Dead in the Water

Cullen & Bain #5

by Ed James

The ghosts of the past stay dead. Don't they?

Ten years ago, a case brought two cops together and drove a wedge between another pair.

As Acting DC Scott Cullen works with DC Craig Hunter to track down a witness who didn't show during a court case, they stumble upon another crime. Two homeless women, dying of a suspected heroin overdose.

As they investigate, they uncover a far-reaching criminal empire, dealing death and misery to Edinburgh's underclass. And come across another investigative team who may not be exactly on the same side.

Travel back to the past and uncover the roots of the troubles that bedevil Cullen and Hunter in the present day.

Dead in the Water continues the Cullen and Bain Scottish crime thriller series, and is also a prequel to both the Cullen and Hunter series of bestselling Scottish crime novels.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Scotland, Mystery

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2021

Reviews

[Christine Morales]

While I've enjoyed previous books in this series, this one did not grab my attention. There's such a nonsensical way in which this one was written. Lot's of irrelevant page filler dribble that I couldn't even finish the book. I forced myself to read half and just got so bored I stopped.

[Frances Vivienne]

Wonderful Dialogue.

I found this a good read, with great characters, a storyline with wonderful dialogue, thanks to Ed James. I had some great laughs at the police force, where drugs were involved, that turned into a bigger problem than it should have. It does continue in the next book.
A recommend read.

[johnanimalantics.net, Margaret G Conlan]

not for me

Sadly, the swearing has already began right at the start of the novel. I’m wondering if it would’ve been a good read as it seemed to be moving forward in the right direction. However, I’ll never know now due to the use of bad language 😔

[Anke]

Tried it, started several times but it didn't work for me.

[Sandy McCulloch]

dead in the water. police Scotland book 1.

Fast, and slow, good read, looks like it will get better. Great teams, of Police, two different stations working together.

[Gary Van Cott]

2.5 stars. Boring.

[Gary]

Dead in the Water, is the fifth book in the Cullen and Bain series by Ed James. I enjoy the Scottish crime thrillers by this author, and particularly like the banter between the characters. This novel is set a decade before the main series timeline, and works as a standalone novel.

Acting DC Scott Cullen is thrown together with DC Craig Hunter when they’re tasked with tracking down a witness who has failed to appear in court. What seems like a relatively straightforward assignment takes a chilling turn when the pair stumble upon two homeless women dying from what appears to be a heroin overdose. Their deaths, however, are only the tip of a rapidly darkening iceberg.

As Cullen and Hunter start digging, they uncover the workings of a sprawling criminal network preying on Edinburgh’s most vulnerable, a ruthless empire profiting from addiction, exploitation, and despair. But the threat isn’t only external. Another investigative team appears to be walking a dangerous line between policing and corruption, and the boundaries of trust begin to erode fast.

I enjoy the characters in these books and this was another quick decent read.

[Alex Jones]

I read the first 7 Cullen books then pretty much 5 years without going back so her I am now and with the way Ed James has reorganised the series I’ve started with book 1.

Easily picking up on where I left off, years ago albeit a young Cullen, it was familiar feel from what I remembered.

It’s not a long book so plot wise it’s not to complex. It’s a nice start to show why many characters turn out how they are in later books.

It’s a decent read

[Carolien]

This is a good introduction to the series and the dynamics between various characters that will appear in the books to come. We meet the ambitious young detectives and major criminal elements of Edinburgh in a rain-sodden city where the Christmas atmosphere is marred by a missing victim and a drug-related death. The main characters are presented as complex individuals, each with their own history, demons and merits. Solid start to the series.

[Natasha Giuliano]

Lots of people, who switch from using their first name to surname frequently makes it hard to follow who is talking sometimes unless deeply concentrating. Most of the story feels like it is told through dialogue I just couldn't get into it. I was pushing myself to keep reading but then I thought there are so many good books in the world why continue with one that is not grabbing you as you turn its pages so I stopped on page 140!

[Mary B]

Really great to get the background on Cullen, Hunter and Bain, and how they all started out, and the reasons for the conflict between Cullen and Hunter which is only vaguely touched upon later in the other books.
Also, as usual, the storyline was gripping and entertaining. I love all the banter and the way Ed writes the chapters from the characters' point of view. All in all, another great read.

[Jason Heavyside]

Excellent!

Another fascinating instalment in this intriguing series, detailing the beginning of the relationships between Bain, Cullen, Hunter and more. Excited for the final instalment, but equally a little sad there'll be no further ones after it. Please continue the Cullen and Hunter series if there is to be more Bain and Cullen novels.

[Gary Kingston]

If you’re a fan of Cullen/Bain you’ll love this one, and it opens the lid on a few of the things that happen in the past.
Lovely little nods to the future, Bane looking at Hunter and thinking ‘he’s the type of guy who’s so you in a phone box’!
Loved the whole series, time to reluctantly start the last one.

[Kathy B]

2.5/5. Supposedly this is a prequel, but what a bummer. Bad guy gets away. Left hanging with Hunter. Cullen has a woman hit on him and the bad guy gets away. Talk about being left hanging and not in a good way. I am not sure if I will read the next one even though they gave me a giant sample at the end!

[L. Foster]

I bought dead in the water and only got 27% in and couldn't finish it. I have never done this before, no matter how bad a book is I always finish it. Mistakenly I bought bought a 2nd one of his and got to 20% oh goodness I realised. Don't know if its just me but I find his books absolute rubbish, sorry!

[John Roberts]

I read the 2024 re-write of this book as it now in a new series known as Police Scotland Book 1. I really enjoyed this re-write. Ending not what I expected! Looking forward to Ghost in the Machine! If you love gritty thrillers you will love Ed James!

[Glyn Evans]

I really tried to get into this story but it failed miserably to hold my attention,slow, boring and very hard to understand the narrator.So bye ,bye mr james there are a lot better crime writers than you out there.

[Dougie Mathers]

Not a book I particularly enjoyed. I was confused who was who and felt the main plot suffered as a result. The dectectives were pretty nasty to each other and I couldn't view them positively. Their personal issues appeared to influence greatly personal and work relationships.

[s m bibby]

Cracking read

Ed up to his usual high standard. Great read with lots of twists and turns.Thoroughly enjoyed it,can't wait for the next episode

[Gemma Patrick]

Really good novels

Love reading all of the Cullen, Hunter, and Cullen and Bain books. All different, and all gripping reads. Great characters and easy to follow but not simple.

[David Highton]

A story set 10 years in the past, when Scott Cullen first becomes a DC in Edinburgh, featuring many characters from the later Cullen books.

[Douglas Law]

For fun & frolics.

[M.K. Turner]

Enjoyed this book. I haven't read any of the others which may have helped understand the characters a little more. But a good read,

[Helen]

Only the second book I have not been able to finish.....

[Nicholas Turner]

A fast paced read with plenty of believable, well developed, characters and an interesting story.

[Denny]

KINDLE

[Michelle]

DNF 35%
I tried I really did but after chapter 16 I was done.

[Sandra McCourt]

I liked this. It’s a bit different as it covers a young DC as opposed to the boss. It’s witty charming and a good story

[Marie Anderson]

Not my favourite Ed James book.

[Brian]

Gripping read

As with all Ed James books I've read i found this one enjoyable and hard to put down. Worth buying.