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Wild Fens #9
In Dead Water
The rising tide waits for no man...
When the body of a teenage girl is found submerged in coastal marshland it falls to DI Freya Bloom and DS Ben Savage to roll their sleeves up and dig for the truth.
With no evidence to go on and no team to help them, the pair find themselves heading further into deep water, until they are faced with just one option - break the rules, and swim for the shore.
In Dead Water is the unforgettable ninth book in the Wild Fens Murder Mystery series by Jack Cartwright. Filled with twists, peppered with romance, and flavoured with humour, the Wild Fens Murder Mystery series is perfect for fans of JD Kirk, JM Dalgliesh, Ann Cleeves, and Rachel McClean.
When the body of a teenage girl is found submerged in coastal marshland it falls to DI Freya Bloom and DS Ben Savage to roll their sleeves up and dig for the truth.
With no evidence to go on and no team to help them, the pair find themselves heading further into deep water, until they are faced with just one option - break the rules, and swim for the shore.
In Dead Water is the unforgettable ninth book in the Wild Fens Murder Mystery series by Jack Cartwright. Filled with twists, peppered with romance, and flavoured with humour, the Wild Fens Murder Mystery series is perfect for fans of JD Kirk, JM Dalgliesh, Ann Cleeves, and Rachel McClean.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
1035 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 20, 2023
Brilliant atmospheric fast paced story
I enjoyed the setting of the book. The chemistry between the characters was brilliant and I got to like and care about each member of the team. All the characters were beautifully drawn. The story was gripping and moved at an enjoyable pace and kept me interested and engaged from start to finish.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers and enjoys getting to know the characters in a story. I can't wait for the next book.
I enjoyed the setting of the book. The chemistry between the characters was brilliant and I got to like and care about each member of the team. All the characters were beautifully drawn. The story was gripping and moved at an enjoyable pace and kept me interested and engaged from start to finish.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers and enjoys getting to know the characters in a story. I can't wait for the next book.
April 27, 2023
Congratulations on yet another brilliantly written book which I started it i could not put it down. I so love the banter between DI Freya Bloom and DS Ben savage more please. When there is a Murder jack writes in a serious manner and believe me it works. I Absolutely loved reading all of Jack's book's and would definitely recommend to other avid readers like me.
September 24, 2023
My ratings have got worse and worse and its not really because of the mystery it’s interesting but I cannot handle DI Bloom if this woman was chocolate she would eat herself. Between being self-righteousness and rude even as she calls other people on their rudeness I can’t take it anymore. I would really like the author to kill her off. Also another beef I have with this character is how she flaunts herself trying to tempt her partner into cheating on his girlfriend. Strange behaviour for someone who has been on the receiving end of such behaviour.
As for her lap dog Sergeant Savage what has happened to him. I have no words. I can only hope that his relationship with Michaela last and I don’t have to witness the two of the panting over one another again.
I have downloaded book 10 but I cannot read it because I have seen release dates for book 11 and 12 and now consider life to be too short to read such a hateful person.
As for her lap dog Sergeant Savage what has happened to him. I have no words. I can only hope that his relationship with Michaela last and I don’t have to witness the two of the panting over one another again.
I have downloaded book 10 but I cannot read it because I have seen release dates for book 11 and 12 and now consider life to be too short to read such a hateful person.
January 24, 2024
I'm really not sure about this book.
There's plenty of good story here. It begins well and ends well. My problem is with what happens in between. There are red herrings that draw the reader away from the truth. There's also a lot of repetitious dialogue. Also the team is split up. At one time I was close to putting this book down. It was just getting too confusing. But I'm glad I didn't.
Why do authors think that they are giving more value for money when they pad out their stories?
Four stars, but it was close to being three or even fewer. I do like the characters in this series though.
There's plenty of good story here. It begins well and ends well. My problem is with what happens in between. There are red herrings that draw the reader away from the truth. There's also a lot of repetitious dialogue. Also the team is split up. At one time I was close to putting this book down. It was just getting too confusing. But I'm glad I didn't.
Why do authors think that they are giving more value for money when they pad out their stories?
Four stars, but it was close to being three or even fewer. I do like the characters in this series though.
October 21, 2023
I’ve rated this as 3* as I was uncomfortable with the sexual harassment that was treated so lightly. If the sexes had been reversed and it was the male who was the senior officer harassing a female lower rank it would have been written as being wrong. However reversing the gender doesn’t make it all right.
The protagonist is written as an unpleasant crude and out of control character who treats sexual harassment as a joke.
It’s a shame as the story line and plot were otherwise clever and engaging.
The protagonist is written as an unpleasant crude and out of control character who treats sexual harassment as a joke.
It’s a shame as the story line and plot were otherwise clever and engaging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
4.5 stars. An enjoyable detective story which also seems like another instalment of the battle of the sexes. I am glad to read that Ben is beginning to fight back and not let Freya have the last word all the time. Everything as nice cosy at the end of this case but I doubt it will last, no more than I expect Standing to last as DCI Kesteven Serious Crime Team.
The story line was good with plenty of red herring although I had an inkling who the killer was from about two thirds of the way through. 4.5 stars because I feel that perfection in fiction is very hard to find.
The story line was good with plenty of red herring although I had an inkling who the killer was from about two thirds of the way through. 4.5 stars because I feel that perfection in fiction is very hard to find.
December 17, 2023
Another winner for me
This is the next in the series.
This was a really intriguing story w th many twists and turns. This story introduced new police characters which helped DI Bloom to set her stall and show another side but does it last. That's where you have to read this story. I just loved it a nd I'm now starting the next in the series. Thank you Jack Cartwright for this wonderful series.
This is the next in the series.
This was a really intriguing story w th many twists and turns. This story introduced new police characters which helped DI Bloom to set her stall and show another side but does it last. That's where you have to read this story. I just loved it a nd I'm now starting the next in the series. Thank you Jack Cartwright for this wonderful series.
December 7, 2024
Another great read
The new DCI tries to intimidate the team but as they all know him of old, they aren’t too impressed by his methods. Freya and Ben are sent to help another force to get them away from the station while Standing gets his views over. However, he doesn’t realise how loyal they are to Freya and Ben and how much they will do to keep her in charge. He’s not going to get away to intimidating Freya or her team.
The new DCI tries to intimidate the team but as they all know him of old, they aren’t too impressed by his methods. Freya and Ben are sent to help another force to get them away from the station while Standing gets his views over. However, he doesn’t realise how loyal they are to Freya and Ben and how much they will do to keep her in charge. He’s not going to get away to intimidating Freya or her team.
June 13, 2024
The door got fixed at last
I just finished writing a review of the previous book, mentioning that I was tired of hearing about the squeaking door to the incident room, and to my surprise the squeak got fixed at the very beginning of the current book. Great surprise, ending, and nice smooth wrap up.
I just finished writing a review of the previous book, mentioning that I was tired of hearing about the squeaking door to the incident room, and to my surprise the squeak got fixed at the very beginning of the current book. Great surprise, ending, and nice smooth wrap up.
August 2, 2025
A pleasing end
I was unsure where this was going. I resent Standing having any presence in the book as I enjoyed the banter from all of the previous ones. I hope he is written out of the series asap or better still gets run over by a bus. I guess my feelings are high as the author has written the story so well. Here's hoping.....
I was unsure where this was going. I resent Standing having any presence in the book as I enjoyed the banter from all of the previous ones. I hope he is written out of the series asap or better still gets run over by a bus. I guess my feelings are high as the author has written the story so well. Here's hoping.....
May 14, 2023
Wow!
There were some intense moments in this book! It kept me reading and guessing the whole way. DI Bloom and her team are among the best. They compliment each other well. I hope their boss goes away. Then it will be perfect. I highly recommend this series.
There were some intense moments in this book! It kept me reading and guessing the whole way. DI Bloom and her team are among the best. They compliment each other well. I hope their boss goes away. Then it will be perfect. I highly recommend this series.
December 12, 2023
another brilliant read
I love this series always keeps me on my toes and I love reading thr character progressions.
The mysteries are always well thought out and brilliant in nature. Can’t wait to read more.
I love this series always keeps me on my toes and I love reading thr character progressions.
The mysteries are always well thought out and brilliant in nature. Can’t wait to read more.
July 12, 2024
brilliant
With each book the team relationships grow. Brilliant reading. Very cleaver plot, kept me guessing right to the end. Frea’s character is very complex and alluring. Thanks Jack for another gem.
With each book the team relationships grow. Brilliant reading. Very cleaver plot, kept me guessing right to the end. Frea’s character is very complex and alluring. Thanks Jack for another gem.
Want to read
November 19, 2024Ch2 P45 But Moses told his folk: “My people, you have wronged yourselves in accepting the calf, so turn towards your maker in repentance and kill your own guilty selves; that will be better for you with your Maker. He will then relent towards you, since He is the Relenting, the Merciful.”
January 19, 2025
Outstanding!
I know that my most recent reviews of this series have been, like the books themselves, mediocre. But that changes with this book. My review consists of one word ... outstanding! And especially Chapter 56! A very solid 5-star read!
I know that my most recent reviews of this series have been, like the books themselves, mediocre. But that changes with this book. My review consists of one word ... outstanding! And especially Chapter 56! A very solid 5-star read!
March 1, 2025
I enjoyed this British crime thriller where Freya and Ben are faced with impossible tasks and yet...
The character development was well done and I liked the banter between them.
This was a tangled web with plenty of twists and turns.
A well-written and engaging story.
Recommended.
The character development was well done and I liked the banter between them.
This was a tangled web with plenty of twists and turns.
A well-written and engaging story.
Recommended.
August 30, 2025
A young girls is found partially submerged in the mud on the marsh. Freye and Ben are sent by despicable Standing to help out the limited force up there at the shore...with no resources, it will be an uphill battle to discover who has been killing girls in this similar way. Freya will have to follow the rules in the way she does and her team will help out even when told not to. Great team.
May 7, 2023
Freya and Ben are normally a good team but in this book I wanted to knock their heads together and tell them to grow up.
May 13, 2023
Love this series of books. Just enough of the characters back stories without it taking over, but enough to feel invested in them.
May 15, 2023
Brilliant
Fabulous story, great dialogue with plenty of humour.
A story that keeps you guessing til the end.
Can't wait for the next book.
Fabulous story, great dialogue with plenty of humour.
A story that keeps you guessing til the end.
Can't wait for the next book.
May 19, 2023
Another fantastic book from a great author
The book had be enthralled from start to finish. I enjoyed every bit of the book, I couldn't put it down. A fabulous author.
The book had be enthralled from start to finish. I enjoyed every bit of the book, I couldn't put it down. A fabulous author.
May 25, 2023
As always an excellent read ! This author is one of the best crime writers around !
June 8, 2023
absolutely brilliant!
Great storyline with lots of twists and turns . Can’t wait for the next one! Best in series so far
Great storyline with lots of twists and turns . Can’t wait for the next one! Best in series so far
June 10, 2023
Complicated
A really good read, plenty of twists and turns, keeping you interested to the end.
The side stories were a bit of a drag but acceptable.
A really good read, plenty of twists and turns, keeping you interested to the end.
The side stories were a bit of a drag but acceptable.
July 21, 2023
I haven't read a book yet by Jack Cartwright that I didn't find brilliant, and this was no different, a really good story that grabs your interest from start to finish.
August 26, 2023
Love the characters in this novel. As always humour and many twists and turns.
October 13, 2023
Jack Cartwright brings to life the fragrant Freya Bloom as the DI and Ben Savage as her loyal Sergeant Love, intrigue and investigation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
Bloody good thriller
Best book so far, still wanted Freya and Ben to get together. Good ending. Is there any more?
I hope.
Best book so far, still wanted Freya and Ben to get together. Good ending. Is there any more?
I hope.
November 27, 2023
Once again s very good read, keeps you on your toes ,
Brilliant !
Brilliant !
January 31, 2024
Really enjoyed this story. More detail than the last story . Looks like I’ll keep going and finish all 12 in the series 😆
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews