It starts with the knife. Found at the bottom of a hidden lake in the Norfolk Broads, covered in blood and heart tissue so fresh the water hasn't yet washed it all away. What salvage diver Cam Killick has found is a murder weapon from a very recent crime – but how do you solve a murder without a body?
The remoteness of the setting is itself a clue. Only a handful of people know the location of the lake, let alone how to access it. But no sooner have Cam and DS Claire Rogers started working through this ready-made suspect pool than one of them disappears.
The ripples from Cam's discovery have disturbed a dangerous predator, one who knows the water even better than Cam himself. The question now is what they want – and how many more people will die before Cam can stop them?
A serial killer is on the loose in Norfolk in this breathtaking thriller from 'the master of the stone-cold twist', perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, Peter James and Ann Cleeves.
Forbidden Waters is the second book in Rob Parker's Cam Killick series and has confirmed that Cam is already one of my favourite characters in crime fiction. It's not necessary to have read The Troubled Deep but it was one of my favourite books last year so I highly recommend that you do. As standalone novels, both are superb thrillers; read together, the ongoing insight into Cam's PTSD is exceptional.
Cam's work as a salvage diver allows him to utilise some of the skills he learned in the marines and SBS but more importantly, it's in the water where he is most able to find solace. However, other people hide and lose things in deep water and while searching for a missing fishing lure, he finds something far more disturbing. In spite of his troubles, Cam is a resourceful man and so when he realises the knife at the bottom of a lake is covered in blood, he safely delivers it to the police station in a sandwich bag. DS Clare Rogers is enjoying the new found respect she has earned following events in The Troubled Deep and although she feigns annoyance at Cam's appearance – and particularly at the smell of him – she quickly realises the ramifications of his gruesome discovery.
Their concerns are soon realised when the forensic investigation identifies heart tissue on the knife, meaning it now has to be considered a murder weapon. They have the DNA of the victim but they don't yet have a body. The relationship between Cam and Clare is unconventional; she recognises he is able to work outside of her professional constraints and offer a different perspective to the investigation. There is inevitably friction between them but her exasperated responses to him belie her sneaking admiration for this complex, damaged man. Meanwhile Cam's friendship with Jess continues but although it's clear his feelings for her have deepened, he still isn't sure whether he is in the right place to pursue a more romantic relationship.
He has developed various strategies for dealing with his crippling panic attacks and has recently found a counsellor whose unusual approach to their therapy sessions seems to have helped a little. Rob Parker describes Cam’s torment with such empathy and understanding, it's impossible not to feel deeply moved by his anguish and the shame he feels at his reactions to the events that trigger an attack. The importance of acknowledging the issues surrounding male mental health can never be understated and it's heartwarming to see such authentic, compassion in a nailbiting thriller.
Cam may have his problems but he also has a strong sense of justice and he is determined to discover the truth about Doke End and why a number of people who were given access to the hidden lake have disappeared. Forbidden Waters is a dark and chilling read and there are some nightmarish scenes here which are definitely not for those with a weak stomach! Cam's prior experiences mean he is acutely sensitive to danger and the tension rises inexorably amidst some startling revelations as it becomes horribly apparent that he has become the prey to an apex predator who will stop at nothing to defend his territory.
Rob Parker effortlessly evokes the sense of place with his immersive descriptions of Norfolk and the remote, almost otherworldliness of the Broads is the perfect setting for this atmospheric story where the hidden depths of the landscape are reflected in the people who make their home there. Meanwhile, the nuanced, perceptive characterisation throughout Forbidden Waters is outstanding; Cam is a standout character of course, but the supporting cast are all beautifully drawn. Full of drama, humour and heart, this action-packed, poignant thriller is an unmissable read. Very highly recommended.
Forbidden Waters is published by Bloomsbury Raven; purchasing links can be found here.
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