What do you think?
Rate this book
DCI Michael Lambert #0.5
Dead Water
Twenty-Five years ago Joseph Wyatt was convicted for the drowning of two university students.
Released from prison, Wyatt has disappeared and bodies are being found in the water.
When DCI Lambert’s boss goes missing, the clock starts ticking and Lambert knows he has seven days left.
Seven days until another body is found dead in the water.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2019
About the author
Matt Brolly
43 books632 followersMatt Brolly is the Amazon number one bestselling author of the DI Blackwell novels set in Weston-supper-Mare, as well as the DCI Lambert crime novels, the acclaimed near future crime novel, Zero, and the US thriller, The Controller.
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their young children. You can find out more about Matt at his website www.mattbrolly.com or by following him on twitter: @MattBrollyUK
Matt Brolly books in order:
DI Blackwell:
The Crossing (Feb 2020)
The Descent (July 2020)
The Gorge (March 2021)
The Mark (out November 2021)
DCI Lambert Series
Dead Water (prequel released August 2019)
Dead Eyed
Dead Lucky
Dead Embers
Dead Time
Other books
Zero
The Controller
For children (as M.J. Brolly)
The Sleeping Bug
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their young children. You can find out more about Matt at his website www.mattbrolly.com or by following him on twitter: @MattBrollyUK
Matt Brolly books in order:
DI Blackwell:
The Crossing (Feb 2020)
The Descent (July 2020)
The Gorge (March 2021)
The Mark (out November 2021)
DCI Lambert Series
Dead Water (prequel released August 2019)
Dead Eyed
Dead Lucky
Dead Embers
Dead Time
Other books
Zero
The Controller
For children (as M.J. Brolly)
The Sleeping Bug
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 12, 2020
DEAD WATER by Matt Brolly is prequel book in the DCI Lambert police procedural/crime series and is set in England. This is the first book that I have read in this series, but I have read and enjoyed the first two books in this author’s Detective Louise Blackwell series.
In this prequel, the reader is introduced to DCI Michael Lambert when a convicted murderer has been released on parole and the police officers involved in his original arrest go missing and then turn up dead. When Lambert’s superior goes missing, he knows he only has days to locate him.
Since this is a novella, there isn’t a lot of time for character depth. However, we do get a few insights into his personal and professional lives. His goals were clear, but the relationships between the characters were not fully formed. While there are some plot twists, they weren’t totally unexpected. That can be difficult to achieve in a novella, and based on other books by this author, I have every expectation that the full length novels in this series will be compelling, dramatic, and moving.
Overall, this was a good police procedural novella that introduces us to DCI Lambert. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
In this prequel, the reader is introduced to DCI Michael Lambert when a convicted murderer has been released on parole and the police officers involved in his original arrest go missing and then turn up dead. When Lambert’s superior goes missing, he knows he only has days to locate him.
Since this is a novella, there isn’t a lot of time for character depth. However, we do get a few insights into his personal and professional lives. His goals were clear, but the relationships between the characters were not fully formed. While there are some plot twists, they weren’t totally unexpected. That can be difficult to achieve in a novella, and based on other books by this author, I have every expectation that the full length novels in this series will be compelling, dramatic, and moving.
Overall, this was a good police procedural novella that introduces us to DCI Lambert. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 28, 2019
When the murderer of two girls is released on parole and then suddenly disappears 6 month later London detectives are worried. But that alarm grows when two of the three detectives that put him in jail 25 years ago are murdered and the third Chief Superintendent Tillman just went missing.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Lambert knows they only have 7 days to find him before he also turns up dead.
This is a straight police procedure/murder mystery that weaves in the past and present along with giving the reader more clues and answers than DCI Lambert gets.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Lambert knows they only have 7 days to find him before he also turns up dead.
This is a straight police procedure/murder mystery that weaves in the past and present along with giving the reader more clues and answers than DCI Lambert gets.
August 29, 2020
Badly edited. Pages repeat themselves. Not enjoyable to read so I gave up half way.
December 11, 2019
Great Read
A murderer is unexpectedly given parole which results in two of the officers involved in his arrest being murdered, after being held captive for 7 days. When the boss of the two officers disappears, the race is on to find the murderer before he too is murdered. DCI Lambert is leading the chase against time. There’s a great twist at the end.
A murderer is unexpectedly given parole which results in two of the officers involved in his arrest being murdered, after being held captive for 7 days. When the boss of the two officers disappears, the race is on to find the murderer before he too is murdered. DCI Lambert is leading the chase against time. There’s a great twist at the end.
February 18, 2020
A good quick read.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella from Matt Brolly. It was well written and had an excellent storyline for such a relatively short story. It is also a good introduction to the DCI Lambert series. The only thing that stopped me from giving it five stars were the number of errors in the printing. It would definitely benefit from a good proof read.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella from Matt Brolly. It was well written and had an excellent storyline for such a relatively short story. It is also a good introduction to the DCI Lambert series. The only thing that stopped me from giving it five stars were the number of errors in the printing. It would definitely benefit from a good proof read.
April 17, 2020
Good but ....
The book itself is very good. The problem I have is that 30% of the kindle copy is taken up with the start of another book, one I had already read. Really glad it was on kindle unlimited so I hadn't paid for it.
The book itself is very good. The problem I have is that 30% of the kindle copy is taken up with the start of another book, one I had already read. Really glad it was on kindle unlimited so I hadn't paid for it.
November 21, 2019
Simplistic plotting, naive characterisation and dubious motivation, plus unreliable narrative from the author.
November 22, 2024
My rating was not really based on the quality of the writing of the story, but more that I get really fed up these days by the amount of "prequels" we are now seeing. They usually cover so much of the storyline that has been told already 🙄 that I don't think they bring anything to the series 🤔 and frankly the author should be able to put the "missing" pieces into the original story without having to do a mini book hence my bad rating
June 13, 2022
dead water
A good read from start to finish, with Lambert being brought in on an old case
Wyatt being released from prison and the murdering starts all over again,
As usual Lambert never misses a thing ,,he keeps digging into all the old paper work until he discovers something
And finally finds the truth
A good read from start to finish, with Lambert being brought in on an old case
Wyatt being released from prison and the murdering starts all over again,
As usual Lambert never misses a thing ,,he keeps digging into all the old paper work until he discovers something
And finally finds the truth
November 7, 2022
This was my first Matt Brolly book, whilst my wife has read several. I found this ok, but nothing more. I didn't feel that I really wanted to finish the book. I was just not involved with either the characters or the story. Only afterwards did my wife tell me she had not read the DCI Lambert series yet. Perhaps I should try some the other Brolly series.
February 26, 2023
Great Read
Another great book from Matt Brolly. Gives us an understanding between DCI Lambert and his boss Tillman. A murderer is given parole and this leads to two of the three detectives being murdered and a third going missing- Tillman.
Lambert leads the investigation to find his boss . Though it was an novella it held my interest.
Another great book from Matt Brolly. Gives us an understanding between DCI Lambert and his boss Tillman. A murderer is given parole and this leads to two of the three detectives being murdered and a third going missing- Tillman.
Lambert leads the investigation to find his boss . Though it was an novella it held my interest.
September 17, 2023
Conscience.
A good introduction to DCI Lambert.
Wish other authors would do this, rather than going off tangent during a storyline, to explain a characters action.
A complete tale with a beginning, middle and end. By the last page, you have an insight into his character, morality and family dynamics.
A good read and look forward to reading the series.
A good introduction to DCI Lambert.
Wish other authors would do this, rather than going off tangent during a storyline, to explain a characters action.
A complete tale with a beginning, middle and end. By the last page, you have an insight into his character, morality and family dynamics.
A good read and look forward to reading the series.
October 20, 2024
This was a patchy novel and ultimately very unsatisfying. The concept was good but the revelation of the true abductor occurred very abruptly and clumsily (even though it was obvious who it was going to be long before it was revealed).
Maybe Mr Lambert's writing will improve with later novels but based on this one I'm unlikely to read any more of his work.
Maybe Mr Lambert's writing will improve with later novels but based on this one I'm unlikely to read any more of his work.
April 13, 2020
Hooked
Having read Dead E uhh e and Dead Lucky I was in two minds as to whether a prequel was a good idea but it was not only a gripping story but helped define the characters of Tillman and Lambert. I am hooked on this series now.
Having read Dead E uhh e and Dead Lucky I was in two minds as to whether a prequel was a good idea but it was not only a gripping story but helped define the characters of Tillman and Lambert. I am hooked on this series now.
April 16, 2020
I am always on on the look out for new author I was not disappointed I have read 'll your work enjoyed your style of writing
I really enjoyed all your books thank you so much
So thank you look forward to the next book when it comes out
I really enjoyed all your books thank you so much
So thank you look forward to the next book when it comes out
August 11, 2020
Very Good!
Great introduction to a new series, at least for me. Interesting investigation to find his superior officer, who has been abducted. This is a short novel but introduced main character, his job, and his family.
Great introduction to a new series, at least for me. Interesting investigation to find his superior officer, who has been abducted. This is a short novel but introduced main character, his job, and his family.
October 3, 2020
Good introduction to this police procedural series. This novella serves to introduce the reader to the main character’s personal life, and more importantly, his detecting style and briefly, working relationships.
October 26, 2020
Super
What an absolutely amazing wonderful read. It had me captivated throughout. The characters were phenomenal. They all helped to blend the story to make it believable. Thoroughly recommend it. Very easy to follow the plot. Thank you.
What an absolutely amazing wonderful read. It had me captivated throughout. The characters were phenomenal. They all helped to blend the story to make it believable. Thoroughly recommend it. Very easy to follow the plot. Thank you.
April 2, 2021
A novella length prequel to a police procedural series. The plot was good enough but it stuttered a bit in places, and it did not do much to develop the lead character. I had read the first book already, which I liked so I will probably take up the series.
July 4, 2021
Enjoyable read.
I only give 5 stars to a book I finish and I only finish books that are well written, believable characters, with a story Line that could have happened. This book fits all the criteria.
I only give 5 stars to a book I finish and I only finish books that are well written, believable characters, with a story Line that could have happened. This book fits all the criteria.
March 21, 2022
Gripping Read
As the story went on, you get pulled into it, wanting to know what had happened and I wasn’t disappointed with the result. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, from start to finish
As the story went on, you get pulled into it, wanting to know what had happened and I wasn’t disappointed with the result. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, from start to finish
April 23, 2023
Some good background here to Lambert and Tillman’s relationship and some lovely prequel about Chloe, Lambert’s deceased daughter. I never really enjoy a novella as much as it always finishes before it’s really begun but I liked this
December 23, 2023
Och! A right rousing tale, that was
Since Book 1 and 2 aren’t on Kindle Unlimited, this volume will do; an intro as to what helped form Inspector Lambert into what he is today.
Well worth the time.
Since Book 1 and 2 aren’t on Kindle Unlimited, this volume will do; an intro as to what helped form Inspector Lambert into what he is today.
Well worth the time.
March 9, 2020
It didn't work for me reading the early days after reading the first 3 books.
March 20, 2020
Brilliant book pity it was only a novella now to get the next book
April 5, 2020
Gripping story
A gripping story, I couldn't put the book down. The perfect read for anyone who loves a good detective story.
A gripping story, I couldn't put the book down. The perfect read for anyone who loves a good detective story.
August 11, 2020
Very good
Read this book last even though it should have been first but that don't matter the whole series has been great
Read this book last even though it should have been first but that don't matter the whole series has been great
October 18, 2020
Not bad but not brilliant
Sloppy editing, very poor in places '7 metre fence' surely that should be 7 foot? Not especially well written and a bit too immature for my tastes.
Sloppy editing, very poor in places '7 metre fence' surely that should be 7 foot? Not especially well written and a bit too immature for my tastes.
January 15, 2021
Gripped from the first couple of pages. First of the series to start you off. Brilliant
August 2, 2021
Impressive
If this is the first how much better the others? I have read one other which led me to this.
If this is the first how much better the others? I have read one other which led me to this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews