Schwarze Strömung

Lacey Flint #4

by Sharon J. Bolton, Marie-Luise Bezzenberger (Translator)

Man findet sie tot in den dunklen Fluten der Themse – junge Frauen in weiße Laken gehüllt, ermordet von einem mysteriösen Serienkiller ...

Lacey Flint weiß, dass die Themse ein gefährlicher Ort ist. Vielleicht hat sie sich den Fluss daher als Arbeitsplatz ausgesucht. Seit Kurzem arbeitet die einstige Ermittlerin für die »Marine Unit« der Londoner Polizei, und die dunklen Fluten lassen sie auch in der Freizeit nicht los. Bis sie beim illegalen Schwimmen in der Themse eine Tote entdeckt. Die junge Frau ist liebevoll in ein weißes Leichentuch gehüllt, und es scheint, als sollte sie von Lacey gefunden werden. Tatsächlich wird die unbekannte Tote nicht das einzige grausame Geschenk sein, das ein Serienkiller für Lacey hinterlässt. Irgendjemand beobachtet jeden ihrer Schritte. Und kennt sie besser, als ihr lieb sein kann …

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Procedural

545 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2014

About the author

Sharon's newest book The Split is now available in both hardback and paperback in the UK!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Split-grippi...

Sharon J Bolton was born and brought up in Lancashire, the eldest of three daughters. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an actress and a dancer, studying ballet, tap and jazz from a young age and reading drama at Loughborough University.

She spent her early career in marketing and PR before returning to full-time education to study for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Warwick University, where she met her husband, Andrew. They moved to London and Sharon held a number of PR posts in the City. She left the City to work freelance, to start a family and to write.

She and Andrew now live in a village in the Chiltern Hills, not far from Oxford, with their son and the latest addition to the family: Lupe, the lop-eared lurcher. Her daily life revolves around the school run, walking the dog and those ever-looming publishing deadlines.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lacey Flint, a former DC has left the CID to take up what she hopes will be a less strenuous position with the river police. She lives on a houseboat moored in Deptford Creek, a strange and rather sinister location, but she loves it. She has become close friends with the couple in the next-door boat, Ray and Eileen. Ray frequently swims in the Thames, despite the obvious hazards, and Lacey often accompanies him.

Lacey also has a sad emotional life. She is in love with Mark, who is an undercover police officer, currently working on a case which is so sensitive that it is impossible for him to meet her. Lacey's swimming excursions with Ray help to compensate a bit for this.

Early one morning she and Ray are out swimming when they find a body attached to a wooden piling. It is almost completely decomposed, but the subsequent forensic examination reveals that it is a young, slender woman, who is wrapped in a fine linen shroud.

In the ensuing days and weeks, more drowned young women are discovered, where the death has only occurred recently. They are all tall and slim, with long dark hair and blue eyes. At the same time, Lacey and her colleagues discover that there is a flourishing immigrant smuggling operation going on in this stretch of the river.

The problem to solve is whether the immigrant smuggling and the murders are connected, and if so, why and how. Lacey works closely with her former boss, DI Dana Tulloch from Lewisham Police Station, and a number of her former male plain-clothes colleagues, who still don't really understand why she left them to join the river police.

On one of her excursions on the river, this time in her canoe, Lacey meets a “character straight out of a fairytale” — Thessa. She and her brother Alex live in a large and beautiful house on the river with a mooring. Alex is apparently a medical specialist of some kind and Thessa occupies herself with making herbal concoctions from the many plants in her garden. Lacey and Thessa become friends, and Lacey is fascinated by this strange woman. The subtle unwinding of these many mysteries make a fascinating and unusual story, with an unexpected ending.

[Lit with Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: 3/5

THE PLOT

Lacey Flint is back in uniform, this time with the "river police." When she finds a dead body shrouded in linen, she inadvertently ends up assisting her old pals at the Met with a complicated case.

MY OPINION

I read this right after book #1 and I'm glad. I think if I took time between the two books, I would've been confused by the several references to events in book #1. The downside however, is that book #1 blew this one outta the water (pun very much intended).

I love Bolton's books because they're so unique. I always learn something new, but she writes it in such a natural way that it doesn't come across like info-dumping or like you're reading a wikipedia page. You can tell she does her research and checks that her t's are crossed and her i's dotted—no "hair attached to a 40 yr old skull" boo boo here (AHEM...)

This was a meh read because Lacey was going full detective dumbass for most of it. And the whole crime could've been solved by simply installing security cameras. So yeah.

SPOILER ALERRTTTTT SCROLL FURIOUSLY TO THE BOTTOM IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS YET



Re: Lacey being detective dumbass... Oh you're looking for girls who received medical attention and are being stored by the river... well quelle surprise the perpetrators are the twinsies you met living by the river, one of which is a doctor. C'mon girl lmao. Lacey must be colour blind because she couldn't see a red flag for shit.

I got an ick from the repeated mentions of "Bollywood tan"—this wording did NOT age well although it was expired to begin with tbh. Also... if Pashtun are described as pale and white-passing (excuse me if this is not the correct term) why did Lacey need a tan? Confusion.

ANYWAYS. I'm a #boltonbish so I still found this an enjoyable and educational read. 6 more days until The Dark comes out!!!!!

PROS AND CONS

Pros: interesting premise, the ending held its shit together (Bolton's endings can go off the deep end sometimes), some Joesbury and Lacey action to quench my illogical thirst for their romance

Cons: Lacey was obtuse as she was in book #2, some of the math did not mathulate, major icks around the undercover scene with Lacey... nah bruv

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its so sad to be finished with series. I love Lacey Flint. She is such a strong character. With everything that Lacey has gone through in the last three books, Lacey has changed her job to Marine Police. She is living in a boat and swims in the Thames River which is quite dangerous. While she is swimming she finds a body and before she knows it her low profile is gone and she is in the flint of it.

I love her relationship with Joesbury. I just love Lacey Flint! She is so daring and is on another adventure that is just as scary as the others. DCI Dana Tulloch even admits that she loves Lacey. Usually she is not so nice to Lacey but in this one she becomes to respect her. The adventure is full of suspense and I was not surprised on who the killer was in this one.
This was a Page Turner. If you have not read the Lacey Flint Series yet I do recommend it. Its an excellent thriller.

[Tim The Enchanter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted to TheLiteraryLawyer.ca

A Timely and Interesting Mystery - 3.5 Stars

This marks the 4th installment in the Lacey Flint series and according the author, we will have to wait a while for the next. Over the course of 4 books Lacey Flint has come to be one of my favorite characters in any current crime thriller series. She is brave and impulsive, loyal and secretive. She is running from her past and avoiding her future. While I enjoy the character, it is my hope that when Lacey does return, the author choses to begin a new story arc for the character. Lacey often comes off as directionless. While this is part of the who the character is, it doesn't feel as if she is growing. I want to read about Lacey for many years to come but, for me, if she doesn't grow the series will become stale. This is, of course, my own opinion. Read it for yourself and see if you agree!

Plot summary

Lacey Flint's career has taken a step back. It was not for a lack of skill, a demotion or punishment. She has banished herself to the river and joined the marine unit. She is hoping on one hand to escape the horrors that have plagued her career thus far while on the other, seemingly drawn to the river that has nearly taken her life on more than one occasion.

While taking her daily swim in the River, she comes upon a floater. This dead body is wrapped in what appears to be a burial cloth and was seemingly left for her to find. The discovery of a second similar body leads to an investigation with international implications and deals with some timely and topical issues.

Throughout the course of the investigation, Lacey becomes aware that she has once again become the object of attention for an unknown party. Is Lacey being harassed by a disturbed admirer or is Lacey being sized up as the next victim.


The Good

Timely and Interesting Themes

No one can accuse Sharon Bolton of writing a boring story. Pick up one of her novels and you can be assured it will not be a run of the mill mystery. Revealing the ultimate crime in this story would be a spoiler but I can say that the theme is often discussed in my local legal circle and is a topic that is gaining wider notoriety. It deals with dark and shameful realities of our time.

That said, it is not as dark as the previous novels. It may be more appropriate to say that it is not dark in traditional crime thriller fashion. I appreciate that the author tries to avoid the cliché crime story. This is not a story of your average serial killer or some grisly mass murder. The story is more complex and the themes are more intelligent and compelling than your average best seller.

The story clips along at a fast pace. The chapters are very short and the perspective is constantly shifting. Having listened to the audio version of the first three, I am not sure if the previous novels were set up in the same fashion. Initially, this was distracting and could be difficult to follow but it did not take long to get into the rhythm as the perspectives flowed in and out like the tide. Each perspective was unique and provided a well rounded view of the story. The reader was completely immersed in the plot as we saw the story through the eyes of most of the major players.


The Bad

Enter the Bizarre and the Boneheaded

The "bad" portions of the novel are in large part my own take on the story, characters and plot elements. I do my best to keep my personal feelings about the story from colouring my rating. In this case, it was hard not to allow it to do so. I like Lacey Flint. Truly. She is one of my favorite leads in any crime thriller series. That said, I will soon become rather annoyed with the character. The character is remaining (in my opinion) a little too static. There seems to be a lack of growth, and in this case some regression. I feel like the character has hit a plateau and the author will have to tread carefully to ensure Lacey does not become stale.

I do not know how many times a case can become personal to Lacey. There is always some third party fixating on or trying to draw Lacey into the case. This was interesting initially but is becoming tired. I am not saying that the novels are formulaic but I am attuned to repeating plot devices.

Finally, I have to say something about the ending... While I will not spoil the ending, there is an inclusion that is flat out absurd and an equally absurd fight scene to go along with it. After a reading an intelligent novel with intelligent themes, the ending was straight out an old time carnival. It left me questioning the inclusion of some characters and Lacey's interactions with them. Bolton writes like a magician and deftly uses misdirection. While she employ this quite masterfully in the current installment, one of the objects of misdirection leaves me shaking my head.


Final Thoughts

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The characters, the story and the themes were interesting and engaging. Unfortunately, the plot development seems to be following a pattern and this installment came out as my least favorite and the least creative. That said, I have yet to meet a bad S.J (Sharon) Bolton novel. Even though I felt like she wasn't at the top of her game, she towers over many other authors and this novel is a must read for any Sharon Bolton and crime fiction fan alike.




Content Advisories

It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.

Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest

Sex - 2.5

There is some investigation into women being used for sexual purposes. It is discussed in broad terms and is not explicit. There are comments about the sexual orientation of several characters. There is a build up to a sexual encounter between two characters but it cuts away and there is no explicit material.

Language - 2

Mild use of obscenities and mild use of the f-word. 6 uses of the f-word. 2 uses of damn and 8 of shit. 16 religious exclamations.

Violence - 2.5

There are multiple dead bodies and the examination of them as part of an investigation. There is fighting and murder/attempted murder near the end of the novel. It is not graphic. Overall, the violence was tame and less dark than previous novels.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Sharon Bolton’s A Dark and Twisted Tide, her fourth Lacey Flint mystery, which is centered on and around the River Thames. The name Thames may actually come from a Welch word meaning, “dark,” and from the many, many, scenes in this book, it is not only polluted, but it takes on an ominous tone, an ever-present threat. Lacey has a history with the river, which once almost claimed her life. She now lives on the Thames in a houseboat, so I suppose one could say that she has made her peace with the mighty river. Or has she?

The problems start early, and Sharon Bolton’s Lacey Flint is right in the midst of it. Lacey swims in the Thames most mornings – yes, swims! Nasty, but not unheard of! (Lacey’s usual swimming partner Ray is under the weather, so she has been swimming solo.) Should we be surprised when she suddenly spots a corpse? This is Lacey Flint, who seems to attract mystery and misery the way raw meat draws flies.

Constable Lacey Flint of the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Unit: She’s recently returned to work after a medical leave and has chosen to relinquish her detective role. However, she has not lost her skills, thankfully. This is not “just” a corpse. The body is wrapped in cloth, suggesting some sort of cultural or religious ritual. Who was this woman, and why was she disposed of in this fashion? Despite herself, DI Dana Tulloch actually likes Lacey and respects her skills, even knowing that Flint does not follow procedure and often goes against the tide and finds herself in over her head.

I enjoyed the development of relationships in this book. Dana Tulloch seems softer. We see a bit more of Dana’s life outside of work, albeit a hectic one, because her partner Helen lives and works in Scotland. Lacey, while still a mess, acknowledges that she loves Mark Joesbury. Joesbury, unfortunately, is undercover for most of the book, but his presence is still felt. The most fascinating character is Thessa, an eccentric herbalist whom Lacey meets while boating on the river. Thessa, a disabled sixty-ish woman, lives with her twin brother Alex and takes a liking to Lacey. The feeling is mutual. Lacey, however, is slow to trust, and is uncomfortable, especially when Thessa seems to be able to read her thoughts and know her true identity. There are peripheral characters who seemed interesting but weren’t developed: fellow officer Ray and his wife Elaine; Marlene and Madge, the “skanky” lesbian couple, and the numerous women whose chapters briefly alternate with Lacey’s.

Bolton teases us with chapters labeled “The Swimmer.” Is the swimmer a friend or a foe? The swimmer leaves items on Lacey’s boat in the middle of the night. Are they clues, or are they warnings?

About those alternating chapters – I said that I enjoyed this book, and there was much to love, but I feel that it could have been much better. Normally, I like short chapters. The chapters in this book are much too short. In an effort to show the women in the here and now – or in some cases, in the past – the flow of the book felt very choppy to me. It took me more than half the story to really get into the flow of the plot. While it did eventually add to the sense of mystery, I found it hard to engage.

Sharon Bolton focuses her attention on the plight of immigrants, specifically females from the Middle East, and the exploitation of women. As a sub-plot, she highlights artificial insemination. There is a point to all of this; the connections could have been stronger, I felt, but I do like that she made the attempt.

In the end, the motives of the perpetrator felt as muddy as the Thames itself. It wouldn’t be a Lacey Flint book without oceans of dangerous scenes, but in the final chaos, I felt very confused. Who? Why? Much like the Thames River, my feelings about this book rose and fell like the tide. Lacey, as always, is a conflicted character, held back by her fear of letting others know who she really is. Will Sharon Bolton give us a chance to let her evolve, or is this the final book of the series? This book really seems to leave open the possibility that there could be one more. I hope so – I’d like to see Lacey go out on a high note, and this just didn’t quite do it.

3.5 stars

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the character Lacey and I love BOLTON'S series, but this was not one of my favorites. Easy to read, there is so much going on that the pages almost turn themselves, but I think that was part of my problem. There is just too much going on. I didn't feel connected to the characters like I usually do in these novels, the depth just wasn't there for me. Also I think it is time to give Lacey a break, every case doesn't have to become personal for her, putting her mental state at further risk.

So while I liked this one, I didn't love it.

ARC from Netgalley.

[debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*s Alert the media -I finished !
Most of the action ,twists, etc. take place in the last 100 or so pages. Upon reflection, some of the reveals were beyond stunners and moved somewhat into over the top territory. Not really a spoiler-Lacey and Joesbury's coitus teasus never-happentus is really getting old.

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Publication Date: 8th May 2014

Ex-Detective Lacey Flint has quit the police for a safer, quieter life. Or that’s what she thinks.
Living alone on a houseboat, she is trying and failing to get over the man she loves, undercover Detective Mark Joesbury. But Mark is missing in action and impossible to forget. And danger won’t leave Lacey alone…
When she finds a body floating in the river, wrapped in white burial cloths, she can’t resist asking questions. Who is this woman and why was she hidden in the fast-flowing depths?
And who has been delivering unwanted gifts to Lacey?

So here we are at Book 4 in the Lacey Flint series from Sharon Bolton (where does the time go? Hey not complaining, if I could have book 5 now I would..along with books 6 and 7…well you get the point) and after the events in Like This For Ever, Lacey has left the team and joined the River Police hoping for a quieter, less dramatic life. Yes well..it sounded like a good idea at the time. After she discovers a body on one of her morning swims, she again becomes caught up in an investigation that will put her once more into the danger zone.

There are a few reasons why I love this series. Lacey Flint is a tremendously well drawn character with huge depth to her – and the fact that we are on Book 4 and you feel like you have only just scratched the surface is one of the things that keeps you reading and always hanging on for more. Lacey is not even my favourite – you have the enigmatic Mark Joesbury always somewhere in her life, their ongoing and developing relationship is compelling. Then there is Dana, who is perhaps my most loved character – and again there is a lot more to learn about her.

The mystery elements of the stories are always top notch, wonderful twisty turny tales with a poetic, haunting feeling that stays with you long after the book is finished. A trademark of Ms Bolton for me is that I always kind of feel like I’m reading a ghost story…there is a dark and twisted side to these indeed.

In this particular instalment I was fascinated by the backdrop of the River Thames – and Lacey’s relationship with it – strange and unknown in a lot of ways, the descriptive and eerie prose that tells you that you are indeed reading a Sharon Bolton book is perfectly applied here. The river holds hidden secrets, uncharted territory and the events that take place within its confines are truly memorable.

So all in all another terrific read from this author. No doubt about it, some of the top crime fiction available right now – especially if you like a portentous twist.

Happy Reading Folks!

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so distraught!! I wish there were more than 4 books in this series! I don't know how I am going to be able to wait for another one!

Lacey is back in the latest installment of the series. She has taken a voluntary demotion so to speak, and is now working as a uniformed water police officer. Protecting the river Thames and it's colorful inhabitants. She has also moved and now lives on a houseboat and enjoys living on the water, resonating with the dark river that almost killed her in the first novel.

And of course, trouble finds her, like it always seems to... She discovers a body floating in the water. Working with Dana yet again, they expose a people smuggling operation, which is much more than what it seems.
Not to mention her sorta-boyfriend Joesbury is now on the run for murder. Excitement!!

I love how Bolton introduces all these amazing characters, all linked together in some way or another, and all could possibly be the killer. You get warning bells, signs that make you think "THEM!!" Only to have the story twist and turn so much that you can't believe you were so wrong. I LOVE this about this series. And this book is no exception. Awesome twists and turns. Bolton has definitely made it to my "favourite authors" list!!!

Poor Lacey!! She may be one of my favourite characters of any books I have ever read. Damaged, strong, determined, smart and so very, very dark!
And Joesbury! Oh they are all so damaged! Joesbury works too hard, is too dedicated to saving the city, and has let all the relationships in his life suffer for it. He has lost his wife and is drifting away from his son, who he works so hard to protect. Lacey may be the only woman in the world who could actually be with him, tolerate him disappearing for months at a time, and totally understand his motives.
The relationship that these two share seems so gritty and real. The attraction that pulls them together is palpable and it's amazing how, with quite minimal dialogue, Bolton can create such a fervent relationship.

We see a whole new side to Dana as she commences a personal quest, while trying to hold the reigns of the investigation.
And the prisoner. The woman locked away for life - a pivotal character in Lacey's story.

I love this series. It's gritty, dark and superbly written. It's suspenseful, interesting and just so much darn fun.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Lacey Flint series.

It took me a while to come to grips with this book. Each new chapter had a new character that seems to have no relevance to the last chapter or character. But this didn’t last long, it soon all came together with startling clarity. This is an unsavoury tale of people smuggling. Young women, who are living a horrid existence in Afghanistan, are lured to the U.K. with promises of a better life for them and their families; of course there is a price to pay for living in utopia.

Lacey Flint is an intriguing character, strong and assertive but there are issues in her past that she is trying hard to forget. These issues are still to be revealed to us, the readers, but this intrigue keeps you hanging for the next instalment.

This is up there with the best of Sharon J. Bolton. It’s dark and sinister and a lot of the action takes place in the dark and eerie storm water pipes of London. Not a good read for anyone who feels claustrophobic.
Lots of macabre nail bitting tension and an end that is both satisfying and edifying.

A recommended 4 star read.
It could have been a 5 star but I knocked one off for my initial confusion.

[Devi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very average book😐. I love this series and the author, so I was worried whether I've grown tired of them reading it back to back. The reveals were ok-ok and the journey it took to reach them was one hell of a yawn. I think I still wanna continue with the series because I'm too invested now to back out🥲.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Lacey Flint series by author Sharon Bolton.
I have given this a 3 star rating but could easily be a 4, I don't think there is a big enough range to make adequate and realistic ratings.
As per usual Sharon Bolton writes very good plots and strong characters making her books an excellent read.
In this 4th book in the series Lacey Flint is now working with the Marine Police and when the love of her life Mark Joesbury goes missing while working on an under cover case there are rumours of him being a rogue cop. Life gets more complicated when she finds a body floating in the river, wrapped in white burial cloths and she can’t resist asking questions. Who is this woman, why was she hidden in the river and who has been delivering unwanted gifts to Lacey?

A good read but in my opinion not the authors best work.

[Li'l Owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and Twisted, Indeed! Another Psychological Disturbing Masterpiece!

The killer has her now, but the woman is naked and slippery with water and sweat. She isn’t easy to hold and she’s fighting like an eel. The biting and scratching and the continual wriggling are exhausting. The killer’s grip loosens. The woman is up. Reach out, grab. She’s fallen, slapped down hard on the stone floor, hit her head. Dazed, she’s easier to manage. Heave. The sound of flesh scraping along stone. Arms flailing, claw-like hands trying to grab hold of something – anything – but they’ve reached the smooth, metal pipe that in the old days took the water out of here. Lift her in. Climb after her. Push her along. The pipe is short, not much more than a metre in length.
There is water below, feet away, and gravity is helping now. Lean, pull and –yes –they both hit the surface.
And the world becomes calm again. Silent. Soft and easy.
Easy now. Let go. Let her sink. Let her panic. Wait for her to rise up, to take her last desperate breath, then make your move. Up and out of the water in one massive surge, and down again with your hands around her throat. Then down, down into the depths. Down until she stops struggling.
Two of them clasped together. A tight embrace. A good way to die.

********
*Audiobook Review*

Book four in the Lacey Flint series, A Dark and Twisted Tide by Sharon J. Bolton, picks up right where we left off in book three.
Dark, swirling water. Tides that come in and out. Strange things can happen in water like that. Scary, creepy, and chilling things. Sometimes, normal, innocent, and harmless life on and in the River Themes can seem as far more menacing when twisted humans provide more horrors than the natural world could ever create.
I loved the character Tessa! She's a stitch and a genius all rolled into one! You'll see what I mean. She provides the perfect humor to ease a bit of the tension that's constantly wound tight around my heart and I needed it!

Audiobooks can raise the power of the story when narrated by a professional narrator like this one is. Lisa Coleman provided that extra level of heightened emotion and psychological suspence that is hard to duplicate by reading the words on the pages. Which, I might add, are scary and nerve-racking enough when Sharon J. Bolton is working her magic! I nearly jumped out of my skin on more than one occasion!
This is a powerful conclusion to the brilliant Lacey Flint series. I'm sad to be at the end.

But wait!
there is one last book remaining! Number 4.5, Here Be Dragons!

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do I do this to myself?! It's 2.30 in the morning and I have just finished this book. A couple of hours ago I picked up my Kindle and told myself I'd read a few chapters before bed. Well those few chapters turned into the rest of the book. I read the first Lacey Flint book last year and absolutely loved it. In the crime fiction genre there's so much of it which is just repeated over and over again and so I always look for books which are different, and which have unique stories and unique characters. That is definitely the case with the Lacey Flint series from Sharon Bolton.

Lacey is just a fantastic, multilayered character that I just love reading about. After the events of the previous book Lacey is back in uniform and working as part of the Met's Marine Unit. She is also living on a boat at Deptford Creek. Now I have always wondered what it would be like to live, or at least holiday on a boat but after reading this book I don't think it's something I will be trying out any time soon! Lacey has also taken to swimming in the creek towards the Thames which again is not something I'd fancy doing. When she's out swimming however she comes across a body which has been wrapped like a mummy, it also appears that the body was left on purpose for Lacey to find. Upon looking at the body Lacey comes to the conclusion that the dead woman is part of a human trafficking ring that is operating near Deptord Creek. Similarities are found with other women that have been pulled out of the Thames and it's up to Lacey to prove her theory to her colleagues and superiors.

Now it isn't just Lacey who is a fantastic character, we also have her love interest, Mark Joesbury who is working undercover in the book. Not wanting to give much away here except to say that his part of the story was very interesting and as always the relationship between him and Lacey was a big part of the book. Dana Tulloch is one of my favourite characters in the book, and actually played a major role here which I thoroughly enjoyed. As with previous books we still don't know everything there is to know about Lacey and in this book we learn even more. She also loves to break the rules and when she knows she is right she isn't afraid to speak up, or in the case of this book go off on her own to try and prove her theories.

Overall I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anybody who likes crime fiction. Sharon Bolton is really one of the best authors out there at the minute and this book may just be one of the best in the Lacey Flint series, if not the best. Although as I only finished the book tonight I am still on a high from reading it. As always it's hard to discuss the story without spoiling it but safe to say the plot here was one of the strongest so far. It was a thrilling and gripping read that kept me guessing right up to the very end. Whilst this book could in theory be read as a standalone I would definitely recommend reading the first book in the series as it always helps to know the back story and know the characters, especially the fantastic Lacey.

This book will be released on May 8th and you can pre-order it in hardback or on Kindle from Amazon

Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy via Net Galley

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous adventure/mystery/thriller in the Lacey Flint series (I may have mentioned several times that Lacey is my fave character EVER!).

Lacey is currently working for the marine police unit and trying to get over the last few cases that have brought her to her knees.
Thankfully she is a strong and resilient person who doesn't go screaming and running in the opposite direction when she yet again gets drawn into a murder mystery.

This woman does not know the MEANING of keeping a low profile and living a quiet life!!!

Just a taster of what we're dealing with here;

Swimming in the Thames (utter madness)


Bodies turning up left, right and centre


Some strange water creature / stalker


Honestly this would drive anyone BONKERS!

But somehow Bolton makes this work perfectly. Lacey is a strong and believable character and the police procedural feels authentic with credible supporting characters.
The mystery itself was intricate and brilliantly put together.

I love love love this series - more please!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. Much appreciated.

This book is the fourth instalment in the Lacey Flint series. Here we find Lacey after the trauma met at the end of the last book has now left the MIT team and has gone back into uniform and joined the River Police working the river Thames. True to form trouble follows Lacey wherever she goes, she's like a magnet for the deranged and murderous!! In this instance young beautiful women are being found dead in the Thames, (usually by Lacey!!) weighted down and wrapped in linen. The river Thames features heavily in this tale with in depth descriptions of all things river, from creeks to tunnels, tributaries to estuaries. In fact, I would say the book centres around the river as this is now where Lacey resides as well. However, I found this is where the book loses it a little for me. I can't understand why anyone would want to swim in such conditions, something Lacey was doing regularly?! I know she has a tendency to be careless, a trait she repeats over and over, but how careless can one character be without the reader shaking their head in wonderment at her rash decision making? Whilst the river detailing is interesting and informative, maybe good to see in real life, I found I didn't care for it much, just a personal thing. I just didn't engage with it as much as I did a couple of the other books. The last 30% of the book, however, really picks up and is by far the most exciting bit as it heads towards the end. The usual cast of characters feature, DI Tulloch, Joesbury, etc., with some new river people additions but the Thames is the biggest character of all.

It's a good solid read and I really liked the last third with the insight into the Afghan way of life, that was interesting. I didn't guess who the perpetrator was until near the end and it still held a couple of surprises for me. Nicely done! Ms Bolton is a good writer, for sure, and I look forward to reading her standalones too.

This one is a 3.5 star for me and I hope in time we get to read more of Lacey's turbulent adventures. There are plenty of deranged and murderous out there for Lacey yet ..... surely??!!

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gah, what happened? I'm so disappointed in this book. This first Lacey Flint mystery was great, the second one good, the third one ok and this one just irritated me. Maybe if I read them spaced out a year or so apart from each other then I'd like the subsequent books better? Hmmm, I don't think so.

Bolton's development of the storyline throughout the series has been awful. The relationship between Lacey & Jonesbury - that was so smoldering in the first book - is now a head scratcher. The final scene in this latest book, where Lacey jumps into the disgusting Thames without a wetsuit on in order to swim to an abandoned boat where Jonesbury is waiting for her made me roll my eyes so hard I thought they'd pop out of my head. Her sudden about-face is completely bewildering. And I'm not buying their intense love when in reality they have barely spent any time together and have barely kissed. So their first time making love will be on some creepy boat with Lacey smelling like a sewer? Huh.

As for the mystery, I was not engrossed in it at all. Could care less what crimes were happening and whether they would be solved. Also, the explanation at the end was out of no-where and not believable. Another part of the book not believable is Lacey's relationship with her sister in prison. The spooky as fuck serial killer sister from the first book. The sister that tried to kill her. The sister that brutally tortured and murdered innocent women. Now in this book they are besties and her sister is helping Lacey solve crimes. Wha?????? I can't even wrap my head around it.

Finally, I hated the setting on the Thames. Rivers and Lakes are so nasty and creepy in my mind. Give me the ocean or give me a swimming pool. Not some cold, polluted water I can't see in. And the houseboat she is living in - isn't that the houseboat from the third book where the boy was tortured and killed?! What?! So after visiting her creepy-ass sister in prison, Lacey returns home to a relaxing evening spent on a boat where a gruesome murder occurred? A boat parked in some ugly dock in an industrial, deserted area on the river? Why do I want to read about this?

I don't.

[Shannon Moeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A DARK AND TWISTED TIDE is the fourth instalment of Sharon Bolton’s “Lacey Flint” series, but the first in that group of dark novels that I have read. I had no problem following the trajectory of the plot or the backstories of the recurring characters, although, in the future, when I read books #1, 2, and 3 in this series, I may find that the knowledge I gained from reading this one has spoiled several surprises that the author intends to spring on the reader.

There are definitely surprises in this novel. Although it is about trafficked women from impoverished countries, a common theme in today’s thrillers, why and how they are being exploited is unique and a welcome respite from the clichés that abound in countless books on the market today. Sergeant Lacey Flint, too, is not a stereotypical police officer. Nor is the other main protagonist, DCI Dana Tulloch. The villains, also, are unique, although I can’t name them without adding a spoiler.

I liked the way Bolton writes—it’s the first story I’ve read by her—and overall I enjoyed the dark portions of the story. If you’re in the mood for simple easy-to-follow popcorn thriller, I’d suggest you skip this one until you’re ready to concentrate on a complex, deep dive into a twisted world.

I gathered from tidbits sprinkled throughout the book, that this series contains an ongoing romantic relationship between Lacey and DI Joesbury. Thankfully, he doesn’t appear frequently in this one because I didn’t like him much, but this may be my personal bias.

More serious is a misdirection I didn’t understand that occurs in the first chapter. Chapter 1 is titled “The Killer” and describes the murder of a woman who states, before she is killed: ’What are you?’ when she confronts the killer. Skip now to the chapters before the story ends, a confrontation among four characters—Lacey, another trafficked victim, the killer, and a fourth individual. The “what are you?” phrase refers to this fourth individual, who is not the killer, as far as I can surmise, but the distinction between “the killer” and the “what are you” individual is not made clear in the skirmish. This leaves the reader to wonder why ’What are you?’ was uttered in the first chapter, and why it so enraged the killer. Certainly, this is not made clear in the ending discussions, and may leave some readers wondering exactly which character was “the killer”. So the ending is somewhat confusing, leading me to lower my 4.5 star rating, to a simple 4.0 rating.

Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.

[Magali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veel verschillende personages, korte hoofdstukken die je steeds meer in het verhaal meenemen. Verwachtingen en voorspellingen van een plotwendingen, die toch niet kloppen en waar Bolton je dus verrast.

Naast dit is het gewoon een goed verhaal over Lacey Flint die alle dagen in de Theems zwemt en steeds meer verstrikt raakt in de donkere geheimen van de rivier en de mensen rondom haar.

Heel graag gelezen.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As is the way of the internet, I shall point out that is book is an ‘all the feels’ book. Basically, in non-internet lingo: wow, what a great book.

This is the fourth book in the Lacey Flint series and I’m tempted to say my favourite. Thus far in the series book two, Dead Scared, has been my favourite, but I’m now of a mind to to change that. Following the events of book three, Like This For Ever, Lacey decided to return to uniform. In particular, Lacey decided to join the Marine Unit due to the events which occurred in book one. However, as is the case with Lacey staying out of trouble simply is not in her nature. Or, more accurately, when she tries to stay out of trouble it comes knocking on her door.

Since joining the Marine Unit, Lacey has become a fan of her morning routine of swimming in the River Thames. Except one morning she stumbles upon a body. One thing follows another and she pretty quickly finds herself once again working with CID as many new layers are dug into the mystery of the body, especially with how the killer seems to have taken a particular interest in Lacey.

Except, Lacey also has other problems to deal with: it would appear that whilst undercover Mark has gone missing. Furthermore, evidence suggests that there is also more to Mark’s disappearance than meets the eye. Pretty soon people are questioning what they know about the male. Whilst the storyline surrounding Mark was not at all what I was expecting (and there sadly wasn’t as much as him as I would have liked), I certainly came to love it a lot more than I had expected. Moreover, whilst I did not think it possible to love his character any more than I already did I was proven wrong.

Plus, to complicate matters even more for Lacey, it appears as though people are digging into her past. Whilst it is perfectly fine to read the Lacey Flint books as standalones I would suggest reading the past books before jumping into this one if you want to understand all the references. Throughout you do get a look into the past three books but to truly appreciate what is happening in regards to people looking into her past you do need to have read the prior books to really understand the complexity of her character.

As always, the book is filled with Bolton’s signature. Countless twists and turns leave you second guessing to the end, with many mysteries being unfolded throughout. There are many emotions to deal with: shock at storyline, little fan-girl squeals for those that have been following the Lacey-Mark relationship (trust me here, fans, you will love this one a lot), laughter at jokes, and everything else that is needed to make a good book.

I will admit that I do miss the first person Lacey perspective we were given in the first two books, however such a thing is now impossible. So many stories are being told, many characters walking different route and having their own personal stories to tell. As soon as you realise you miss that first person perspective you’re gripped in all the different stories and you no longer care.

The only downside for me is the ending left me wanting more – and right now. I managed to finish the book in one sitting and I’m now left waiting for the next one. Sadly, we have to wait quite a while for the next Lacey instalment as the next Bolton book to be released is a standalone. I’m positive this standalone will be just as great as all her other books, but by gosh I cannot wait to see where the Lacey story progresses to next. The Lacey books get stronger and stronger and in waiting for the next one to come out I believe I’m going to have to sit and reread them all to stop me from getting withdrawal symptoms!

If you’re not a Lacey Flint fan I suggest you jump on the bandwagon and get involved: you will not regret the decision.

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Words: What a twist! Amazing, Fantastic.

This Lacey Flint was very different to previous ones.

At first, I found it a little difficult to keep up with the jumping perspectives and times, but I quickly settled into the narrative. It was quite refreshing to hear these different voices telling the story, and slowly piecing together the truth.

This story was one surprise after another. At times almost distressingly serious, there were also little heart-warming moments and a small injection of humour so it wasn't all too heavy.

The whole of the end of this book is one enormous great big crazy twist. It's like one of those narrow country lanes where you're going one way then the other and then you're face to face with a tractor or a flock of sheep.

I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
I was also sent a physical copy of this book by the publisher.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love the character of Lacey Flint, she reminds me a bit of Mo Hayder's Flea Marley.

Lacey lives on a houseboat on London's Thames river. The river is as much a part of the story as the characters, with its hidden currents and dark murky depths. On a swim down the river, Lacey encounters a body wrapped in linen and snagged on a post. This is the beginning of a terrifying time for Lacey as it soon becomes apparent that someone is watching her, and her life could be in danger.
Meanwhile another body is found in the Thames and Lacey is sure there is a connection. They are soon on the hunt for a gang bringing in illegal immigrants but it doesn't appear they are being used for the sex trade, so what is going on.

Well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great quick story from Sharon Bolton.

Love Lacey Flint

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

Dear Reader,

In this,the fourth book in the series,Lacey, now a member of the Marine Police Unit, finds a shrouded body in the Thames. Working closely with past colleagues,Lacey is determined to find out the circumstances surrounding this woman's death.

More bodies are discovered as the Thames divulges its secrets sparingly and selectively.
We are privy to the voices of a selection of women,brought to the UK with the promise of employment...... Is everything as it seems,or is there something more sinister at play?

Jonesbury is undercover,on a dangerous case,one that threatens his good-cop reputation.

I'm a huge fan of the Lacey Flint series and rank SJ Bolton as one of my favourite authors. Her writing is sharp,precise and utterly compelling,her characters so carefully moulded,you'd be forgiven for thinking them real people!

While I liked this story,I must admit that I didn't love it as much as all her other work.
There was too much 'busyness' and,in my humble opinion,not enough unity and interaction between Lacey and Jonesbury.

An interesting premise,a fast paced story, one that I'm sure others will enjoy.

[Domi Raskova · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5* ... It was little but too much... fantasy for me. 😅 some things were really hard to believe, that could happened.
I like when I can imagine some sittuations and this was immposible...

[Cees Rhienen · Rating 4 out of 5]

[RECENSIE] Het donkerste water van Sharon Bolton

EEN TOERISTISCHE LOCATIE NAAR ENG DOODSGRAF OMGEBOUWD
++ De Theems, 346 km, bruin als oud bloed en ongelooflijk diep ++

Oorspronkelijke titel: A Dark and Twisted Tide
ISBN: 978 94 005 0515 5
Uitgegeven door: A.W. Bruna
Pagina's: 432
Beoordeling: 4,0 sterren

De in Londen woonachtige Sharon Bolton groeide op in het graafschap Lancashire, vooral bekend om zijn vele duistere moerassen en de katoenindustrie. Na een korte carrière in de eclectische bouwstijl, keerde ze dat de rug toe om zich volledig over te geven aan het moederschap en het schrijven van boeken. Inmiddels vele onderscheidingen en boeken verder, is in Nederland de vierde thriller verschenen waarin Lacey Flint de hoofdrol speelt. Het decor is de getijdenrivier de Theems en de veelzeggende titel luidt Het donkerste water.

Lacey Flint heeft het politiekorps verlaten en een woonboot betrokken in Deptford Creek, een van de ontelbare zijtakken van de Theems. Ze is lid geworden van de Marine Unit van de Metropolitan Police, kortweg, de rivierpolitie. Onder het motto 'Ik woon op de rivier, ik werk op de rivier en ik zwem in de rivier', oefent ze haar dagelijks controlerende taak uit.
Op een dag ontdekt ze het lichaam van een overleden vrouw, volledig in lappen gewikkeld. Samen met haar vriend Mark Joesbury pleegt ze het eerste onderzoek dat resulteert in het vermoeden dat het lichaam bewust door Lacey gevonden moest worden. Haar vriend verdwijnt en ze gaat haar onderzoek verdiepen door wat meer kennis te vergaren van de mensen in haar directe woonomgeving. Dit levert verrassende informatie op tot het tweede in katoenen lappen gewikkelde vrouwenlichaam zich aandient…

In dit avontuur doet Bolton precies wat lezers van haar verwachten. Naast een spannende primaire verhaallijn maakt ze vele uitstapjes naar interessante onderwerpen. Thema's als mensensmokkel, illegale immigranten, het leven van meisjes in Islamitische families, het wordt lopende het verhaal helder en duidelijk uit de doeken gedaan. Nooit wordt daarbij de langzaam opbouwende spanning vergeten en het daarbij aanzwellende gevaar van de gevolgen van de getijdenstromen van de Theems.

Naast deze eerdergenoemde thema's haakt ze aan bij de illegale orgaanhandel, de alternatieve kruidengeneeskunde en zelfs Ivf-behandelingen wordt niet ongemoeid gelaten. Een thriller vol spanning aangevuld met algemene informatie die in de verhaallijn past en tevens de plot volledig maakt. De auteur beschikt over een uitermate gevoel om precies die informatie te ventileren die de nieuwsgierigheid aanwakkert zonder teveel prijs te geven. Dat impliceert een soms traag verhaal omdat thrillerlezers van de combinatie van spanning én snelheid houden en dat laatste wordt regelmatig afgeremd door de zijdelings beschreven thema's. Het hindert uiteindelijk niet en geeft het een extra dimensie wat het boven een standaard politie-boefje verhaal uittilt. De vele personages die naar voren treden worden uiterst summier uitgediept wat weer gecompenseerd wordt door de vaste crew die we uit eerdere verhalen kennen.
Een aanrader is wel om voor dit lijvige verhaal rustig de tijd te nemen want de ruim 400 goedgevulde pagina's vragen wel om een aandachtige lezer. Alleen die weten het op de juiste waarde te schatten en als zodanig ook te waarderen.

Eindoordeel: 4,0 sterren

Spanning: 3 sterren
Plot: 4 sterren
Leesplezier: 4 sterren
Schrijfstijl: 4 sterren
Originaliteit: 4 sterren
Psychologie: 4 sterren

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and compelling. I like the characters in the Lacey Flint series and hope there will be more to come. The tides and activity of the Thames came alive for me with this reading and as always there was something interesting to learn.

[Bill Kupersmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

To enjoy this series of crime novels featuring DC Lacey Flint, y0u should start with Now You See Me & know the protagonist's back-story, including her real identity & that of the convicted murderess whom she visits in prison @ Durham. These scarcely matter in the 2nd of the series, Dead Scared, where Lacy goes undercover @ Cambridge University, but they obtrude in Like This, For Ever, awkwardly & unexplained - presumably because each of these books is supposed to stand alone. (I suppose the publishers think they'll sell better tho' I doubt it.) Here one of the characters actually divines Lacey's back-story & gets it almost right but there is a critical detail (which tells why the prisoner is called 'Toc' here) you need to know fully to appreciate Lacey. So if you're reading this review & have not yet read Now You See Me, do it & then from A Dark & Twisted Tide get even more pleaure.

Sharon Bolton excels @ settings & as in Now You See Me you feel she could double as a Victorian industrial archaeologist, here on the River Thames, its tributaries, & sewers. Apparently Lacey is largely recovered from the PTSD caused by Dead Scared & Like This For Ever - no self-harm in this book & she's left the CID for the uniformed river police. Even better, she is now living on a boat, which puts her in the league with my favourite Elizabeth Haynes character Genevieve, altho' Lacey goes Genevieve one better because hers is a sailing yacht, tho' Lacey doesn't know yet how to sail. (Got the hint, author?) She also appears comfortable with her feelings about Joesbury, who plays only a minor role because he's gone on an under-cover mission. (Successful, you'll know if you know about submarines.) He's suspected of being bent & Lacey wonders: 'If he . . . asked her to run away . . . to some foreign land . . . would she? . . . She'd do it in a heartbeat.' Which is why we find Lacey so fascinating & attractive: she is very tough & highly idealistic but also a very vulnerable crazy romantic ready to cast her fate to the winds for love. Fortunately our (& Lacey's) suspicions are laid to rest early. However Dana Tulloch plays an increased & sympathetic role & shows some real courage.

Lacey of course plunges into the thick of the danger. As for the perps, I somewhat figured out what was going on, but not any of the details. There are some pretty weird & exotic motives, but believable & enjoyable. So delightfully Sharon Bolton remains @ the top level of fiction writers & Lacey Flint will continue to inspire my awe & admiration.

[Freda Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fantastic mystery by Sharon! I enjoyed the ending more than I enjoyed the whole read. Lacy is again thrust into a mystery of the Thames River. Women are pulled from the depths of the watery grave wrapped in cloth as if it is a ritual and Lacy is the one finding them. Coincidence, I think not.

There were several new characters introduced this time and I particularly liked Thessa and her brother Alex. Lacy does too and she is drawn to them in a special way to which I finally said "about time you made some friends, Lacy". DI Dana seems to be more personable and likable in this story, even decides to get pregnant through AVI. Her relationship with Helen stiff as always. Jonesbury (Mark) is not present enough in this story to fulfill my fantasy of him - Hoping he and Lacy walk away into the sunset, but they finally do. This concludes that I most likely enjoyed Mark's almost 'stalking Lacy and save Lacy' presence more than I cared to admit.

The plot and dialogue was brilliant, grotesque and mysterious. I loved it but I struggled with the lack of presence of many of the characters I came to love, admire and hate throughout the whole Lacy Flint series. It's too bad this is the end. I want more of Mark, Dana, and Lacy.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Bolton is just so good. I love her books and it never takes me more than a couple of sittings to finish them (unless something boring like work interrupts) I love how original and unusual her work is and how each of her books has the same characters but an entirely different focus. But Sharon, please write quicker...