Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Deep Waters
SERIES: Jagged Shores
AUTHOR: Thom Collins
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 240 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 27, 2022
BLURB:
In search of a story, he found murder and romance.
Author Christian Costner is researching material for one of his dark thrillers, and Nyemouth seems like the perfect setting for his next book. The small seaside town has witnessed plenty of trouble over the years, and Christian thinks it will provide him with the inspiration he needs.
He hires local tour guide and fisherman Harry Renner to help him explore the coastline for a couple of days. Harry is knowledgeable and mature beyond his twenty-eight years. Handsome, too, though Christian thinks Harry is far too young for him.
As the weather worsens, Harry cuts short their first sightseeing trip. Heading back to shore, they spot a figure in distress in the water. A difficult rescue is made far worse when they discover that the casualty has a knife wound to his abdomen and dies before they reach the safety of the harbour.
United by the trauma, Christian and Harry find comfort in each other, but when another murder comes to light, they find themselves at the heart of a dangerous mystery and the target of a killer more ruthless than they could ever imagine.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the third book in the series and there are appearances by characters from the previous books as well as illusions to the events of those books, but I think it would probably work as a standalone.
Christian is taking his holiday in Nyemouth doing research for the next book he’s going to write. He’s a journalist but also a novelist. He has met one of the residents of the town at a literary event and decided to visit. While on his first day tour on a boat to explore the local landscape are area, they run into bad weather coming in and so head back to the harbor. But Christian spots what he thinks might be a person in the water. Harry, the boat’s captain is also part of the Rescue team and along with his cousin Tom, manage to pull the man out of the water. But he’s been stabbed and despite their best effort, by the time the lifeboat crew gets there, he has died. Harry recognized the young man and can’t imagine who would do such a thing.
After talking to the police and drying off a bit, Harry and Christian go for a drink. They each find the other attractive and a few drinks, consider leaving together, but then there is word of another murder. What the heck is happening in this town? Christian is wondering what in the heck he’s walked in to. He’s curious but also a bit exhausted. Harry and Christian continue their friendly relationship but things heat up as the mystery goes on and the danger comes closer.
This series has proven to be interesting, but sort of like living in Cabot Cove, I’d be thinking about moving out given how many murders there seem to be 😉 Christian and Harry both feel the attraction, but both are a bit worried about the age gap. After seeing Harry in action though, Christian has a healthy respect for the maturity of the young man. He’s definitely got a level head and he isn’t swayed by flash and cash. Christian is a bit of a mystery at first but he also proves to be a good guy. The murder mystery is pretty well done – again this town maybe has some issues. I was interested to see the sort of casual bigotry that went on in the town. I think in most societies there is a bit of that undercurrent outside of the main metropolises (not to imply that is doesn’t exist in the metropolises). I really liked seeing AJ and Arnie and Dominic again. Jake and Lizzy return as well 🙂 I enjoyed both the romantic plot and the suspense was just the right amount to keep me reading. This is a really lovely addition to this series and if you have enjoyed the previous books, I think you’ll like this one too. Recommended.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Pride