Genre: Paranormal, Mystery
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Victor Delgado thought he had it all: love, career, and a future. Escaped from the narrow streets and narrower mentality of his native Puerto Rico, he was finally free to express himself: a gay cop in the NYPD.
One fateful night everything will change when Jason, his fiancé, is fatally wounded by a mysterious aggressor in his hotel room in Oldport, RI. In a race against time, fighting against suspicious cops and with no one to trust, Victor will be consumed by a personal vendetta.
Paranoia, pollution, and urban degradation are not the only horrors that await him in Oldport. Soon secrets that conceal a terrible truth will be revealed to Victor, and face the madness that lurks in the abandoned cobblestone streets of this New England town.
DEAD IN THE WATER is a paranormal mystery novel about a single-minded quest for revenge in a town of forgotten horrors. The book will appeal to readers of the genres of supernatural thrillers, reminiscent of the style of Steven King (The Outsider) and Darcey Coates (Craven Manor).
The Review
Victor Delgado is Puerto Rican and Catholic, a tough and intimidating New York cop. He’s preparing to take the exam for detective. As rough as Victor is, he has a soft spot for one person – Jason.
Jason and Victor are engaged to be married. Jason is off working in Oldport, Rhode Island for six weeks, and Victor is counting down the time. For Victor, Jason’s the perfect partner. He’s Victor’s rock and support, and doesn’t mind the alone time – he loves to read and is into his comics. Victor is over the moon with Jason, and checks on him every chance he gets. There’s also Ms. Scruffy, a great companion for Jason.
Jason has found a special gift for Victor. He describes it to him over the phone. It’s an old, ugly and unusual scrimshaw. He tells Victor that he got the seashell from a young teenager by the name of Teegan. Teegan mentioned that he found it at an old house somewhere on the shore, where the steel factory makes their dumps.
While on his shift with his partner Carrino, Victor grabs a short break and checks his phone. He’s missed so many messages, and when he checks he’s devastated.
Jason has been in accident.
Victor immediately leaves for Oldport. When he arrives at Our Lady of Seafarers hospital, Victor is disrespected and treated harshly by Deputy Willingham.
Victor makes a solid promise to Jason and himself to find whoever did this horrific act and take care of the issue himself. He feels not enough is being done, and puts his expertise as a big city cop to work. As he starts to investigate and put the pieces together, the world as he knows it is turned upside down.
I was very impressed with this mystery/paranormal novel. It’s a well written, easy read – fast paced, heart breaking, and intense. Its dark theme is noth terrifying and on the edge scary.
Victor Delgado is an amazing, memorable character too, and Saintsbury does a great job bringing out his strong, powerful and vulnerable emotions and his endless love for Jason.
I highly recommend “Dead In the Water” for those who love a good paranormal mystery novel.
I searched for other novels from Louis Saintsbury and couldn’t find anything else, so it seems this is a debut novel. I’m going to keep and eye out for Louis Saintsbury – I’m looking forward to more.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.