Vinny and Sue are the keys to of this character driven story that takes you on a journey into the procedure behind a murder investigation, while examining its effect on the participants and how it reflects in their personal lives. It's one of those page turners that has everything you want in a mystery, intriguing and logical plot, realistic characters, and an emotional journey that you can become absorbed in.

Netgalley and Avon kindly sent me this book to read and review. I am so pleased they did, as this is amazing. I am writing this on the 15th March, and I read this book yesterday. I could not put it down. It will be my book of the month for March, most definitely. The pace and story are so good, with twists all the way through and then some towards the end. This author’s first two books were great, but this surpasses them by miles.

It is set near where I live on the south east coast, which is where this author lives. Police procedurals are always so good when written by ex police, and they certainly get my vote. The way this story plays out is bloody amazing; you cannot predict the ending or any of what happens. Sheer perfect writing, I cannot wait for the next book coming next year, 2027.

Against the Tide is one of those crime novels that pulls you in with its mystery but keeps you there for its emotional weight. What begins as a brutal double murder in the quiet coastal town of Beachbrook quickly becomes something far more personal for DC Vinny Robson—a man who has spent his life seeking justice for others, only to find himself dragged into the darkest corners of his own history.

The setting is beautifully rendered: the south coast with its shifting tides, its salt‑stung air, and its sense that the sea is always hiding something beneath the surface. That atmosphere mirrors Vinny’s journey perfectly. As he and DS Sue Wilmott dig into the case, the discovery of his mother’s old diaries cracks open a lifetime of secrets she fought fiercely to bury. The emotional punch of those entries—fragmented memories, quiet confessions, the things she couldn’t say aloud—gives the novel a haunting intimacy.

The investigation itself is tense and layered, but it’s the personal stakes that make it compelling. Vinny’s struggle is not just about catching a killer; it’s about confronting the version of his past he’s always believed in and the version that might destroy him. The more he uncovers, the more the line blurs between truth and protection, justice and survival. The metaphor of the tide is woven through the narrative with subtle elegance—some truths stay submerged for decades, but once they begin to rise, they’re impossible to stop.

The pacing is steady and immersive, building toward revelations that feel both shocking and inevitable. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian McAllister, and Ann Cleeves will appreciate the blend of emotional depth, atmospheric tension, and character‑driven suspense.

A moving, quietly devastating crime drama about family, memory, and the dangerous pull of long‑buried truths. It lingers like sea mist long after the final page.

With thanks to GD Wright, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

A series of violent robberies has been plaguing Beachbrook for months, with no suspects or leads. Now, DS Sue Wilmott and DC Vinny Robson are called in to investigate a brutal attack on an elderly couple in their own home.

But as the investigation unravels, and Vinny discovers his mum’s old diaries, he begins to uncover some very uncomfortable secrets that may connect to the crime he’s investigating..

Wow! By now, I know to prepare myself when starting a G.D. Wright book. From the very beginning chapter, I was immediately pulled into the shocking story and reminded that we’re back in Beachbrook!

Gary’s style is what I’d call police procedural with heart, and a decent dose of emotional devastation!

The story is expertly plotted, full of twists and surprises, scary and macabre at times. It’s also about real people and their relationships. The friendships, support and understanding between the colleagues at the police station feel very real and heartwarming in contrast to what they’re investigating. They look after each other, and the authenticity of Gary’s writing based on his own former police career really shine through.

And amongst the long-held secrets, questions around morality, and at times, pure evil, we also see humanity, empathy, and hope.

I enjoyed seeing DS Wilmott’s character developed even further from the previous books, and loved Vinny. I’m looking forward to reading more from them both in book 4!

After discovering G.D Wright, he has been on my list of " I will read whatever he writes. This book did not disappoint. I am grateful for an early reader copy.
The novel carried very heavy themes but it was written beautifully, I got into the story very quickly and did not get lost even with their been a few character.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Having read the previous two books by this author I was looking forward to this one and I wasn't disappointed, it grabs you from the first page and the story and characters keep you gripped to the end. The twists and turns are brilliant and each time you think the reveal has come you then realise it hasn't and there are more surprises, and the ending is one I will remember for a long time as I didn't see that coming. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

1. Blurbs by Gillian MacAllister and Lisa Jewell = instant request
2. What just happened??? (complimentary)
3. I really liked the writing. Lots of emotions and depth for a thriller.
4. I didn’t realize there were two other books in the series. I wish I knew and had read them first. Either way, they have been added to my TBR.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I did not want to put it down once I started reading. Easily able to give this book five stars.

This was a WILD RIDE.

If you've read G.D Wright's previous books, you'll be familiar with the character DS Sue Wilmott. And like his others, this one is written from multiple POVs - including new protagonist Vinny. We follow Vinny's story as a FLO (Family Liaison Officer) on a case where an elderly couple is brutally murdered in their own home, as he offers support to their surviving daughter, Natalie. Vinny is also struggling with some pretty big issues in his personal life and we get a very raw look at how he handles his day job and his responsibility outside of work.

The story tackles some difficult topics but it's done really well. You can absolutely tell that the author worked in this field before, the realness makes it even more tense.

I'm never very good at weaving together clues and figuring out the plot, but I really thought I had it with this one. HOWEVER. Just as I thought I was onto something, I was slapped in the face by a twist, and again, and again and then once more for good measure.

If you're into thrillers with domestic crime plot lines then this is a must read for you.

This is an emotional story of how one crime can unravel years of buried secrets. It is gritty, raw and will keep you guessing until the end! I know I'm going to be thinking about this one for a while.

This book is diabolical in an amazing way. Obviously all thrillers are dark but this one was even more disturbing than most. Without revealing spoilers, I will just say that there were numerous parts of this book which left me feeling uncomfortable. That's how thrillers should be! If a book doesnt grab my attention right away, I have a hard time focusing through out the rest of the book. I love the fact that this story had me in its grip the whole way through. Great work.

As someone who loves suspense, Against the Tide is a dream come true. It is character-driven and full of tension and suspense, with themes of memory, guilt, and the secrets we carry across generations. The setting feels vivid and atmospheric, and the moral complexity of the ending lingered with me after the final page. A thoughtful and engaging mystery that moves beyond a simple whodunit. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
#AgainsttheTide

I cannot explain just how much I adore G.D Wright and his books. Even when he was going through a difficult time, he was still kind enough to contact me when I was having a bad mental health episode and I can't begin to say how much that meant to be. So I was thrilled to get to read an early copy of his new book.

This is book three in this, unofficial trilogy I suppose, starting with After the Storm and then Into the Fire.

We've got the same characters from the previous two which helps add a sense of familiarity, but we've also got new ones which makes it fresh and exciting. They are all written very well. Not all likeable, and no-one is 100% hero or villain, they're all a bit morally grey which makes them more human. The characters are the best they've ever been; these three books have really given him the time to develop them.

At first, I thought it wasn't going to be as heart-wrenching as the previous two, because they tended to focus on children and this one didn't. And I was happy about that at first because the other two destroyed me. But no. I spoke too soon. I was wrong. It's just as bad (and I mean that in the best, positive way possible).

I managed to get to about 55% before I cried though, which is progress!

This one looks more at the police, the humans behind the force, rather than the crimes themselves - that's what I got out of it anyway.

We've got the main story, yes, but we also have this story concerning Vinny. It's got so many layers to it, that handled by someone not as adept as Wright, might have been too much. But everything is balanced so well here, the stories, characters, memories, emotions, and just everything about it is so wonderful. His ability to write grief is second to none, and I saw myself in the bereaved and it really touched me.

His books are thrillers yes, there's deaths, crimes, detectives, horror, and violence and whatnot. But for me, the thriller elements almost take a back seat, so important are the relationships and emotions he's developed in these characters.

And the ending - obviously I'm not going to spoil it but I did not see it coming one bit (then again I am notoriously terrible at working out the endings of whodunnits and whatnot).

Whilst it's not a conventional trilogy as such, the main characters do hold a story thread across the three, and I did wonder if this would be the end of it, but after finishing it, I'm really hoping that's a big fat NO, because I'd read about these characters forever if I could.

It's not an easy book to read, let's be honest here, there are some very difficult topics. But it's handled so well. I just absorbed it and read it in one day because I HAD to know what happened.

That's three books he's published, three books I've read, and three books I've given five stars too. At this rate, he's on to a career chock-a-block of five-star reviews and I for one cannot wait to collect them all (I think that makes him a Pokémon).

I really enjoyed this one, G.D Wright managed to get me emotionally wrecked with a perfectly crafted storyline and layered characters. I absolutely would recommend.
So grateful I got an ARC copy! Brilliant.

He’s only gone and done it again, hasn’t he?! But, if you’re already a massive fan of Gaz’s books like I am, you probably already know it’s going to be another corker before you’ve even picked it up (and without me even telling you!) I love Gaz’s books. I adore them. But this one… it hit different. Yes, I inhaled it. Yes, it made me cry. And yes, I think this is his best book yet.

Against the Tide is an exceptional crime drama, a real masterclass in emotional depth with relatable characters and heart-pounding scenarios that command every bit of your attention. The third book from G.D. Wright focuses on DC Vinny Robson who is acting as Family Liaison Officer in a new case, with our favourite DS Sue Willmott; there are burglars terrorising Beachbrook, and an elderly couple are found brutally murdered in their home. But alongside this horrific investigation, Vinny also has to navigate his way through the most testing of times as his mother battles dementia. He discovers her lost diaries from years gone by and uncovers painful truths that would change his entire life. His personal and professional lives collide in the most unimaginable of ways and let me tell you – it’s an absolutely phenomenal read.

I was once again completely absorbed in this author’s writing. It’s so easy to read and so incredibly engrossing that before you know it, the sun’s gone down and you’ve missed a meal. But let’s face it, those are the kind of books you want in your life. The pacing was perfectly balanced, the shocking discoveries (and there are loads) punch you in the gut and have you thinking about what you’d do in a situation, how you’d cope, how you’d heal and move on. The delicate attention given to grief and people affected by dementia had me in tears. I felt everything so deeply and I was so moved by it.

On one hand, it’s a story of strength, of community, of family and friendship. But on the other, it’s about dark, buried secrets, a haunting, unthinkable past, and a mother’s desire to protect. And that ending? Oooooff!! It’s already effortlessly slipped into my top reads of the year, no question! Book four, where are you?!

My 3rd read by G D and let’s just say he never disappoints!!
Loved this storyline so much!
The characters he writes really resonate with you, they give all the emotions and are so layered you feel like you know them.
Then we have complex topics incorporated in the story that are always so excellently executed it’s just incredible!
Add these two together and you just have a thriller that is perfection!

Gripping police procedural. Why is GD wright not more better known? he should be. Cracking crime drama and intrigue. You'd be mad to miss it.

He's done it again, absolutely fantastic book.
The setting, the characters, the roller coaster ride of emotions, it's just jam packed full of twists and turns, even when you think you have it all worked out then you're wrong. Tissues will also be required. Really hoping there is another book in the works. Brilliant.