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DCI Bone #2
Blood Water Falls
You can't drown the dead.
When the brutally murdered body of a local geography teacher is discovered at Kilwinnoch’s famous beauty spot, Blood Water Falls, the community is rocked to its core.
For DCI Duncan Bone, the killing appears to be an open and shut case. But it’s not long before a sinister clue unleashes dark and deadly forces, blowing the investigation wide open, and putting Bone and his team in grave danger.
With the town baying for blood, and too many suspects and not enough answers, DCI Bone faces not only the toughest case of his career, but the battle of his life to defeat the psychological demons determined to destroy him once and for all.
Set among the dramatic hills and glens of Scotland's Campsie Fells, Blood Water Falls is the second in a series of edge-of-your-seat crime thrillers that will keep you guessing right up to the nail-biting, heart-stopping climax.
When the brutally murdered body of a local geography teacher is discovered at Kilwinnoch’s famous beauty spot, Blood Water Falls, the community is rocked to its core.
For DCI Duncan Bone, the killing appears to be an open and shut case. But it’s not long before a sinister clue unleashes dark and deadly forces, blowing the investigation wide open, and putting Bone and his team in grave danger.
With the town baying for blood, and too many suspects and not enough answers, DCI Bone faces not only the toughest case of his career, but the battle of his life to defeat the psychological demons determined to destroy him once and for all.
Set among the dramatic hills and glens of Scotland's Campsie Fells, Blood Water Falls is the second in a series of edge-of-your-seat crime thrillers that will keep you guessing right up to the nail-biting, heart-stopping climax.
392 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2021
2573 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
About the author
T.G. Reid
12 books306 followersTG Reid is a bestselling British crime novelist. His DCI Bone Scottish detective series has topped the Amazon charts in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Since publication of Book 1 in the series, Dark is the Grave, in 2021, he has sold over 300,000 books and surpassed 50 million page reads on Kindle Unlimited.
This bestselling series continues to grow from strength to strength, with many more books still to come, and plans to adapt DCI Bone for TV. Sign up to the author’s mailing list to keep informed about future release dates, giveaways, and exclusives.
TG Reid grew up in his native Scotland and the DCI Bone series is set in and around his hometown, among the brooding hills and glens of Scotland’s Campsie Fells. After working as a musician and English lecturer, TG turned to full-time writing and has never looked back. He now lives in Bath with his wife, daughter and hyper-neurotic cat.
TG Reid’s books will appeal to readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric, edge-of-you-seat mysteries with added touches of Scottish humour.
Readers can reach him via his website at www.tgreid.com or find him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
This bestselling series continues to grow from strength to strength, with many more books still to come, and plans to adapt DCI Bone for TV. Sign up to the author’s mailing list to keep informed about future release dates, giveaways, and exclusives.
TG Reid grew up in his native Scotland and the DCI Bone series is set in and around his hometown, among the brooding hills and glens of Scotland’s Campsie Fells. After working as a musician and English lecturer, TG turned to full-time writing and has never looked back. He now lives in Bath with his wife, daughter and hyper-neurotic cat.
TG Reid’s books will appeal to readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric, edge-of-you-seat mysteries with added touches of Scottish humour.
Readers can reach him via his website at www.tgreid.com or find him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
July 10, 2022
From the start of the book DCI Bone did not appear to be at all a "happy camper". He snapped at his team and grumbled constantly to himself, but I guess since he was recovering from an injury, that he had received in the first book, that it was understandable. It just unnecessarily took up story space. He and his team were doing a good job with the murder investigation since soon they had WAY too many possible suspects. Bone soon whittled them down and of course, solved the case. The author has created some great characters that seem almost like real people with their banter and teasing among themselves and the glimpses we are allowed to see in their families...especially Bone and his ex-wife and his son. The plot is again really intriguing making this second book a welcome addition to what is going to be an outstanding series.
August 21, 2024
Disappointing, really didn't grab me. Seems very simplified, with very little realism. The popularity of this series is baffling to me - I almost gave up after the first but thought I'd give it another chance hoping the writing and attention to detail would improve, but no such luck. It feels like something written with a child's understanding of policing, and a very superficial interest in anything resembling verisimilitude. I'm not sure that a single one of the action scenes make sense, let alone the continued employment of the main character, who in this volume alone physically assaults civilians on three different occasions, once in front of dozens of witnesses, with no consequences whatsoever. A waste of time for me, though obviously plenty of people disagree.
February 15, 2022
Bone needs a thorough makeover, if the series is to be continued. I don't think he has anything more to offer in another book should he remain as he is.
Apart from that, the storyline was great and there were some really strong moments.
4/5⭐
Apart from that, the storyline was great and there were some really strong moments.
4/5⭐
February 16, 2022
Murder-mystery with police who smoked and ignored due process. The officers all grunted, smoked, drank and don't seem to follow procedure. The H appears to be in the midst of a break down, and he missed the clues about the obvious murderer. I really disliked his personal story with his son being used as a weapon by his ex. Too tragic to enjoy.
July 3, 2022
A damaged detective and his team investigate the disappearance and murder of a teacher. But the stakes are raised when the killertakes an interest in the detective.
It was hard to get engaged with the book. None of the characters is relatable or especially likable. Even worse the killer is a total bore. Bones comes with the usual broken marriage/concern about his kid. Dull as dish water.
It was hard to get engaged with the book. None of the characters is relatable or especially likable. Even worse the killer is a total bore. Bones comes with the usual broken marriage/concern about his kid. Dull as dish water.
November 20, 2025
For a series with such a big following, this second outing still feels pretty lightweight. I never felt the need to dust off my inner detective because the plot keeps things on a very straight path. Not many feints or surprises, and I kept waiting for the sort of twist that never quite arrives.
What does keep the pages turning is DCI Bone. His rough edges, the weight he drags from the past, the sense that he’s holding himself together with whatever tape he can findand that’s the part that works. He feels human in a way the mystery around him doesn’t always manage.
I’ll give book three a go, but I’m really hoping the investigation side finally brings some proper tension and a few shocks to wake things up.
What does keep the pages turning is DCI Bone. His rough edges, the weight he drags from the past, the sense that he’s holding himself together with whatever tape he can findand that’s the part that works. He feels human in a way the mystery around him doesn’t always manage.
I’ll give book three a go, but I’m really hoping the investigation side finally brings some proper tension and a few shocks to wake things up.
July 29, 2023
I finished the book but not sure why. The protagonist, Bone, is impulsive, angry and irrational. He suffers from PTSD but given that he seems a bit out of touch with reality it stretches credibility that any police force would allow him to be in charge of an investigation. The villain is equally angry and impulsive and even less in touch with reality. Many parts of the plot don't really make sense.
August 16, 2022
This starts with an horrific death, but the details are not overdone. A teacher is killed and is found by teenagers. DCI Bone continues to battle his PTSD from his injuries from an earlier case, while he investigates the murder.
The descriptions of hallucinations he suffers are actually as scary as any murder scenario.
The descriptions of hallucinations he suffers are actually as scary as any murder scenario.
May 8, 2025
Nope, still not intrigued. I said in my review of the first book in the series that I would give it another try by reading the second. Sadly, I won’t be reading any more of DCI Bone’s…um…investigations (this is too strong a word for what he’s doing).
Duncan Bone is still two-dimensional, so are the rest of the characters, the scenes, even most of the dialogue. It all falls flat. Even the murder itself in the end makes little sense in terms of motive, or has shallow emotional foundation and lacks any twist. The worst part is that it isn’t figured out by the cops, no, it’s just presented to them in the end, served on a platter. That is so unsatisfying for a crime reader.
DCI Bone’s still angry, aggressive, but even if that’s what the main character has to be in order to have an arc, at least he would realistically be smart given his position as senior investigator and lead detective. He’s not. He barks orders and his team discover new information but he seems to want to jump on -and at- any person who even remotely becomes suspicious, before checking into alibis or even trying to read the situation.
Both in the first book and in the second book, his partner Rhona Walker is the one with any sense at all but she isn’t the boss so it just makes the reader wonder how the hell Bone even got to his position as DCI. He literally comes through as stupid. He likes someone as a suspect, practically assaults them for not admitting it, and just doesn’t use his brain whatsoever. Not just once, but every time.
I couldn’t deal with his hallucinations either that he gets from the PTSD, this apparition that he sees in clear as day moments, or in the middle of a dialogue with another character. Again, contrived. Most of it is contrived and unrealistic (seriously, a care taker for dementia patients gets scared of a demented senior bc he comes at him with a baseball bat and this drives the caretaker to nearly commit suicide right there on the spot? His literal job is to know how to handle behavioral issues of such geriatric patients! Quit maybe but suicide? Not to mention how the whole scene doesn’t move the plot along one bit and is unrelated to everything.)
I’m sorry for being so critical, I truly don’t understand the popularity of this series… I tried.
Duncan Bone is still two-dimensional, so are the rest of the characters, the scenes, even most of the dialogue. It all falls flat. Even the murder itself in the end makes little sense in terms of motive, or has shallow emotional foundation and lacks any twist. The worst part is that it isn’t figured out by the cops, no, it’s just presented to them in the end, served on a platter. That is so unsatisfying for a crime reader.
DCI Bone’s still angry, aggressive, but even if that’s what the main character has to be in order to have an arc, at least he would realistically be smart given his position as senior investigator and lead detective. He’s not. He barks orders and his team discover new information but he seems to want to jump on -and at- any person who even remotely becomes suspicious, before checking into alibis or even trying to read the situation.
Both in the first book and in the second book, his partner Rhona Walker is the one with any sense at all but she isn’t the boss so it just makes the reader wonder how the hell Bone even got to his position as DCI. He literally comes through as stupid. He likes someone as a suspect, practically assaults them for not admitting it, and just doesn’t use his brain whatsoever. Not just once, but every time.
I couldn’t deal with his hallucinations either that he gets from the PTSD, this apparition that he sees in clear as day moments, or in the middle of a dialogue with another character. Again, contrived. Most of it is contrived and unrealistic (seriously, a care taker for dementia patients gets scared of a demented senior bc he comes at him with a baseball bat and this drives the caretaker to nearly commit suicide right there on the spot? His literal job is to know how to handle behavioral issues of such geriatric patients! Quit maybe but suicide? Not to mention how the whole scene doesn’t move the plot along one bit and is unrelated to everything.)
I’m sorry for being so critical, I truly don’t understand the popularity of this series… I tried.
November 20, 2021
This is book 2 in the DCI Bone series. The 1st one was brilliant so it was going to be a big ask to have the same quality in the 2nd one. It certainly did that, and in spades!
The descriptions at the beginning about the falls was so real so I was immediately transported to the area. The story is yet another gripping one and so easy to read. Despite the attacks throughout the book, there is plenty of humour throughout which makes it even more enjoyable.
I love the team banter as well as the personal side of things, particularly for Bone with his ex-wife and son, and Mullens with his father.
I really hope this becomes a long-running series and hope there's not too long a wait for book 3.
The descriptions at the beginning about the falls was so real so I was immediately transported to the area. The story is yet another gripping one and so easy to read. Despite the attacks throughout the book, there is plenty of humour throughout which makes it even more enjoyable.
I love the team banter as well as the personal side of things, particularly for Bone with his ex-wife and son, and Mullens with his father.
I really hope this becomes a long-running series and hope there's not too long a wait for book 3.
November 21, 2021
3.75⭐️ which I have rounded up
DCI Bone #2
The team have been given the job of finding a missing teacher and photographer. They are not with missing persons, they are rural crimes.
I enjoy the humour surrounding Mullen and his dad, and his relationship with food. although in this book I didn’t find the humour with the team banter always quite hit the mark for me.
It’s nice seeing a bit more about Mullen’s past, he is my favourite character.
Favourite quote ‘ We are flawed and broken as a species’
This one has become too personal for Bone and his mental health issues are escalating as is his anger.
This book didn’t grab me as much as the first one,as I felt that it is more action orientated.
DCI Bone #2
The team have been given the job of finding a missing teacher and photographer. They are not with missing persons, they are rural crimes.
I enjoy the humour surrounding Mullen and his dad, and his relationship with food. although in this book I didn’t find the humour with the team banter always quite hit the mark for me.
It’s nice seeing a bit more about Mullen’s past, he is my favourite character.
Favourite quote ‘ We are flawed and broken as a species’
This one has become too personal for Bone and his mental health issues are escalating as is his anger.
This book didn’t grab me as much as the first one,as I felt that it is more action orientated.
December 8, 2021
I absolutely loved the first book in the series and was very excited to read this one. The story of the crime is as good if not better, than the first but this was spoiled for me by DI Bone' s PTSD. I understand how debilitating it can be, but for me, it was too much in the book and frankly made the story unbelievable. I felt like DCI(?) Gallagher, I just wanted Bone to go home and leave the others to it. The writing is great and, as I said, so is the plot, So when there is a third book I will, undoubtedly buy it, but if DI Bone hasn't had a major recovery I will be sorely disappointed.
June 22, 2023
Less angry man and more mystery please!
Less angry man and more mystery please! To much of the story is about Duncan’s anger issues, his coping mechanisms-lack of. Very little plot development about the actual crime or the investigation.
Hope this series gets better about the crimes and solutions.
Less angry man and more mystery please! To much of the story is about Duncan’s anger issues, his coping mechanisms-lack of. Very little plot development about the actual crime or the investigation.
Hope this series gets better about the crimes and solutions.
February 25, 2022
Pacy action thriller
The story is a page turner, no doubt about it, but I found the main character’s situation to be beyond belief, especially in his responses to people. Not my style of crime thriller, sadly.
The story is a page turner, no doubt about it, but I found the main character’s situation to be beyond belief, especially in his responses to people. Not my style of crime thriller, sadly.
July 17, 2022
I think the ex wife is a bit unfair about custody.
October 24, 2025
3.5
After finishing book 1 I was a bit sceptical about how DCI Bone would work as a main character in a series. This sequel made it very clear how it would and could work really well though. I'm happy I didn't wait to pick this one up.
I did enjoy the mystery, even if the motive and murderer clocked a sky-high trope rating towards the end, in a way I didn't particularly approve of.
What brought the book down (quite a lot) was the vengeful, toxic, moronic ex-wife - using access to the kid for manipulation and emotional warfare.
I swear, this particular type of woman shows up right and left in police procedurals - and it's driving me slightly insane.
I have noticed this type of stereotypical bitch (ex) wife/girlfriend trope being used primarily by male authors. While that doesn't surprise me, at all, it honestly makes me so sad and disappointed.
And bone-tired. 😩🙄😮💨
Kindly note this, dear universe: I'm really sick and tired of this trope and if I never encounter it again, I will be ecstatic! (And really surprised.)
I will nevertheless probably press play on book 3 pretty soon. The narrator is great!
After finishing book 1 I was a bit sceptical about how DCI Bone would work as a main character in a series. This sequel made it very clear how it would and could work really well though. I'm happy I didn't wait to pick this one up.
I did enjoy the mystery, even if the motive and murderer clocked a sky-high trope rating towards the end, in a way I didn't particularly approve of.
What brought the book down (quite a lot) was the vengeful, toxic, moronic ex-wife - using access to the kid for manipulation and emotional warfare.
I swear, this particular type of woman shows up right and left in police procedurals - and it's driving me slightly insane.
I have noticed this type of stereotypical bitch (ex) wife/girlfriend trope being used primarily by male authors. While that doesn't surprise me, at all, it honestly makes me so sad and disappointed.
And bone-tired. 😩🙄😮💨
Kindly note this, dear universe: I'm really sick and tired of this trope and if I never encounter it again, I will be ecstatic! (And really surprised.)
I will nevertheless probably press play on book 3 pretty soon. The narrator is great!
February 13, 2023
The second outing in the excellent DI Duncan Bone series sees him and his team investigating the disappearance of a highly regarded local school teacher. This a very fast paced read as we follow the frustrations of Bone and his team as they encounter apparent breakthroughs followed by inevitable disappointment and as the pressure from above intensities, Bone becomes close to breaking point. Great characters who you really feel for, especially Mullens who is on a healthy eating diet set by his wife, and Bone whose private life is almost as complicated as the case.
Highly recommended addition to the series.
Highly recommended addition to the series.
March 3, 2024
I love a good police procedural book... Unfortunately I wouldn't put this into that category.
It was a fair enough story, however I feel the author just seemed to suddenly run out of steam at the end, and everything was rather hurriedly and conveniently tied up, more thanks to the killer's mother giving them up, than any real police work.
I'm not sure some of Bone's behaviour would genuinely be tolerated in the police force.. he's often more out of control than just "unorthodox"!
Oh and for all the reviews complaining about the use of the "f" word... the book is set in Scotland! Nuff said!
It was a fair enough story, however I feel the author just seemed to suddenly run out of steam at the end, and everything was rather hurriedly and conveniently tied up, more thanks to the killer's mother giving them up, than any real police work.
I'm not sure some of Bone's behaviour would genuinely be tolerated in the police force.. he's often more out of control than just "unorthodox"!
Oh and for all the reviews complaining about the use of the "f" word... the book is set in Scotland! Nuff said!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2021
This is the second outing for traumatised DCI Duncan Bone and is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Reid manages to combine the beauty of Scotland, the variety of characters and the plot with seamless efficiency.
This set of characters are fast becoming favourites of mine from the large, cumbersome Mullens, to the straight-talking Walker, to the chain smoking Baxter - each brings their own distinct joy to the novel and are super 'back ups' to the still traumatised, still struggling to cope Bone.
The storyline is inventive as it incorporates Bird egg stealing, professional jealousy, personal greed and all set against a stunning Scottish backdrop of the Campsie fells. Love it and highly recommended.
This set of characters are fast becoming favourites of mine from the large, cumbersome Mullens, to the straight-talking Walker, to the chain smoking Baxter - each brings their own distinct joy to the novel and are super 'back ups' to the still traumatised, still struggling to cope Bone.
The storyline is inventive as it incorporates Bird egg stealing, professional jealousy, personal greed and all set against a stunning Scottish backdrop of the Campsie fells. Love it and highly recommended.
May 22, 2022
This was yet another enjoyable listen, I must have missed the swearing that other people mentioned and just tuned it out, Oh I do love Gallagher, he is so well written (I know a relatively minor character but he adds so much for me). This series is a typical gritty Scottish crime thriller and I did feel very well written.
I do think that you do need to listen or read book 1 first though.
I was given a free copy by the author via the book club -audible but the review is entirely my own.
I do think that you do need to listen or read book 1 first though.
I was given a free copy by the author via the book club -audible but the review is entirely my own.
April 21, 2022
Another outstanding DCI Duncan Bone case. The body of Geography teacher and local hero is found at Blood Water Falls Bone and his team investigate. They have few suspects or motives to go on. A hard task for the team. A gripping read with amazing characters and a beautiful setting.
February 26, 2025
While I found book one in this series a reasonably enjoyable read this one didn’t do it for me. I am not sure how DI Bone is allowed to keep working given his mental state and ongoing mistakes - it just felt too unrealistic. The book is quite dialogue driven which is quick to read but added little to any possible suspense. Having meandered along the resolution was too easy, too quick and the perpetrators motivation !! As to the final summary chapter hmm. Don’t think I will be reaching for book three.
September 10, 2025
Audio version of this book 📕- Book 2 in the DCI Bones series- WOW another cracking listen !! Fast becoming one of my favourite authors , with great plots, fantastic characters and with the little bit of humour thrown in just makes me want to start the next book straight away !!
March 8, 2024
feel like bone is my grumpy little dad at this point can these people give him a break hes trying his best
June 8, 2022
AUDIOBOOK
I absolutely love DCI Bone and this audio did not disappoint. Once again he’s caught in a murder enquiry that tests his skills and patience and when the murder starts targeting his family things get very dark. Will he find out the killer in time before anyone else get hurts and will he loose his job because he’s letting his personal feelings get in the way of the case.
I absolutely love DCI Bone and this audio did not disappoint. Once again he’s caught in a murder enquiry that tests his skills and patience and when the murder starts targeting his family things get very dark. Will he find out the killer in time before anyone else get hurts and will he loose his job because he’s letting his personal feelings get in the way of the case.
April 16, 2025
Bored. Decided not to finish. Goodbye - and good luck - DCI Bone.
July 10, 2022
While out taking photographs at Craigend Cap, Geography teacher Richard Jones is murdered. It is up to DCI Duncan Bone and his team to investigate. As Bone tries to cope with his mental health issues and Mullen with his father.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery.
May 24, 2022
Really, really enjoyed this book! I love the fact that the author includes ordinary people in the storyline. They are just people that you could come across in any walk of life and it makes the story that little bit more relatable. DI Bone is a great character and the team banter is hilarious. I look forward to the next instalment.
July 13, 2023
I always enjoy the banter in the police unit featured in T.G. Reid's books, and the allusions to Glasgow culture.
As far as the crime goes, this had the makings of a good read - a victim who was well thought of by the community as a whole (but did he deserve this reputation?), a satisfactory number of suspects, an equally satisfactory number of red herrings etc. However, it seemed as if the author ran out of ideas towards the end of the book and the "solving" of the crime just didn't work for me.
If it had been possible, I would have given this book 2 1/2 stars. A disappointment.
As far as the crime goes, this had the makings of a good read - a victim who was well thought of by the community as a whole (but did he deserve this reputation?), a satisfactory number of suspects, an equally satisfactory number of red herrings etc. However, it seemed as if the author ran out of ideas towards the end of the book and the "solving" of the crime just didn't work for me.
If it had been possible, I would have given this book 2 1/2 stars. A disappointment.
November 24, 2021
I have been eagerly awaiting book two in this series, DI Duncan Bone, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s so well written and I love the banter and the camaraderie between the police officers. There are some great characters in the team, all with their own foibles and personalities, and I love them all. No matter what they all support each other. There are a number of threads running alongside the main story making this a fast paced and compelling read.
Briefly, with the fallout from their last case still reverberating around the station, Bone and his team are tasked with finding a missing geography teacher. A body is soon found, brutally killed, at Blood Water Falls. The case turns sinister when members of the team are targeted by the killer and a sinister message is found. The pressure on Bone of this case and the collapse of his personal life causes his PTSD to raise its demonic head. Can Bone and his team find the killer before anyone dies? Can Bone overcome his terrors?
My heart bleeds for Bone. His wife, whom he still loves, left him in the last book, taking their son with her, and now she is not happy to let Bone see him whilst Bone remain in the Force and, to her mind, is putting their child at risk. His PTSB is overwhelming and very distressing, written so convincingly I wanted to give him a hug. All in all an excellent read. If I had any gripes it’s that someone receives a very short sentence in the Epilogue; I can’t say any more for fear of spoilers but it’s an accurate and disturbing inditement of our society today. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Briefly, with the fallout from their last case still reverberating around the station, Bone and his team are tasked with finding a missing geography teacher. A body is soon found, brutally killed, at Blood Water Falls. The case turns sinister when members of the team are targeted by the killer and a sinister message is found. The pressure on Bone of this case and the collapse of his personal life causes his PTSD to raise its demonic head. Can Bone and his team find the killer before anyone dies? Can Bone overcome his terrors?
My heart bleeds for Bone. His wife, whom he still loves, left him in the last book, taking their son with her, and now she is not happy to let Bone see him whilst Bone remain in the Force and, to her mind, is putting their child at risk. His PTSB is overwhelming and very distressing, written so convincingly I wanted to give him a hug. All in all an excellent read. If I had any gripes it’s that someone receives a very short sentence in the Epilogue; I can’t say any more for fear of spoilers but it’s an accurate and disturbing inditement of our society today. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews