A Devon Murder Mystery
A Detective Jacob Knox Thriller – Book 2
Review Note:
After enjoying Hollow Ground, I was keen to return to Freya Wallace’s DI Knox series, curious to see how it would develop.
As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.
About the Book
DI Knox is back…
When the body of a local vicar is pulled from the waters of Exmouth Marina, DI Knox is drawn into a case that quickly spirals beyond the expected. The death bears all the hallmarks of an ritualistic, deliberate, and staged for a message no one yet understands.
As more victims are discovered, each with ties to a shadowy web of drugs, money laundering, and long-buried secrets, Knox becomes convinced the killer is driven by something deeply personal. But the evidence is fragmented and the pressure to follow the obvious leads is relentless.
With rival detectives pushing competing theories, Knox and DS Ava Carter must navigate lies, fractured families, and dangerous alliances. Each step brings them closer to the truth, and closer to a killer who knows the tides as well as they know their rage.
Dark Tides by Freya Wallace
- Digital: 204p (Hamya Press) published 2 October 2025
- Paperback: 204p (Hamya Press) published 29 September 2025
About the Author
Freya Wallace is a crime writer based in Devon. Her Detective Jacob Knox series is set against the backdrop of her local area. A lifelong reader, she always wanted to see a gripping crime series unfold in the place she knows best. When she’s not writing or reading, Freya can be found walking her two German Shepherds along the local beaches.
My review
Dark Tides is a confident and compelling second instalment in Freya Wallace’s Detective Jacob Knox thriller series, and a strong follow-up to Hollow Ground. The move from the bleak openness of Dartmoor to the coastal setting of Exmouth is an effective shift, giving this book a noticeably different atmosphere while still feeling firmly anchored within the same world.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how grounded the investigation feels. This is British crime fiction that respects the genre – realistic dialogue, believable police procedure, and an investigation that unfolds methodically rather than relying on shortcuts or dramatic leaps. There’s a steady sense of pressure throughout, driven not just by the case itself but by internal tensions and competing theories. The characterisation is thoughtfully done, adding subtle complexity and tension without pulling focus away from the case itself.
I also really appreciated how the author handles continuity from book one. Enough detail is carried over to orient new readers, but it’s woven in subtly, avoiding repetition or disruption to the pace for those already familiar with the series.
The plot itself is layered and steadily builds momentum, weaving together fractured families, long-buried secrets, and darker criminal threads in a way that feels earned rather than contrived. The tension develops naturally, leading to a satisfying and well-constructed payoff.
Overall, Dark Tides deepens the series and it left me genuinely keen to see where Detective Knox’s story goes next when book three is released.
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts of it, may also be shared on my social media channels and various book platforms. Links are accurate at the time of publication.
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