Having read both of Gaz’s two other books, it was great to be back in Beachbrook and this is another great pageturner! This time round, it is the brutal murder of an elderly couple the team is trying solve. Was it a burglary gone wrong or is there more to the case? As DC Vinny Robson and his colleagues try and put the pieces together, it becomes apparent that this could become more than personal. And once the truth is out, it could change everything. The question is would you always want to know the truth? And can murder ever be justified?I really enjoy Gaz’s writing. Not only does he manage to keep you hooked throughout, I love how the fact that he is an ex police officer shines through the pages. The risks police officers take each day, the traumas they carry within their hearts and that special bond with their colleagues only they can truly understand, it all forms part of the story and it just adds another layer of depth and authenticity for me. The emotional side of this book is also one of its true strength for me: the characters are so well developed and so very human. We touch on so many aspects of life with true understanding and empathy. Another excellent book Gaz and out of the three probably my favourite even though I really liked the first two books as well.(A small trigger warning to anyone this may affect: the book contains reference to rape and also dementia.)

DC Vinny Robson has spent his career seeking justice for others, but when an elderly couple are violently murdered in his hometown of Beachbrook, the investigation takes a devastating turn - one that cuts through his own family. As Vinny dives deeper, the case becomes more a pursuit of a killer - it's a fight against the undertow of his own past. But in chasing the truth, will he finally find justice, or will he drown in the wreckage of everything he thought he knew? some truths should stay submerged. But once the tide turns, there's no stopping what comes to light. I'm really enjoying this police procedural series. We are on book three and Against the Tide is a great addition. DC Vinny Robson is still dealing with his mother's dementia diagnosis whilst working on a serious crime. This is quite an emotional read. We get a double murder and a haunting secrets that were buried in the past come to the fore. Some parts of this story are truly heartbreaking. This book could be read as a standalone but you would miss out on some of the main characters backstories. Now, we have a long wait until the next book is published. Published 18th June 2026 I would like to thank #NetGalley AvonBooksUK and the authro #GDWright for my ARC of #AgainstTheTide in exchange for an honest review.

A spate of armed burglaries has taken place in Beachbrook, and the police are no closer to apprehending the culprits. Their investigation is taken up a notch when the most recent burglary leaves one person dead and another badly injured. This is one of those books where you need to lock all the doors, draw the curtains and put your phone on silent, because once you start reading, you won't want to put this brilliant book down. From the opening pages, the story packs an emotional punch and keeps you in its grip throughout. The book covers some hard-hitting themes, with one thought-provoking one in particular. These themes are handled in an extremely sympathetic manner, thanks to the empathetic writing of the author. The book alternates between three main characters. Natalie Knight is the adult daughter of the couple involved in the most recent burglary. DC Vinny Robson is the police officer assigned as Natalie's FLO, and DS Sue Willmott is his boss. Alternating between three different characters keeps the pace flowing and results in some breath-catching cliffhanger moments. Guilt is a big theme throughout the story. Natalie is wracked with guilt after finding a scene of utter devastation when she visits her parents; she keeps wondering if events would have been different if she'd visited earlier. Vinny is dealing with his own issues; his widowed mother is in a care home, suffering from dementia. Despite regular visits, he still feels that he needs to do more. DS Willmott is trying to balance family and work; not only does she feel guilty that she isn't always there for her young daughter, she is also struggling with moving on to a new relationship. Throughout the story, I found my emotions bubbling to the surface on a regular basis. Anger flared following the opening scenes, and the historical events; however, sadness was the most prevalent emotion. Natalie receiving news of her mother in the hospital was heartbreaking, and one scene between Vinny and his mother was so reminiscent of what happened to my own mother that I felt tears welling. As the conclusion neared, I could feel my anxiety rising, wondering how everything slotted together and how much more the lives of some of the characters would be impacted. The multiple twists at the end left me shocked, as the truth was finally revealed.