Wow this is the first book in this series and it was an excellent read.

I did like the premise of the killer using a book to do the killings. The characters were well fleshed out and not one-dimensional.

I did think it started a bit slow at first but the further I got into it the more it had my attention.

It was full of suspense and mystery

What a mystery! The book can be described as life comes full circle, as well as the past, is never in the past. However, the supposed premise of the story is the killer using the book written by Jago to kill. Perhaps Jago's book is a guide to how and where the killer will kill next. That does remind me of another book by Patterson called Murder Games. Therefore, that wasn't original. However, the ending was surprising. That was not something I would expect as throughout the story it never pointed me to that conclusion. Jess and Jago's relationship is boring. Even when Jess's personality is full of color and life. Overall, it's not your run of the mill mystery of who dunit.

Thank you to the HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
This is Book 1 of a Jess Bridges Mystery, Black River by Joss Stirling is a very entertaining book and we are introduced to some interesting and fascinating characters in the storyline.
I particularly liked the reference to Jess Bridges’s ADHD and how it affects her behaviour and found the character of Hess very appealing and entertaining.
The storyline was about people being murdered and then the killer taking on the victims persona before his next victim. It was entertaining and an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading book 2 in the series.
Highly recommended.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of Black River, the first novel to feature Oxford based PI Jess Bridges.

Jess finds a murdered body while swimming in the river and DI Leo George is tasked with investigating. Then there is another murder and it seems that the killer is picking wild swimming spots, places Jess and her friend, wild swimming expert Jago Jackson have visited.

I found Black River to be a mixed bag with an interesting murder plot and a couple of equally interesting subplots which got caught up in a kind of chick lit floss. The novel has 3 main narrative voices, Jess Bridges, DI Leo George and forensic psychologist Michael Harrison. Jess’s narrative is in the first person so the reader gets up close and personal with her. Jess is a bubbly, fun character with what seems a contradictory dedication to her job. She will appeal to many readers but I found her tiresome and some of the situations she gets into very contrived. I think my sense of humour must be narrow as this simply didn’t make me laugh or even snigger and I found it silly rather than entertaining. Did I mention she’s a sex goddess with just about every man she comes into contact with falling for her? Precisely.

I liked the murder plot and the subplots. I thought they were well done with gradual reveals and a logical build up to the denouements. I’m not a killjoy but I feel that this novel was trying to straddle different genres. For some it will work, for me not so much.

Jess Bridges goes for a naked swim late in the evening on the Thames near Oxford. While in the water she finds a body in a boat and a dog steals her clothes. So the book starts! Jess is a private investigator among her other talents. There is a local author who has written a book on wild swimming spots in the area. Is someone using the book to find deserted places to murder people?

The book follows Jess, somewhat chaotic, and DI Leo George, in charge of the case and not chaotic. Jess is without doubt the main character. However other characters do roam the pages of this book - generally to good effect. There are twists and turns and some of them may be a little obvious. The writing is sharp/crisp and makes for very easy reading. The pace here is good. There is definitely humour here - I did smile from time to time.

Other threads are woven into this story. Jess's private life (some times not so) is "interesting". Her family relationships are a little fraught. A stalker of an ex of hers provides another aspect to the story. Throw in the fact that Jess is working a case of her own and there is plenty to got involved with here.

This is a slightly odd book for me. It is kinda chic lit which I would not normally bother with. However it is also a halfway decent murder mystery story as well. In addition I found Jess an entirely likeable and mostly convincing character. Slightly frustratingly there was mention of a previous case however I can't find a book about it. That is a pity in my view as I would happily read more about Jess. If I wasn't blown away by the book I did find it entertaining and enjoyable.

This book is due to be released on my birthday and i was so pleased to be asked to review it having read and loved all Joss Stirling's previous books.
I enjoyed getting my teeth into this story, Jess is a likeable and fun character if a little scatty although I did find it a bit strange that ALL the male characters want to be with her!
The story had a few twists and turns and seemed to have several parallel stories running, I didn't find her private investigator story as interesting as the murder one. I found it a little slow to get going, but after that I was invested to see what happened and it all tied up pretty neatly.
I really liked Leo and Michael and I'll be interested to see what they get up to in the next installment.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my eARC in return for my honest review.

Joss Stirling has been a favourite author of mine for about a decade now, and Black River doesn't disappoint! I loved reentering Jess Bridges's world, and being reintroduced to old characters from a different point in their lives. And the murder mystery? That was chilling, mind baffling, and gripping at the same time. You never knew exactly where the investigation was going to go! the book never slowed down and completely kept you on your toes. I enjoyed getting different characters' points of view, but I have to say that I enjoyed Jess's the most, because she wonderfully impulsive and the way she sees the world is nothing short of refreshing. Joss, you've done it again, and I eagerly await the next installment of the series!

It's with some regret that I preface my review by stating summarily that I just did not care for this novel. Any chapter starting with Jess was a signal to start skimming. Even when we finally know the culprit, it doesn't satisfactorily explain the first killing. Jess is made out to be a catch. She has Drew, Michael, Leo and Elijah all pining after her. But she seems such a confused character. The killer didn't seem to have a scheme that made sense. I did like Leo, the cop in charge. The murder investigation itself was pleasing to read.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

What a great read. I thought it was going to be another run-of-the-mill murder mystery book, which I like anyway. However it also had some excellent humor included coming from Jessica Bridges. The book ended with a host of options available. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see what path Jess takes next. If you get the chance to read this book, do so.

I had trouble getting into this book, but on persevering it was a good read. This is what I would call a cozy mystery, a light read with a good plot. P.I. Jess Bridges who finds a dead body whilst having a skinny dip in the Thames decides to investigate the case as she and the police believe the murders are being copied from author Jago Jackson’s book. Good characters and set mostly in Oxford.

Thank You netgalley, publisher & author for this gifted e-arc.

I enjoyed this read.
It was the perfect book to end my summer off with it.
I like the character this book had. The plot. The twist.
It was all very well written.
This is my first time reading a Joss book. And I'm looking forward to another one.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. It was a well written book. I liked the variety of characters in it. I hope to read more books by this author.

Is there a category of romantic thrillers? If not, this maybe a start. A female private investigator is challenged with three different cases, none of which she gets paid for. This has at least 2 past and three current love interests and you wonder with whom she winds up with while the cases take her to the banks of the rivers near Oxford, a movie set at the university and the polish mob scene. At times a little bit disorienting, but you find your questions answered, most of them anyway.

It is a British story, so it has the smell of the Thames and the sound of London. Still a fun read.