Review of The Water Doesn't Lie

[Zanne Crystle]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Water Doesn't Lie" by Kim Booth.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The Water Doesn’t Lie by Kim Booth begins in 1984 with the tragic death of a young boy who is a resident at Lannercraig Children’s Home. This event sets off an investigation by detectives Douglas Beattie and Jim Callender, who start digging into the details surrounding the boy’s death. As they dig deeper, they learn things are not as they first seemed, uncovering a disturbing environment at the children’s home.

The book follows Detective Inspector Alex Gibb and Detective Sergeant Barry Dalton in 2005 as they take on a case involving the body of a man found floating in a lake. The post-mortem examination of the man leads to the discovery of a link to a series of suspicious deaths. This discovery sets the stage for a complex mystery that spans decades and is far more intricate than anticipated.

One of the first things I noticed about the book was the author’s establishment of a clear timeline of events. The author labeled each chapter with specific time markers, such as the year, day of the week, or phrases like “the following day,” so it was easy to follow the investigation and the passage of time.

Another highlight was the dynamic between DI Gibb and DS Dalton. Dalton, the more lighthearted and unpredictable of the two, contrasted with Gibb, who, as the senior officer, demonstrated responsibility and courtesy. Their interactions, obviously grounded in mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to their work, contributed to the enjoyable nature of the unfolding events in the book.

I was very impressed with how the detectives conducted their investigation. In some crime fiction books, it can feel like the characters are not thorough enough, leaving stones unturned just for the sake of the plot. However, this book was different. The detectives meticulously explored every avenue of investigation, and their process of uncovering the truth was well-written.

The investigation had so many unexpected developments that I was still trying to solve the mystery right up until the end of the book. With each new revelation, the puzzle expanded, and I had mounting questions about who was involved. The depth of the mystery kept me fully engaged with the story and the characters.

The book uses many acronyms that can be difficult to remember. The story is set in the UK, so the officer ranks and other details are specific to the UK police system. I researched the hierarchy of the officers because I was unfamiliar with it. I did not mind because I enjoyed learning about the UK police system. However, adding a glossary of acronyms and other terms would enhance the book.

Furthermore, I noticed several grammatical errors and possible inconsistencies in the book. The writing could benefit from another round of editing. For instance, in a conversation, one of the characters mistakenly referred to a situation involving a character, but it was the wrong character. The editing was the only issue I had with the book.

The book contains critiques of the Catholic Church concerning instances of abuse. I mention this so potential readers who may be sensitive to this subject matter can make an informed decision about whether or not to engage with the content.

Overall, The Water Doesn’t Lie is a well-executed crime fiction novel with a compelling plot, realistic character interactions, and a meticulously crafted investigation. Therefore, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I deducted one star because I believe the book could benefit from further editing. I hope to read more books from this author, especially those featuring DI Gibb and DS Dalton. I highly recommend this book to fellow crime fiction fans who appreciate dark mysteries and unpredictable storytelling.

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The Water Doesn't Lie
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[Ashwani Dhiman Dhiman]

Water Doesn't Lie" is a complex examination of truth, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. The story weaves together personal stories and broader social issues, creating a rich canvas that touches readers on various levels in many cases.

The author’s style is engaging and accessible, drawing readers into the emotional state of the characters. The use of water as a metaphor throughout the book is particularly effective, symbolizing a fluid truth and depth of human experience The characters are well developed, each facing their own struggles and revelations , adding depth to the whole story.

One of the strengths of the book is its ability to tackle complex issues with emotion and nuance. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring the dark sides of life, but does so in a way that ultimately offers hope and redemption. The pacing is well balanced, allowing for a moment of reflection in the middle of an extended game.

Overall, "Water Doesn't Lie" is a thought-provoking read that encourages introspection and empathy. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human condition, and is a logical addition to any reader's collection Whether you're drawn to character-driven storytelling or enjoy a thematic quest for authenticity and strength of coping, this book will surely leave a lasting impression

[Ashwani Dhiman Dhiman]

Water Doesn't Lie" is a complex examination of truth, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. The story weaves together personal stories and broader social issues, creating a rich canvas that touches readers on various levels in many cases.

The author’s style is engaging and accessible, drawing readers into the emotional state of the characters. The use of water as a metaphor throughout the book is particularly effective, symbolizing a fluid truth and depth of human experience The characters are well developed, each facing their own struggles and revelations , adding depth to the whole story.

One of the strengths of the book is its ability to tackle complex issues with emotion and nuance. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring the dark sides of life, but does so in a way that ultimately offers hope and redemption. The pacing is well balanced, allowing for a moment of reflection in the middle of an extended game.

Overall, "Water Doesn't Lie" is a thought-provoking read that encourages introspection and empathy. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human condition, and is a logical addition to any reader's collection Whether you're drawn to character-driven storytelling or enjoy a thematic quest for authenticity and strength of coping, this book will surely leave a lasting impression

[Ashwani Dhiman Dhiman]

Water Doesn't Lie" is a complex examination of truth, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. The story weaves together personal stories and broader social issues, creating a rich canvas that touches readers on various levels in many cases.

The author’s style is engaging and accessible, drawing readers into the emotional state of the characters. The use of water as a metaphor throughout the book is particularly effective, symbolizing a fluid truth and depth of human experience The characters are well developed, each facing their own struggles and revelations , adding depth to the whole story.

One of the strengths of the book is its ability to tackle complex issues with emotion and nuance. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring the dark sides of life, but does so in a way that ultimately offers hope and redemption. The pacing is well balanced, allowing for a moment of reflection in the middle of an extended game.

Overall, "Water Doesn't Lie" is a thought-provoking read that encourages introspection and empathy. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human condition, and is a logical addition to any reader's collection Whether you're drawn to character-driven storytelling or enjoy a thematic quest for authenticity and strength of coping, this book will surely leave a lasting impression

[Nuella Joseph]

*The Water Doesn’t Lie* by Kim Booth is a gripping crime fiction novel that weaves a complex mystery across decades. With a well-structured plot, engaging detective duo, and meticulous investigation, it offers a compelling read despite some editing issues. Recommended for fans of dark, intricate mysteries.

[Emmanuel olowolayemo]

"The Water Doesn’t Lie" by Kim Booth starts in 1984 with a boy's death at Lannercraig Children’s Home, leading detectives to uncover a disturbing environment. The story then moves to 2005, where detectives Gibb and Dalton investigate a man's death linked to a series of suspicious incidents, creating a complex mystery spanning decades.

The book's strengths include a clear timeline, a dynamic detective duo, and a meticulous investigation full of twists. However, it has some grammatical errors and heavy use of UK-specific acronyms, which could benefit from a glossary. The book also touches on sensitive themes like abuse in the Catholic Church. Despite these minor issues, it's a gripping crime novel, earning 4 out of 5 stars.

[Emmanuel olowolayemo]

"The Water Doesn’t Lie" by Kim Booth starts with the death of a young boy in 1984 at Lannercraig Children’s Home, sparking an investigation that uncovers disturbing truths. In 2005, Detectives Alex Gibb and Barry Dalton investigate a man’s body found in a lake, linking it to a series of suspicious deaths. The book is praised for its clear timeline, strong character dynamics, and meticulous investigation. However, it could benefit from a glossary of UK police acronyms and additional editing. Overall, it’s a compelling crime novel with a 4 out of 5-star rating.

[NetMassimo]

This thriller digs into some dark sides of humanity creating a good storyline with great details about the investigation. I hope the author does more editing to fix the errors. A glossary of UK police acronyms might be useful indeed for readers not familiar with them. Thank you for your great review!

[Elsa Davis]

"The Water Doesn’t Lie" by Kim Booth is a compelling crime fiction novel with a multi-layered mystery and well-developed detective characters. it offers an engaging and intricate story that will captivate fans of dark mysteries.