What do you think?
Rate this book
Blood Becoming: Halvyn Dawn
'Highly compelling with many unexpected twists' - Female First
DCI Eleanor Moore is drawn into a series of brutal killings that defy explanation. As she follows the trail of evidence, she uncovers links between the crimes, the vaccine, and a shadowy conspiracy determined to control the future. The investigation becomes painfully personal when Eleanor realises a member of her own family may be entangled in the very secrets she is chasing.
Blood Halvyn Dawn is a paranormal crime thriller set in 2046, where the aftermath of a contaminated vaccine has altered humanity in ways no one yet fully understands. Hybrid beings walk among us, their true nature hidden until violence drags them into the light.
DCI Eleanor Moore is drawn into a series of brutal killings that defy explanation. As she follows the trail of evidence, she uncovers links between the crimes, the vaccine, and a shadowy conspiracy determined to control the future. The investigation becomes painfully personal when Eleanor realises a member of her own family may be entangled in the very secrets she is chasing.
Blood Halvyn Dawn is a paranormal crime thriller set in 2046, where the aftermath of a contaminated vaccine has altered humanity in ways no one yet fully understands. Hybrid beings walk among us, their true nature hidden until violence drags them into the light.
344 pages, Paperback
Published April 24, 2026
About the author
Gail Waterhouse
3 books15 followersI’m a UK-based author of paranormal crime fiction, blending grounded police procedural with subtle horror and speculative science. My debut novel, Blood Becoming: Halvyn Dawn, explores a near-future world shaped by a corrupted vaccine, where hidden biological changes begin to surface through violent and unexplained crimes. Halvyn Dawn is the first book in the Blood Becoming series.
With a background in education and an MA in Creative and Media Education, I bring a sharp understanding of human behaviour, systems, and societal pressures into my writing. My work focuses on ethical dilemmas, forensic detail, and the unsettling idea that the greatest threats may already exist within us.
I’m influenced by writers such as Justin Cronin, Ann Cleeves, and Tana French, and I write with a focus on realism, tension, and character-driven investigation. I’m currently developing the Blood Becoming series, alongside future projects expanding the world and its origins.
My Blood Becoming is a grounded British police procedural with the atmosphere of Shetland and the biotech horror undertones of The Passage.
'A highly compelling with many unexpected twists.' - Female First
With a background in education and an MA in Creative and Media Education, I bring a sharp understanding of human behaviour, systems, and societal pressures into my writing. My work focuses on ethical dilemmas, forensic detail, and the unsettling idea that the greatest threats may already exist within us.
I’m influenced by writers such as Justin Cronin, Ann Cleeves, and Tana French, and I write with a focus on realism, tension, and character-driven investigation. I’m currently developing the Blood Becoming series, alongside future projects expanding the world and its origins.
My Blood Becoming is a grounded British police procedural with the atmosphere of Shetland and the biotech horror undertones of The Passage.
'A highly compelling with many unexpected twists.' - Female First
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 1, 2026
A genuinely fresh take on the vampire genre. Blood Becoming: Halvyn Dawn blends gritty crime with a clever biotech twist, making it feel original and unsettlingly real. I especially liked DCI Eleanor Moore, she felt grounded and very relatable. I found it hard to put it down and can’t wait for the second book in the series.
June 11, 2026
What an outstanding debut novel!
Paranormal is not a genre I have ever really been drawn to, so i was not sure if i would like Blood Becoming, but this book is clever as it combines different genres, to the point where it feels like a pheasable real life scenario.
The crime and police proceedings take centre stage for me. It was great the protagonist being an older female who was juggling career and family life. Throughout the story, family members were dropped into the story line helping build up a picture, although I feel there is much more to learn about DCI Moore. I loved the little details of the family pug, and the annoyance of someone forgetting to defrost the peas. The little bits like this kept it real. The detail of proceedings and research was brilliant and obviously well researched. The author has great awareness of the Teesside and surrounding areas, events and history. I like the fact that this was the large percentage of the book and the vampire aspect was woven through. The balance worked well. Maybe this eill change throughout the set as the story and characters evolve, but no doubt by then I'll be hooked!!
It is very much set in the future. It feels like we're in a much more controlled society and there are subtle details about changes in climate etc but its not really in your face, it just bubbles in the background.
The chapters are short, and the way the story dips in between genres works really well. Initially I found the chapters with the halvyn unsettling, which I would assume is the desired effect.
I have not read a book this quickly so far this year (6 days, and I'm quite a slow reader ) and every night I have been excited to read it after work.
Excellent work, i look forward to the next one!!
Paranormal is not a genre I have ever really been drawn to, so i was not sure if i would like Blood Becoming, but this book is clever as it combines different genres, to the point where it feels like a pheasable real life scenario.
The crime and police proceedings take centre stage for me. It was great the protagonist being an older female who was juggling career and family life. Throughout the story, family members were dropped into the story line helping build up a picture, although I feel there is much more to learn about DCI Moore. I loved the little details of the family pug, and the annoyance of someone forgetting to defrost the peas. The little bits like this kept it real. The detail of proceedings and research was brilliant and obviously well researched. The author has great awareness of the Teesside and surrounding areas, events and history. I like the fact that this was the large percentage of the book and the vampire aspect was woven through. The balance worked well. Maybe this eill change throughout the set as the story and characters evolve, but no doubt by then I'll be hooked!!
It is very much set in the future. It feels like we're in a much more controlled society and there are subtle details about changes in climate etc but its not really in your face, it just bubbles in the background.
The chapters are short, and the way the story dips in between genres works really well. Initially I found the chapters with the halvyn unsettling, which I would assume is the desired effect.
I have not read a book this quickly so far this year (6 days, and I'm quite a slow reader ) and every night I have been excited to read it after work.
Excellent work, i look forward to the next one!!
July 13, 2026
It’s a rare thing. To find a story based in your hometown. Unless you live in a sprawling soulless metropolis full of identikit grizzled renegade coppers. To find books set in Middlesbrough. Is even rarer. I’ve only found one other and that ... wasn’t great.
So. Where do I start on this. I suppose. With the protagonist. A DCI. Sharp, practical, efficient. Thrown into a mystery set in 2050. A mystery that starts in the fire and smoke of Porte de Malaga but threatens to engulf Middlesbrough, the whole of North Yorkshire and wider throughout the U.K.
Eleanor is drawn into a world that makes no sense, yet threatens her home and family. A world of unseen forces, global corporations pushing an insidious agenda. An agenda where somehow, she’s in the eye of the storm.
I need to stop writing. If I don’t. I’ll give far too much away and I wouldn’t do that to my fellow readers. I want you to feel the gossamer threads unfurl and connect as you read through the eyes of the detective. I want you to guess what’s coming next ... and still be totally blindsided. I want you to live and breathe this very credible world in just one of a million potential futures.
At over 300 pages. This isn’t a short book. But the world and the characters therein, are so vivid that losing myself in became all too easy. I don’t know how long it took me to read ... but I know this book finished far too quickly. So please Gail. Hurry up and finish part 2.
So. Where do I start on this. I suppose. With the protagonist. A DCI. Sharp, practical, efficient. Thrown into a mystery set in 2050. A mystery that starts in the fire and smoke of Porte de Malaga but threatens to engulf Middlesbrough, the whole of North Yorkshire and wider throughout the U.K.
Eleanor is drawn into a world that makes no sense, yet threatens her home and family. A world of unseen forces, global corporations pushing an insidious agenda. An agenda where somehow, she’s in the eye of the storm.
I need to stop writing. If I don’t. I’ll give far too much away and I wouldn’t do that to my fellow readers. I want you to feel the gossamer threads unfurl and connect as you read through the eyes of the detective. I want you to guess what’s coming next ... and still be totally blindsided. I want you to live and breathe this very credible world in just one of a million potential futures.
At over 300 pages. This isn’t a short book. But the world and the characters therein, are so vivid that losing myself in became all too easy. I don’t know how long it took me to read ... but I know this book finished far too quickly. So please Gail. Hurry up and finish part 2.
July 30, 2026
Blood Becoming ended up scratching an itch I didn’t even know I had.
I’ve read plenty of fantasy over the years, but this was one of the first books I’ve picked up that blended supernatural elements with a grounded police procedural, and it worked remarkably well. The investigation felt authentic, the characters behaved like real people rather than plot devices, and the world was introduced naturally without overwhelming the reader with exposition.
One of the things I appreciated most was how believable the cast felt. Their decisions made sense, the dialogue flowed naturally, and even as the story moved into more fantastical territory, it never lost its sense of realism. The near future setting added just enough familiarity while still giving the author room to build something unique.
Gail Waterhouse’s prose is confident and easy to read. The pacing kept me engaged throughout, and the supernatural aspects were woven into the story in a way that felt earned rather than forced. By the time I reached the end, I found myself genuinely invested in where these characters are headed next.
If you enjoy urban fantasy with believable characters, solid investigative work, and a fresh spin on familiar supernatural themes, Blood Becoming is well worth your time. I was glad I picked this one up, and I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
I’ve read plenty of fantasy over the years, but this was one of the first books I’ve picked up that blended supernatural elements with a grounded police procedural, and it worked remarkably well. The investigation felt authentic, the characters behaved like real people rather than plot devices, and the world was introduced naturally without overwhelming the reader with exposition.
One of the things I appreciated most was how believable the cast felt. Their decisions made sense, the dialogue flowed naturally, and even as the story moved into more fantastical territory, it never lost its sense of realism. The near future setting added just enough familiarity while still giving the author room to build something unique.
Gail Waterhouse’s prose is confident and easy to read. The pacing kept me engaged throughout, and the supernatural aspects were woven into the story in a way that felt earned rather than forced. By the time I reached the end, I found myself genuinely invested in where these characters are headed next.
If you enjoy urban fantasy with believable characters, solid investigative work, and a fresh spin on familiar supernatural themes, Blood Becoming is well worth your time. I was glad I picked this one up, and I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
June 13, 2026
The way the author writes kept my heart pounding throughout the book, but I’m a bit disappointed that we have no answers at the end. I’ll be awaiting the next installment.
May 12, 2026
A paranormal thriller that takes place 20 years from now. Unbeknown to the public, there is a corrupted virus that causes serious side effects. Turning people into so called Halvyns. Vampire like humans that crave mere than just blood. They need the memories in that blood in order to maintain a human connection. In order to survive.
When dead bodies start to surface, detective Eleanor needs to find the killer. The bite marks, the draining of blood, it all point to creatures that shouldn’t exist. As the investigation goes on, she discovers there is link between her late husbands research and the case. With both investigations intertwining, she learns that she herself plays a role in all of it and that some one close by might also be involved. What part this the pharmaceutical industry play in all of this and most important, what are the consequences. Not just for the general population, but for Eleanor and her family as well.
What I loved is how well the author went about the, somewhat, sensitive subject of vaccines. Especially considering it was mostly about the Covid vaccines. The author was very respectful and thoughtful. Whether you are for or against, neither party will feel mocked or excluded.
The whole “new” vampires living amongst us was creative and I loved the idea. Also the craving memories was a great twist.
And I loved Eleanor. The two sides of her. The detective but also the mom and the wife who has lost her husband. Balancing those two hats made her relatable/ human. The family and their bond was also really well written.
Having said that, I didn’t really hit the spot for me. I expect something a bit different. This story takes place in the near future. I was hoping that we would get a glimpse of futuristic detection techniques, like high-tech surveillance and a world in which everything and anything is monitored. That wasn’t really the case. You do get some innovative takes but they were less cutting edge than I expected them to be.
There were some feelings that developed a little too fast for my liking (loving someone within days) and some answers that came a little to easy or immediate. Making it, it lost the suspense I want in a thriller.
Lastly, I had some trouble with the descriptions. It does paint the scene but for me, it was sometimes too much. Pulling me out of the story.
All in all I expected something a bit different and I wasn’t the perfect fit for this book. Although i did read it in 2 days. On a scale of 1-10, this was a 6,5 for me.
When dead bodies start to surface, detective Eleanor needs to find the killer. The bite marks, the draining of blood, it all point to creatures that shouldn’t exist. As the investigation goes on, she discovers there is link between her late husbands research and the case. With both investigations intertwining, she learns that she herself plays a role in all of it and that some one close by might also be involved. What part this the pharmaceutical industry play in all of this and most important, what are the consequences. Not just for the general population, but for Eleanor and her family as well.
What I loved is how well the author went about the, somewhat, sensitive subject of vaccines. Especially considering it was mostly about the Covid vaccines. The author was very respectful and thoughtful. Whether you are for or against, neither party will feel mocked or excluded.
The whole “new” vampires living amongst us was creative and I loved the idea. Also the craving memories was a great twist.
And I loved Eleanor. The two sides of her. The detective but also the mom and the wife who has lost her husband. Balancing those two hats made her relatable/ human. The family and their bond was also really well written.
Having said that, I didn’t really hit the spot for me. I expect something a bit different. This story takes place in the near future. I was hoping that we would get a glimpse of futuristic detection techniques, like high-tech surveillance and a world in which everything and anything is monitored. That wasn’t really the case. You do get some innovative takes but they were less cutting edge than I expected them to be.
There were some feelings that developed a little too fast for my liking (loving someone within days) and some answers that came a little to easy or immediate. Making it, it lost the suspense I want in a thriller.
Lastly, I had some trouble with the descriptions. It does paint the scene but for me, it was sometimes too much. Pulling me out of the story.
All in all I expected something a bit different and I wasn’t the perfect fit for this book. Although i did read it in 2 days. On a scale of 1-10, this was a 6,5 for me.
May 2, 2026
Prepare to be thrilled by Halvyn Dawn! I’ve always found it hard to find a good vampire story being a diehard fan of the genre, and it didn’t disappoint. It had everything you’d want in a really good paranormal crime thriller — suspense, mystery, great characters, and a story that kept me turning its pages - I had a very hard time putting it down.
What I really enjoyed was how original it felt and different from other vampire fiction. The whole idea of hybrid vampires hiding in plain sight, is such a fantastic idea, and it made the story feel fresh and exciting. DCI Eleanor Moore is a great heroine, and I loved following her on her dark and twisted journey.
The pacing was spot on, with just the right amount of suspense and momentum throughout. It never dragged, and I was gutted when I finished it. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and I’m so excited for more Blood Becoming stories because this one left me wanting more.
What I really enjoyed was how original it felt and different from other vampire fiction. The whole idea of hybrid vampires hiding in plain sight, is such a fantastic idea, and it made the story feel fresh and exciting. DCI Eleanor Moore is a great heroine, and I loved following her on her dark and twisted journey.
The pacing was spot on, with just the right amount of suspense and momentum throughout. It never dragged, and I was gutted when I finished it. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and I’m so excited for more Blood Becoming stories because this one left me wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews