After absolutely loving Sam Lloyd's debut The Memory Wood I had rather high hope's for The Rising Tide.
For at least a good two thirds of this book I was disappointed. It felt slow and lacked the intrigue and intensity I had felt for The Memory Wood. I also didn't find any relatable characters but this is not always a problem for me if the thrill of the ride is still there.
I have to admit the pace did pick up in the latter part of the book and this is where the story did get exciting and I was finding myself eager to turn the pages.
But for me there were a few things that lacked depth and left me feeling disappointed, including some of the main reveals at the conclusion of the book.
If you fancy a loss at sea-based mystery and a mother's chase to save the one's she loves with a side helping of broken, honorable cop then you probably will enjoy this. I gave this book a 4 🌟 simply because it was a thrilling read in parts.

Thanks netgalley for this terrific book.
I could imagine the waves in the big storm and could feel the waves going up and down.
Once I picked the book up could not put it down, and never guessed the ending.
The characters were great, and all the descriptions were top notch.

„The Rising Tide“ is a disturbing and very intense story. It is one of those books you should dive into only with the basic knowledge about it. Lucy lives with her husband Daniel and two children in a house at the Cornish coast. One day Daniel goes missing. But before Lucy can start to look for him she hears that also her two children are gone. Daniel obviously took them out on their yacht in the middle of a storm. Lucy can’t understand what is happening to her, why her whole life comes crashing down. But it seems that maybe her life with Daniel is not so happy after all.

This is my first book from Sam Lloyd. It took me a while to get used to his intense and unusual style. But I soon was hooked. The story let me constantly doubt anything I thought I knew about the characters. Lucy’s pain is raw and heartbreaking. Unfortunately I was not so keen of her. But this is never a reason to not enjoy a good psychological thriller. The claustrophobic atmosphere in the small coastal village is captured perfectly. The weather and the sea are a part of their life and are characters of their own in this novel. There is a feeling of doom lingering throughout the whole story. Unfortunately the author weaves some religious aspects into it. The detective, who investigates what happens, seems to see himself more of a man of god and he often quotes the bible. Also the whole “Katharsis” thing at the end felt a bit weird.

I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a good, unusual and intense psychological thriller.

I did enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I forgot to review it after reading it and too much time has gone for me to write something useful.
Apologies

Lucy and Daniel Locke are a happy couple living with their two children in a small seaside community on the treacherous Cornish coast. Both are people of the sea – Daniel owns a marine business together with his old childhood mate, and Lucy has built up a successful food venue in a town that relies on both fishing as well as tourism. Their beautiful home overlooks the ocean that is an integral part of their existence, and their life seems idyllic to any stranger peering in through the windows. Until the day one of Lucy’s friends and employees comes running up to her house to inform her that their boat has been found drifting out to sea, abandoned. And Lucy’s world comes crashing down ....



Sam Lloyd is an author who is new to me, but it didn’t take me long to find out that he is an absolute master at creating a claustrophobic, atmospheric background on which he will paint his terrifying, pulse pounding thriller. Step 1: describe an idyllic seaside village that instantly makes everyone want to pack up on go there on holidays. Step 2: there is a monster storm brewing in the distance. Step 3: a missing husband, missing children and a race against all the forces of nature in the faint hope that you will see your loved ones alive again. This was not a story for the faint of heart! As the black storm clouds gathered on the horizon, the dark secrets also came out of the town’s cracks and crevices, putting absolutely everything you had come to believe under scrutiny. I read most of the story with my white knuckles shoved in my mouth, hardly daring to breathe as the drama unfolded.

To be honest I didn't really understand the big reveal - well more the character's reasoning or motivation behind it - or the battle between good and evil. But, it really didn't matter as I was totally gripped for the telling. It was definitely one of those books where you keep reading late into the night thinking just one more chapter. There were so many twists and turns in this cleverly constructed and original plot that I was continually changing my mind on who or what to believe especially regarding main characters Lucy and Daniel - are they good or bad, do they love or hate each other, and are they reliable or unreliable narrators? The author also created a real sense of the coastal village and stormy weather both of which where used to compliment the plot perfectly. I will definitely be seeking out more by this author!

What a read it was just outstanding !
When I finished this amazing book I just sat staring at my kindle and I realised this is why I read it’s to come across books like this that completely take over my life and give me a vast amount of pleasure and this book just had everything I love not only in a fantastic thriller but also a wonderful story.
I am in awe of the author Sam Lloyd I loved his previous book The Memory Wood so I knew I was in for a treat when I started this one but in no way was I prepared for just how brilliant it was. The characters were all so well crafted especially DI Abraham Rose he will remain always a favourite of mine, the plot line was exceptional but what really got me was the fact that I just couldn’t figure out who did what and boy oh boy the twists kept coming and just when I thought I may have guessed what was happening I was wrong and was sent down another rabbit hole at breakneck speed blowing my mind as I was desperate to know the ending !
So for me Sam Lloyd bounced straight to the top of my favourite authors list and can’t wait for the next book many thanks to him.
I loved Memory Wood and didn’t think it could be beaten but this book did just that it’s exceptional if you love a thrilling fast paced story then you have it all here so don’t miss it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lucy and Daniel Locke live in the coastal town of Skentel, a fishing village in North Devon. They have two children and are well known in the village where everyone knows everyone. From all reports they are a happy, loving and close family.

One day Lucy hears that their boat The Lazy Susan, is found out at sea, basically scuttled and with no one on board. She finds out that her husband has taken the boat out despite a massive storm approaching. Then she discovers that he had taken their two children with him. Where are they? Why would he take them out on the boat when a storm is coming? Why didn't he tell her he was going to do this? And so the search is on.

This is very cleverly plotted yet does not overpower the narrative. The writing is excellent and particularly visual. I often felt like I was watching a film rather than reading a book. The twists and turns are more subtle than many in this genre and mostly unpredictable. Motives shift and change in a realistic manner as we learn more about the family members. I really loved this book because of its complexity and its visual qualities. It's not one I will forget. Well done Sam! Look forward to reading more of your work.

This book starts out like it might be a story about a rescue at sea during a once in a lifetime storm but develops into a dark revenge thriller where events from the past emerge to threaten a family’s apparently idyllic existence. A bit slow at times, but the revelations of the characters’ back histories added layers and layers of complexity to the plot as it went on. Sinister and atmospheric but, for me, not a complete hit. With thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advance copy.

Sam Lloyd writes beautifully, that's undeniable. The phrases have a lyric, almost poetic quality to them, even if the story they're telling is harrowing, claustrophobic, terrifying.

It's the second book I have the opportunity to read by this author and I can easily say I'll read the next one. I was captures right at the first page. The plot is tense and goes fast, and you just have to keep reading to find the truth.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Certainly not a fast paced thriller. Beautiful descriptive writing which on one hand was lovely to read but slowed the pace of a supposedly thriller . Unfortunately.tely this book wasn't for me

A heart pounding and adrenaline fuelled read that had me glued to the pages. Setting the book in the remote coastal town of Skentel as a 1 in 100 weather event is about to hit was a genius move. The visceral response I had to the storm at the start of the book established a physical connection that didn't let up, even as the storm receded. In fact, at one point in the book (I'm determined not to give any clues away) I felt as though the wind had been knocked out of me. Only occasionally did the descriptions become overplayed and slightly repetitive.

The twists in this complex plot had me constantly second guessing who or what to believe. There were some plot twists that suggested that there was something far bigger going on; a battle between good and evil which I couldn't really get on board with. However, setting those aside, the rest of the plot and the characterisation was spot on. I wanted to believe Lucy and her loyalty to her husband and family, but equally I couldn't ignore the hints about the darker side to her character. Similarly, I couldn't decide if her husband, Daniel, deserved her devotion, or whether his troubled past was indicative of a dysfunctional adulthood. The were added complications that involved village gossip, corrupt business partners and 'odd' locals. As the final chapters played out, I admit that I had not worked out the who and the why, which made for a very satisfying conclusion.

My thanks go the publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

What a heartbreaking roller coaster of a ride. I couldn’t put this book down.
It all starts when Lucy gets a knock at the door to say her boat has been found floating out to sea and the events that follow cause utter devastation to her life as she knows it.
The characters are excellent and you really get inside their heads.
Highly recommended and perfect for every thriller fan

I haven't read Sam's previous work so I came into The Rising Tide fresh without much expectation. Wow, I think this has been the most original and compelling book I've read this year. It is so much more than your standard domestic mystery with a twist (which the market is flooded with and I'm personally sick to death of).

From the start Lucy is an interesting character and her bad day gets progressively worse in a whirlwind of shock and emotion competing with the approaching storm. Enter a dying bible quoting detective (told you it's original) and a local community united to help with a side order of judgement.

Fast paced, tense, well written and not afraid to shock a definite entry for this years best holiday read.

Enjoyed the book but not as much as Memory Wood. Found it slow to start but was good when it picked up pace.

This felt like an unusual, engaging thriller with lots of surprises and avenues to consider. Really enjoyed it and have already recommended it to friends as one to watch out for!

The Rising Tide’ captures perfectly, the claustrophobic North Devon fishing village of Skentel in winter, bracing itself against the harsh and freezing North Atlantic waters, but when villager Daniel goes missing at sea, aboard his yacht the Lazy Susan, there’s also a storm of life threatening proportions on its way, and believe me, that isn’t all!

One minute Lucy and her husband Daniel and their two children, are leading an ordinary everyday life, but when the yacht was found out at sea, with no one on board, life as they know it will change forever, and truly, there are some massive, life changing events to come.

I don’t want to say too much about this one, as the complex storyline turns on its head, over and over again, with twist after twist, and I should hate to give anything away. The tension however, was unbearable, and needless to say, it was impossible to put down - talk about holding your breath and hoping for the best! Absolutely brilliant!

A beautifully written book, This book will stop you in your tracks and demand your attention. It is rare that a book can make me so emotional but this story did. It is an amazing book, I cannot wait for more from this excellent writer.

A brilliant read, with ups and downs and twists and turns that take you on a roller coaster ride throughout.

The plot is well thought out, convoluted and full of unexpected moments. Builds beautifully throughout, leading to an ending that nobody would guess. The writing is descriptive, without being too much.

The characters are complicated, with plenty of personality and lots going on. They interact well, not always as you'd expect.

Don't miss it!

What a brilliant but heartbreaking book, kept me wondering just what had happened until the very end.
I fully sympathised with the well written characters and was hoping for the best throughout.
The bleak backdrop with the added storm set the perfect scene for such tragedy and the pace of the story was perfect, just when I thought I’d figured something out, another curveball was thrown.
I’ll definitely read more from this author!