L.V. Matthews: Silent Waters [2023] paperback

'Tightly plotted with great characters and pacing' - Prima

For fans of Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell comes a powerful and haunting novel about family, secrets and murder.

Is blood thicker than water?

At five a.m. one summer's morning, police diver Jen Harper wakes to find herself submerged in the silt of a river with no memory of how she got there.

Forty-eight hours later, she's called to dive in the same river in search of a missing woman, Claudia Franklin.

But for Jen, this is no ordinary job. Her and Claudia's families were entangled for decades - there is unresolved resentment between them, unspoken secrets.

Jen hasn't seen Claudia for twelve years now. Or has she?
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PRAISE FOR SILENT WATERS:

'Brilliantly plotted, utterly compelling and where nothing is as it seems. Add to that some whip-smart dialogue and you have everything you could possibly want in a thriller.' - John Marrs

'Silent Waters is a highly addictive, ever-engrossing, one-sit-read thriller - once you dive in, you won't want to come up for air.' - Jack Jordan

'You'll be spellbound from the first SENTENCE ... Simply wonderful.' - Jonathan Whitelaw

'An utterly engrossing novel that will leave you as breathless as its characters!' - Sarah Lawton

'A fascinating, constantly surprising mystery novel that pulls you in like a hidden riptide and builds to a heart-pounding and hugely satisfying finale. A wonderful read!' - C.M. Ewan

'Propulsive and intricately plotted, Silent Waters is the thriller to watch for in 2023.' - Ella King

'A tightly plotted and skilfully rendered story with strong characters that jumped off the page. Beautifully claustrophobic.' - Imran Mahmood

'A compelling and atmospheric story of toxic friendships, secrets and divided loyalties all set around the competitive world of diving - loved it.' - Catherine Cooper

'Fiendishly clever, fascinating and with a host of fully realised characters, Silent Waters is one of the most original and atmospheric thrillers I've ever read. I absolutely love L.V. Matthews' writing - it always takes you by surprise.' - Charlotte Duckworth

'A police diver, a thwarted Olympic dream, a missing woman, and a body in a watery grave. [...] A thrillingly murky tale of tainted love and betrayal, an edge-of-the-jetty read. I dare you to jump in!' - Janice Hallett

'Silent Waters is a brilliant, beautifully written thriller with an unusual premise and shocking twists. I loved it! Her best yet!' - Claire Douglas

'A gripping intensity on every page that will have you racing through this book!' - Lauren North

'Beautifully written, perfectly paced and as absorbing as the silent waters the novel describes! Had me hooked from page one to the gripping finale.' - G R Halliday

'Silent Waters is dripping in menace. An exhilarating and immersive look into the highly competitive world of female diving. The delicious prose along with some heart-stopping twists and turns will keep you up all night. I loved it!' - Emily Freud

'Haunting, visceral writing, a pulse-pounding plot, and characters you will take into your heart. Stunning.' - Lizzy Barber

'With a captivating cast of characters - some I loved to hate! - I thoroughly enjoyed this dip into the murky world of police diving. Utterly compelling.' - Sam Holland

'It me less than 24 hours to read this and I'm still reeling - so intense, so tangled, so beautifully written and utterly, brilliantly claustrophobic.' - Emma Christie

'L.V. Matthews has done it again with a truly dark and complex thriller that will have you gasping for breath.' - Sophie Flynn

'An original, compelling foray into the toxic world of Olympic diving, with Matthew's signature stunning characterisation and gripping plot. Silent Waters should be at the top of every crime/thriller lover's TBR next year.' - Mira Shah

'Terrific, memorable suspense writing that draws you in. Silent Waters is a real up-all-night thriller.' - B P Walter

'I was immediately obsessed with this brilliant, murky but warm story of deep-buried secrets and impossible choices. Gorgeously real characters and relationships and a compelling mystery with heartbreakingly high stakes. Loved it!' - Gytha Lodge

'I loved the chilling, atmospheric and expertly plotted Silent Waters. A wonderfully intriguing mystery and a definite must-read!' - Karen Hamilton

'I adored delving into the murky world of police diving as L.V. Matthews caught me in a fascinating tale of rivalry, lies, and long buried secrets.' - Sarah Bonner

'So clever and claustrophobic with very smart twists ... A razor-sharp read!' - Kate Gray

'Absolutely loved it. A twisty page turner ... Great premise, compelling plot, brilliant characterisation.' - Sarah Turner, aka The Unmumsy Mum, bestselling author of Stepping Up