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Storm Waters
A modern noir thriller with a paranormal twist set in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Prohibition has just ended, and the US is still struggling in the depths of the Great Depression. But for notorious playboy and ex-bootlegger Marty Storm, life couldn’t be better. Only his best friend knows about his knack for water magic—and for making “problems” disappear—though no one knows his family’s shipping business was built on sorcery and murder.
When he’s accused of a gruesome murder, he knows he’s been framed, but corrupt cops and his conscience aren’t his only problem. Vengeful spirits, a little girl with a strange connection to the Los Angeles River, a crate full of trouble, and broken memories, force him to unwind the horrifying secrets of his own past and return to the dark heart of his family in the bayous outside New Orleans. With some unlikely allies both new and old, Marty must confront the ugly source of his family’s fortune and power.
Murder, magic, love, death, and Marty Storm has come to the tipping point of his life, whether he knows it or not, and to control his destiny, he’ll take a desperate plunge into dark magic he swore he’d never use.
Prohibition has just ended, and the US is still struggling in the depths of the Great Depression. But for notorious playboy and ex-bootlegger Marty Storm, life couldn’t be better. Only his best friend knows about his knack for water magic—and for making “problems” disappear—though no one knows his family’s shipping business was built on sorcery and murder.
When he’s accused of a gruesome murder, he knows he’s been framed, but corrupt cops and his conscience aren’t his only problem. Vengeful spirits, a little girl with a strange connection to the Los Angeles River, a crate full of trouble, and broken memories, force him to unwind the horrifying secrets of his own past and return to the dark heart of his family in the bayous outside New Orleans. With some unlikely allies both new and old, Marty must confront the ugly source of his family’s fortune and power.
Murder, magic, love, death, and Marty Storm has come to the tipping point of his life, whether he knows it or not, and to control his destiny, he’ll take a desperate plunge into dark magic he swore he’d never use.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2024
18 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Kat Richardson
33 books1,245 followersBestselling author of the Greywalker paranormal detective novels. Former theater brat, singer, dancer, gemology and jewelry course-writer, liveaboard boater, and editor. Currently lives in the wilds of far-western Washington with her husband and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 2, 2025
I've read and enjoyed several of Kat Richardson's "Greywalker" series. This is the start of a new, and very different, series of urban fantasies.
In the Los Angeles area, in the 1920s, Martin Storm is wealthy enough to live pretty much as he pleases. From his father and grandfather, he has inherited a beautiful clifftop mansion, with ghosts and a salt-water swimming pool; majority holdings in a shipping company that has done quite well, thank you very much; and a talent for water magic -- especially salt-water. His father and grandfather were Not Nice People, and he fears that he is not either. He has certainly done some unpleasant things in the past.
But he is kind (if neglectful) of his business partner and his wife (who is also the secretary-receptionist for the firm).
As our story begins, two very weird things happen in one day. First, a ghost seeking vengeance for his drowning (deliberately caused by Marty's grandfather) shows up in his office. Second, a crate that came in some time ago on a Storm & Durang ship has not been picked up, and, sitting on the dock, is proving noxious. The port authority want S&D to (a) get it out of there, and (b) pay a significant fine.
The problem, as Marty sees it, is that the ship's records have no mention of this crate. But he goes down to the dock to deal with things -- and finds the crate just gone, picked up by Carson, an employee he recently fired for poor performance. He pursues the man to a vacant area (back in the 1920s, those still existed in the LA area), where he (accompanied by his very young daughter) is attempting to set the crate on fire. A nasty spirit emerges from the fire, and nearly kills all three of them.
Along the way, Marty learns that the reason Carson was performing poorly was tuberculosis, which is rapidly approaching its final stages. He offers to help out financially, but Carson's wife is having none of it.
That's about, what, ten percent of the book? No more summary, thank you...
Richardson captures the noir feel and style to a tee, and has clearly done her homework about the society, geography, slang, and what-not of the period. Marty Storm moves in various strata of LA society, and they each feel right -- at least, to me.
I hope to see more of Marty's adventures soon.
