This was my first book by this author but it definitely won't be my last. The book was perfectly paced with a good number of twists that not only kept me gripped from the start but also kept me guessing all the way through. I loved it

An excellent police procedural set in London and featuring DCI Khan and Laughton Rees. It is a character driven, fast paced and very addictive read which had me engrossed from the first chapter. There are quite a few twists in the plotting, which is very fast paced and I really like the writing style. I am sure fans of the genre will love the read, especially the unexpected ending. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I've not read any of this series but I didn't feel disadvantaged as the book is easy to read as a stand alone story. The Met police engage the services of Laughton, a Forensic criminologist, when the body of a man is washed up on the banks of the Thames, gruesomely missing his hands and head. There are quite a few coincidences within the story including the link to the tattoo on the body to Laughton's address and also her daughter Grace asking about the father she never knew who then turns up on their doorstep! This didn't detract from the story though that moved at a fast pace as Khan and Laughton endeavour to prevent further murders taking place which they quickly realise relate to a case years ago that Laughton's father investigated. The finale was an eye opener to both Laughton and her daughter and leaves the story neatly set up for a follow on book.

Well, I'm just going to say it - this is one heck of a thriller. I mean, I love the series anyway, but this one really had me hooked. Things get very personal for Laughton and very exciting for us readers. Not only do we learn more about Laughton, and the tensions between her and her father, but we get a dark and twisted set of murders to boot. Bodies found with no heads and no hands - great way to prevent identification, but also a perfect way to confuse, mislead and misdirect both our wonderful series protagonists, Laughton and DCI Tannahill Khan.

For the uninitiated, Dr Laughton Rees is a Forensic Criminologist whose services have been engaged on more than the odd occasion by the Met Police and, in particular, Khan. He has more reason than normal to request Laughton's support on this latest case, the discovery of a body on the banks of the Thames, missing the aforementioned bodily parts. The reason leads to a lot of tension between the pair who are not only work colleagues but also romantically involved, but it's only the start of Laughton's problems. Her daughter's estranged father is back on the scene and this can only mean one thing - trouble.

I love how Simon Toyne has taken up back into Laughton's past in this book, but also given us some insight into the life of her father, and all that he did to keep her safe after the death of her mother. Both Laughton and her daughter, Gracie, have some big surprises coming their way, and both will find out things about their father's they might have been happier not knowing. The author played it perfectly with Gracie and her father, Shelby, exposing the naivety of youth, and the way in which a desire for something you have never had can cloud your common sense, allowing emotion to over take everything. The same goes for Laughton in some ways, although her actions are driven by a desire to protect her daughter - a common theme in this book as things go.

The murder mystery almost seems secondary to the other elements of this story, being not all that much of a mystery if the clues are to be believed. There is a pulsing tension throughout the narrative though as we move side by side with an unnamed foe who is watching the action from perhaps too close in some cases. You can feel the threat emanating from the page, and each moment I felt myself getting poised for something to happen, only to be lulled back into a false sense of security when it never quite materialised. It made the closing scenes work all that much better, with the pace and the action ramping up to a heart thumping finale. Was I entirely surprised by the identity of the bad guy? Nope. Did it matter? Also nope, as it was more about when Laughton would finally figure it all out, and to be fair to her, she had a lot on her mind.

And as for the final chapter, what we come to learn about Laughton and her father, John, well that opens up a whole world of possibilities and I'm actually quite excited for what might come next. This was the thing I didn't expect, and tio certainly shakes things up a bit, not just for future cases but between Laughton and Khan on a personal level. Another brilliant thriller, a perfect addition to the series, and definitely recommended.

Book 3 in the Rees/Khan series and the criminology and detective investigate the mystery of a decapitated body washed up by the Thames. Well developed characters enhance this tightly written thriller.

An enjoyable new story in the Rees/Khan series this time involving newly released criminals from a Florida prison returning to the UK looking for revenge. As one of them is the father of Ree’s teenage daughter a level of spice is added to the tale. A headless and handless body found on the bank of the Thames but with the address of Rees inked on its arm sets up the investigation neatly. Full of twists with extra bodies added this enthralling read bounds merrily along. An exciting climax with an ending that might or might not indicate more to come, will wait and hope.

I really like the Dr Laughton Rees and DCI Tannahill Khan stories and althought this is book three all of them work well as standalone novels, As much as I enjoyed Dead water I have to say Ree's daughter Gracie really annoyed me, how frustrating is she? I found myself shouting at the book at some of her decisions but other than that it was a really good read.

A great addition to this series featuring Rees and Khan,filled with plenty of grit and suspense to keep the reader hooked throughout.
The tension between the 2 main characters, both in a personal and professional manner, runs parallel to the brutal murder they are trying to solve.
A perfect ending that leaves you wanting more,can't wait for the next instalment.
Thanks to Netgalley Harper Collins UK for the Arc.

A great tense thriller and fast paced book. I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait for the next one. Thanks for my ARC.

Dead Water is a taut, fast-paced thriller that grabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let go. Even without having read the previous books in the series, I found it easy to dive straight in—Simon Toyne does a great job of making this feel like a standalone, while still hinting at a rich backstory for returning readers.

The atmosphere is gritty and immersive, with a sense of urgency that pulses through each page. The characters are well-drawn and compelling, particularly the lead, whose determination and complexity add real depth to the narrative. There’s a raw energy to the writing that keeps the tension high and the pages turning.

This is a story that balances action and intrigue effortlessly, delivering both emotional weight and cinematic thrills.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A body, missing its head and hands, is washed up on the banks of the Thames. When a name is found scrawled on the body it hints at danger for Dr. Laughton Rees.

Dead Water by Simon Toyne is a fitting addition to the Rees and Khan series. I loved the first two books in the series, Dark Objects and The Clearing. While you don't need to read the first two books in the series to enjoy Dead Water they do give an understanding of the history and relationships of the people involved in the story, both of which are very significant.

The story takes place almost a year after the events of The Clearing and Laughton Rees and DCI Tannahill Khan are ready to take their relationship to the next level - moving in together. The only stumbling block is Laughton's teenage daughter, Gracie, who hasn't really warmed to Khan. The plan is to sit down together and break the news to Gracie when Khan is called to the discovery of a body.

The rising tide puts time constraints on the inspection of the body, but a scrawled message on its arm immediately makes Khan believe that Laughton may be in danger. Across town Laughton and Gracie are having a heated discussion, Gracie is resentful of Khan becoming part of their lives. One of the major reasons for Gracie's hostility is that she doesn't know who her own father is. Deciding that Gracie is old enough to understand, Laughton explains what happened to her as a teenager.

All of this is the build-up to a knock on the door which plunges Laughton back into a past she thought she'd put behind her. Shadowy figures strain relationships and put lives in danger as someone linked to Laughton's dead father is out for revenge. The pace never lets up in a frantic race against time, the use of the tide patterns of the River Thames really adds to the time pressure of the storyline. I particularly enjoyed the way in which policing, the media and political ambition were woven into the story, reflecting the things that we are seeing in life.

As the momentum built I found my heart racing, wondering how more deaths could be prevented. The final scenes are enough to make you hold your breath, literally! The ending leaves a feeling of uncertainty, I hope we don't have to wait long for the next book in the series.

Headless corpses in the Thames, corruption in the Metropolitan police, corruption in Parliament, absent fathers, unaccounted for diamonds, revenge, vengeance, and a Mothers love...Read it!

Loved this new addition to this series, and cannot wait to lay my hands on the next in line !

Starts with a bang, and keeps going - I inhaled the first third of the book, gets a bit slower in the middle, and the twist is a little predictable, but overall very enjoyable and a fitting addition to the series.

Wow. What an amazing read. Coupled with a great story is heart stopping suspense, actually gasped out loud a few times! Fantastic ending, can’t wait for the next in the series. A very big 5 stars.

This is the third Laughton Khan novel and starts with a headless body washing up on the shore at low tide near Laughton's flat. Curiously, the address of Laughton's flat has been written on the arm of the body. Soon it emerges that there is a connection to a pair of criminals who have recently been released from a prison sentence in the USA. Laughton's late father was partly responsible for their apprehension. So its going to get very personal and there is soon a fast paced chase to find the killer as more bodies come downstream. Great fun read.

Simon Toyne is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

I love his style of writing and his storylines are fantastic. This is the third in this series but hoping it won't be the last, however the ending leaves you dangling as to whether Rees and Khan continue their relationship, both professional and personal.

Highly recommend!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

The third book of the Laughton Rees and Tannahill Khan series is here and this was the best one yet.

For those not familiar with the series, Rees is a forensic criminologist and Khan is a DC who investigate the most grisly crimes in London. In this novel, a body is washed up on the Thames however this is no ordinary killing and when the dead man is found to have Rees' address written on him, it is clear that this killing is closer to home.

It is difficult to give more away however both the murder and personal storyline moves along at pace in this book towards a thrilling conclusion. The ending is perfect and really sets up book 4 perfectly.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Hemlock Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DCI Tannahill Khan and Dr Laughton Rees are slowly developing a personal relationship but still work together at times. A headless, handless body is washed up in the Thames with Laughton's address on the arm, or rather her father's address. He was a policeman, now deceased, and involved in a major heist some years ago. Diamonds were involved, perpetrators caught and imprisoned, now they have been released. We know what's coming - revenge. A fairly complex and twisty story but with rather too much angst over the personal relationship; this is complicated, as is the story, by Laughton's daughter Grace. She knows something of her father who left Laughton before she knew she was pregnant and Laughton, not surprisingly, said little given that the father was part of the diamond heist gang. It started to drag a bit as it was rather predictable but then the latter few chapters ramped up and became over the top. I certainly did not see the absolute end so we'll see what happens next. 3.5* rounded up, just. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

This is the first of this series I've read and I enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters DCI Tannahill Khan and Dr Laughton Rees. I did not feel it was necessary to have read any previous works in the series.
The story begins when a headless and handless body washes up near Tower Bridge. Written on the arm, above the cuff is Laughton's address. The body is linked to a crime some sixteen years ago, a sting operation set up by Laughton's father that resulted in two men serving time in a Florida jail. But now they are back in London and looking for revenge on those who set them up.
There are several plot twists that keep the pace of this novel moving along and some quite improbable actions by the main characters. However, as with all police procedurals and thrillers the reader has to be happy to suspend belief and keep the faith with the characters.
A good, exciting read.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

I haven't read anything by this author previously but will certainly seek out his books in future.

As a police procedural fan, I thoroughly enjoyed Dead Water.

The action begins when a headless and handless body is washed up in the Thames with Laughton Rees's home address written on his arm. Who wrote it and why? I don't want to add much more as I found enormous pleasure from coming to the book blind with no knowledge of the characters.

I'm looking forward to seeing what else Simon Toyne has written and I will look out for his work in future.

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me access in exchange for a fair and honest review.