Breaking Waves

Phil Tyler Crime Thriller #1

by Barry W. Litherland

Past events cast shadows you can't outrun. Wayne and Phil knew that better than anyone, after what happened when they were children, bullied by Wayne’s murderous brother. When Tyrone returns after many years, bent on revenge, they are about to be drawn back into his dangerous world. Book

190 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

Reviews

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling story about revenge stemming from a past event. Phil and Wayne were bullied when they were younger. Flashbacks provide narrative to what had occurred. There is enough suspense to keep the story interesting. It’s a great start to a new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable crime thriller with major doses of sarcastic humor which kept me laughing out loud for the majority of the story. But at the same time, it was touching, heartbreaking, and infuriating all at the same time. Mr. Litherland managed to engender all of the emotions at once. There are wonderful characters that the reader loves spending time with and then there are those that the reader would love to strangle and mangle to death. Our hero here is not a big, strong, fearless journalist who battles all odds to get his story. He is a man who admits his fears (and they are many) but pushes through them to do what's right and support his friends. I wouldn't mind having a friend like Phil Tyler in real life. This is the first book in the Phil Tyler series and I can't wait to get my hands on the next two.
I received a review copy from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

[Stormie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does have a slow start, but once it picks up you will not want to put it down. The conflict but also mutual understanding between the characters is intriguing. The flashbacks to the past were a nice touch to add to the storyline. The life situations of the characters are relatable, especially Wayne, which makes the book more enjoyable. I highly recommend this book for the twists and turns, the conflict, and the overall connection you would not expect from the characters.

[Marcia Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crime/mystery in a hometown setting

I almost put the book down; it was slow going in the beginning. But my perseverance paid off; it picked up steam, and I did not want to put it down.
The relationship between Wayne and Phil was mystifying at first, but as the characters evolved, the story became intriguing. A well-written, enjoyable
read with lots of action and an unexpected ending.

Marcia Dove, Author of Fatal Field Trip

[Rebekka · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic start to a series, I was absolutely hooked. I could not put this story down. It was brilliant from start to finish. The characters where very well portrayed and the strength of each character was phenomenal. This was such a fast paced book that I finished within one sitting and was very disappointed that I had finished the book as I did not want it to end. This was a 5* read for me.

[Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Waves is a gripping, emotional thriller that hooked me from the very first page. Barry Litherland masterfully weaves past and present into a tense, heartfelt story about trauma, survival, and the bonds that refuse to break. Phil and Wayne’s journey is raw, human, and unforgettable, proof that the scars of the past can be as dangerous as any villain. A brilliant start to the Phil Tyler series!

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t believe everything you read by a journalist.

Although Phil is after the truth, what will it cost him? Ghosts from the past resurface, childhood friends and acquaintances come to the fore and secrets will out.

An excellent read, fast paced enough to keep you interested and an absolute joy to read. Will most certainly read more.

Delicious!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to start a series! The characters drew me into this story right from the start and the fast paced thrilling mystery kept me wanting to turn the pages. If you are looking for a book with twists and turns that keep you guessing then this is the book for you. I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book.

[kelly freaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced thriller which is a great start to a new series.. the subtle hints of what was to come didn't spoil away from the story and the paced that had you gripped towards the end. I'll definitely be reading the next ones

[Brad Dude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting flashbacks to the childhood of the main characters describing behaviors that impact their behaviors in adulthood. Like ripples in a pond, early behaviors, some positive some not, often reflect the challenges we face in our later years. Good story.

[Aria Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fat paced and tense, full of suspense and mystery. Well written with an unopredictable and engaging storyline and well developed charcaters. An enjoyable read.

[Yvette Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant start to a new series. Fast paced mystery and good characters, can’t wait for the next one. Wow

[Clare Brack · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fab 1st book of a promising series ! I will certainly be reading the next one..I actually didn't want to finish this one !

[Beccy Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cleverly written, a story about revenge that develops over time with breathtaking consequences!
Excellent characters who you can’t help but feel for, brilliant description of the settings.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a series. Fast pace, plot turning and a great page turner. I highly recommend for a reader that likes twist and turns.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phil and Wayne were friends from when they were young. Phil had a loving family home and Wayne had a rough life. His mum didn’t care where he was and his brother Tyrone was a violent bully that Phil, Wayne and their friends tried their best to avoid.

Wayne got into lots of scrapes and Phil constantly had to bail him out. Wayne disappeared from Phil’s life at time to time when he went into care.

Phil worked for the local newspaper but had a dream of working on high profile stories and working for a national newspaper. Wayne’s girlfriends dad was violently attacked and Wayne was a prime suspect for the police.

Phil tried to establish what had happened and spent most of his time investigating the assault while trying to avoid Tyrone and his cronies at the same time!

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to further books in the series.