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Wolfhound #1
Blood in the Water
In the wake of a post-Covid world, where the threat of another outbreak looms large, a mysterious death sparks a chain of events that plunge society into chaos. Fear grips the nation and dark forces conspire to disrupt and dismantle democracy. Amidst the turmoil, an unlikely coalition emerges to thwart the sinister plot, unveiling a web of deception that threatens to tear the fabric of British society apart.
In a tangled web of former loves and new blossoming romances, dangerous secrets collide, igniting a deadly conspiracy that threatens to unravel the lives of those involved. As the past of multiple characters intertwines with the present, the stakes soar higher, pulling them closer to the edge danger. Experience a gripping tale of intrigue, betrayal, and redemption as the Intelligence Services race against time to uncover the truth behind a series of catastrophic events.
In a tangled web of former loves and new blossoming romances, dangerous secrets collide, igniting a deadly conspiracy that threatens to unravel the lives of those involved. As the past of multiple characters intertwines with the present, the stakes soar higher, pulling them closer to the edge danger. Experience a gripping tale of intrigue, betrayal, and redemption as the Intelligence Services race against time to uncover the truth behind a series of catastrophic events.
368 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2025
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 8, 2025
London terrorist attacks, military intrigue, conspiracy theories, teenage love and a whole lot more all wrapped up in a single story.
Blood in the Water does well to mix so much together, it’s 368 page length at times feels bloated with content and at others the pace feels like it moves slowly, languidly taking its time to unravel all the twisted storylines.
There were many things to like about this thriller, including the detailed descriptions of weapons, locations and brand name watches.
Things that rankled were the repeated list-like descriptions of each and every character as they entered the scene. The repeated use of descriptors like ‘piggy’ to describe unattractive or bad people and some of the ways the writing distanced the reader from the action.
Add to this, the seemingly superhuman strength and abilities of some of the characters, and things got a little too unbelievable.
The ideas behind the attack on London, the multiple layers of deception and conspiracy kept me reading despite my dislike for how it was written. This is the bones of a good book, but it needs editing. Passive writing removes the reader from the action, too much repeated description in list-like form and sometimes a bit too much internal musing cause the pace to drop.
Overall, this will appeal to thriller, spy story enthusiasts and those who like political intrigue.
Things I noticed:
10% - It multiples (multiplies?) and infects more…
12% - the list-like rattling off of physical descriptions could be put into the story in a better way, instead of listing each attribute like a shopping list. Have the information meshed in an observation or such. As it is, the first 12% reads very much like a character description sheet each time new people are introduced.
19% - consistency with capitalisation of ranks (specifically Major) when not referring directly to Major Pollard it needn’t be capitalised (e.g the major).
22% - …seizing (should be sizing) her up…
25% - …brought few very (swap few/very order) items with her.
31% - …memory of your(s) playing tricks…
35% - so many characters have green eyes in this book. They only make up a very small percentage (2%) of the population. Seems a bit too prevalent.
41% - …man’s assaulted (assault) rifle had already…
43% - continuity check: John’s hands were bound behind his back how can he reach out across the floor or clutch at his chest?
44% - continuity check: how can Ollie see John’s eyes when John is wearing a blindfold?
46% - …knocking the (delete the) Ollie backwards…
53% - ‘He had no idea what to do for the best.’ Unsure what this means.
54% - repetition of mention of the special built armoured Jaguar within a few paragraphs. Seems redundant.
55% - can we please stop using the term ‘piggy’ to describe people who are meant to be unattractive. That’s at least the 4th time so far.
82% - … saw Ben’s (Ben or Ben’s eyes/gaze) looking down on him…
- the cheer (sheer) force of it had flipped…
84% - It was (a/the) mental scar it would…
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book from the Author**
Blood in the Water does well to mix so much together, it’s 368 page length at times feels bloated with content and at others the pace feels like it moves slowly, languidly taking its time to unravel all the twisted storylines.
There were many things to like about this thriller, including the detailed descriptions of weapons, locations and brand name watches.
Things that rankled were the repeated list-like descriptions of each and every character as they entered the scene. The repeated use of descriptors like ‘piggy’ to describe unattractive or bad people and some of the ways the writing distanced the reader from the action.
Add to this, the seemingly superhuman strength and abilities of some of the characters, and things got a little too unbelievable.
The ideas behind the attack on London, the multiple layers of deception and conspiracy kept me reading despite my dislike for how it was written. This is the bones of a good book, but it needs editing. Passive writing removes the reader from the action, too much repeated description in list-like form and sometimes a bit too much internal musing cause the pace to drop.
Overall, this will appeal to thriller, spy story enthusiasts and those who like political intrigue.
Things I noticed:
10% - It multiples (multiplies?) and infects more…
12% - the list-like rattling off of physical descriptions could be put into the story in a better way, instead of listing each attribute like a shopping list. Have the information meshed in an observation or such. As it is, the first 12% reads very much like a character description sheet each time new people are introduced.
19% - consistency with capitalisation of ranks (specifically Major) when not referring directly to Major Pollard it needn’t be capitalised (e.g the major).
22% - …seizing (should be sizing) her up…
25% - …brought few very (swap few/very order) items with her.
31% - …memory of your(s) playing tricks…
35% - so many characters have green eyes in this book. They only make up a very small percentage (2%) of the population. Seems a bit too prevalent.
41% - …man’s assaulted (assault) rifle had already…
43% - continuity check: John’s hands were bound behind his back how can he reach out across the floor or clutch at his chest?
44% - continuity check: how can Ollie see John’s eyes when John is wearing a blindfold?
46% - …knocking the (delete the) Ollie backwards…
53% - ‘He had no idea what to do for the best.’ Unsure what this means.
54% - repetition of mention of the special built armoured Jaguar within a few paragraphs. Seems redundant.
55% - can we please stop using the term ‘piggy’ to describe people who are meant to be unattractive. That’s at least the 4th time so far.
82% - … saw Ben’s (Ben or Ben’s eyes/gaze) looking down on him…
- the cheer (sheer) force of it had flipped…
84% - It was (a/the) mental scar it would…
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book from the Author**
March 1, 2025
Tom Meredith makes a bold and compelling debut with Blood in the Water, an action-packed thriller that delivers relentless tension, high-stakes drama, and a chillingly plausible threat. Set in a post-COVID world, the novel captures the lingering unease of global uncertainty while introducing an even greater danger—one that puts the UK on the brink of catastrophe.
From the very first page, Meredith throws readers into a fast-paced narrative where no one is safe. The immediacy of the threat, combined with the novel’s gripping realism, creates an atmosphere of intense suspense. The post-pandemic setting adds another layer of depth, reflecting the anxieties and vulnerabilities that still linger in society. Meredith expertly weaves these real-world fears into his storytelling, making the stakes feel all the more urgent.
The pacing is relentless, with action sequences that are both cinematic and visceral. Every chapter drives the story forward, ensuring there are no moments of respite. But beyond the action, Meredith excels at building tension through strong character development and a well-crafted plot. His characters feel real, their decisions grounded in the weight of the crisis unfolding around them.
As a debut novel, Blood in the Water is an impressive achievement. Meredith proves himself to be a strong new voice in the thriller genre, capable of delivering both gripping action and thought-provoking themes. By the time the final pages turn, readers will be left eager to see what he delivers next. If this book is any indication, he’s an author to watch.
From the very first page, Meredith throws readers into a fast-paced narrative where no one is safe. The immediacy of the threat, combined with the novel’s gripping realism, creates an atmosphere of intense suspense. The post-pandemic setting adds another layer of depth, reflecting the anxieties and vulnerabilities that still linger in society. Meredith expertly weaves these real-world fears into his storytelling, making the stakes feel all the more urgent.
The pacing is relentless, with action sequences that are both cinematic and visceral. Every chapter drives the story forward, ensuring there are no moments of respite. But beyond the action, Meredith excels at building tension through strong character development and a well-crafted plot. His characters feel real, their decisions grounded in the weight of the crisis unfolding around them.
As a debut novel, Blood in the Water is an impressive achievement. Meredith proves himself to be a strong new voice in the thriller genre, capable of delivering both gripping action and thought-provoking themes. By the time the final pages turn, readers will be left eager to see what he delivers next. If this book is any indication, he’s an author to watch.
May 19, 2025
📕 Review: Blood in the Water - Tom Meredith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was very excited when Tom Meredith reached out to me and suggested I give his debut thriller a read, needless to say it didn’t disappoint.
This is a fast-paced thriller set in London just after the COVID pandemic. Tom Meredith weaves an intricate plot with plenty of suspense throughout the book which keeps the pages turning. He captures the uncertainty and dread that lingered in the air following the pandemic beautifully.
What I especially loved about this book were the beautifully descriptive chapters that captured a very realistic snapshots of the post COVID world - from an eerily quiet London to the worried glances of characters.
There are lot of characters but each one is introduced at good pace with plenty of personal details to add depth. Would recommend for your next thriller read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was very excited when Tom Meredith reached out to me and suggested I give his debut thriller a read, needless to say it didn’t disappoint.
This is a fast-paced thriller set in London just after the COVID pandemic. Tom Meredith weaves an intricate plot with plenty of suspense throughout the book which keeps the pages turning. He captures the uncertainty and dread that lingered in the air following the pandemic beautifully.
What I especially loved about this book were the beautifully descriptive chapters that captured a very realistic snapshots of the post COVID world - from an eerily quiet London to the worried glances of characters.
There are lot of characters but each one is introduced at good pace with plenty of personal details to add depth. Would recommend for your next thriller read!
March 31, 2025
This is your debut?! I can't wait to see what you do with the series because wow.
Now thriller isn't usually my thing. Much prefer fantasy, BUT this was absolutely fantastic.
The plot was intense from the first chapter and kept up the pace throughout. Don't blink because you might miss something.
So much happens, and all characters (of which there are a few) are superbly written. They all have their own problems and pasts, YET to be revealed. The depth to each character is outstanding.
Honestly, this is well worth the read. I will be recommending this to everyone who likes a thriller and those who don't.
Quick heads up, it is based after Covid. So if you lost someone due to that, just bare in mind there are multiple mentions.
Other than that, run, don't walk to read this.
Now thriller isn't usually my thing. Much prefer fantasy, BUT this was absolutely fantastic.
The plot was intense from the first chapter and kept up the pace throughout. Don't blink because you might miss something.
So much happens, and all characters (of which there are a few) are superbly written. They all have their own problems and pasts, YET to be revealed. The depth to each character is outstanding.
Honestly, this is well worth the read. I will be recommending this to everyone who likes a thriller and those who don't.
Quick heads up, it is based after Covid. So if you lost someone due to that, just bare in mind there are multiple mentions.
Other than that, run, don't walk to read this.
October 16, 2025
I couldn’t put the book down once I had started it. It is full of suspense and the storyline was gripping. I loved the idea of the backdrop of the pandemic, and I can’t wait for the next book from the Author. Would definitely recommend as a next read for anyone.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews