What do you think?
Rate this book
Bloodwater
TERROR IN PARADISE AS A KILLER STALKS THE ISLAND OF BERMUDA, SHATTERING THE TRANQUILITY OF THIS JEWEL OF THE ATLANTIC.
A series of grisly murders of women who in one way or another are connected to a fancy hotel in Bermuda owned by Lord Phillips, a wealthy and influential businessman. The local police, a Scotland Yard detective and Richard Standson, a special investigator for Bermuda's Special Services Branch, are all baffled. Then, the police get a break. A derelict's corpse and a suicide note confessing to the killings are discovered. The police close the case, but Richard isn't so certain. After the Scotland Yard man disappears, he's certain the killer is still at large. His continued digging uncovers a connection to a drug operation of immense scale involving powerful people, putting his own life in great peril.
"A fantastic trip into the dark heart of Bermuda you'll never see as a tourist. Colin Duerden has assembled a terrific cast of characters to be your guide."- John McFetridge, author of Black An Eddie Dougherty Mystery, and Dirty A Mystery.
"In the intense, action packed thriller Bloodwater, Colin Duerden follows the thriller mantra, 'Things are not what they seem.' With the backdrop of Bermuda, the pace and power of a James Bond novel, haunting secrets and a sizzling plot, Bloodwater doesn't disappoint. Highly recommended."- Don Bruns, author of South Beach Shakedown and the soon to be released Casting Bones.
" Bloodwater is a first-rate thriller, sharply paced and smartly written. The pages fly by, and Duerden keeps us guessing as the tension builds, driven by an intriguing cast of characters whose island paradise has suddenly become a dark and dangerous world."- Kathryn Guare, award-winning author of The Virtuosic Spy suspense series.
"Bloodwater is an intriguing, plot-twisting tale of murder, corruption and greed set in a gorgeous tropical locale. As only a native can, Duerden has an amazing ability to evoke the sights, sounds and smells of Bermuda in all her beauty, mystery and intrigue. Bloodwater is a terrific fictional debut."- Lin Whalen, BA, BEd, ME, author of children's books and poetry.
" Bloodwater captivates from the start with a WW II secret that eventually has lethal consequences in modern Bermuda. The locals, who are as colourful as their nicknames, struggle to link the homicides and stem the rising body count A well-crafted novel that's hard to put down." -A.R. Gillis, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto (sociology/criminology).
" Bloodwater is intelligently empathetic with an accuracy borne from experience and research. The Bermuda references are a refreshing mix of spot on accuracy and empirical fiction. Short chapters allow for engaging pacing and you are compelled to keep reading. Tough to put down yet a treat to pick up from where you left off. As you near the dénouement you don't really want it to end"!- Ross Webber, CEO, Bermuda Business Development Agency.
A series of grisly murders of women who in one way or another are connected to a fancy hotel in Bermuda owned by Lord Phillips, a wealthy and influential businessman. The local police, a Scotland Yard detective and Richard Standson, a special investigator for Bermuda's Special Services Branch, are all baffled. Then, the police get a break. A derelict's corpse and a suicide note confessing to the killings are discovered. The police close the case, but Richard isn't so certain. After the Scotland Yard man disappears, he's certain the killer is still at large. His continued digging uncovers a connection to a drug operation of immense scale involving powerful people, putting his own life in great peril.
"A fantastic trip into the dark heart of Bermuda you'll never see as a tourist. Colin Duerden has assembled a terrific cast of characters to be your guide."- John McFetridge, author of Black An Eddie Dougherty Mystery, and Dirty A Mystery.
"In the intense, action packed thriller Bloodwater, Colin Duerden follows the thriller mantra, 'Things are not what they seem.' With the backdrop of Bermuda, the pace and power of a James Bond novel, haunting secrets and a sizzling plot, Bloodwater doesn't disappoint. Highly recommended."- Don Bruns, author of South Beach Shakedown and the soon to be released Casting Bones.
" Bloodwater is a first-rate thriller, sharply paced and smartly written. The pages fly by, and Duerden keeps us guessing as the tension builds, driven by an intriguing cast of characters whose island paradise has suddenly become a dark and dangerous world."- Kathryn Guare, award-winning author of The Virtuosic Spy suspense series.
"Bloodwater is an intriguing, plot-twisting tale of murder, corruption and greed set in a gorgeous tropical locale. As only a native can, Duerden has an amazing ability to evoke the sights, sounds and smells of Bermuda in all her beauty, mystery and intrigue. Bloodwater is a terrific fictional debut."- Lin Whalen, BA, BEd, ME, author of children's books and poetry.
" Bloodwater captivates from the start with a WW II secret that eventually has lethal consequences in modern Bermuda. The locals, who are as colourful as their nicknames, struggle to link the homicides and stem the rising body count A well-crafted novel that's hard to put down." -A.R. Gillis, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto (sociology/criminology).
" Bloodwater is intelligently empathetic with an accuracy borne from experience and research. The Bermuda references are a refreshing mix of spot on accuracy and empirical fiction. Short chapters allow for engaging pacing and you are compelled to keep reading. Tough to put down yet a treat to pick up from where you left off. As you near the dénouement you don't really want it to end"!- Ross Webber, CEO, Bermuda Business Development Agency.
308 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2016
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 13, 2016
This book combines the mystery/thriller genre I love with the small island I've called home for the better part of a decade. And overall I enjoyed it very much.
As the first novel by author F Colin Duerden, I wasn't sure what to expect other than the Bermuda setting and some sort of murder mystery as outlined on the cover. I was pleasantly surprised with the way the story unfolded, and I felt like I was there with Richard Standson as he tried to piece things together. Even when things happened which I was expecting, the storytelling made it feel more real than I would have expected.
That leads me to my biggest concern about the book, and that is it is very Bermudian. In fact, at the beginning, I found it a bit cloying. For me, knowing the geography and most of the landmarks presented, I could follow along well in my head, but it felt like it was trying too hard to identify with the island. It would be interesting to get opinions from people who've not been to Bermuda before. Once the story got moving, though, I felt the balance restored and the mystery and action took proper focus.
Another point of note is that even though the story is set about 30 years ago, which was interesting from the Bermuda perspective, it doesn't feel particularly dated. Apart from reminding you of a time before cell phones, the story and events felt like they could well have happened today.
I highly recommend the book, particularly for anyone who has spent any time in Bermuda. A fun, enjoyable read despite its few issues.
As the first novel by author F Colin Duerden, I wasn't sure what to expect other than the Bermuda setting and some sort of murder mystery as outlined on the cover. I was pleasantly surprised with the way the story unfolded, and I felt like I was there with Richard Standson as he tried to piece things together. Even when things happened which I was expecting, the storytelling made it feel more real than I would have expected.
That leads me to my biggest concern about the book, and that is it is very Bermudian. In fact, at the beginning, I found it a bit cloying. For me, knowing the geography and most of the landmarks presented, I could follow along well in my head, but it felt like it was trying too hard to identify with the island. It would be interesting to get opinions from people who've not been to Bermuda before. Once the story got moving, though, I felt the balance restored and the mystery and action took proper focus.
Another point of note is that even though the story is set about 30 years ago, which was interesting from the Bermuda perspective, it doesn't feel particularly dated. Apart from reminding you of a time before cell phones, the story and events felt like they could well have happened today.
I highly recommend the book, particularly for anyone who has spent any time in Bermuda. A fun, enjoyable read despite its few issues.
November 20, 2016
I highly recommend this exciting, suspenseful thriller. You won't be able to put it down. Great insight into Bermuda. The author has a real gift for enthralling dialogue and "feel like you're there" descriptions of scenery and characters..
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews