fateful night. Her heartbreaking portrait of a family in trouble is chilling and reveals they had dark secrets, although the terrible truth isn't fully disclosed until much later in the story.
Cam pays a visit to their old home in a nailbitingly suspenseful scene and the revelations here lead to further altercations with antagonists who are by turns, ruthlessly ambitious and well-connected, mercilessly brutal, and almost slavishly loyal. With more twists and turns than a Great Yarmouth rollercoaster, the stage is set for a dramatically climactic showdown. Rob Parker's superbly immersive sense of place pays dividends throughout; despite the horrors depicted here, this is still a love letter to Norfolk's ancient beauty as well as its more modern attractions.
Perfectly paced and utterly compelling from start to finish, The Troubled Deep is an outstanding thriller – I can't wait for more! Very highly recommended.
November 24, 2024
My Review –
I’ve loved Robs previous books, that I’ve read and when I saw the blurb for The Troubled Deep, I just knew it would be special – and like my name, I was right!
This is a dual timeline thriller, that had me turning pages and obsessing over who was the perp even whilst I was in the shower! We meet Cam Killick retired Special Boat Service diver who has acute PTSD from when he was in action, it meant he was pensioned out of the Forces before he was forty. He now lives in a quiet, remote cottage on the Norfolk Broads with his dog Nala, using his experience as a diver to help with any searches or rescues locally. But his one obsession is finding the Brindley family’s car which he believes is in the vast Broads somewhere. The Brindleys went missing in 1987, a rich family with two children, after leaving a star studded party on a cold November night. No one has seen or heard from them since.
In The Troubled Deep we follow Cams personal mission and the events that surround this search, that open a can of worms and put Cam in danger. The attention to detail and descriptions of the diving equipment, and Cams actual dives are superb and Rob has done well in portraying what it’s like for the reader and like me a non diver! I want to also mention the way Rob has written and explained the way PTSD affects Cam, I found this incredibly moving and realistic ( I have PTSD ) and it made me instantly connect with Cams character. And for readers that have no idea how PTSD affects people and the anxiety and other things that come with it, I really applaud Rob Parker for raising awareness here.
That’s said The Troubled Deep is a very fast moving thriller with an utterly gripping storyline that will keep you up all night! The cast of supporting characters are also really well observed and really make the book complete….I’m not going to go into details here as I really don’t want to give anything away, but the more you read, the more you learn about the cast!
So this is book one in a new series, and I cannot wait to read book 2, a really refreshing take on the thriller genre and one that’s set in a wonderful landscape. An all round marvellous novel, that I adored and is worthy of a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! This is the best book Rob Parker’s written so far and it should be on any thriller fans wish-list. Published in January 2025.
I’ve loved Robs previous books, that I’ve read and when I saw the blurb for The Troubled Deep, I just knew it would be special – and like my name, I was right!
This is a dual timeline thriller, that had me turning pages and obsessing over who was the perp even whilst I was in the shower! We meet Cam Killick retired Special Boat Service diver who has acute PTSD from when he was in action, it meant he was pensioned out of the Forces before he was forty. He now lives in a quiet, remote cottage on the Norfolk Broads with his dog Nala, using his experience as a diver to help with any searches or rescues locally. But his one obsession is finding the Brindley family’s car which he believes is in the vast Broads somewhere. The Brindleys went missing in 1987, a rich family with two children, after leaving a star studded party on a cold November night. No one has seen or heard from them since.
In The Troubled Deep we follow Cams personal mission and the events that surround this search, that open a can of worms and put Cam in danger. The attention to detail and descriptions of the diving equipment, and Cams actual dives are superb and Rob has done well in portraying what it’s like for the reader and like me a non diver! I want to also mention the way Rob has written and explained the way PTSD affects Cam, I found this incredibly moving and realistic ( I have PTSD ) and it made me instantly connect with Cams character. And for readers that have no idea how PTSD affects people and the anxiety and other things that come with it, I really applaud Rob Parker for raising awareness here.
That’s said The Troubled Deep is a very fast moving thriller with an utterly gripping storyline that will keep you up all night! The cast of supporting characters are also really well observed and really make the book complete….I’m not going to go into details here as I really don’t want to give anything away, but the more you read, the more you learn about the cast!
So this is book one in a new series, and I cannot wait to read book 2, a really refreshing take on the thriller genre and one that’s set in a wonderful landscape. An all round marvellous novel, that I adored and is worthy of a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! This is the best book Rob Parker’s written so far and it should be on any thriller fans wish-list. Published in January 2025.
January 20, 2025
This is a series to watch out for! Rob Parker delivers a brilliantly crafted thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. With a gripping plot, authentic characters, and plenty of unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for fans of crime fiction.
The pacing is spot on, starting slow to build suspense before ramping up the tension to a thrilling climax. Cameron Killick, a former Special Boat Squad operative battling PTSD, is an incredible protagonist. His vulnerability, strength, and determination make him relatable and deeply compelling. His loyal dog, Nala, adds warmth to the story, creating a perfect balance between heart and high-stakes drama.
The discovery of the Brindleys’ missing car sets off a chain of events that keeps you guessing. Just as the mystery deepens, Cam faces new dangers, including a visit from three men at his home, there to warn him off with a brutal beating. The stakes rise further when the police close the case, leaving DS Claire Rogers as frustrated as Cam. While her hands are tied by superiors, Cam’s resolve to uncover the truth only strengthens.
Despite the threats from the three men. But what are they afraid of because Cam definitely recognises one of them.
As the story races toward its conclusion, all the mysteries are solved, tying up loose ends with precision. But not before additional drama and shocking secrets are revealed, keeping readers on edge until the very last page.
The characters are vivid and believable, from Cam’s relentless drive to Rogers’ quiet frustration, and even Johnjo Tabernacle and his daughter Jane. The plot is well-paced and completely plausible, with twists that will leave you reeling.
Rob Parker’s writing flows effortlessly, delivering a story packed with suspense, emotion, and unexpected moments. The ending was perfect—satisfying yet leaving you eager to see what lies ahead for Cam Killick.
If you’re looking for a new crime series, look no further. This book is an outstanding start to what promises to be an exceptional series. I can’t wait to see where Cam’s story goes next! Highly recommended for fans of intelligent and character-driven stories, especially crime thrillers.
The pacing is spot on, starting slow to build suspense before ramping up the tension to a thrilling climax. Cameron Killick, a former Special Boat Squad operative battling PTSD, is an incredible protagonist. His vulnerability, strength, and determination make him relatable and deeply compelling. His loyal dog, Nala, adds warmth to the story, creating a perfect balance between heart and high-stakes drama.
The discovery of the Brindleys’ missing car sets off a chain of events that keeps you guessing. Just as the mystery deepens, Cam faces new dangers, including a visit from three men at his home, there to warn him off with a brutal beating. The stakes rise further when the police close the case, leaving DS Claire Rogers as frustrated as Cam. While her hands are tied by superiors, Cam’s resolve to uncover the truth only strengthens.
Despite the threats from the three men. But what are they afraid of because Cam definitely recognises one of them.
As the story races toward its conclusion, all the mysteries are solved, tying up loose ends with precision. But not before additional drama and shocking secrets are revealed, keeping readers on edge until the very last page.
The characters are vivid and believable, from Cam’s relentless drive to Rogers’ quiet frustration, and even Johnjo Tabernacle and his daughter Jane. The plot is well-paced and completely plausible, with twists that will leave you reeling.
Rob Parker’s writing flows effortlessly, delivering a story packed with suspense, emotion, and unexpected moments. The ending was perfect—satisfying yet leaving you eager to see what lies ahead for Cam Killick.
If you’re looking for a new crime series, look no further. This book is an outstanding start to what promises to be an exceptional series. I can’t wait to see where Cam’s story goes next! Highly recommended for fans of intelligent and character-driven stories, especially crime thrillers.
December 31, 2024
Rob Parker has written a belter of a crime novel with his new book, The Troubled Deep. I was hearing a lot of high praise for this novel, and the atmospheric cover really drew me in, so I knew I had to read it. We meet Rob’s protagonist, Cam Killick, who is now working as a cold case diver, after spending years working in the marines. In 1987, the Brindley family disappeared after a night out, a mother and father and two young children. In the present day, when Cam finds their car, submerged in the Norfolk Broads, with no bodies inside, he becomes determined to find out what happened to them. But there are people out there also determined to stop Cam ever finding out the truth. Unlike the police, who appear to want to see this case wrapped up quickly, Cam knows he doesn’t have to abide by their rules and he uses this to his full advantage.
I’d heard there was a chilling prologue to this book and it really was intriguing. It propelled me into the story and it made me connect to the family who vanished without a trace, and I wanted to find out what had happened to them that fateful night. Cam was an interesting character to follow and he has a fascinating past, which I think is what makes him intriguing, and he brings something unique to the crime fiction world. He currently lives on his own with only his dog for company, and I thought the relationship he had with his dog made him really likeable. I also found it interesting how he worked with the police and it is quite clear to see that Cam isn’t afraid to speak his mind, when he feels the need to.
There are some really tense moments as Cam tries to get to the bottom of what happened to the Brindley family. It really made me want to know who these people were, who were now targeting him, and what the secret was that they were so desperate to protect. There are some really shocking revelations as the truth becomes known, and the novel took a direction I wasn’t expecting it to, and for me, this made it even more entertaining.
The Troubled Deep is a brilliant start to what I hope will be a long-running series featuring Cam. I’m really interested to see how his character develops further from here.
I’d heard there was a chilling prologue to this book and it really was intriguing. It propelled me into the story and it made me connect to the family who vanished without a trace, and I wanted to find out what had happened to them that fateful night. Cam was an interesting character to follow and he has a fascinating past, which I think is what makes him intriguing, and he brings something unique to the crime fiction world. He currently lives on his own with only his dog for company, and I thought the relationship he had with his dog made him really likeable. I also found it interesting how he worked with the police and it is quite clear to see that Cam isn’t afraid to speak his mind, when he feels the need to.
There are some really tense moments as Cam tries to get to the bottom of what happened to the Brindley family. It really made me want to know who these people were, who were now targeting him, and what the secret was that they were so desperate to protect. There are some really shocking revelations as the truth becomes known, and the novel took a direction I wasn’t expecting it to, and for me, this made it even more entertaining.
The Troubled Deep is a brilliant start to what I hope will be a long-running series featuring Cam. I’m really interested to see how his character develops further from here.
January 6, 2025
Discover the locations in the novel here
This book caused quite the stir when it landed at BookTrail Towers. An author I knew well but a new series and a new set of characters. I knew this was going to be good from knowing his previous books but this for me, is even better.
Firstly the location is just brilliantly done. The Norfolk Broads is remote, marshy and it’s a very popular area for nature of all kinds. It’s here that we meet Cam Killick who is a former SBS diver with a dog. He suffers from PTSD, used to be in the navy and sleeps in the bath. Now there’s a lot to unpack before the story even gets started. It just gets better from then on in.
Cam Killick is one of the most fascinating characters I have read in a long while. He’s complex and troubled and finds necessary solace underwater looking for dead bodies….
The way he goes about investigating this case, searching for clues is just captivating. He’s a bit like Columbo in a way – you wouldn’t think he would find anything useful, he gets fixated on strange things but do not underestimate him! When he finds the car of a missing family but there is no one inside, that get his antenna well and truly activated.
And so starts a twisty, dark and claustrophobic read. Thank goodness for Nala the dog bringing such light and joyouse relief. Tell you what though, this is a complex and multi-layered read. Dip your toe in the water, and very soon you will be utterly submerged!
September 5, 2025
‘The Troubled Deep’ is an amazing beginning to a brand new series from Rob Parker. Despite Rob being massive in the crime fiction community, it has taken me until now to read one of his books. What a mistake that was, as I had definitely been missing out!
‘The Troubled Deep’ focuses on Cam Killick who is a retired marine and SBS officer. He has relocated to the Norfolk Broads and as a way to battle his horrible PTSD, he has become obsessed with finding a car from 40 year 40-year-old cold case. When he does locate it on a dive, he rips a hole in the mystery and he soon finds himself in danger, but he is determined to solve the case.
Cam was brilliantly portrayed as were his struggles with PTSD. My dad was in the SAS and
also suffered from trauma caused by being in the service and I can say that a lot of what Cam goes through really resonated with me. Cam is instantly someone you root for, he is quirky, loyal and determined to get to the truth!
This was a unique premise - a diver and a cold case and I was engrossed by every page. I flew through this in a day and when it was over I instantly wanted more! All I am saying is that book two better be published quickly. The narrative was complex, nuanced and well written. The other characters of DI Rogers, Jess and Jimmy were fully drawn and likeable and easy to root for.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
October 9, 2024
A new book from Rob Parker is cause for celebration but a new series in a new setting and a new lead character? Most intriguing. The premise alone whetted my appetite - whilst there are a lot of cold case novels out there, I'm pretty safe in saying this is the first featuring an ex-marine with PTSD who uses the water to regain a degree of calmness, so where else but the Norfolk Broads would he set himself up as the Go-To guy if you need something found?
Except Cam Killick has also set himself his own mission, as well, as decades ago a family went missing, presumed dead, The Brindleys were the family you saw in all the papers so disappearing off the face of the earth? Cam doesn't think so but he does think he can find them, and their car, buried somewhere in a remote waterway. But of course, it's not that simple....
Rob Parker has created a brilliant new lead character, one that the reader can route for and empathise with; and a pacey story that reels you in and absolutely grabs you by the throat and dares you to pause at the end of a chapter. The settings come to life perfectly and I for one am delighted to see that Cam Killick will return.
Except Cam Killick has also set himself his own mission, as well, as decades ago a family went missing, presumed dead, The Brindleys were the family you saw in all the papers so disappearing off the face of the earth? Cam doesn't think so but he does think he can find them, and their car, buried somewhere in a remote waterway. But of course, it's not that simple....
Rob Parker has created a brilliant new lead character, one that the reader can route for and empathise with; and a pacey story that reels you in and absolutely grabs you by the throat and dares you to pause at the end of a chapter. The settings come to life perfectly and I for one am delighted to see that Cam Killick will return.
December 7, 2024
The troubled deep the first book in the Cam Killick series by Rob Parker and the first book from the author I have read.
Cam Killick is and ex-marine and specialist diver and suffers from PTSD. In now resides in the beautiful Norfolk Broads with his dog Nala. Cam deals with cold cases and anything lost in the water. But one thing he hasn’t found yet is the Brindleys. Freddie Brindley was an investment banker in the 80’s and like to party with his wife Maud. But one night they also took their two children Tommy and Hannah, and they were never seen again.
Until 40 years later Cam finds the family Jaguar submerged in the depth of remote waters of the Norfolk broads. But doing so gets Cam in awful lot of trouble.
I didn’t know what to expect from this author but was engrossed in the, thrilling, gripping thriller from the get-go. Yes, this has a complex storyline, but Cam is such a likeable character and of course to this dog Nala. The storyline is original. Lots of f mystery regarding the Brindleys and corruption between the Police to brush it under the carpet. I can’t wait to read more of this story and see how the series develops. A big fat 5 stars from me.
Cam Killick is and ex-marine and specialist diver and suffers from PTSD. In now resides in the beautiful Norfolk Broads with his dog Nala. Cam deals with cold cases and anything lost in the water. But one thing he hasn’t found yet is the Brindleys. Freddie Brindley was an investment banker in the 80’s and like to party with his wife Maud. But one night they also took their two children Tommy and Hannah, and they were never seen again.
Until 40 years later Cam finds the family Jaguar submerged in the depth of remote waters of the Norfolk broads. But doing so gets Cam in awful lot of trouble.
I didn’t know what to expect from this author but was engrossed in the, thrilling, gripping thriller from the get-go. Yes, this has a complex storyline, but Cam is such a likeable character and of course to this dog Nala. The storyline is original. Lots of f mystery regarding the Brindleys and corruption between the Police to brush it under the carpet. I can’t wait to read more of this story and see how the series develops. A big fat 5 stars from me.
January 19, 2025
The first in a new series to feature Cam Killick.
I consider Rob Parker to be one of todays foremost thriller writers, one of the reasons being books like The Troubled Deep. The way that Rob can take a subject matter then weave a punchy narrative around it which pulls no strings but grabs hold of the reader is to be applauded
Inventive and ingenious plotting combine with a read which is both wonderfully character driven and full of heart. A plot which is not only complex but multilayered in its construct, that said the book has a freshness about it which made for a hugely enjoyable read. The opening prologue both chills and excites for what follows.
I found Cam Killick to be a superbly drawn out character, clearly troubled and haunted by his past, a man determined to seek out the truth and see right done, however, where this stood out is that he is not necessarily a loner, he is prepared to seek out help and do things mainly within the law, to seek out justice. I found the way that his character has been written is sympathetic to his condition, showing his coping mechanisms and at times a vulnerable side, fair to say he rolls with the punches. The flaws he has within his character are part of the reason why he stands out, they help to make him the person he is
This was a read which had me intrigued from the opening pages and had me drawn in from the get go. Richly atmospheric with its descriptive narrative, like the setting it flows along
You are given a glimpse of what it is like to dive with its feeling of claustrophobia, the scenes here are intense, full of drama
Setting more than plays it’s part as a central character within the book, The Norfolk Broads feeds well into the plot, through the writing you get a real sense of place and belonging, Talking of locations I enjoyed the passing nod to the Penny Black?
A punchy read it moves at a pace, full on action scenes written with a frightening sense of reality, it is also a read which tackles some harsh and difficult plot lines, though not in a gratuitous way, all building to the finale
The story is built up mainly around the present with chapters injected along the way told from the past, I found these interesting whilst they add to the story I never quite knew where they were going to lead, it’s only when the truth hits you
It is a read with plenty of twists and surprise moments, borne out by the reality of the plot, it was these twists and turns which had me intrigued and trying to guess how the book would end
A story which shows the lengths that some will go to to protect the truth and their reputations, how power and greed can corrupt
Cam Killick is the kind of character that you can really root for
A read which I would highly recommend, it might be my first read of the year, but it is also going to be one of my top reads of the year.
One not to miss out on.
I consider Rob Parker to be one of todays foremost thriller writers, one of the reasons being books like The Troubled Deep. The way that Rob can take a subject matter then weave a punchy narrative around it which pulls no strings but grabs hold of the reader is to be applauded
Inventive and ingenious plotting combine with a read which is both wonderfully character driven and full of heart. A plot which is not only complex but multilayered in its construct, that said the book has a freshness about it which made for a hugely enjoyable read. The opening prologue both chills and excites for what follows.
I found Cam Killick to be a superbly drawn out character, clearly troubled and haunted by his past, a man determined to seek out the truth and see right done, however, where this stood out is that he is not necessarily a loner, he is prepared to seek out help and do things mainly within the law, to seek out justice. I found the way that his character has been written is sympathetic to his condition, showing his coping mechanisms and at times a vulnerable side, fair to say he rolls with the punches. The flaws he has within his character are part of the reason why he stands out, they help to make him the person he is
This was a read which had me intrigued from the opening pages and had me drawn in from the get go. Richly atmospheric with its descriptive narrative, like the setting it flows along
You are given a glimpse of what it is like to dive with its feeling of claustrophobia, the scenes here are intense, full of drama
Setting more than plays it’s part as a central character within the book, The Norfolk Broads feeds well into the plot, through the writing you get a real sense of place and belonging, Talking of locations I enjoyed the passing nod to the Penny Black?
A punchy read it moves at a pace, full on action scenes written with a frightening sense of reality, it is also a read which tackles some harsh and difficult plot lines, though not in a gratuitous way, all building to the finale
The story is built up mainly around the present with chapters injected along the way told from the past, I found these interesting whilst they add to the story I never quite knew where they were going to lead, it’s only when the truth hits you
It is a read with plenty of twists and surprise moments, borne out by the reality of the plot, it was these twists and turns which had me intrigued and trying to guess how the book would end
A story which shows the lengths that some will go to to protect the truth and their reputations, how power and greed can corrupt
Cam Killick is the kind of character that you can really root for
A read which I would highly recommend, it might be my first read of the year, but it is also going to be one of my top reads of the year.
One not to miss out on.
January 18, 2025
Why are people suddenly so bothered about this abandoned car all of a sudden. There’s no bodies, the car is empty. What’s the big deal?!? If you want to find out, you need to get a copy and find out. I don’t want to talk about the story too much for fear of leaking a spoiler and if you want to read this book, you need it in all its intense glory!
Cam I loved. He’s not a professional detective but he likes a puzzle. He’s a very likeable character and oh my his relationship with Nala is just brilliant. I’ll admit, Cam’s got a rather unique way of sleeping. Very very intriguing. I mean, I get it to a fashion but yeah, that’s a new one on me Mr Parker!
I love Cam as an amateur detective. He’s like a dog with a bone. Yes he rose to the challenge of finding a 30 year old missing car. I want to see this guy getting involved in more cases. And the mystery you set him up for was so intricate and you have expertly crafted the human blockers that Cam encountered to varying degrees of difficulty! You’ve packed so much intrigue and tension into this novel, I loved reading it. Rob Parker – I need a book two.
Cam I loved. He’s not a professional detective but he likes a puzzle. He’s a very likeable character and oh my his relationship with Nala is just brilliant. I’ll admit, Cam’s got a rather unique way of sleeping. Very very intriguing. I mean, I get it to a fashion but yeah, that’s a new one on me Mr Parker!
I love Cam as an amateur detective. He’s like a dog with a bone. Yes he rose to the challenge of finding a 30 year old missing car. I want to see this guy getting involved in more cases. And the mystery you set him up for was so intricate and you have expertly crafted the human blockers that Cam encountered to varying degrees of difficulty! You’ve packed so much intrigue and tension into this novel, I loved reading it. Rob Parker – I need a book two.
January 25, 2025
Superb, I thought I knew I what I was getting with this book from the blurb but I was wrong this is a blistering start to a new series with a central character that engaged and intrigues in equal measures.
The location is vividly depicted and is also a major player in the story of a retired SBS diver and the cold case that he provides a breakthrough for. To say more about the plot could lead to spoilers which I would hate to do as a reader should experience this for themselves.
However the central cast of this tale are brought to life excellently and in Cam Killick we have a new hero who is troubled by his past and is trying to cope with the crippling effects of it. This is sensitively handled and far more interesting than the standard highly trained, highly skilled individual traditionally leading a book in this genre.
His relationships, especially with Nala, provide a picture of the struggle to balance the psychological effects of the past with the need to be in the present which is the truly human behaviour at the heart of this and by doing this and not making him the hardman hero elevates this to a must read status.
Cannot wait to see where Cam goes next.
The location is vividly depicted and is also a major player in the story of a retired SBS diver and the cold case that he provides a breakthrough for. To say more about the plot could lead to spoilers which I would hate to do as a reader should experience this for themselves.
However the central cast of this tale are brought to life excellently and in Cam Killick we have a new hero who is troubled by his past and is trying to cope with the crippling effects of it. This is sensitively handled and far more interesting than the standard highly trained, highly skilled individual traditionally leading a book in this genre.
His relationships, especially with Nala, provide a picture of the struggle to balance the psychological effects of the past with the need to be in the present which is the truly human behaviour at the heart of this and by doing this and not making him the hardman hero elevates this to a must read status.
Cannot wait to see where Cam goes next.
October 13, 2024
This is book 1 in the Cam Killick series and I am glad to read that a series is planned as I found Cam (and Nala of course) to be an interesting character and I look forward to following his future adventures.
In The Troubled Deep we learn that Cam's most favourite thing is to be under water, so much so that he prefers to sleep that way too - this man has served his country and bears the physical and mental scars and PTSD heavily in his day to day life.
The storyline is complex, exciting and ultimately sad and I couldn't help wondering if it wouldn't have been better for everyone had Cam never made that initial discovery.
Despite the massive amount of distrust and corruption some burgeoning relationships have formed setting the scene nicely for these to develop in future books.
Rob Parker has achieved no mean feat here by bringing a new slant to the police procedural / cold case / crime thriller genre and I keenly await more!
My thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and the author for an ARC in return for an honest review.
In The Troubled Deep we learn that Cam's most favourite thing is to be under water, so much so that he prefers to sleep that way too - this man has served his country and bears the physical and mental scars and PTSD heavily in his day to day life.
The storyline is complex, exciting and ultimately sad and I couldn't help wondering if it wouldn't have been better for everyone had Cam never made that initial discovery.
Despite the massive amount of distrust and corruption some burgeoning relationships have formed setting the scene nicely for these to develop in future books.
Rob Parker has achieved no mean feat here by bringing a new slant to the police procedural / cold case / crime thriller genre and I keenly await more!
My thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and the author for an ARC in return for an honest review.
November 17, 2024
Troubled Deep is the first in a new series where we meet Cam Killick, an ex-marine and specialist diver who suffers from severe PTSD.
Settling in the beautiful Norfolk Broads, Cam is known in the area as the person to go to if something has been lost in the water. But there is a cold case that has been niggling at him - a well-known local family were last seen thirty years ago driving away from a party, but they never arrived home. Cam has researched and mapped out the route they most likely took and thinks he may have found a location that the police didn't search for clues to what happened to them. But when ownership of the land is disputed, will he be able to follow through on his hunch?
Fans of Parker's previous series will know that he has a brilliant knack of creating realistic characters that you can really get behind, and Cam is now part of that roster. Add to that a well-crafted and perfectly paced story, this was very easy to get stuck into and I am really looking forward to book 2!
Settling in the beautiful Norfolk Broads, Cam is known in the area as the person to go to if something has been lost in the water. But there is a cold case that has been niggling at him - a well-known local family were last seen thirty years ago driving away from a party, but they never arrived home. Cam has researched and mapped out the route they most likely took and thinks he may have found a location that the police didn't search for clues to what happened to them. But when ownership of the land is disputed, will he be able to follow through on his hunch?
Fans of Parker's previous series will know that he has a brilliant knack of creating realistic characters that you can really get behind, and Cam is now part of that roster. Add to that a well-crafted and perfectly paced story, this was very easy to get stuck into and I am really looking forward to book 2!
December 7, 2024
Investment banker Freddie Brindley and wife Maud liked to party and were well known on the social scene. Normally the children stayed home with a babysitter but in November 1987 the whole family climbed into the Jaguar and attended a party in Norwich. They never made it home.
The police searched, the media were all over it but with no leads and no trace found it soon faded from the public eye
Nearly forty years later ex-Navy diver Cam Killick listening to an unsolved mystery podcast about the Brindley's and being familiar with the area couldn't help but wonder if the marshy Norfolk broads held yet another secret and started his own search.
The plot was excellent and good narrative in both timelines made this a compelling read. Plenty of twists kept this interesting and the flawed protagonist with his canine companion were likeable enough to ensure I'll be sticking around for the second book, it'll be interesting to see how the series develops.
Due for publication Jan '25 - My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
The police searched, the media were all over it but with no leads and no trace found it soon faded from the public eye
Nearly forty years later ex-Navy diver Cam Killick listening to an unsolved mystery podcast about the Brindley's and being familiar with the area couldn't help but wonder if the marshy Norfolk broads held yet another secret and started his own search.
The plot was excellent and good narrative in both timelines made this a compelling read. Plenty of twists kept this interesting and the flawed protagonist with his canine companion were likeable enough to ensure I'll be sticking around for the second book, it'll be interesting to see how the series develops.
Due for publication Jan '25 - My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
March 6, 2025
Rob Parker has created yet another masterpiece with his first book in his new Cam Killick series set in the Norfolk Broads. Cam is an extremely damaged war veteran who tries to live his life quietly and under the radar. Making a living from diving for salvage, the only place he feels safe is underwater. When his discovery of a car belonging to a family that has been missing for 30 years opens a hornets nest, he will need all of his wits about him just to stay alive. Masterfully written, this gripping read will have you hooked and devouring the pages from the very beginning. Cam is a compelling character with all of his complexities. There are lots of twists to keep you on tenterhooks throughout as well being drawn into the heart of the action by the stunningly detailed descriptions of the Norfolk Broads. Kudos to Rob for the beginning of what is set to be an unmissable new series with a main character that you will be rooting for as the unlikely hero, Cam Killick.
May 12, 2025
Cam Killick formerly worked for the Special Boat Service before retiring to Norfolk with his dog, Nala, and a number of prescription medications to keep his PTSD under control. Cam only really feels safe under the water and has a tendency to sleep in the bath. However, despite his demons, Cam is also a little bored. Listening to a podcast, Norolk Unexplained, he learns about the Brindley family, who set off from a party 38 years ago and vanished - Freddie, Maud and their children, Tommy and Hannah.
Determined to solve the mystery, Cam finds the car on a dive. However, the mystery is far from over - the car is empty - where are the family? He finds he has stirred up more than he expected and soon finds himself threatened by those who had covered up the disappearance for years and do not want the mystery solved.
I had not read Rob Parker before and I loved this. I liked the characters and was delighted to see there is a sequel to this series which I intend to pre-order now.
Determined to solve the mystery, Cam finds the car on a dive. However, the mystery is far from over - the car is empty - where are the family? He finds he has stirred up more than he expected and soon finds himself threatened by those who had covered up the disappearance for years and do not want the mystery solved.
I had not read Rob Parker before and I loved this. I liked the characters and was delighted to see there is a sequel to this series which I intend to pre-order now.
December 16, 2024
Set in the Norfolk broads, this is an unusual take on crime fiction. Cam is a diver, plagued by PTSD and intrigued by the disappearance of a family 40 years ago. He works out where the car is, finds it during a dive and opens up a can of worms. Several people, including higher ranking police officers definately did not want the car found. Lots of action and twists in the plot as Cam fights to find out what happened to the family, particularly the two children.
I loved the characters in this book, their personalities , but also their vunerabilities are well described. The pace and the plot are perfectly done and as I got to know Cam, I really liked him (and his dog) . The reasons for the hush up only gradually become apparent, which keeps you guessing. A real page turner
I`ll definately look out for more from this series.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read
I loved the characters in this book, their personalities , but also their vunerabilities are well described. The pace and the plot are perfectly done and as I got to know Cam, I really liked him (and his dog) . The reasons for the hush up only gradually become apparent, which keeps you guessing. A real page turner
I`ll definately look out for more from this series.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read
August 20, 2025
This was the first book I have read by this author and it was a fantastic find! The book was pacy and there was plenty of action and intrigue that made me want to keep reading. I read this book in three days because I wanted to find out how the 40 year old mystery was solved!
A family disappeared in 1987 without a trace and the protagonist of this book, Cam Killick, sets out to solve this mystery. There are many twists and turns along the way along with intriguing characters. Cam is haunted by his past in the Special Boat Service (SBS) which is the Royal Navy's maritime special forces unit, primarily focused on counter-terrorism and amphibious warfare. He battles his PTSD as he works to solve this decades old mystery.
Definitely worth a read! I will be reading the second book in the series now!
A family disappeared in 1987 without a trace and the protagonist of this book, Cam Killick, sets out to solve this mystery. There are many twists and turns along the way along with intriguing characters. Cam is haunted by his past in the Special Boat Service (SBS) which is the Royal Navy's maritime special forces unit, primarily focused on counter-terrorism and amphibious warfare. He battles his PTSD as he works to solve this decades old mystery.
Definitely worth a read! I will be reading the second book in the series now!
August 17, 2025
The Troubled Deep by Rob Parker.
Cam Killick Norfolk Mysteries Book 1.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. With the saying, some secrets should stay under the water. I enjoyed this book. I loved Cam and his dog Nala. I love Cam. I was rooting for him. When the bad men were telling him to back off I thought No he won't. I loved how he kept going. I did like DS Claire Rogers. Johnjo Tabernacle I wasn't sure. I didn't like how he spoke to Cam. I loved ‘Rogers?’ he said. ‘I know I’ve just seen you, but we need to meet immediately.’ and ‘Christ, Cam,’ the flustered detective said. ‘What’s happened now? I’ve only just got back to the nick.’. I was surprised by who it was. I do hope there is more to come. Recommend.
Cam Killick Norfolk Mysteries Book 1.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. With the saying, some secrets should stay under the water. I enjoyed this book. I loved Cam and his dog Nala. I love Cam. I was rooting for him. When the bad men were telling him to back off I thought No he won't. I loved how he kept going. I did like DS Claire Rogers. Johnjo Tabernacle I wasn't sure. I didn't like how he spoke to Cam. I loved ‘Rogers?’ he said. ‘I know I’ve just seen you, but we need to meet immediately.’ and ‘Christ, Cam,’ the flustered detective said. ‘What’s happened now? I’ve only just got back to the nick.’. I was surprised by who it was. I do hope there is more to come. Recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews