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Kildevil Cove Murder Mysteries #3
Dark Tide
They say it never rains but it pours. Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector Danny Quirke would have to agree.
First someone murders a vulnerable Kildevil Cove man and dumps him in an abandoned well. Then the body of a sex-trafficking victim washes up on a nearby beach. Danny has to get to the bottom of both deaths, but with few leads and little support from his superiors, he’s spinning his wheels in a mud pit of a case. Vital resources go missing, witnesses disappear, and suspects proliferate.
Each step toward the truth brings him two steps back. Help comes in the form of Scottish investigator Martin Belshawe, but he may not be who he says he is, and someone in the highest echelons of the Newfoundland Constabulary is lying to Danny. Even Danny’s lover, Tadhg Heaney, whom he looks to for emotional support, seems to know more than he should about the shady characters who keep popping up in the investigation.
With time running out, Danny must decide who, if anyone, he can trust—before the sex traffickers claim their next victims. But on an island, there's no escaping the tide.
First someone murders a vulnerable Kildevil Cove man and dumps him in an abandoned well. Then the body of a sex-trafficking victim washes up on a nearby beach. Danny has to get to the bottom of both deaths, but with few leads and little support from his superiors, he’s spinning his wheels in a mud pit of a case. Vital resources go missing, witnesses disappear, and suspects proliferate.
Each step toward the truth brings him two steps back. Help comes in the form of Scottish investigator Martin Belshawe, but he may not be who he says he is, and someone in the highest echelons of the Newfoundland Constabulary is lying to Danny. Even Danny’s lover, Tadhg Heaney, whom he looks to for emotional support, seems to know more than he should about the shady characters who keep popping up in the investigation.
With time running out, Danny must decide who, if anyone, he can trust—before the sex traffickers claim their next victims. But on an island, there's no escaping the tide.
- GenresM M Romance
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2021
3 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 24, 2022
The best thing about this series is the author's skill in setting a strong sense of place ... Guernsey, Newfoundland comes alive for me in these pages. There's lots of murders and death as usual - keeping Danny and his crew busy chasing down leads and interviewing suspects. The topic of sex-slavery will be triggering for some - and yes, some passages were truly harrowing/bleak. The 'romance' aspects between Danny and Taighe goes on the back-burner (with the latter making sporadic appearances) as the procedural aspects taking precedence - no complaints from me here. I mean it's only a year or more since they got together at the end of book 1 so I guess there's quite a way for them to go as yet - and despite the rings, no-one seems ready to take things any further.
By tales end, when plots threads were being wound up, the final treacherous revelations caught me completely off-guard, and I wonder if that 'loose end' may yet come back to bite Danny in the behind; on top of which - the cliffhanger ending regarding Danny's origins leaves me gasping for what's to come next! 4.5 stars.
By tales end, when plots threads were being wound up, the final treacherous revelations caught me completely off-guard, and I wonder if that 'loose end' may yet come back to bite Danny in the behind; on top of which - the cliffhanger ending regarding Danny's origins leaves me gasping for what's to come next! 4.5 stars.
January 7, 2022
J S Cook's Kildevil Cove series just gets better and better! It was lovely to reconnect with Inspector Danny Quirke, his hunky partner Tadhg Heaney, and the wonderful (and mostly queer) officers of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
When a mentally challenged but harmless local man is found murdered, Danny embarks upon what he hopes and expects will be a fairly straight-forward investigation. He is rather shocked at the murdered man's mother's lack of concern upon hearing of her son's fate, and her subsequent disappearance only adds to his suspicion that he's opened a rather large can of worms... meanwhile, the body of a young woman with a barcode tattooed on her neck is washed up on the shore, and everything points to a people trafficking operation, being carried out right there in Kildevil Cove under the noses of the local police.
At least the two cases aren't connected in any way ... are they?
But why have so many vulnerable local girls seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth upon leaving the care system? And why is Danny's boss, Moira Fraser, so keen to relieve him of the investigation? So many questions, so many lies, so many people with secrets to protect ... as the bodies begin to pile up and the local clergy and even Interpol become involved, Danny and his loyal sidekicks Sgts Kevin Carbage, June Carbage and Cillian Riley find themselves in a race against time to uncover what's really going on here.
Oh, and there's also the little matter of a secret in Danny's own past - why is his sister Sandra telling him that he's 'been lied to all his life'?
Finishing on a splendid cliffhanger, with all the loose ends far from neatly tied up, this fast-paced, cleverly written thriller leaves us hungry for more! Fortunately, a fourth Kildevil Cove mystery is waiting in the wings ...
When a mentally challenged but harmless local man is found murdered, Danny embarks upon what he hopes and expects will be a fairly straight-forward investigation. He is rather shocked at the murdered man's mother's lack of concern upon hearing of her son's fate, and her subsequent disappearance only adds to his suspicion that he's opened a rather large can of worms... meanwhile, the body of a young woman with a barcode tattooed on her neck is washed up on the shore, and everything points to a people trafficking operation, being carried out right there in Kildevil Cove under the noses of the local police.
At least the two cases aren't connected in any way ... are they?
But why have so many vulnerable local girls seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth upon leaving the care system? And why is Danny's boss, Moira Fraser, so keen to relieve him of the investigation? So many questions, so many lies, so many people with secrets to protect ... as the bodies begin to pile up and the local clergy and even Interpol become involved, Danny and his loyal sidekicks Sgts Kevin Carbage, June Carbage and Cillian Riley find themselves in a race against time to uncover what's really going on here.
Oh, and there's also the little matter of a secret in Danny's own past - why is his sister Sandra telling him that he's 'been lied to all his life'?
Finishing on a splendid cliffhanger, with all the loose ends far from neatly tied up, this fast-paced, cleverly written thriller leaves us hungry for more! Fortunately, a fourth Kildevil Cove mystery is waiting in the wings ...
January 29, 2022
“Dark Tide” is the third installment to the “Kildevil Cove Murder Mysteries” by J.S. Cook. Deiniol “Danny” Quirke and Tadhg Heaney return as another chaotic mystery becomes the focus for Danny.
In Newfoundland there’s a small quiet village of Kildevil Cove, but it doesn’t stay quiet for long.
Danny Quirke has been getting his feet wet with his new Constabulary Inspector position at the Royal Newfoundland PD. He gets immersed with the complications of the murder of Johnny Locke, a mentally challenged man, who was never a problem. Ursula Heffernan, who doesn’t seem to care that her son Johnny is dead. Then in the midst of the complex case, a body of a young, un-identified woman washes up near Singles Bridge. When Danny reports to Chief Inspector Moira Fraser, he’s basically told to back off.
But Danny can’t back off and the suspect pool and the investigations get chaotic. Missing witnesses, a priest, a stranger in town, tattoos and it all leads to danger. Who can he trust? As Danny’s emotions ride high as Tadhg helps Danny it causes conflict. He’s also not told Tadhg about his odd blood type. What of the cryptic messages from Dannys sister, Sandra?
J.S. Cook creates another outstanding, twisted and complex mystery with “Dark Tide”. Each novel has gotten better and better and one thing that J.S. Cook leaves me with is just that slight touch of the eerie. The story get’s in-depth with: police procedure, investigations and forensic procedures and mounting clues to both murders.
Tadhg Heaney, daughter Lily and Jesper who handles the Day Lilly are still notable characters. For this one there’s a good support team for Danny. Constable Sgt. Riley Cillean, twin Constables Kevin and June Carbage, and Dougie Hughes. Forensics officer, Dr. Reagan Lampe, and Bobbi Lambert.
I’m very curious about the connection between Riley Cillean and Kevin Carbage, I wonder if there will be an interesting development with them. They really come through as a good working team.
I’m a long time follower of J.S. Cook and with each book she amazes me. I still love how she intermingles the Scottish/Irish dialect and the rural settings, customs and climate into the story. As always, I’m ready for book four, as there will be more to come for Deiniol and Tadhg.
In Newfoundland there’s a small quiet village of Kildevil Cove, but it doesn’t stay quiet for long.
Danny Quirke has been getting his feet wet with his new Constabulary Inspector position at the Royal Newfoundland PD. He gets immersed with the complications of the murder of Johnny Locke, a mentally challenged man, who was never a problem. Ursula Heffernan, who doesn’t seem to care that her son Johnny is dead. Then in the midst of the complex case, a body of a young, un-identified woman washes up near Singles Bridge. When Danny reports to Chief Inspector Moira Fraser, he’s basically told to back off.
But Danny can’t back off and the suspect pool and the investigations get chaotic. Missing witnesses, a priest, a stranger in town, tattoos and it all leads to danger. Who can he trust? As Danny’s emotions ride high as Tadhg helps Danny it causes conflict. He’s also not told Tadhg about his odd blood type. What of the cryptic messages from Dannys sister, Sandra?
J.S. Cook creates another outstanding, twisted and complex mystery with “Dark Tide”. Each novel has gotten better and better and one thing that J.S. Cook leaves me with is just that slight touch of the eerie. The story get’s in-depth with: police procedure, investigations and forensic procedures and mounting clues to both murders.
Tadhg Heaney, daughter Lily and Jesper who handles the Day Lilly are still notable characters. For this one there’s a good support team for Danny. Constable Sgt. Riley Cillean, twin Constables Kevin and June Carbage, and Dougie Hughes. Forensics officer, Dr. Reagan Lampe, and Bobbi Lambert.
I’m very curious about the connection between Riley Cillean and Kevin Carbage, I wonder if there will be an interesting development with them. They really come through as a good working team.
I’m a long time follower of J.S. Cook and with each book she amazes me. I still love how she intermingles the Scottish/Irish dialect and the rural settings, customs and climate into the story. As always, I’m ready for book four, as there will be more to come for Deiniol and Tadhg.
September 29, 2023
Dark Tide (Kildevil Cove 3)
By J.S. Cook
DSP Publications, 2021
Four stars
Like the others in this series so far (and the one awaiting my attention), “Dark Tide” continues the story of Deiniol Quirke, a Newfoundland detective banished to the sleepy little town of Kildevil Cove.
Dark is the key word here, and this is a dark story indeed, with a substantial and grisly body count. On the other hand, Danny Quirke is really not a dark character. He’s gentle and kind, and while he has a temper, it’s not without good reason.
When the body of a marginalized young man is found brutally murdered and stuffed down an old well, the summertime peace of Kildevil Cove is shattered. That’s just the beginning, as a drowned young woman washes up on the beach. The two deaths seem unrelated, but Danny’s inquiries quickly begin to cause serious ripples in the calm water of his sleepy hamlet.
It’s a really good yarn, building in tension and confusion, purposely crafted by the author, with multiple viewpoints dropped in to both inform and distract the reader. Appalling secrets are uncovered, and at one point, as a local problem begins to feel potentially international, Danny feels the situation has entirely spun out of control.
Danny’s ongoing relationship with his longtime friend (now fiancé) Tadhg Heaney, with his daughter Lily and their goofy dog Easter, offers respite from the anxiety and drudgery of the case. But Danny Quirke is not one to let a thought fly away, and even in this place of love and peace there are intimations of untold trouble.
At the end, while not a cliffhanger, Cook leaves us with a very unsettled and unhappy Danny. The author clearly doesn’t want the reader to feel any happier than her main character does. This both made me sad, and of course forced me to buy book four in the series.
By J.S. Cook
DSP Publications, 2021
Four stars
Like the others in this series so far (and the one awaiting my attention), “Dark Tide” continues the story of Deiniol Quirke, a Newfoundland detective banished to the sleepy little town of Kildevil Cove.
Dark is the key word here, and this is a dark story indeed, with a substantial and grisly body count. On the other hand, Danny Quirke is really not a dark character. He’s gentle and kind, and while he has a temper, it’s not without good reason.
When the body of a marginalized young man is found brutally murdered and stuffed down an old well, the summertime peace of Kildevil Cove is shattered. That’s just the beginning, as a drowned young woman washes up on the beach. The two deaths seem unrelated, but Danny’s inquiries quickly begin to cause serious ripples in the calm water of his sleepy hamlet.
It’s a really good yarn, building in tension and confusion, purposely crafted by the author, with multiple viewpoints dropped in to both inform and distract the reader. Appalling secrets are uncovered, and at one point, as a local problem begins to feel potentially international, Danny feels the situation has entirely spun out of control.
Danny’s ongoing relationship with his longtime friend (now fiancé) Tadhg Heaney, with his daughter Lily and their goofy dog Easter, offers respite from the anxiety and drudgery of the case. But Danny Quirke is not one to let a thought fly away, and even in this place of love and peace there are intimations of untold trouble.
At the end, while not a cliffhanger, Cook leaves us with a very unsettled and unhappy Danny. The author clearly doesn’t want the reader to feel any happier than her main character does. This both made me sad, and of course forced me to buy book four in the series.
January 4, 2022
J.S. Cook knows her stuff. In Dark Tide (3nd in the Kildevil Cove Mystery series) she delivers what her readers want and she does it from a knowledgeable standpoint: from police procedurals to forensics, from the common everyday dialects and customs of the Newfoundland people to the stark realities of what our society has become and the growing evil that washes the shores of what once was a safe haven. She weaves this tale of— not one murder, mind you, but...well, I won’t give it away but the body count grows and she keeps the reader on edge.
Danny Quirke and his astute team of cops in Kildevil Cove have a knack for piecing things together. But when locals start dying, and bodies with odd tattoos are found, they are put on high alert. Throw a few priests into the mix, add a stranger in town and the mystery deepens. From drugs to fraud, from runaway teens to human trafficking, this story keeps you turning pages. Stir in a beautiful love story between two guys who have found each other and who work toward becoming a family after being separated for many years and you have a well-rounded, exciting read.
If you like a good murder mystery and a bit of romance to spice things up; if you like well-rounded characters and rural settings with quaint customs; if you want to be shocked by the possibilities of what happens in the underworld that exists right beside us every day, I highly recommend this fabulous read.
Danny Quirke and his astute team of cops in Kildevil Cove have a knack for piecing things together. But when locals start dying, and bodies with odd tattoos are found, they are put on high alert. Throw a few priests into the mix, add a stranger in town and the mystery deepens. From drugs to fraud, from runaway teens to human trafficking, this story keeps you turning pages. Stir in a beautiful love story between two guys who have found each other and who work toward becoming a family after being separated for many years and you have a well-rounded, exciting read.
If you like a good murder mystery and a bit of romance to spice things up; if you like well-rounded characters and rural settings with quaint customs; if you want to be shocked by the possibilities of what happens in the underworld that exists right beside us every day, I highly recommend this fabulous read.
May 10, 2022
This was a reread for me as I have just bought the next in the series, Dark Souls, and wanted to refresh my memory. I love the characters, particularly as they grow and develop in each story. The background is beautifully wrought, although I admit that I have a few problems keeping the fact the setting is Newfoundland - and not Scotland, particularly as the links to Ireland and Scotland are strong. This is a fascinating police procedural covering a harrowing and topical subject - modern day slavery. It is particularly shocking when set against the “rural idyll” of Kildare Cove, proving there is no such thing. The storyline is very open ended, and I would recommend you start with the first in the series Dark Cove (as it was republished ) rather than starting here
September 3, 2022
Bland and unengaging pastiche of several UK series by far more talented writers. No real plot to speak of, and the main character (Inspector "Deiniol" - could the author have chosen a more obscure and bizarre name?- Quirke) is a stifling bore who, when he's not trying (and failing) to solve crimes is mooning around, wondering if his partner loves him. How anyone can be an effective police officer when he's so busy obsessing over his love life is beyond me. Save your money and skip this sad excuse for a mystery novel.
December 12, 2022
Another intense read, but with the very troubling human trafficking as its theme.
Tadgh and Danny seem much more settled - all very lovee dovey between the two now, and even the odd tiff doesn’t worry us.
The string of murders and disappearances is wuite high for a remote part of the world, and the webs that are woven, are very interwoven with treachery and involvement all the way up.
We do get a solution but I feel itis not all there yet as a few loose ends still in my head.
The strong sense of place gets stronger with each book.
Tadgh and Danny seem much more settled - all very lovee dovey between the two now, and even the odd tiff doesn’t worry us.
The string of murders and disappearances is wuite high for a remote part of the world, and the webs that are woven, are very interwoven with treachery and involvement all the way up.
We do get a solution but I feel itis not all there yet as a few loose ends still in my head.
The strong sense of place gets stronger with each book.
August 25, 2023
Love and mystery
Cook threads the love story of Tadgh(sp?) and Danny brilliantly with the darker thrill of the mystery. All the characters feel real and react accordingly. The personalities are varied and true.
Cook threads the love story of Tadgh(sp?) and Danny brilliantly with the darker thrill of the mystery. All the characters feel real and react accordingly. The personalities are varied and true.
July 25, 2022
** 4.5 Stars **
February 20, 2023
I enjoy the mysteries in these books. You get a POV of the killer as well as the policework from a great group of police. Who seem to work really well together.
November 8, 2024
Set in New Foundland, people is a very small town are showing up dead. Why? Danny finds out that things are now what he thought they were and people that he trusted are not who he thought they were
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews