Hello friends! Today I’ve got my book review of

Dead in the Water by Hailey Edwards.

Dead in the Water is the first book in the Gemini series–as well as the first book in Camille’s trilogy.

Trigger Warning: Child Murder mention, Grief, Loss of a sibling mention, Death by Drowning mention.

Camille Ellis is the Earthen Conclave’s golden girl. Her peculiar talent solves cases with a touch. She isn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty, but every bright star casts a shadow, and her deepest scars lurk just beneath the skin.

A routine consultation goes sideways when a victim’s brother gets involved in the investigation. Riding the edge of grief, the warg will go to any lengths to avenge his sister’s death. Even if it means ensuring Cam’s cooperation at the jaws of his wolf.

When the killer strikes again, Cam is caught between a warg and a hard place. To save the next victim, she must embrace her past. Even if it means dragging her darkest secrets into the light of day.

This series is a spinoff of the author’s “Black Dog” series.

I gotta tell you that the synopsis for Dead in the Water just…sank it’s hook into me. I had to read Dead in the Water. Another thing that attracted me to this book was the cover. Holy smokes, when I see it there’s just so many questions I have, you know?

The beginning to this first Gemini book had me…..playing a game of ‘Stop, Go.’ With myself. Honestly the beginning chapters of this book were pretty stale and that had me not wanting to read the rest of the book. So I took a break from reading Dead in the Water.

I only just recently again picked up Dead in the Water to try and read it. I didn’t start from the beginning–admittedly, I had thought that where I started reading again was the start of the book haha. It was only when I went to check what percentage of the book I was at to realize that I was about 40% into the novel already! Along the way bits and pieces came back to me and I remembered the beginning.

I’m going to say that there’s more than meets the eye in this book. There are a few things happening in the background of the story that we don’t really end up knowing about. This simultaneously intrigues and angers me. Like, I need to know!

The character development that Camille went through wasn’t much in this first book, but I am super impressed by the growth she went through to be the person who she was by the end of this book. She put some strength in her resolve and steeled herself. I could easily tell that there are moments in Camille’s life that she doesn’t want to deal with. Yet she’s dealing with some of it within Dead in the Water, and I’m actually grateful for that. Camille’s true character is starting to reveal itself and I couldn’t be more glad about that.

There’s also something close to romance that’s begun in this book. I believe that this will be more pronounced in the next book–which I am so looking forward to reading.

I’m giving Dead in the Water, 2.5 stars.

Have you read Dead in the Water, or anything else written by Hailey Edwards? Let me know!

As I’m writing this review, I’ve now read the entirety of Camille’s trilogy, which also means I’ve read 3 of Edwards’ books. Now that I’m familiar with Edwards’ writing I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

I’m going to try and read her Black Dog series next.

Thank you for stopping by!

See you soon, and Happy Reading!
Adele

P.S.– Long time no see! I apologize for taking an un-noted leave of absence. Life and stress got in the way. I kept busy working away in my little shop since I didn’t want to read for the LONGEST time. I’m going to try and take things slowly here on Adele Is Reading. I don’t want to post too much where I end up burning out again.

Anyway, enough about me… How are you doing?