Tom Meredith

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC. Blood in the Water by Tom Meredith is a gripping and intense thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story weaves together suspense, action, and mystery, following a protagonist who is pulled into a dangerous world of crime and betrayal. The writing is fast-paced and engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot full of twists and turns. Fans of crime thrillers and action-packed narratives will find this book hard to put down. If you’re looking for a thrilling, high-stakes read, Blood in the Water delivers an exciting experience from start to finish.

Tom Meredith makes a bold and compelling debut with Blood in the Water, an action-packed thriller that delivers relentless tension, high-stakes drama, and a chillingly plausible threat. Set in a post-COVID world, the novel captures the lingering unease of global uncertainty while introducing an even greater danger—one that puts the UK on the brink of catastrophe.

From the very first page, Meredith throws readers into a fast-paced narrative where no one is safe. The immediacy of the threat, combined with the novel’s gripping realism, creates an atmosphere of intense suspense. The post-pandemic setting adds another layer of depth, reflecting the anxieties and vulnerabilities that still linger in society. Meredith expertly weaves these real-world fears into his storytelling, making the stakes feel all the more urgent.

The pacing is relentless, with action sequences that are both cinematic and visceral. Every chapter drives the story forward, ensuring there are no moments of respite. But beyond the action, Meredith excels at building tension through strong character development and a well-crafted plot. His characters feel real, their decisions grounded in the weight of the crisis unfolding around them.

As a debut novel, Blood in the Water is an impressive achievement. Meredith proves himself to be a strong new voice in the thriller genre, capable of delivering both gripping action and thought-provoking themes. By the time the final pages turn, readers will be left eager to see what he delivers next. If this book is any indication, he’s an author to watch.

Loved it! 😍

The story was continuously thrilling, keeping my attention and occasionally surprising me with creative plot twists. The characters were mostly well-developed, but Meredith often used overly descriptive language when first introducing each character. However, I really enjoyed how the different narrators allowed readers to experience the story from multiple perspectives. Meredith also did an excellent job of writing interesting fight scenes without being overly gruesome. Meredith’s writing kept me on the edge of my seat, masterfully building on some of the “what ifs” that came out of the Covid-19 pandemic. This was overall a very good mystery thriller book, and I would be interested in learning what happens next to Ben, Ollie, and the rest of the characters.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new mystery book that includes thrilling action scenes. If you enjoy murder mysteries with multiple perspectives and plenty of fight scenes, you should definitely make this book one of your first reads of the new year.