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Dark Water #3
The Lost Zone
It’s Time to Justice or Love?
Alex Lytton has waited seven long years for justice—now, just as he stands on the precipice of achieving it, fate offers him an impossible complete the mission that has consumed his life or flee with the man who has captured his heart.
With time running out, Alex must decide what matters justice or love?
Dark Water. Deadly Secrets. Dangerous Love.
London, 2095. Sixty years after rising seas drowned the old world, a corrupt system of servitude keeps the new one afloat.
As Alex Lytton unravels the mysteries of Belvedere, he learns the skills he needs to survive. But his greatest test awaits on his return to Ghost Eye City, where he must convince his most dangerous enemy that he's no threat – by surrendering willingly to his demands.
Meanwhile, Josiah Raine vows to protect Alex at any cost. But as he works tirelessly to bring two killers to justice, a shadow from Alex's past emerges with a terrifying new agenda.
With time running out, the truth leads them to the cold grey waters of a lost zone, where a long-submerged secret holds the key to the future.
Plunge into The Lost Zone, the thrilling continuation of the Dark Water saga.
Slow Burn. Forced Proximity. Hurt/Comfort
This book series explores difficult themes and contains intense content intended for mature readers. Please consult the content advisory page listed in the Author’s Notes to make an informed reading decision.
This series must be read in order, starting with Book One. Each book continues the story directly and cannot be read independently.
Alex Lytton has waited seven long years for justice—now, just as he stands on the precipice of achieving it, fate offers him an impossible complete the mission that has consumed his life or flee with the man who has captured his heart.
With time running out, Alex must decide what matters justice or love?
Dark Water. Deadly Secrets. Dangerous Love.
London, 2095. Sixty years after rising seas drowned the old world, a corrupt system of servitude keeps the new one afloat.
As Alex Lytton unravels the mysteries of Belvedere, he learns the skills he needs to survive. But his greatest test awaits on his return to Ghost Eye City, where he must convince his most dangerous enemy that he's no threat – by surrendering willingly to his demands.
Meanwhile, Josiah Raine vows to protect Alex at any cost. But as he works tirelessly to bring two killers to justice, a shadow from Alex's past emerges with a terrifying new agenda.
With time running out, the truth leads them to the cold grey waters of a lost zone, where a long-submerged secret holds the key to the future.
Plunge into The Lost Zone, the thrilling continuation of the Dark Water saga.
Slow Burn. Forced Proximity. Hurt/Comfort
This book series explores difficult themes and contains intense content intended for mature readers. Please consult the content advisory page listed in the Author’s Notes to make an informed reading decision.
This series must be read in order, starting with Book One. Each book continues the story directly and cannot be read independently.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
102 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Xanthe Walter
34 books221 followersXanthe has been writing for most of her life, creating hundreds of short stories, novellas, and novels. Born in London, England, she puts her drama degree to good use by creating dramatic adventures about gorgeous men!
She had a day job for many moons, but when she discovered the wonderful world of MM fanfiction, she knew she'd found her tribe!
She wrote in fandom for over a decade, winning many awards, before transitioning to professional writing in 2012 with the BDSM romp, Ricochet.
Xanthe writes genre-defying MM romances, skilfully weaving murder mysteries, sci-fi, and fantasy into compelling love stories. Her books often contain plenty of spice, as well as the occasional sprinkling of BDSM.
If you enjoy MM romance and relish engaging novels with well-written characters, then jump on board her emotional rollercoaster!
Sometimes she goes to dark places, but you're guaranteed payoffs that hit the sweet spot and make the journey truly memorable.
When she's not writing, Xanthe is a musical theatre fan, geeks out on Tudor history, and never says no to a proper cream tea! She splits her time between London and Somerset with her two beautiful cats.
Come and join her on her friendly Facebook group Xanthology.
She had a day job for many moons, but when she discovered the wonderful world of MM fanfiction, she knew she'd found her tribe!
She wrote in fandom for over a decade, winning many awards, before transitioning to professional writing in 2012 with the BDSM romp, Ricochet.
Xanthe writes genre-defying MM romances, skilfully weaving murder mysteries, sci-fi, and fantasy into compelling love stories. Her books often contain plenty of spice, as well as the occasional sprinkling of BDSM.
If you enjoy MM romance and relish engaging novels with well-written characters, then jump on board her emotional rollercoaster!
Sometimes she goes to dark places, but you're guaranteed payoffs that hit the sweet spot and make the journey truly memorable.
When she's not writing, Xanthe is a musical theatre fan, geeks out on Tudor history, and never says no to a proper cream tea! She splits her time between London and Somerset with her two beautiful cats.
Come and join her on her friendly Facebook group Xanthology.
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July 30, 2025
July 26, 2025
A- / 4.5 stars rounded up
The Lost Zone, book three in Xanthe Walter’s Dark Water series, is another intense, high-stakes rollercoaster of action, intrigue and emotion that left me wrung out at the end and with a book hangover that lasted for days. As this story takes us past the middle point of the series, it’s difficult to say very much about the overarching plot without giving too much away, but I’ll need to reveal a few things about the storyline of Ghost Eye (book 2) in order to talk about this one, so consider yourself warned.
The story is once again told in two different timelines told from the perspectives of our two leads, detective Josiah Raine (2095) and indentured servant Alex Lytton (2089). In the present, Josiah continues to investigate the murder of celebrity holographer Elliot Dacre while also working to gather the evidence necessary to convict wealthy industrialist (and Alex’s former owner) George Tyler of the murder of Alex’s dearest friend, Solange Alajika seven years earlier. It’s slow going, but Josiah is making some headway while Tyler - ruthless, wealthy and powerful – will stop at nothing to make it all go away, threatening Josiah’s job and Alex’s safety. Adding to Josiah’s burden is his concern for Alex, whose mental health is becoming increasingly fragile, especially as the thing that has sustained him during his years of servitude, degradation and abuse – getting justice for Solange – looks like it’s finally going to happen. Without that purpose, Alex is lost; mired in confusion, misery and self-hatred, he’s deteriorating rapidly and Josiah is worried that this is, finally, something Alex isn’t going to come back from.
In the other timeline, we follow Alex during his stay at Belvedere, the prestigious IS training facility to which Tyler has sent him in order to – ostensibly – improve his skills in the domestic arena, but in reality to break his spirit. I have to say that what happens in these chapters is nothing like I was imagining, and I give Ms. Walter massive props for completely turning my expectations upside down in a brilliant piece of authorial misdirection. That isn’t to say that what happens at Belvedere isn’t disturbing – because it absolutely is – but instead of the violence I was expecting (although there is some) the focus is on a clever and powerful psychological analysis and disassembly that shows us exactly how and why Alex perfected that impenetrable mask he uses to hide himself so thoroughly. In a complete reversal from his intention to be able to look in a mirror and still see some trace of himself there, he now has to learn to lose himself, to keep his true self so well hidden that nobody will be able to see that he’s anything but the empty-shell he appears to be.
Both characters continue to grow in this book, although the bulk of that growth is, again, Alex’s, as he continues the process he’d begun in Ghost Eye, of owning up to his faults and seeing himself more clearly. The irony is, of course, that just as he’s begun to gain a better understanding of himself – and this new self-awareness continues to build during his stay at Belvedere – he has to learn to bury it and his true self in order to survive. And Josiah has gone from being a man so mired in grief that he was just going through the motions and with no room in his life for love or affection, to someone re-energised and firing on all cylinders – and determined to do everything in his power to protect the man he has, against all the odds, fallen in love with. Even if Alex, with his deeply fractured soul and his conviction that he’s never brought anything but misery to those who’ve loved him - can’t love him back.
I enjoyed getting to know more about some of the recurring secondary characters here – most notably Elsie, Ted and Sofie – and a blast from Alex’s re-appears to throw several spanners into the works. Tyler is as hateful (and hate-able – is that a word?) as ever, and I did rather enjoy him coming to realise that perhaps there’s something in the old adage, ‘be careful what you wish for’ after all. His and Alex’s relationship is every bit as twisted as ever, although I suspect that the truth about that, as with so many things about this series, is going to turn out to be different to what I’m expecting.
The worldbuilding, as I’ve said before, is fabulous and completely immersive (pun not intended!), and Ms. Walter does an incredible job of creating an atmosphere of tense uncertainty and foreboding throughout the story and keeping the reader on their toes as the plot takes some unexpected sharp turns.
The Dark Water series is shaping up to be one of my favourite reads of 2025, and The Lost Zone is another utterly compelling instalment that had me alternately exhilarated and exhausted while I was reading it. The concluding novel, The Quarterlands , will be released in early September, and to say I’m eagerly looking forward to it is a huge understatement!
The Lost Zone, book three in Xanthe Walter’s Dark Water series, is another intense, high-stakes rollercoaster of action, intrigue and emotion that left me wrung out at the end and with a book hangover that lasted for days. As this story takes us past the middle point of the series, it’s difficult to say very much about the overarching plot without giving too much away, but I’ll need to reveal a few things about the storyline of Ghost Eye (book 2) in order to talk about this one, so consider yourself warned.
