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The Burning Tide
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jul 26A desperate plea for help leads to a sinister mystery in this gripping new crime novel set in Devon. 'Crime fiction at its very best, a knotty mystery' Elly Griffiths
'Terrific … Perhaps his best yet' Ann Cleeves
A scorching summer
Down in the seaside town of Teignmouth, ex-Met detective Eden Driscoll grows restless after a long summer caring for his nine-year-old nephew.
A desperate plea
When a man knocks at Eden’s door desperate for help, claiming someone is trying to kill him, Eden jumps at the chance to solve a mystery. But before he can ask more questions, the stranger disappears.
A deadly fire
His cry for help came too late – that same night a house along the coast is burnt to the ground and a man’s remains are discovered among the rubble. Eden soon he finds himself digging into the case, only to uncover a web of deception, jealousy, and corruption.
'Terrific … Perhaps his best yet' Ann Cleeves
A scorching summer
Down in the seaside town of Teignmouth, ex-Met detective Eden Driscoll grows restless after a long summer caring for his nine-year-old nephew.
A desperate plea
When a man knocks at Eden’s door desperate for help, claiming someone is trying to kill him, Eden jumps at the chance to solve a mystery. But before he can ask more questions, the stranger disappears.
A deadly fire
His cry for help came too late – that same night a house along the coast is burnt to the ground and a man’s remains are discovered among the rubble. Eden soon he finds himself digging into the case, only to uncover a web of deception, jealousy, and corruption.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 16, 2026
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26 people want to read
About the author
William Shaw
21 books548 followersI'm a crime writer and write the Eden Driscoll series set in South Devon, the Alex Cupidi series set in Dungeness, Kent and the Breen & Tozer series set in London in 1968-9.
My most recent book is The Red Shore, the first I the Eden Driscoll series, set in Teignmouth, Devon.
My non-fiction books include Westsiders , an account of several young would-be rappers struggling to establish themselves against a backdrop of poverty and violence in South Central Los Angeles, Superhero For Hire , a compilation and of the Small Ads columns I wrote for the Observer Magazine, and Spying In Guru Land , in which I joined several British religious cults to write about them.
A Song From Dead Lips was the first in a trilogy of books set in London in 1968, featuring DS Cathal Breen and WPC Helen Tozer. It was followed by A House of Knives and A Book of Scars .
I live in Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry.
My most recent book is The Red Shore, the first I the Eden Driscoll series, set in Teignmouth, Devon.
My non-fiction books include Westsiders , an account of several young would-be rappers struggling to establish themselves against a backdrop of poverty and violence in South Central Los Angeles, Superhero For Hire , a compilation and of the Small Ads columns I wrote for the Observer Magazine, and Spying In Guru Land , in which I joined several British religious cults to write about them.
A Song From Dead Lips was the first in a trilogy of books set in London in 1968, featuring DS Cathal Breen and WPC Helen Tozer. It was followed by A House of Knives and A Book of Scars .
I live in Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Eden Driscoll is back in the second of William Shaw's Devon based crime series and it's another winner.
The south west of England is obviously the current crime hotspot in detective fiction - Anne Cleeve's Matthew Venn series, Rachel McLean's Dorset murder series and Chris Chibnall's Death at The White Hart and William Shaw's addition to this group is worth reading.
Former detective Eden Driscoll returns and in this new book he is continuing to navigate his way through the child care of his nephew, Finn but when approached by a man claiming that his life is in danger after two attempts to kill him, Eden's curiosity and need for an income is piqued.
When a body is found after a fire at the house where the threatened man was living, the need to investigate takes over and Eden finds himself entering the world of rewilding and carbon offsetting- a world - in this case-that seems to be full of deceit and corruption ( The world of Biodiversity Net Gain and potential exploitation was fascinating to learn about). Having recently read Suzanne Simard's When the Forest Breathes, much of the knowledge about trees and the deeper understanding of the natural world , diversity and mycology was brilliantly utilised in this crime read- which is unique in itself -but eco-crimes are probably going to be a strong theme in many future novels .
As the story progresses, past events collide with more dangers and Eden is soon supporting DI Hannah Wood finding himself being pulled deeper into the investigation and the realisation as to who can he actually trust?
Fast paced, tautly plotted and a great read, this second book in the series is a worthy sequel to The Red Shore. Familiar characters from the first book - Molly and Bisi - are back which build the continuity but the growing bond between Eden and Finn is the winner ... mind you, young Finn must be bewildered about the world he has entered. It was also good to learn about Eden's own backstory as a teenager.
William Shaw is a great writer and this is another excellent read - personally, I'd recommend reading The Red Shore first for maximum enjoyment of this new book.
Highly recommended summer crime read for 2026
Thank you to Hemlock Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.
The south west of England is obviously the current crime hotspot in detective fiction - Anne Cleeve's Matthew Venn series, Rachel McLean's Dorset murder series and Chris Chibnall's Death at The White Hart and William Shaw's addition to this group is worth reading.
Former detective Eden Driscoll returns and in this new book he is continuing to navigate his way through the child care of his nephew, Finn but when approached by a man claiming that his life is in danger after two attempts to kill him, Eden's curiosity and need for an income is piqued.
When a body is found after a fire at the house where the threatened man was living, the need to investigate takes over and Eden finds himself entering the world of rewilding and carbon offsetting- a world - in this case-that seems to be full of deceit and corruption ( The world of Biodiversity Net Gain and potential exploitation was fascinating to learn about). Having recently read Suzanne Simard's When the Forest Breathes, much of the knowledge about trees and the deeper understanding of the natural world , diversity and mycology was brilliantly utilised in this crime read- which is unique in itself -but eco-crimes are probably going to be a strong theme in many future novels .
As the story progresses, past events collide with more dangers and Eden is soon supporting DI Hannah Wood finding himself being pulled deeper into the investigation and the realisation as to who can he actually trust?
Fast paced, tautly plotted and a great read, this second book in the series is a worthy sequel to The Red Shore. Familiar characters from the first book - Molly and Bisi - are back which build the continuity but the growing bond between Eden and Finn is the winner ... mind you, young Finn must be bewildered about the world he has entered. It was also good to learn about Eden's own backstory as a teenager.
William Shaw is a great writer and this is another excellent read - personally, I'd recommend reading The Red Shore first for maximum enjoyment of this new book.
Highly recommended summer crime read for 2026
Thank you to Hemlock Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Much as I miss Shaw's previous Romney Marsh series (only partly because I used to live there and Shaw does such a great job with settings), I am really enjoying this series set in gorgeous Teignmouth. Shaw set up the recurring characters perfectly in The Red Shore and this second book picks up just a couple of months later. Eden Driscoll has reluctantly stepped away from his much-loved job in the Met to take care of his traumatised and orphaned nephew Finn, although he has hopes of persuading Finn to move to London in time. But for now he is living in his sister's tiny beach side house in Devon and getting through his savings at an alarming rate. So when a local businessman turns up asking if he will help investigate a series of near death experiences Driscoll is interested - only for the businessman to disappear and just days later a horrific murder backs up his claims.
The Burning Tide isn't just a good, twisty, murder mystery but it also does a great job of making the reader even more invested in the characters as we watch Eden start to care about his nephew Finn and spend more time with feisty neighbour Molly and Finn's pragmatic social worker and her warm family. Kept me turning the page long after the light should have gone out. Recommended.
The Burning Tide isn't just a good, twisty, murder mystery but it also does a great job of making the reader even more invested in the characters as we watch Eden start to care about his nephew Finn and spend more time with feisty neighbour Molly and Finn's pragmatic social worker and her warm family. Kept me turning the page long after the light should have gone out. Recommended.
April 28, 2026
The Burning Tide is the second in the series featuring ex Met Detective Eden Driscoll, now relocated to Teignmouth. I loved the Red Shore, the first in the series and The Burning Tide was an equally enjoyable and engaging read.
Living in Teignmouth following the death of his sister, Eden is now the guardian for his nine year old nephew Finn and missing his life in London. Eden is approached by an eco entrepreneur Richard Morrison, who believes someone is trying to kill him and Eden soon becomes caught up in a case of multiple murders.
I loved the Devon setting, an area that I am familiar with and the author creates a hugely atmospheric coastal setting. Eden is a likeable and interesting character and I really enjoyed reading more about his back story and found his developing relationship with Finn believable and moving.
The plot moves at a good pace and alongside the writing and characterisation it makes this a compelling read. I’d recommend this and would suggest starting with book 1 in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
Living in Teignmouth following the death of his sister, Eden is now the guardian for his nine year old nephew Finn and missing his life in London. Eden is approached by an eco entrepreneur Richard Morrison, who believes someone is trying to kill him and Eden soon becomes caught up in a case of multiple murders.
I loved the Devon setting, an area that I am familiar with and the author creates a hugely atmospheric coastal setting. Eden is a likeable and interesting character and I really enjoyed reading more about his back story and found his developing relationship with Finn believable and moving.
The plot moves at a good pace and alongside the writing and characterisation it makes this a compelling read. I’d recommend this and would suggest starting with book 1 in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is the second in the series of Eden Driscoll an Ex Met Detective who is now living in Devon looking after his nephew after his sisters death the Mother of his Nephew .I read the first book and loved it an this book is even better .Lots of great characters beautiful descriptions of the area .Eden is getting used to being a parent but he misses his job and can't help investigating if he gets a chance especially when there is a murder or two. A good ending which hopefully implies there will be another book .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A police procedural that provided an entertaining read. This is the second book in the series that sees Eden Driscoll, ex met policeman taking care of his nephew Finn in Teignmouth. Confronted by a man who claimed that somebody was trying to kill him Eden is drawn into another mystery. There are the usual twists and turns as the novel progresses. The conclusion of the novel was well hidden and provided an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Maybe not quite as good as the 1st book but a solid 4 star read and I did like the ending. Full review when I've written it
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews