"A truly compelling book, full of atmosphere and with an unforgettable main character" - Elly Griffiths, bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway series.

Meet DI Nyree Bradshaw. For twenty-five years, Nyree thought she'd solved her toughest cases. She was wrong.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Water's Dead is not your average police procedural mystery, it's a riveting story you won't be able to put down." - J.H. Bográn, author of Poisoned Tears⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The writing is crisp, the settings vivid, and the characters memorable. I strongly recommend this novel for its sheer enjoyment." - Arthur Kerns, Author of The Riviera Contract, The African Contract, and The Yemen Contract.

The BookTwo victims: one dead, one missing. Still fuming over the early release of a violent offender she'd only recently put away, DI Nyree Bradshaw finds herself driving herself and her team to exhaustion in the desperate search for six-year-old Lily Holmes. Because in twenty-four hours, Lily will be the second victim dead. And as Nyree soon discovers, it's not just the suspects she's up against.

Who will Love this Book?Fans of Anne Cleeves's Vera, Ellie Griffiths, LT Ryan, Angela Marsons, Sally Spencer, Louise Penny, and Ian Rankin will devour this thrilling new crime series.

Who Is DI Nyree Bradshaw?A tough, no-nonsense DI. Her heart and soul have gone into the job. She thought her toughest cases were behind her. She was wrong.

The Setting: New Zealand's beautiful Far North. With it's white sand beaches, the crash of waves from the turbulent Tasman sea, and small rural towns surrounded by Māori land, traditions, and community.

Full ReviewsThe Water's Dead is not your average police procedural mystery, it's a riveting story you won't be able to put down. Not only Catherine Lea's writing skills will take you to New Zealand and immerse you into the culture, but the fleshed-out characters will take you along for the ride searching for the missing girl while solving he murder of her babysitter.--J.H. Bográn, author of Poisoned Tears

Catherine Lea is a gifted writer whose novel allows an insight into the world of New Zealand and the Māori. The Water's Dead is the mystery of a murdered young Māori girl and the investigative and psychological journey of Detective Inspector Nyree Bradshaw and her challenges to solve the crime. The writing is crisp, the settings vivid, and the characters memorable. I strongly recommend this novel for its sheer enjoyment.

--Arthur Kerns, author of Days of the Hunters out in 2020, The Riviera Contract, The African Contract, and The Yemen Contract.

PB5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this book!Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021Wow! I really enjoyed this book. I had as much trouble keeping all the events and evidence straight as the main character, Nyree, did. In a good way. It made the ending way more interesting and not predictable. And the New Zealand setting made it even more fascinating.I hope this is going to be a series. I really liked her Elizabeth McClain