The story is once again told in two different timelines told from the perspectives of our two leads, detective Josiah Raine (2095) and indentured servant Alex Lytton (2089). In the present, Josiah continues to investigate the murder of celebrity holographer Elliot Dacre while also working to gather the evidence necessary to convict wealthy industrialist (and Alex’s former owner) George Tyler of the murder of Alex’s dearest friend, Solange Alajika seven years earlier. It’s slow going, but Josiah is making some headway while Tyler - ruthless, wealthy and powerful – will stop at nothing to make it all go away, threatening Josiah’s job and Alex’s safety. Adding to Josiah’s burden is his concern for Alex, whose mental health is becoming increasingly fragile, especially as the thing that has sustained him during his years of servitude, degradation and abuse – getting justice for Solange – looks like it’s finally going to happen. Without that purpose, Alex is lost; mired in confusion, misery and self-hatred, he’s deteriorating rapidly and Josiah is worried that this is, finally, something Alex isn’t going to come back from.
In the other timeline, we follow Alex during his stay at Belvedere, the prestigious IS training facility to which Tyler has sent him in order to – ostensibly – improve his skills in the domestic arena, but in reality to break his spirit. I have to say that what happens in these chapters is nothing like I was imagining, and I give Ms. Walter massive props for completely turning my expectations upside down in a brilliant piece of authorial misdirection. That isn’t to say that what happens at Belvedere isn’t disturbing – because it absolutely is – but instead of the violence I was expecting (although there is some) the focus is on a clever and powerful psychological analysis and disassembly that shows us exactly how and why Alex perfected that impenetrable mask he uses to hide himself so thoroughly. In a complete reversal from his intention to be able to look in a mirror and still see some trace of himself there, he now has to learn to lose himself, to keep his true self so well hidden that nobody will be able to see that he’s anything but the empty-shell he appears to be.
Both characters continue to grow in this book, although the bulk of that growth is, again, Alex’s, as he continues the process he’d begun in Ghost Eye, of owning up to his faults and seeing himself more clearly. The irony is, of course, that just as he’s begun to gain a better understanding of himself – and this new self-awareness continues to build during his stay at Belvedere – he has to learn to bury it and his true self in order to survive. And Josiah has gone from being a man so mired in grief that he was just going through the motions and with no room in his life for love or affection, to someone re-energised and firing on all cylinders – and determined to do everything in his power to protect the man he has, against all the odds, fallen in love with. Even if Alex, with his deeply fractured soul and his conviction that he’s never brought anything but misery to those who’ve loved him - can’t love him back.
I enjoyed getting to know more about some of the recurring secondary characters here – most notably Elsie, Ted and Sofie – and a blast from Alex’s re-appears to throw several spanners into the works. Tyler is as hateful (and hate-able – is that a word?) as ever, and I did rather enjoy him coming to realise that perhaps there’s something in the old adage, ‘be careful what you wish for’ after all. His and Alex’s relationship is every bit as twisted as ever, although I suspect that the truth about that, as with so many things about this series, is going to turn out to be different to what I’m expecting.
The worldbuilding, as I’ve said before, is fabulous and completely immersive (pun not intended!), and Ms. Walter does an incredible job of creating an atmosphere of tense uncertainty and foreboding throughout the story and keeping the reader on their toes as the plot takes some unexpected sharp turns.
The Dark Water series is shaping up to be one of my favourite reads of 2025, and The Lost Zone is another utterly compelling instalment that had me alternately exhilarated and exhausted while I was reading it. The concluding novel, The Quarterlands , will be released in early September, and to say I’m eagerly looking forward to it is a huge understatement!
August 16, 2025
This series just continues to sink its hooks into me at every turn, throwing out curveballs and keeping my cortisol levels consistently high. It’s an exhausting and exhilarating experience, but I love it!
In this instalment, we follow Josiah in the present timeline as he builds his case against Tyler for the murder of Solange, all while trying to preserve Alex’s safety and deteriorating mental health. Josiah here is a man on a mission: high on adrenaline, laser-focused, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect the indie he’s fallen in love with. It’s a massive shift from the man we met in book one, who was so buried in grief he was barely functioning, with no room in his heart for anyone but Peter.
The flashback chapters take us into Belvedere, the prestigious (and sometimes brutal) indie training facility where Tyler has sent Alex to be 'broken', and we follow his journey in the months beyond. These chapters were probably the most fascinating part of the story for me. I was expecting even more abuse and torture after the ending of Ghost Eye, but instead we get a more insidious psychological unravelling that’s subtle, yet chilling. It’s a clever way to handle this part, and fits so seamlessly into Alex’s long-term character arc. We finally learn how he perfected that infamous mask of his, and it may not be what you expected. Which begs the question:
Who is Alexander Lytton?
Well… He’s a deeply flawed, deeply fractured soul, but beautiful nonetheless. I find myself falling for him a little more with every book, which probably makes me just as bad as every other infatuated character in this series. That said, this book ends with another lingering question: can Alexander truly love anyone back? With how much he loathes himself, I don’t know if the answer can be yes, but I hope the final book gives him the ending he deserves.
I also have to confess to the cardinal sin of shipping Alex and Tyler just a tiny bit in this book. There’s something about their twisted history and volatile chemistry that’s hard to look away from, even though it’s all kinds of toxic and wrong. I guess it’s a testament to Xanthe’s writing that she has me thinking unholy thoughts, after everything that happened in Ghost Eye!
Overall, this was another fantastic read. The world building remains rich, the characters are layered and unpredictable, and the plot is full of sharp turns and emotion. I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up in the final book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this instalment, we follow Josiah in the present timeline as he builds his case against Tyler for the murder of Solange, all while trying to preserve Alex’s safety and deteriorating mental health. Josiah here is a man on a mission: high on adrenaline, laser-focused, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect the indie he’s fallen in love with. It’s a massive shift from the man we met in book one, who was so buried in grief he was barely functioning, with no room in his heart for anyone but Peter.
The flashback chapters take us into Belvedere, the prestigious (and sometimes brutal) indie training facility where Tyler has sent Alex to be 'broken', and we follow his journey in the months beyond. These chapters were probably the most fascinating part of the story for me. I was expecting even more abuse and torture after the ending of Ghost Eye, but instead we get a more insidious psychological unravelling that’s subtle, yet chilling. It’s a clever way to handle this part, and fits so seamlessly into Alex’s long-term character arc. We finally learn how he perfected that infamous mask of his, and it may not be what you expected. Which begs the question:
Who is Alexander Lytton?
Well… He’s a deeply flawed, deeply fractured soul, but beautiful nonetheless. I find myself falling for him a little more with every book, which probably makes me just as bad as every other infatuated character in this series. That said, this book ends with another lingering question: can Alexander truly love anyone back? With how much he loathes himself, I don’t know if the answer can be yes, but I hope the final book gives him the ending he deserves.
I also have to confess to the cardinal sin of shipping Alex and Tyler just a tiny bit in this book. There’s something about their twisted history and volatile chemistry that’s hard to look away from, even though it’s all kinds of toxic and wrong. I guess it’s a testament to Xanthe’s writing that she has me thinking unholy thoughts, after everything that happened in Ghost Eye!
Overall, this was another fantastic read. The world building remains rich, the characters are layered and unpredictable, and the plot is full of sharp turns and emotion. I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up in the final book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 6, 2025
The Lost Zone is book three in the author’s Deep Water series and I loved every second of it. I truly can‘t remember when I last read a series where I rated three books in a row with five stars.
Where the first two books were more action-packed, this book was more about the mind and the inner workings of the characters. But don‘t get me wrong, this doesn‘t mean that it was any less thrilling. You thought you had figured it out after the second book? No, you didn‘t! The lost Zone was full of intelligent scheming and carefully placed moves on the board against Joe‘s and Alex‘s enemies.
Both characters underwent great development in this book, sometimes breaking themselves in the process. Especially the progress of Alex‘s story was unexpected and threw me for a loop.
I found myself holding my breath from the first to the last page and though I could feel that the conclusion is near, it‘s still out of reach, and I have no clue how this fascinating story will work out. Can‘t wait for the fourth and last book!
I received an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Where the first two books were more action-packed, this book was more about the mind and the inner workings of the characters. But don‘t get me wrong, this doesn‘t mean that it was any less thrilling. You thought you had figured it out after the second book? No, you didn‘t! The lost Zone was full of intelligent scheming and carefully placed moves on the board against Joe‘s and Alex‘s enemies.
Both characters underwent great development in this book, sometimes breaking themselves in the process. Especially the progress of Alex‘s story was unexpected and threw me for a loop.
I found myself holding my breath from the first to the last page and though I could feel that the conclusion is near, it‘s still out of reach, and I have no clue how this fascinating story will work out. Can‘t wait for the fourth and last book!
I received an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 14, 2025
This series is still going strong! Again, probably a 4.5 rounded up for me. I read this ARC in a day again, because I just couldn’t put it down! I liked that there were fewer flashbacks overall & only from Alex’s POV. Gosh, I just want to give Alex a hug. Yes, he’s made mistakes & yes, he was kind of an ass when he was younger, but none of that means he deserves to suffer. I did wish there was more spice between Joe & Alex, but I ship them so hard I’m not sure I’d ever get enough. Can’t wait until September for the final book!
September 7, 2025
Overall: A captivating, intriguing story set in a unique world with well-rounded characters.
*Rant ahead*
My biggest complaint about this series so far is the “romance” between Joe and Alex. The author can clearly write a good romance - as you can see with Peter and Joe. Why then, would the main romance be insta-love and bland!? I am so peeved about this that I honestly am not even sure I’m rooting for them to end up together!?
I love Josiah, and I FEEL for Alex; they both deserve their HEA! I’m just not convinced it should be together. I HATE this for me (and for the story).
I hate that it’s written in a way that makes it seem like Josiah is just like everyone else who has “fallen” for Alex (but without the selfishness). Like, WHY is he in love with Alex? HOW did he fall in love in less than a week!? Where’s the build up? They don’t even know each other!
I thought for a second that it might be fixed when they break up, but nope! Josiah is still convinced he’s in love with Alex. 🙄
The characters are so generally well-developed that this flat relationship is confusing and takes away from the story. When they almost ran off together… what!? That did not line up with the rest of Joe’s personality, in my opinion. That’s about when I started to lose my mind a little.
Again, we got a better look at the relationship between Joe and Peter, WHO IS DEAD. Like wtf. Why put so much effort into showing the audience a relationship that we already know is over!?
I hate to say this, but I’m even more invested in the (toxic) relationship between Alex and Tyler - EW - than the one between Joe and Alex. Why is the author doing this to me!?
I could probably rant about this for 20+ more pages. At least the next book will put all of my curiosity to rest.
*Rant ahead*
My biggest complaint about this series so far is the “romance” between Joe and Alex. The author can clearly write a good romance - as you can see with Peter and Joe. Why then, would the main romance be insta-love and bland!? I am so peeved about this that I honestly am not even sure I’m rooting for them to end up together!?
I love Josiah, and I FEEL for Alex; they both deserve their HEA! I’m just not convinced it should be together. I HATE this for me (and for the story).
I hate that it’s written in a way that makes it seem like Josiah is just like everyone else who has “fallen” for Alex (but without the selfishness). Like, WHY is he in love with Alex? HOW did he fall in love in less than a week!? Where’s the build up? They don’t even know each other!
I thought for a second that it might be fixed when they break up, but nope! Josiah is still convinced he’s in love with Alex. 🙄
The characters are so generally well-developed that this flat relationship is confusing and takes away from the story. When they almost ran off together… what!? That did not line up with the rest of Joe’s personality, in my opinion. That’s about when I started to lose my mind a little.
Again, we got a better look at the relationship between Joe and Peter, WHO IS DEAD. Like wtf. Why put so much effort into showing the audience a relationship that we already know is over!?
I hate to say this, but I’m even more invested in the (toxic) relationship between Alex and Tyler - EW - than the one between Joe and Alex. Why is the author doing this to me!?
I could probably rant about this for 20+ more pages. At least the next book will put all of my curiosity to rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2025
I believe this series must be read in order. Otherwise you won’t get the full effect of Alex and Josiah’s story.
Josiah has lost himself in Alex. Searching for a killer and keeping Alex free of Tyler is the focus of his life. Falling in love with his IS wasn’t supposed to happen but now that it has he will do everything in his power to protect Alex.
Past is Prologue…history sets the context for the present. Alex’s story, while sad, has shaped the man he’s becoming. The persona he’s forced to to show the world is a means to get justice for Solange, but as the story progresses he becomes less himself and more a man he can no longer recognize, almost a caricature.
I thought the author did a great job of portraying the two sides of both Alex and Josiah. The two story format, an excellent way to show the growth of both men, although this book was mostly concentrated on Alex. His time at Belvedere both harrowing and at times almost serene. The preparation for his future with Tyler was hard fought.
I didn’t really care for the before and after Alex. The one I like is when he is truly himself with Josiah.
This is not a feel good book. It’s sad and made me feel lonely (strange that emotion comes too mind). The mystery of who killed Dacre was pushed almost into the background. The series is to good to miss.
I received an arc of this book.
Josiah has lost himself in Alex. Searching for a killer and keeping Alex free of Tyler is the focus of his life. Falling in love with his IS wasn’t supposed to happen but now that it has he will do everything in his power to protect Alex.
Past is Prologue…history sets the context for the present. Alex’s story, while sad, has shaped the man he’s becoming. The persona he’s forced to to show the world is a means to get justice for Solange, but as the story progresses he becomes less himself and more a man he can no longer recognize, almost a caricature.
I thought the author did a great job of portraying the two sides of both Alex and Josiah. The two story format, an excellent way to show the growth of both men, although this book was mostly concentrated on Alex. His time at Belvedere both harrowing and at times almost serene. The preparation for his future with Tyler was hard fought.
I didn’t really care for the before and after Alex. The one I like is when he is truly himself with Josiah.
This is not a feel good book. It’s sad and made me feel lonely (strange that emotion comes too mind). The mystery of who killed Dacre was pushed almost into the background. The series is to good to miss.
I received an arc of this book.
August 3, 2025
The more we find out about Alex, the more emotional I get for him, i was shedding tears only a few pages into this book, and having to choose between love and justice ⚖️ ergh what a decision for poor Joe and Alex, Tyler was just as desperate and despicable as we have seen previously.
I really hope these two get their happily ever after at the end of book 4 if anyone deserves it after everything they have been through then they do.
I really hope these two get their happily ever after at the end of book 4 if anyone deserves it after everything they have been through then they do.
July 29, 2025
The series holds me captive. More secrets are unraveled. This is a brilliant series
July 13, 2025
The Lost Zone is the penultimate book in the Dark Water Series, and it picks up directly from the end of Ghost Eye.
After Alex’s emotional outpouring to Josiah of the death of his friend Solange, Josiah is determined to bring George Tyler to justice. However, as we all know this is not going to be an easy task as Tyler has many influential friends and covers his tracks well or so he thinks….
We revisit people from the first couple of books, Ted, Mick, Neil just to name a few, alongside some new characters, with some surprising revelations along the way.….
Through Alex’s flashbacks, we find out what happens when Tyler sends him off to be ‘Trained’ at the renowned Belevere Indentured Servant Training facility. Where Alex is known as One and we meet the other Indentures Servants, Two, Three, Four and Five who are there to be trained, as well as the staff known as A, B, C, D, E, F.
Who is A? The mysterious Director of Belevere who is never seen. Can he train/help Alex to survive? I did work out who A. was.
To be honest I expected far more brutality with the training of Alex, having read Xanthe’s The Adversary, so it took me by surprise when it didn’t follow that path. (Though, I am glad it did not go that dark). Alex’s training was cleverly thought out and was handled perfectly. I know the song well, as a child who attended church, and I now find myself humming the tune from time to time.
We discover what lengths Alex has to go to, to survive when he is finally returned to his brutal owner, George Tyler!
New allies are found and old some questions are answer, however in typical Xanthe style, more question take their place….
After all we have yet to discover who killed Elliot Dacre in the first book, Crocodile Tears!
The plot is as usual utterly compelling and superbly constructed and takes Josiah, Alex (and us) on a rollercoaster of a journey, which I fear is far from over.
I was lucky to get an advanced reader copy of this book, however this my honest review.
After Alex’s emotional outpouring to Josiah of the death of his friend Solange, Josiah is determined to bring George Tyler to justice. However, as we all know this is not going to be an easy task as Tyler has many influential friends and covers his tracks well or so he thinks….
We revisit people from the first couple of books, Ted, Mick, Neil just to name a few, alongside some new characters, with some surprising revelations along the way.….
Through Alex’s flashbacks, we find out what happens when Tyler sends him off to be ‘Trained’ at the renowned Belevere Indentured Servant Training facility. Where Alex is known as One and we meet the other Indentures Servants, Two, Three, Four and Five who are there to be trained, as well as the staff known as A, B, C, D, E, F.
Who is A? The mysterious Director of Belevere who is never seen. Can he train/help Alex to survive? I did work out who A. was.
To be honest I expected far more brutality with the training of Alex, having read Xanthe’s The Adversary, so it took me by surprise when it didn’t follow that path. (Though, I am glad it did not go that dark). Alex’s training was cleverly thought out and was handled perfectly. I know the song well, as a child who attended church, and I now find myself humming the tune from time to time.
We discover what lengths Alex has to go to, to survive when he is finally returned to his brutal owner, George Tyler!
New allies are found and old some questions are answer, however in typical Xanthe style, more question take their place….
After all we have yet to discover who killed Elliot Dacre in the first book, Crocodile Tears!
The plot is as usual utterly compelling and superbly constructed and takes Josiah, Alex (and us) on a rollercoaster of a journey, which I fear is far from over.
I was lucky to get an advanced reader copy of this book, however this my honest review.
July 11, 2025
This is the third instalment in the Dark Water series and it did not disappoint!!
What I loved about it is the storyline wasn’t predictable, Alex’s past is heartbreaking but I particularly like that he isn’t portrayed as without current flaws, you’ll end up second guessing all the characters at one point or another and no one in this series feels two dimensional. I also really enjoyed learning more about the secondary characters such as Sofie and Ted, as well as the introduction of new characters that I honestly thought were so well written. The pace of this book matched the last two and I didn’t feel like it dragged or dwindled at any point, which makes sense because I was so invested I read it in a day lol. It was high angst and high drama as well as being so gut-wrenching at times, so I would definitely recommend The Lost Zone especially if you enjoyed these aspects in the last two books and I can’t wait for the final book in this series!
*I was kindly given an ARC of this book, my review is honest and solely based on my opinion*
What I loved about it is the storyline wasn’t predictable, Alex’s past is heartbreaking but I particularly like that he isn’t portrayed as without current flaws, you’ll end up second guessing all the characters at one point or another and no one in this series feels two dimensional. I also really enjoyed learning more about the secondary characters such as Sofie and Ted, as well as the introduction of new characters that I honestly thought were so well written. The pace of this book matched the last two and I didn’t feel like it dragged or dwindled at any point, which makes sense because I was so invested I read it in a day lol. It was high angst and high drama as well as being so gut-wrenching at times, so I would definitely recommend The Lost Zone especially if you enjoyed these aspects in the last two books and I can’t wait for the final book in this series!
*I was kindly given an ARC of this book, my review is honest and solely based on my opinion*
August 6, 2025
London 2095, is barely surviving the Rise. The only thing keeping it alive is the corrupt government and the system of Indentured Servants that are contracted to the highest bidder.
Homicide Detective, Josiah Raine is still investigating the murder of houder, Elliott Dacre. Now that he’s sat down with, IS Alex Lytton, and their trust for each other is solid, Josiah demands to know every bit of information Alex can give him. He’s taking on a new murder and going after the evil George Tyler. He’s put his job on the line and even his and Alex’s life. He’s lied to Esther Lomax, Director of Inquisitus, who trusted him and he gave his word to not pursue Tyler. He’s having his info-tech Cameron Reed checking out a list of names of the IS’s that Tyler contracted and all his clients. He needs to know everything about Solange and Theodor “Ted” Burgis.
It really bothers Josiah that he has to lie to his friends and colleagues, but most of all he and Alex are sworn to silence about their connection. Alex will find himself at the end of his rope as he fights for justice for Solange Alajika.
London 2088 - 2089
Again, it’s another trial for Alex. Tyler has had enough of Alex and sends him to Belvedere for an odd type of IS domestic training. But Tyler’s plan is to have Alex return with a broken spirit. The psychological training is dark and will have Alex deeply hiding, who he truly is. There’s not only the change in Alex, but Tyler seems to change too. It’s hard to judge what is reality or is there even such a thing?
Xanthe Walter brings the third harrowing and dark theme installment of the “Dark Waters” series with “The Lost Zone”. There are lots of secrets that are revealed in this story. It’s psychological, intriguing, and filled with various emotions. There’s danger at every turn as Josiah finds himself in the Lost Zone. The author doesn’t miss a beat, as the “Dark Water” series continues, with overwhelming, startling and intense scenes and world building.
Those especially important in Josiah’s life: Peter, his departed husband and Hattie his faithful companion. Elsie who worked with Peter and then Josiah on the Kathleen Line. I like the grit and chaos the author brought to this story. Josiah loves his chocolate, but he’s a man that craves his fist fights. The author describes some of the most spectacular fist fight scenes with the skilled Josiah. Josiah’s life for seven years was lonely with the loss of Peter. When he get’s involved with Alex he finds there are many hidden secrets.
Josiah also has an expert investigative team and they really care about him.
Director of Inquisitus - Esther Lomax; Dr. Sofie Baumann - new pathologist - IS;
Cameron Reed - leading data tech - halodata; and Melanie Hamilton - lead forensic.
The timeline is set when both technology and investigative skills are very different. There’s those magnificent AV ducks.
As for Alex Lytton he is a young man that was terribly misunderstood. From the very beginning at age sixteen, he was blamed for an accident that injured his brother and caused his mothers death. He was constantly reminded of this and he learned to hate himself. He tried to express how he felt but no one listened and his life became abusive, mentally and physically. Throughout this series, I had often thought how his father and brother could never see Alex needed help. His mother was consumed with his brothers fame. Alex did not like the being in the publics eye. His family overlooked him like he didn’t exist. Filled with hate and confusion Alex never knew what it was really like to be loved. No matter what his houder, Tyler does to him, he had the strength to carry on. But how much more can Alex take before he hits a breaking point. What is Alex really hiding or is he about to find out a shocking truth?
The author also gives more in-depth descriptions and comparisons of: The Lost Zone floating cities, Quarterlands, to the Canary Quarters. The story goes into how the corrupt government house people whether the places were nice or not, and the places were more on the unlivable scale. It describes the people who live in these overcrowded spaces and devastation that they live in, from gangs to cartels and the drugs such as Croc-Tears.
Besides the books they are also out on audio: “Crocodile Tears”, “Ghost Eye” and now “The Lost Zone: and they are very well narrated by Mattis Addis. I read along with the audios and found Mattis Addis to be entertaining with the distinction of the different character voices. This is a series that has much drama and emotion and Addis does a fantastic narration. He is very good at bringing both Alex Lytton and Josiah Raine to life. He picks up on all the characters personalities and he doesn’t miss a beat with the evilness of George Tyler.
Xanthe Walter’s writing of the “Dark Waters” series has been a roller coaster ride that keeps your mind sharp as each word is read. Although, the “Dark Water” series seems very futuristic and complex it’s easy to read and vision. What dangers and heart-rending situations will Xanthe Walter’s have Alex Lytton and Josiah Raine facing next in the fourth exciting installment of “The Quarterlands”?
Homicide Detective, Josiah Raine is still investigating the murder of houder, Elliott Dacre. Now that he’s sat down with, IS Alex Lytton, and their trust for each other is solid, Josiah demands to know every bit of information Alex can give him. He’s taking on a new murder and going after the evil George Tyler. He’s put his job on the line and even his and Alex’s life. He’s lied to Esther Lomax, Director of Inquisitus, who trusted him and he gave his word to not pursue Tyler. He’s having his info-tech Cameron Reed checking out a list of names of the IS’s that Tyler contracted and all his clients. He needs to know everything about Solange and Theodor “Ted” Burgis.
It really bothers Josiah that he has to lie to his friends and colleagues, but most of all he and Alex are sworn to silence about their connection. Alex will find himself at the end of his rope as he fights for justice for Solange Alajika.
London 2088 - 2089
Again, it’s another trial for Alex. Tyler has had enough of Alex and sends him to Belvedere for an odd type of IS domestic training. But Tyler’s plan is to have Alex return with a broken spirit. The psychological training is dark and will have Alex deeply hiding, who he truly is. There’s not only the change in Alex, but Tyler seems to change too. It’s hard to judge what is reality or is there even such a thing?
Xanthe Walter brings the third harrowing and dark theme installment of the “Dark Waters” series with “The Lost Zone”. There are lots of secrets that are revealed in this story. It’s psychological, intriguing, and filled with various emotions. There’s danger at every turn as Josiah finds himself in the Lost Zone. The author doesn’t miss a beat, as the “Dark Water” series continues, with overwhelming, startling and intense scenes and world building.
Those especially important in Josiah’s life: Peter, his departed husband and Hattie his faithful companion. Elsie who worked with Peter and then Josiah on the Kathleen Line. I like the grit and chaos the author brought to this story. Josiah loves his chocolate, but he’s a man that craves his fist fights. The author describes some of the most spectacular fist fight scenes with the skilled Josiah. Josiah’s life for seven years was lonely with the loss of Peter. When he get’s involved with Alex he finds there are many hidden secrets.
Josiah also has an expert investigative team and they really care about him.
Director of Inquisitus - Esther Lomax; Dr. Sofie Baumann - new pathologist - IS;
Cameron Reed - leading data tech - halodata; and Melanie Hamilton - lead forensic.
The timeline is set when both technology and investigative skills are very different. There’s those magnificent AV ducks.
As for Alex Lytton he is a young man that was terribly misunderstood. From the very beginning at age sixteen, he was blamed for an accident that injured his brother and caused his mothers death. He was constantly reminded of this and he learned to hate himself. He tried to express how he felt but no one listened and his life became abusive, mentally and physically. Throughout this series, I had often thought how his father and brother could never see Alex needed help. His mother was consumed with his brothers fame. Alex did not like the being in the publics eye. His family overlooked him like he didn’t exist. Filled with hate and confusion Alex never knew what it was really like to be loved. No matter what his houder, Tyler does to him, he had the strength to carry on. But how much more can Alex take before he hits a breaking point. What is Alex really hiding or is he about to find out a shocking truth?
The author also gives more in-depth descriptions and comparisons of: The Lost Zone floating cities, Quarterlands, to the Canary Quarters. The story goes into how the corrupt government house people whether the places were nice or not, and the places were more on the unlivable scale. It describes the people who live in these overcrowded spaces and devastation that they live in, from gangs to cartels and the drugs such as Croc-Tears.
Besides the books they are also out on audio: “Crocodile Tears”, “Ghost Eye” and now “The Lost Zone: and they are very well narrated by Mattis Addis. I read along with the audios and found Mattis Addis to be entertaining with the distinction of the different character voices. This is a series that has much drama and emotion and Addis does a fantastic narration. He is very good at bringing both Alex Lytton and Josiah Raine to life. He picks up on all the characters personalities and he doesn’t miss a beat with the evilness of George Tyler.
Xanthe Walter’s writing of the “Dark Waters” series has been a roller coaster ride that keeps your mind sharp as each word is read. Although, the “Dark Water” series seems very futuristic and complex it’s easy to read and vision. What dangers and heart-rending situations will Xanthe Walter’s have Alex Lytton and Josiah Raine facing next in the fourth exciting installment of “The Quarterlands”?
October 26, 2025
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
erformance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
This is the third book in the Dark Water series, and I found this volume very captivating. As I mentioned before, I rarely read dystopian novels, but this mix of emotions, revenge, and murder investigation simply grabbed me.
I highly recommend reading the series in order, as the story builds on itself.
The writing style is wonderful, and I immediately found myself immersed in the world of Alexander, Josiah, and George. The story is told alternately from the perspectives of the two protagonists, Alex and Josiah, and there are frequent flashbacks to Alex's past. I found this part fascinating, with many great supporting characters, and it is less action-packed and more about mental development—Alex was in Belvedere—which was sometimes heartbreaking and disturbing. In the first volume, I had already noticed a few small things, for example about Alex's behavior, that raised questions for me. These questions were explained in this volume.
Alex is a sympathetic character who has suffered terrible things in his life. I would have loved to give him a hug and tell him that everything would be okay again.
Josiah is the investigator who is looking into the murder of Alexander's former houder, but who also wants to ensure justice for a friend at Alex's request. And it's not that easy to prove murder when the accused is a very powerful man who pulls out all the stops. But when, after many years, Alex's goal of avenging his friend finally comes within reach, he is faced with an impossible choice: to go through with it, with potentially dire consequences for himself, or to flee, because his opponent is not playing fair.
Towards the end, it gets super exciting again, and Alex's fate seems sealed, but Josiah leaves no stone unturned.
I quite liked Josiah because he has a big heart, even if his public reputation is quite different. But Josiah's world also seems to slowly crumble from the moment he begins investigating the death of Alex's friend.
I thought it was great how the author reveals layer after layer, and I always thought, “That can't be true,” but then she topped it off with something else. This is a dark story that is both shocking and romantic at the same time.
The audiobook was very enjoyable and interesting and kept me entertained throughout. And no, you can't stop at the third volume—at least I can't, because I have to get the fourth volume right away to find out how the story ends.
“The Lost Zone” is an audiobook that is almost 19 hours long. But the hours fly by. Matt Addis did a phenomenal job. I always knew which character was speaking, and I think he conveyed the emotions superbly – bravo, that was absolutely great!
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
erformance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
This is the third book in the Dark Water series, and I found this volume very captivating. As I mentioned before, I rarely read dystopian novels, but this mix of emotions, revenge, and murder investigation simply grabbed me.
I highly recommend reading the series in order, as the story builds on itself.
The writing style is wonderful, and I immediately found myself immersed in the world of Alexander, Josiah, and George. The story is told alternately from the perspectives of the two protagonists, Alex and Josiah, and there are frequent flashbacks to Alex's past. I found this part fascinating, with many great supporting characters, and it is less action-packed and more about mental development—Alex was in Belvedere—which was sometimes heartbreaking and disturbing. In the first volume, I had already noticed a few small things, for example about Alex's behavior, that raised questions for me. These questions were explained in this volume.
Alex is a sympathetic character who has suffered terrible things in his life. I would have loved to give him a hug and tell him that everything would be okay again.
Josiah is the investigator who is looking into the murder of Alexander's former houder, but who also wants to ensure justice for a friend at Alex's request. And it's not that easy to prove murder when the accused is a very powerful man who pulls out all the stops. But when, after many years, Alex's goal of avenging his friend finally comes within reach, he is faced with an impossible choice: to go through with it, with potentially dire consequences for himself, or to flee, because his opponent is not playing fair.
Towards the end, it gets super exciting again, and Alex's fate seems sealed, but Josiah leaves no stone unturned.
I quite liked Josiah because he has a big heart, even if his public reputation is quite different. But Josiah's world also seems to slowly crumble from the moment he begins investigating the death of Alex's friend.
I thought it was great how the author reveals layer after layer, and I always thought, “That can't be true,” but then she topped it off with something else. This is a dark story that is both shocking and romantic at the same time.
The audiobook was very enjoyable and interesting and kept me entertained throughout. And no, you can't stop at the third volume—at least I can't, because I have to get the fourth volume right away to find out how the story ends.
“The Lost Zone” is an audiobook that is almost 19 hours long. But the hours fly by. Matt Addis did a phenomenal job. I always knew which character was speaking, and I think he conveyed the emotions superbly – bravo, that was absolutely great!
August 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Holy shit. I have lost so much sleep staying up to binge this series, and The Lost Zone absolutely destroyed me in the best way. Xanthe Walter just keeps raising the bar—every book in this series somehow manages to be more intense, more emotional, more heartbreaking, and more addictive than the last.
This one digs even deeper into the characters’ minds, and it hurts. Alex’s growth continues here, and wow… the journey he’s on wrecked me. In Ghost Eye, we saw him starting to own up to his mistakes and really face who he was. In The Lost Zone, that self-awareness keeps building—but the cruel irony is that in order to survive, he has to bury that truth and hide who he really is. It’s brutal, it’s raw, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
And Josiah. 🥺 My man has gone from drowning in grief, numb to everything around him, to someone fully alive again—driven, focused, and willing to burn the world down to protect Alex. Watching him finally allow himself to feel again, even as Alex fights his own belief that he only brings pain to the people who love him, shattered me. Their connection is messy, complicated, and so full of longing that I swear it got under my skin.
Where the first two books were more action-heavy, this one was about strategy, scheming, and the terrifying psychological games being played on all sides. Don’t let that fool you, though—it’s still edge-of-your-seat intense. Every time I thought I knew where the plot was going, Xanthe proved me wrong. Again. And again.
I was holding my breath from the very first page to the last. The stakes are higher than ever, the characters are breaking and rebuilding in ways that make my chest ache, and the ending left me desperate for book four. I have no clue how this is going to end—but I know it’s going to ruin me, and I cannot wait.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️/5 — less focus on physical spice here, but the emotional intimacy and tension is absolutely scorching.
What to Expect:
💔 Hurt/comfort everywhere
🕵️♂️ Detective + damaged hero romance
🌊 Dystopian / climate-fiction setting
🔒 Forced proximity / dangerous power plays
😈 Scheming, betrayal, secrets on secrets
⏳ Slow burn angst with emotional wreckage
Content Warnings:
Xanthe includes detailed trigger warnings in the front of the book, and I cannot stress enough: please read them. This series gets darker with each installment, tackling trauma, abuse, violence, grief, and emotional devastation.
This series is ruining me and I love it. Bring on book four—I am not ready, but I need it yesterday. 😭.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holy shit. I have lost so much sleep staying up to binge this series, and The Lost Zone absolutely destroyed me in the best way. Xanthe Walter just keeps raising the bar—every book in this series somehow manages to be more intense, more emotional, more heartbreaking, and more addictive than the last.
This one digs even deeper into the characters’ minds, and it hurts. Alex’s growth continues here, and wow… the journey he’s on wrecked me. In Ghost Eye, we saw him starting to own up to his mistakes and really face who he was. In The Lost Zone, that self-awareness keeps building—but the cruel irony is that in order to survive, he has to bury that truth and hide who he really is. It’s brutal, it’s raw, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
And Josiah. 🥺 My man has gone from drowning in grief, numb to everything around him, to someone fully alive again—driven, focused, and willing to burn the world down to protect Alex. Watching him finally allow himself to feel again, even as Alex fights his own belief that he only brings pain to the people who love him, shattered me. Their connection is messy, complicated, and so full of longing that I swear it got under my skin.
Where the first two books were more action-heavy, this one was about strategy, scheming, and the terrifying psychological games being played on all sides. Don’t let that fool you, though—it’s still edge-of-your-seat intense. Every time I thought I knew where the plot was going, Xanthe proved me wrong. Again. And again.
I was holding my breath from the very first page to the last. The stakes are higher than ever, the characters are breaking and rebuilding in ways that make my chest ache, and the ending left me desperate for book four. I have no clue how this is going to end—but I know it’s going to ruin me, and I cannot wait.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️/5 — less focus on physical spice here, but the emotional intimacy and tension is absolutely scorching.
What to Expect:
💔 Hurt/comfort everywhere
🕵️♂️ Detective + damaged hero romance
🌊 Dystopian / climate-fiction setting
🔒 Forced proximity / dangerous power plays
😈 Scheming, betrayal, secrets on secrets
⏳ Slow burn angst with emotional wreckage
Content Warnings:
Xanthe includes detailed trigger warnings in the front of the book, and I cannot stress enough: please read them. This series gets darker with each installment, tackling trauma, abuse, violence, grief, and emotional devastation.
This series is ruining me and I love it. Bring on book four—I am not ready, but I need it yesterday. 😭.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
I wrote a review on Audible but it didn't save it and now 4 months later I am here and don't have an individual review for each book. I can say that I absolutely love them and once I revisit the story again I will write an individual review. This was a general review that Audible allowed me to write for the 4th and final book. I 100% percent recommend this series.
I love this series. There is so much thought into how the future world is and it's not the run of the mill scenario.
Alex has to be one of the most complex characters I've ever read about. The struggles he goes through from a young age to adulthood are heart wrenching. He endures so much and never gives up. Not many people could do this. His devotion to his brother is astounding, even though Charles doesn't deserve it. His reason for living to give Solange justice is remarkable. Always wanting his mother but just out of reach, His fathers love. Josiah's love. He's the most hated man but it's all a lie and the pain and suffering he goes through because of the lie is so sad. Tyler is an awful human being who exploited everyone around him but most of all Alex.
Josiah is strong, confident, sexy, driven but also lonely and in pain for the loss of his late husband. He is driven for justice and then Alex falls into his lap and he finds a purpose, finally, after Peter's death to start living again. Josiah is such a big character with strong morals but then will break them for his code of conduct. He is very honorable.
The whole IS system is an interesting idea, Floating cities. Ducks for vehicles. Very creative on the authors part.
Josiah and Alex do get a happy ending and I am so giddy for that. They are so good together. Josiah was the first man to want nothing from Alex. They both gave so much to each other and helped heal old wounds.
This is not always a happy story and there are some heavy parts to it. With all the cruelty and sadness it was still worth all the hours put into listening to all 4 books. There are happy moments too and they shine the brightest. Now if your looking for smexy scenes there are some. Some not so good but Josiah and Alex together = chefs kiss.
Matt Addis is a new to me narrator and he did a phenomenal job.
I received the first two and forth audios from the author. I am grateful for the author's generosity. This story will live rent free in my brain for a long time and I will defiantly be doing a re-listen.
I love this series. There is so much thought into how the future world is and it's not the run of the mill scenario.
Alex has to be one of the most complex characters I've ever read about. The struggles he goes through from a young age to adulthood are heart wrenching. He endures so much and never gives up. Not many people could do this. His devotion to his brother is astounding, even though Charles doesn't deserve it. His reason for living to give Solange justice is remarkable. Always wanting his mother but just out of reach, His fathers love. Josiah's love. He's the most hated man but it's all a lie and the pain and suffering he goes through because of the lie is so sad. Tyler is an awful human being who exploited everyone around him but most of all Alex.
Josiah is strong, confident, sexy, driven but also lonely and in pain for the loss of his late husband. He is driven for justice and then Alex falls into his lap and he finds a purpose, finally, after Peter's death to start living again. Josiah is such a big character with strong morals but then will break them for his code of conduct. He is very honorable.
The whole IS system is an interesting idea, Floating cities. Ducks for vehicles. Very creative on the authors part.
Josiah and Alex do get a happy ending and I am so giddy for that. They are so good together. Josiah was the first man to want nothing from Alex. They both gave so much to each other and helped heal old wounds.
This is not always a happy story and there are some heavy parts to it. With all the cruelty and sadness it was still worth all the hours put into listening to all 4 books. There are happy moments too and they shine the brightest. Now if your looking for smexy scenes there are some. Some not so good but Josiah and Alex together = chefs kiss.
Matt Addis is a new to me narrator and he did a phenomenal job.
I received the first two and forth audios from the author. I am grateful for the author's generosity. This story will live rent free in my brain for a long time and I will defiantly be doing a re-listen.
July 7, 2025
Just when you think you have everything figured out, Xanthe Walter comes in and turns everything upside down and sideways.
'The Lost Zone' follows directly after 'Ghost Eye' with Alex being shuttled off to the dreaded Belevere for 'training'. Mixed in with that is 'present' day (for the characters) adventures that will have you either holding your breath, ducking under something, or hiding in a closet. This author knows how to wring the feelings out of you! I felt as though I had run a marathon, then was run over by a marathon by the time I closed this book...And yes. Xanthe likes her cliffhangers! My husband came in a few times because I was shouting at the characters. (They never listen!)
Josiah and Alex grow a lot in this book, especially Alex. And I came to understand why both of them had done and were doing what they did. The secondary characters also come into focus a bit more as we learn about Esther, Reed, Sofia, Ted, Mick, and yes, even George Taylor. Learning about their pasts, and seeing them 'day to day' lends a certain familiarity.
Many questions are answered in this book. But, true to form for this author, many more are raised. There is one more book to the completion of this series and, honestly, I dread the end. These characters have become friends (well, some of them, some I would run as far and fast from as possible), and I don't want to lose them.
'The Lost Zone' follows directly after 'Ghost Eye' with Alex being shuttled off to the dreaded Belevere for 'training'. Mixed in with that is 'present' day (for the characters) adventures that will have you either holding your breath, ducking under something, or hiding in a closet. This author knows how to wring the feelings out of you! I felt as though I had run a marathon, then was run over by a marathon by the time I closed this book...And yes. Xanthe likes her cliffhangers! My husband came in a few times because I was shouting at the characters. (They never listen!)
Josiah and Alex grow a lot in this book, especially Alex. And I came to understand why both of them had done and were doing what they did. The secondary characters also come into focus a bit more as we learn about Esther, Reed, Sofia, Ted, Mick, and yes, even George Taylor. Learning about their pasts, and seeing them 'day to day' lends a certain familiarity.
Many questions are answered in this book. But, true to form for this author, many more are raised. There is one more book to the completion of this series and, honestly, I dread the end. These characters have become friends (well, some of them, some I would run as far and fast from as possible), and I don't want to lose them.
September 9, 2025
Still heartbreaking but still absolutely compelling
This third book threw me for a loop. It went in directions I hadn't seen coming and every credit to Xanthe for confounding my expectations.
The story is told again in alternating past and present chapters, the flashbacks divulging more of Alex's secrets and his time at Belvedere, which was a revelation in itself. This time, I really felt as though this was all Alex, even though it wasn't. Joe had his chapters but they felt a lot less important, for some reason, even though they dealt with the ongoing investigation. Seeing more of what Alex went through, I was more drawn to him, knowing how strong he was to even be standing after all of that.
Apart from Alex and Joe, there are some of Joe's colleagues and a couple of people from Alex's previous life with Tyler, and I liked getting to know them better. They all had a part to play and they did it well.
The dystopian setting also came into its own towards the end, and I particularly warmed to Reed then. He surprised me and it was unexpected.
There's still so much more to be revealed and I'm sure it won't be straightforward, not after what happened here. I just need a little while to catch my breath and then keep my fingers crossed for a happy ending, whatever it may look like.
This third book threw me for a loop. It went in directions I hadn't seen coming and every credit to Xanthe for confounding my expectations.
The story is told again in alternating past and present chapters, the flashbacks divulging more of Alex's secrets and his time at Belvedere, which was a revelation in itself. This time, I really felt as though this was all Alex, even though it wasn't. Joe had his chapters but they felt a lot less important, for some reason, even though they dealt with the ongoing investigation. Seeing more of what Alex went through, I was more drawn to him, knowing how strong he was to even be standing after all of that.
Apart from Alex and Joe, there are some of Joe's colleagues and a couple of people from Alex's previous life with Tyler, and I liked getting to know them better. They all had a part to play and they did it well.
The dystopian setting also came into its own towards the end, and I particularly warmed to Reed then. He surprised me and it was unexpected.
There's still so much more to be revealed and I'm sure it won't be straightforward, not after what happened here. I just need a little while to catch my breath and then keep my fingers crossed for a happy ending, whatever it may look like.
July 27, 2025
This series just keeps getting better—and this book might be the best one yet.
This instalment dives deep into Alex's time in Belvedere, but it’s so much more than just that. It’s a powerful exploration of who Alex is becoming—layered, broken, resilient—and how much he's endured to get this far.
The emotional weight of this story hit me hard. Some moments made me ache for Alex, which made me furious on his behalf, and moments of quiet hope that had me rooting for him and Joe with everything I had. Their relationship is a slow burn with jagged edges—intense, raw, and tangled in secrets and sacrifice. You can feel how deeply they care for each other, even if neither of them fully knows what to do with those feelings yet. The tension—emotional and narrative—is masterful. As always, the worldbuilding is immersive and the stakes are sky-high. I was completely pulled in from the first page to the last. This book isn't just about survival or justice; it’s about choosing love in a world that keeps trying to crush it.
Highly recommend—but definitely start with "Crocodile Tears" and read in order. This series is a journey, and "The Lost Zone" is one hell of a chapter.
This instalment dives deep into Alex's time in Belvedere, but it’s so much more than just that. It’s a powerful exploration of who Alex is becoming—layered, broken, resilient—and how much he's endured to get this far.
The emotional weight of this story hit me hard. Some moments made me ache for Alex, which made me furious on his behalf, and moments of quiet hope that had me rooting for him and Joe with everything I had. Their relationship is a slow burn with jagged edges—intense, raw, and tangled in secrets and sacrifice. You can feel how deeply they care for each other, even if neither of them fully knows what to do with those feelings yet. The tension—emotional and narrative—is masterful. As always, the worldbuilding is immersive and the stakes are sky-high. I was completely pulled in from the first page to the last. This book isn't just about survival or justice; it’s about choosing love in a world that keeps trying to crush it.
Highly recommend—but definitely start with "Crocodile Tears" and read in order. This series is a journey, and "The Lost Zone" is one hell of a chapter.
July 30, 2025
Oh. My. God. I was honestly nervous to start this book because I wasn’t sure I had the mental strength to go through more of Alex’s suffering… and I really needed to prepare myself for Belvedere.
Well… things turned out very differently than I expected. This book was absolutely unexpected in the best possible way – especially Belvedere. Xanthe handled his in such a brilliant, nuanced way. Taylor wants Alex broken – and he does break, in a sense – but definitely not the way Taylor had planned.
The investigation into the two murders keeps raising the stakes, and I loved how the plot keeps tightening. There’s this ever-growing feeling of tension that makes it impossible to stop reading.
I also really enjoyed the evolution of the storyline around Alex’s past connections – and the way new alliances and friendships develop. The pacing of Alex and Josiah’s relationship continues to feel so organic and right.
And the ending? Painful, but it just makes sense at this point in their journey.
Now… can I please have book 4 immediately???!!!! I’m not sure I can handle the wait.
PS: I knew it about Neil!
Well… things turned out very differently than I expected. This book was absolutely unexpected in the best possible way – especially Belvedere. Xanthe handled his in such a brilliant, nuanced way. Taylor wants Alex broken – and he does break, in a sense – but definitely not the way Taylor had planned.
The investigation into the two murders keeps raising the stakes, and I loved how the plot keeps tightening. There’s this ever-growing feeling of tension that makes it impossible to stop reading.
I also really enjoyed the evolution of the storyline around Alex’s past connections – and the way new alliances and friendships develop. The pacing of Alex and Josiah’s relationship continues to feel so organic and right.
And the ending? Painful, but it just makes sense at this point in their journey.
Now… can I please have book 4 immediately???!!!! I’m not sure I can handle the wait.
PS: I knew it about Neil!
December 1, 2025
The Lost Zone, by Xanthe Walter
Dark Water: book 3
The Lost Zone is the third installment in the Dark Water series. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and focuses more on the psychological aspect of Alex’s journey rather than the action-packed focus of books one and two. The Lost Zone brings us a few new characters, but we also learn more about some characters like Ted and Mick from the previous books who we didn’t know as much about. I enjoyed book 3 more than book 2, as I’ve always had a thing for the psychological thriller genre.
We see a lot of character development from Alex in this book, but not as much from Josiah. We get some pleasant surprises for Alex, but we also see some disappointment on Josiah’s part. In fact, they both see some disappointment. Alex’s mental health begins to decline. I’m trying not to give too much away.
The suspense at the end of chapter 21 left me gasping on the edge of my seat with my hand over my mouth!
I love this series, and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the fourth and final installment of Dark Water by Xanthe Walter.
Dark Water: book 3
The Lost Zone is the third installment in the Dark Water series. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and focuses more on the psychological aspect of Alex’s journey rather than the action-packed focus of books one and two. The Lost Zone brings us a few new characters, but we also learn more about some characters like Ted and Mick from the previous books who we didn’t know as much about. I enjoyed book 3 more than book 2, as I’ve always had a thing for the psychological thriller genre.
We see a lot of character development from Alex in this book, but not as much from Josiah. We get some pleasant surprises for Alex, but we also see some disappointment on Josiah’s part. In fact, they both see some disappointment. Alex’s mental health begins to decline. I’m trying not to give too much away.
The suspense at the end of chapter 21 left me gasping on the edge of my seat with my hand over my mouth!
I love this series, and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the fourth and final installment of Dark Water by Xanthe Walter.
July 25, 2025
I wasn’t sure about this one. I wasn’t sure about Alex, but I love Tyler, and I loved the prior books, so when I saw the ARC, I decide to give it a shot, and now I leave my voluntary review. This was a doozy. Seriously. Grab your heart, rip it out, annihilate it, and then give you a couple of atoms to put back, and you feel like the author is doing you a big favor! This was a journey of understanding. I don’t like the whole idea of redemptions arcs, and this one wasn’t one of those. Alex isn’t redeeming himself, he’s growing, he’s making mistakes, huge mistakes, but accepting the consequences, living with them, and learning from them, but the pain of those mistakes will linger. And that’s why I think this is such an amazing story. He doesn’t need to make everything perfect, like nothing happened, but he can move on, he can learn and grow, and the pain of his mistakes will remind him that he isn’t perfect, but he doesn’t need to be, he isn’t infallible, but he doesn’t need to be, he’s human, and deserving of unconditional love. Beautiful!
July 16, 2025
This is an ARC copy, this in no way affects my feelings on this story or my review.
I am so invested in this story!!!
It grabbed me the minute I started reading, and three epic books in I'm still here, still as enthralled as I was at the start.
Our author just doesn't let up with the story, the ups and downs, the twists and turns, this story is just simply amazing. So much happens over such a short period of time when reading from Joe's POV, but years span when reading from Alex's POV, the horrors of humanity that boy has faced!
Each book just gets better, and each ending leaves the reader gasping and looking for more.
I am so looking forward to the culmination of so many hours of hard work for our author, and a minimum 9 hours per book listening time for the reader, and the ending I'm hoping for! Fingers crossed.
So much is yet to be discovered and uncovered, will our lads survive what is to come in this nasty future world?
August 1, 2025
I am in love with this narrator! Just phenomenal!!
This series has gotten me hooked on a new trope.. Crime investigation!
The angst is REAL!
I have a feeling the 4th book is going to destroy me and I’ll need a contemporary romance to bring me back together 🤣.
Brilliant writing.
The internal struggle Alex lives with everyday is heartbreaking… it’s like I can actually feel a punch to my heart when he talks about how much he hates himself and that he doesn’t DESERVE love.
There is also something mentioned in this book that drives up the angst… Gideon said what I have been feeling since book 1! He is hiding something that NO ONE knows.. he will protect that secret until death. While Alex is very convincing… I think Gideon is right.
And good ole Josiah… he has such a wonderful heart and soul and all he cares about is making sure Alex gets what’s he needs.. no matter the cost.
Will they be able to prove George killed Solange?
This series has gotten me hooked on a new trope.. Crime investigation!
The angst is REAL!
I have a feeling the 4th book is going to destroy me and I’ll need a contemporary romance to bring me back together 🤣.
Brilliant writing.
The internal struggle Alex lives with everyday is heartbreaking… it’s like I can actually feel a punch to my heart when he talks about how much he hates himself and that he doesn’t DESERVE love.
There is also something mentioned in this book that drives up the angst… Gideon said what I have been feeling since book 1! He is hiding something that NO ONE knows.. he will protect that secret until death. While Alex is very convincing… I think Gideon is right.
And good ole Josiah… he has such a wonderful heart and soul and all he cares about is making sure Alex gets what’s he needs.. no matter the cost.
Will they be able to prove George killed Solange?
August 3, 2025
My God. This series just keeps breaking me apart.
Just when I think I can’t hate Tyler anymore, he says hold my beer. What a despicable, horrible man. The things he’s done to Alexander are nothing short of appalling.
I don’t know how much more I can take seeing Alex suffer like this. No, he wasn’t exactly the best person but I honestly don’t think he deserves everything he’s going through. He has paid more than enough over the years.
I’m so heartbroken for both him and Josiah. Joe has done everything he can to help Alex but he feels he’s losing him to the darkness. He feels Alex might never truly love him.
And ok, ok. I admit I feel a little sorry for Tyler. But just the tiniest bit. No amount of empathy can make me forget what a terrible person he is.
I can’t wait for the last book. I really hope our boys can finally find their HEA. I’ve read many books and there isn’t one where the MCs deserve to be happy more than these two. They better get their happy ending 😅
Just when I think I can’t hate Tyler anymore, he says hold my beer. What a despicable, horrible man. The things he’s done to Alexander are nothing short of appalling.
I don’t know how much more I can take seeing Alex suffer like this. No, he wasn’t exactly the best person but I honestly don’t think he deserves everything he’s going through. He has paid more than enough over the years.
I’m so heartbroken for both him and Josiah. Joe has done everything he can to help Alex but he feels he’s losing him to the darkness. He feels Alex might never truly love him.
And ok, ok. I admit I feel a little sorry for Tyler. But just the tiniest bit. No amount of empathy can make me forget what a terrible person he is.
I can’t wait for the last book. I really hope our boys can finally find their HEA. I’ve read many books and there isn’t one where the MCs deserve to be happy more than these two. They better get their happy ending 😅
August 14, 2025
If you thought the first two Dark Water books were intense, buckle up—The Lost Zone cranks the stakes higher than ever. The worldbuilding remains haunting and immersive, painting a drowned London that feels both futuristic and frighteningly plausible. Alex’s impossible choice between long-awaited justice and the man he loves will have you glued to the page, while Josiah’s unwavering determination to protect him adds a raw, emotional punch.
The plot is layered with danger, political intrigue, and deep emotional beats, and the slow-burn romance simmers beautifully amid the chaos. The tension between love and survival has never felt sharper. Twists, betrayals, and a chilling dive into the “lost zone” make this third installment utterly addictive.
A brutal, tender, and compelling continuation—just make sure you’ve read the first two books.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The plot is layered with danger, political intrigue, and deep emotional beats, and the slow-burn romance simmers beautifully amid the chaos. The tension between love and survival has never felt sharper. Twists, betrayals, and a chilling dive into the “lost zone” make this third installment utterly addictive.
A brutal, tender, and compelling continuation—just make sure you’ve read the first two books.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 17, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
This third instalment of the Dark Waters series is better than ever. In amongst all the action and near cliffhangers, we learn more about each of the major characters - Alex, Josiah, and yes, George Tyler. These people are complex, sometimes contradictory, and end up in situations that test them in so many ways.
You can love this book on several levels. The murder mystery; the revenge quest; the oh so slow-burning romance; and, a fascinating study into the psychology of servitude. Of having no conscious existence other than that dictated by your employer / owner. This is a seam into which the author digs deep for this novel. Having it there, set out clearly and without any dissembling, should make you think. Not maybe as the action hurtles on by, but later.
I'll read this again. Yes, the plot twists have been revealed but this book is so much more.
Matt Addis gives an excellent performance.
This third instalment of the Dark Waters series is better than ever. In amongst all the action and near cliffhangers, we learn more about each of the major characters - Alex, Josiah, and yes, George Tyler. These people are complex, sometimes contradictory, and end up in situations that test them in so many ways.
You can love this book on several levels. The murder mystery; the revenge quest; the oh so slow-burning romance; and, a fascinating study into the psychology of servitude. Of having no conscious existence other than that dictated by your employer / owner. This is a seam into which the author digs deep for this novel. Having it there, set out clearly and without any dissembling, should make you think. Not maybe as the action hurtles on by, but later.
I'll read this again. Yes, the plot twists have been revealed but this book is so much more.
Matt Addis gives an excellent performance.
August 27, 2025
I was totally enamoured and invested in this series by Xanthe Walter, which was unlike any thriller books I've read recently - a dystopian London setting in 2095, a haunted homicide detective, an enigmatic murder suspect, a forbidden attraction, an unredeemable villain - totally delicious! Watch out for some very dark themes, it was unsettling reading at times, but intrinsic to the plot.
This series must be read in order starting with Dark Water Book One: MM Romantic Suspense and Dark Water Book Two: MM Romantic Suspense.
What To Expect:
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤DARK Themes
🖤Slow Burn
🖤Hurt/Comfort
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Touch-Starved/Emotional Awakening
🖤Damaged/Traumatised Hero
🖤Forbidden Romance
🖤HEA by the end of the series
Love love loved it!
5 stars
This series must be read in order starting with Dark Water Book One: MM Romantic Suspense and Dark Water Book Two: MM Romantic Suspense.
What To Expect:
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤DARK Themes
🖤Slow Burn
🖤Hurt/Comfort
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Touch-Starved/Emotional Awakening
🖤Damaged/Traumatised Hero
🖤Forbidden Romance
🖤HEA by the end of the series
Love love loved it!
5 stars
September 6, 2025
Alex is tested more, what a surprise! But WOW
More of Alex being tested, but WOW. I will be reading everything that Xanthe Walters has written and will be looking forward to any new books. If I could give this book (and series) more stars I would rate it about 100. It’s the best thing I have read this year for sure. Ms Walters is a trickster who says she is a writer, but she is a magician who specializes in altering human emotions!
We get further along on Alex’s trail towards revenge for Solange’s death and find out how he managed to survive and get to the point where he is able to meet Joe. Again the story travels back and forth through time and lives as things are slowly becoming clearer and at the same time things are becoming increasingly harder to figure out. If that makes no sense to you then you haven’t read the first two books and you need to stop reading this review and start at the beginning or you will be even more confused than the rest of us.
More of Alex being tested, but WOW. I will be reading everything that Xanthe Walters has written and will be looking forward to any new books. If I could give this book (and series) more stars I would rate it about 100. It’s the best thing I have read this year for sure. Ms Walters is a trickster who says she is a writer, but she is a magician who specializes in altering human emotions!
We get further along on Alex’s trail towards revenge for Solange’s death and find out how he managed to survive and get to the point where he is able to meet Joe. Again the story travels back and forth through time and lives as things are slowly becoming clearer and at the same time things are becoming increasingly harder to figure out. If that makes no sense to you then you haven’t read the first two books and you need to stop reading this review and start at the beginning or you will be even more confused than the rest of us.
July 14, 2025
I don't even know where to start with my review, because I really want to bring justice to Xanthe's books with my words. I JUST LOVE IT, in a sick and twisted kind of way. !!CAUTION!! Be advised, the book contains some pretty heavy stuff.
I love reading series where the books concentrate on the same characters throughout al the books, but I rarely read something so emotionally challenging and partly overwhelming as these books. If you think Crocodile Tears and Ghost eye where challenging, buckle up for an even wilder ride.
This book is even longer than the others and.. oh my god... did I cry? Yes I f***** sobbed and not just once. Please, please, these two deserve a their HEA, because they are working so hard for it, but will it come? I am not sure.
#EmotionalDamage❤️ #PutMeBackTogether #Pleaaaaaase
I love reading series where the books concentrate on the same characters throughout al the books, but I rarely read something so emotionally challenging and partly overwhelming as these books. If you think Crocodile Tears and Ghost eye where challenging, buckle up for an even wilder ride.
This book is even longer than the others and.. oh my god... did I cry? Yes I f***** sobbed and not just once. Please, please, these two deserve a their HEA, because they are working so hard for it, but will it come? I am not sure.
#EmotionalDamage❤️ #PutMeBackTogether #Pleaaaaaase
September 21, 2025
I don't know how much more my heart can take, when it isn't sinking into my stomach it's in my mouth.
Written just as beautifully as the previous, more secrets revealed only to find those secrets have other secrets of their own in their pockets!
I am in a tumultuous state of wanting everything out in the open to end this rollercoaster ride, that seems to go down and twist far more often often than it rises, and for it not to end so I don't have to leave this well created intrigueing world that has been created.
A true 'unputdownable' book, tot the point if when I am not reading it I am thinking about reading it, it's been very distracting in my daily life.
I am not as young as I once was but have routinely found myself awake into the small hours because I simply could not just put it down and go to sleep.
Eagerly awaiting the climactic end to the saga in the next book.
Written just as beautifully as the previous, more secrets revealed only to find those secrets have other secrets of their own in their pockets!
I am in a tumultuous state of wanting everything out in the open to end this rollercoaster ride, that seems to go down and twist far more often often than it rises, and for it not to end so I don't have to leave this well created intrigueing world that has been created.
A true 'unputdownable' book, tot the point if when I am not reading it I am thinking about reading it, it's been very distracting in my daily life.
I am not as young as I once was but have routinely found myself awake into the small hours because I simply could not just put it down and go to sleep.
Eagerly awaiting the climactic end to the saga in the next book.
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