In the Los Angeles area, in the 1920s, Martin Storm is wealthy enough to live pretty much as he pleases. From his father and grandfather, he has inherited a beautiful clifftop mansion, with ghosts and a salt-water swimming pool; majority holdings in a shipping company that has done quite well, thank you very much; and a talent for water magic -- especially salt-water. His father and grandfather were Not Nice People, and he fears that he is not either. He has certainly done some unpleasant things in the past.
But he is kind (if neglectful) of his business partner and his wife (who is also the secretary-receptionist for the firm).
As our story begins, two very weird things happen in one day. First, a ghost seeking vengeance for his drowning (deliberately caused by Marty's grandfather) shows up in his office. Second, a crate that came in some time ago on a Storm & Durang ship has not been picked up, and, sitting on the dock, is proving noxious. The port authority want S&D to (a) get it out of there, and (b) pay a significant fine.
The problem, as Marty sees it, is that the ship's records have no mention of this crate. But he goes down to the dock to deal with things -- and finds the crate just gone, picked up by Carson, an employee he recently fired for poor performance. He pursues the man to a vacant area (back in the 1920s, those still existed in the LA area), where he (accompanied by his very young daughter) is attempting to set the crate on fire. A nasty spirit emerges from the fire, and nearly kills all three of them.
Along the way, Marty learns that the reason Carson was performing poorly was tuberculosis, which is rapidly approaching its final stages. He offers to help out financially, but Carson's wife is having none of it.
That's about, what, ten percent of the book? No more summary, thank you...
Richardson captures the noir feel and style to a tee, and has clearly done her homework about the society, geography, slang, and what-not of the period. Marty Storm moves in various strata of LA society, and they each feel right -- at least, to me.
I hope to see more of Marty's adventures soon.
December 1, 2024
I am a huge fan of Kat Richardson’s Greywalker series, so when I heard she had a new book coming out, I was excited to see that it too was a mystery/fantasy combo—which is my favorite kind of book. In both series, the main character can see ghosts. Storm Waters is a noir supernatural thriller set in 1930s Los Angeles.
While Storm Waters has that noir P.I. feeling, the main character, Marty Storm, isn’t a P.I. Marty runs a shipping business with his partner Pete Durang. Pete’s wife Ophelia is their assistant. What the Durangs don’t know is that Marty can do water magic and talk to ghosts. These ghosts appear to have it out for him because of his family’s shipping business, which was built on sorcery and murder—hence leaving behind a lot of angry ghosts. Marty is also a notorious playboy and ex-bootlegger (prohibition has just ended).
When Marty is framed for the gruesome murder of someone close to him who was helping him keep the ghosts at bay, he has to find out the truth—to prove his innocence and because he wants the real killer to pay. As if that wasn’t enough, he also has to deal with a strange smelly crate sent to him, a little girl with an odd connection to the Los Angeles River, others he cares about being put in danger, a messed up love life, and broken memories from his childhood. The clues send him back home to New Orleans to uncover the horrifying truth of both the murder and his past and face what’s left of his corrupt and scary family. Along the way, he picks up some unexpected and unusual allies and faces the dark magic he has never wanted to use.
The twists and turns in this story keep you turning the pages and on the edge of your seat! The characters are complex and interesting, and the magic in this world is fascinating. If you enjoy a great mystery with a supernatural and magic twist, don’t miss Storm Waters. I really hope this is going to be a series because I definitely left this book wanting more!
I got an ARC of this book. With the hope that I would do a for fair and honest review.
While Storm Waters has that noir P.I. feeling, the main character, Marty Storm, isn’t a P.I. Marty runs a shipping business with his partner Pete Durang. Pete’s wife Ophelia is their assistant. What the Durangs don’t know is that Marty can do water magic and talk to ghosts. These ghosts appear to have it out for him because of his family’s shipping business, which was built on sorcery and murder—hence leaving behind a lot of angry ghosts. Marty is also a notorious playboy and ex-bootlegger (prohibition has just ended).
When Marty is framed for the gruesome murder of someone close to him who was helping him keep the ghosts at bay, he has to find out the truth—to prove his innocence and because he wants the real killer to pay. As if that wasn’t enough, he also has to deal with a strange smelly crate sent to him, a little girl with an odd connection to the Los Angeles River, others he cares about being put in danger, a messed up love life, and broken memories from his childhood. The clues send him back home to New Orleans to uncover the horrifying truth of both the murder and his past and face what’s left of his corrupt and scary family. Along the way, he picks up some unexpected and unusual allies and faces the dark magic he has never wanted to use.
The twists and turns in this story keep you turning the pages and on the edge of your seat! The characters are complex and interesting, and the magic in this world is fascinating. If you enjoy a great mystery with a supernatural and magic twist, don’t miss Storm Waters. I really hope this is going to be a series because I definitely left this book wanting more!
I got an ARC of this book. With the hope that I would do a for fair and honest review.
April 22, 2025
This is a fantasy noir story with a hardboiled narrator in the shipping business who is plagued by ghosts and has a facility with water magic. It's a nice combination of fantasy elements with the classic 1930s style Chandler-esque dialogue.
A lot of books start 'in media res', which usually means the middle of some sort of action, like a fight scene or a chase. This book has plenty of action, but the 'media res' is really about who this guy is, what's his heritage, how is it he comes to have these powers, and what does he understand about them. We only get the back story as the action reveals more of it, and as the narrator is willing to talk about his background.
The story starts in LA, classic hardboiled noir territory, but then partway through makes a sudden swoop to the magical swamps of Louisiana, where we get a lot more information about our narrator and his family. The fantasy element really opens up at this point, while the hardboiled attitude continues.
Part of the joy of this book is the dialogue. The author put a lot of work into resurrecting slang from the 1930s (the book is set in 1934), and there's even a glossary of slang at the end that is a lot of fun. Some terms we still use today, but others are like “Huh? Did they really say that?” Kudos to the author for putting this much work into giving the book some verisimilitude.
For those who like noir stories and for those who like creepy, atmospheric magical settings, and especially for those who like both, this book is for you.
(Oh, and it's the first book of series, so if you can look forward to more of it later.)
A lot of books start 'in media res', which usually means the middle of some sort of action, like a fight scene or a chase. This book has plenty of action, but the 'media res' is really about who this guy is, what's his heritage, how is it he comes to have these powers, and what does he understand about them. We only get the back story as the action reveals more of it, and as the narrator is willing to talk about his background.
The story starts in LA, classic hardboiled noir territory, but then partway through makes a sudden swoop to the magical swamps of Louisiana, where we get a lot more information about our narrator and his family. The fantasy element really opens up at this point, while the hardboiled attitude continues.
Part of the joy of this book is the dialogue. The author put a lot of work into resurrecting slang from the 1930s (the book is set in 1934), and there's even a glossary of slang at the end that is a lot of fun. Some terms we still use today, but others are like “Huh? Did they really say that?” Kudos to the author for putting this much work into giving the book some verisimilitude.
For those who like noir stories and for those who like creepy, atmospheric magical settings, and especially for those who like both, this book is for you.
(Oh, and it's the first book of series, so if you can look forward to more of it later.)
October 29, 2024
I loved it! I got to read an ARC and I admit I was super excited because I really loved the Greywalker books and would periodically look to see if the author had anything new. I also recommend tracking down the Greywalker books if you like the grittier side of urban fantasy that definitely has no trace of the paranormal romance to it!
This book had me up late last night because I read it in a single sitting, glanced at the time at one point and decided if I wasn’t 100% in the morning that’s what caffeine is for! I think the author did an excellent job of bringing the 1930s to life and making the setting pop. The main character is a very noir hero with a host of bad habits and a heart of gold somewhere under the gruff exterior. If you like urban fantasy that leans towards the dark and gritty read this. And her other series. Read that too.
This book had me up late last night because I read it in a single sitting, glanced at the time at one point and decided if I wasn’t 100% in the morning that’s what caffeine is for! I think the author did an excellent job of bringing the 1930s to life and making the setting pop. The main character is a very noir hero with a host of bad habits and a heart of gold somewhere under the gruff exterior. If you like urban fantasy that leans towards the dark and gritty read this. And her other series. Read that too.
October 21, 2025
This was a fun Detective Noir Urban Fantasy. Just post-prohibition LA. The characters are engaging. Loved the story line, looking forward to more in the series. Fun era that doesn't get enough love with the urban fantasy treatment. I really enjoyed it. Took it on a plane ride. Kept me entertained through the good part of a flight to Europe. Basically, it's a lot of fun, has mystery, introduces some wonderful characters that I look forward to getting to know better as the series grows. And that is the key. I want to know more! Really enjoyable.
November 15, 2024
I am a big fan of the Harper Blaine series and was sad not to find anything new by Kat Richardson until I stumbled across Blood Orbit written under K.R. Richardson. So I’ve been keeping an eye out for new books by her and this one, Storm Waters, popped up! I read it immediately and was impressed that she can write three different styles and all of them well!
This is a great take on noir and has great action and magic…
This is a great take on noir and has great action and magic…
December 18, 2024
Kat Richardson is a favorite author. I have all her books and anthologies. She doesn’t ever disappoint me.
This is a wonderful story with richly described scenes. It plays like a movie in my head. Very enjoyable.
My only quibble is that I don’t like Marty Storm and I can’t figure out if he’s a good guy or a jerk. Some of the people closest to him think he’s an asshole. But once in a while he tried to make things right and there’s that faint whiff of redemption…
Can’t wait for the next one.
This is a wonderful story with richly described scenes. It plays like a movie in my head. Very enjoyable.
My only quibble is that I don’t like Marty Storm and I can’t figure out if he’s a good guy or a jerk. Some of the people closest to him think he’s an asshole. But once in a while he tried to make things right and there’s that faint whiff of redemption…
Can’t wait for the next one.
February 6, 2025
At last, something worth reading.
Kat Richardson has done it again. She gave me a could not put it down. Please tell me there is more to come. I love the feel of the book. It's like a 1930 noir movie. I could just close my eyes and picture it in black and white. Love the main character, had that tough guy feel with a heart of gold. I can't write a review, just trying to said what I like.
Kat Richardson has done it again. She gave me a could not put it down. Please tell me there is more to come. I love the feel of the book. It's like a 1930 noir movie. I could just close my eyes and picture it in black and white. Love the main character, had that tough guy feel with a heart of gold. I can't write a review, just trying to said what I like.
September 11, 2024
I fully expected Humphrey Bogart to rise from his grave and volunteer to narrate Storm Waters. Kat Richardson has managed to capture that gritty noir feel of post-prohibition Hollywood. Marty Storm is tortured -- physically and also just really messed up emotionally -- and the mystery takes twists I wasn't expecting. It's a noir and stormy ride.
January 19, 2025
This was an interesting noir mystery with added water magic. I'm assuming there are other types of magic, too, which would be interesting to see in a future novel.
1930's Los Angeles makes for an interesting setting, and Marty's family is fascinating. There are definitely enough hooks to continue the series.
1930's Los Angeles makes for an interesting setting, and Marty's family is fascinating. There are definitely enough hooks to continue the series.
November 18, 2024
Excellent Read
It amazes me how someone can come up with a plot like this and write a story around it. This was a very good read; found it hard to put down when I had other things that I needed to do!
It amazes me how someone can come up with a plot like this and write a story around it. This was a very good read; found it hard to put down when I had other things that I needed to do!
December 11, 2024
non-stop adventure
From the jump. Enjoyable read. Complex protagonist in a great way. Dizzying atmosphere. Interesting magic. Solid characters. Good ending with intriguing hints for the future.
From the jump. Enjoyable read. Complex protagonist in a great way. Dizzying atmosphere. Interesting magic. Solid characters. Good ending with intriguing hints for the future.
March 27, 2025
A ripping good yarn!
Kat's newest series opener grabbed me from the beginning. Her attention to details and even 1930s slang, draws the reader into a rough and tumble world. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Kat's newest series opener grabbed me from the beginning. Her attention to details and even 1930s slang, draws the reader into a rough and tumble world. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
December 17, 2024
A very enjoyable read, which is reminiscent of Butcher's Dresden Files. If you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned detective story, with sprinklings of magic, this book is for you!
December 21, 2024
Spectacular hard-boiled period fantasy noir. Perfect language for the noir genre and wildly creative.
December 28, 2024
Noir urban fantasy set in 1934, by a master of the genre(s). Complex, likable characters, complex situations, and a suitably twisty plot. Read it!
December 17, 2025
Fantastic story full of fantastic period-specific slang & story elements. A supernatural noir with lots of good twists & turns.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews