A Guernsey Series NovelDisgraced detective Deiniol “Danny” Quirke returns to Guernsey, the Newfoundland fishing village of his youth, to bury his abusive grandfather and dispose of the old man’s empty house. Devastated by the recent death of his beloved wife and mired in an internal police investigation that will likely spell the end of his career, he’s in no mood to reminisce about Auld Lang … Syne with the people who made his childhood a living hell. Secrets Danny thought were buried forever rise violently to the surface when the bones of local boy Llewellyn Single, drowned thirty years before, wash up on the beach. Only two people truly know what happened: Danny Quirke and his former best friend—now bitter enemy—millionaire Tadhg Heaney. Two things matter to Tadhg: money and his teenage daughter Lily, who is dying of advanced neuroblastoma. When Lily’s estranged mother returns to claim her, the only person Tadhg can turn to is Danny. And when Danny is accused of Llewellyn’s murder, he must ally with Tadhg, who he cannot help but desire, because those who believe he is responsible are looking for revenge.
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REVIEW BASED ON BOTH: WIND AND DARK WATER & DARK WATER
In Newfoundland there’s a small fishing village, Kildevil Cove, the minute they get a chance, the young people leave and never look back!
Deiniol “Danny” Quirke has returned home to Kildevil Cove. He is responsible for the burial and arrangements for his late Grandar’s property. Danny just want’s to sell the property, leave, and be left alone. He’s been overseas in Dublin loaned to the Garda Siochana, hunting down a serial killer. Coming home was not easy for Danny: too many bad memories, struggling with Alison’s death and a heavy weight on his shoulders, with an investigation that will end his career as a detective. To top it all off, his twin sister Sandra want’s nothing to do with returning home or the burial.
Tadhg Heaney has also returned to Kildevil Cove, to take the last step and place a headstone on his late fathers grave. He’s wealthy and makes his money with lies and deceit, buying property on Kildevil Cove. He learned how to profit from older residents and those who inherited property by lying. Tadhg’s wealth has made it possible to buy Eigus Island, where he resides with his very ill, fourteen year old daughter, Lily. His daughter and making money are the only things he seems to care about.
As young boys Danny and Tadhg were good friends. Danny was being raised by his Grandparents along with his twin sister Sandra. Tadhg and his brother Declan were being raised by their well to do parents. In their friendship, while they were growing up Danny was always protecting Tadhg. But as time went on something took place between Tadhg and Sandra, turning Danny’s friendship with Tadhg into hate.
Danny, now has word of a buyer for his Grandar’s house. Unbeknownst to him he’s about to face Tadhg after thirty years. The meeting between them ends in a hateful rant by Danny. Tadhg keeps pushing Danny and even shares with Danny that he has a daughter. Even so, Tadhg and Danny still can’t see eye-to-eye. But the old house is already becoming a burden to Danny and he contacts Tadhg to make the sale. When Danny learns of Lily being hospitalized he’s ready to help Tadhg in any way he can. There’s still an uneasiness with Tadhg and Danny. Will he ever be able to trust Tadhg? What dangers and dark secrets lie in the old house and will Danny ever discover the truth?
I was really excited to see this new novel from J.S. Cook and she did not disappoint! There’s dark family secrets, pent-up aggression, tragedy, abuse, jealousy and suspense. Cook also does an excellent job with the Scottish/Irish dialect that slips into the Danny and Tadhg’s conversations.
“Dark Water” is a highly emotional story, about two men, brought up in different family dynamics. As adults they lived different lives and have to find a way to come to grips with the past, their feelings and possibilities for whatever the future holds. For me, Danny is an outstanding individual as he really struggles with so many emotional and issues.
It’s also a story that surrounds, Lily, Tadhg’s daughter. She’s fourteen but her life hasn’t been normal and she feels a deep need to discover all she can because of her illness. Cook brings out the contrast between Danny and Tadhg throughout the novel. It really shows with Danny, who seems to have a better understanding of Lily, because of his own experiences. Tadhg seems to panic with fear for Lily and at times seems overprotective.
Cook is amazing with her description of Newfoundland’s beauty and the harshness of the weather and the sea.
The first novel “Wind & Dark Water” “Guernsey Cove” series was first published on March 24, 2020. With the decision to revise and re-publish on March 30, 2021, it’s title is now “Dark Water” “Kildevil Cove Murder Mysteries” series. I’ve read both versions and they are both intriguing reads and excellently written. For me, I think it was a brilliant move by J.S. Cook, with the new title and new series name, it’s just a perfect fit. There’s also a second installment with “Dark Mire” and I hope J.S. Cook will continue to bring more from “Kildevil Cove”.
J. S. Cook has also written other novels in LGBTQ genre from different eras and I really enjoyed them: “But Not For Me”, “Oasis of Night”, “The Quality of Mercy” “Because You Despise Me”, and “Skid Rowe Serenade” just to name a few.