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DI Mike Nash #1
What Lies Beneath
Detective Mike Nash thought that moving back to Yorkshire from London would give him a quieter life. Little did he know . . .
Two skeletons are discovered in Lamentation Tarn, a mountain lake.
Talented detective Mike Nash and his team have little evidence with which to work, until a surprising discovery prompts them to contact law enforcement agencies in Eastern Europe.
A joint task force is formed to uncover a criminal network involved in prostitution, drugs, and human trafficking, but Nash's preoccupation with internal politics, as well as with an attractive Russian detective, proves to be a distraction.
Finally, a young victim escapes the gang's clutches, providing Nash with much needed evidence. A search of the neighboring tarn yields evidence of even more heinous crimes.
Who else will die before the criminals are brought to bitter justice?
Please note: this is a revised edition of Depth of Despair
Two skeletons are discovered in Lamentation Tarn, a mountain lake.
Talented detective Mike Nash and his team have little evidence with which to work, until a surprising discovery prompts them to contact law enforcement agencies in Eastern Europe.
A joint task force is formed to uncover a criminal network involved in prostitution, drugs, and human trafficking, but Nash's preoccupation with internal politics, as well as with an attractive Russian detective, proves to be a distraction.
Finally, a young victim escapes the gang's clutches, providing Nash with much needed evidence. A search of the neighboring tarn yields evidence of even more heinous crimes.
Who else will die before the criminals are brought to bitter justice?
Please note: this is a revised edition of Depth of Despair
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2010
2178 people are currently reading
1421 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
April 21, 2020
A new author for me. The first of what looks to be great new crime series we are introduced to DI Mike Nash and his small team of detectives who are based in a small Yorkshire town, He is a caring and compassionate detective who has the tenacity to get to the truth and get results, love the working relationship with his colleagues which helps to form a strong team bond.
Although this is set in a fictional town it’s obvious where this is intended to be, not a problem for me. The rural landscape plays an important part in bringing the story to life. The plot deals with a few dark and difficult topics, but they are dealt with in a sensitive way.
Overall this is an easy to read book that draws you in from page one and is difficult to put down. It flows well and introduces some well-rounded characters that are developed and brought to life on the page. I am sure more will be learnt about them in future books. I am hooked and have already bought 3 more books from the series.
Although this is set in a fictional town it’s obvious where this is intended to be, not a problem for me. The rural landscape plays an important part in bringing the story to life. The plot deals with a few dark and difficult topics, but they are dealt with in a sensitive way.
Overall this is an easy to read book that draws you in from page one and is difficult to put down. It flows well and introduces some well-rounded characters that are developed and brought to life on the page. I am sure more will be learnt about them in future books. I am hooked and have already bought 3 more books from the series.
February 19, 2021
It started off okay, but quickly nosedived
When I first started reading, I was thinking; I found a new series to read, not a great series, but an okay series. Sadly, it didn't hold even okay to the end.
I'm not sure at what point it went started nosediving, but it became stereotyped rather quickly. Nash, the protagonist, is dealing with the grief of tragedy that paralyzed his girlfriend; he feels the blame 🥱 , but by stories end, he's slept with, I think, all the female characters except one. 😝, oh isn't love grand?
The top villain isn't that hard to figure out. I give more, but I'm not a spoiler 🤫 , but I wasn't clueless 🤷♂️in a short time.
You got the most evilest characters, a couple of cops who are the usual basic crooked, sexist, racist 🥱🥱. So original 🤥.
The end story for one victim, again, no great surprise 😱.
I could deal with some of the stereotypes no surprise stuff for a possible second read, but guys who grieve over a loved one and blame themself, but 'shags' just about any breathing female, Nah!
This brings me to my last gripe. The story does cover a. Dry horrific subject, sex trafficking, but our hero sees sex with any hot babe as just sucking on another piece of candy. 😢
When I first started reading, I was thinking; I found a new series to read, not a great series, but an okay series. Sadly, it didn't hold even okay to the end.
I'm not sure at what point it went started nosediving, but it became stereotyped rather quickly. Nash, the protagonist, is dealing with the grief of tragedy that paralyzed his girlfriend; he feels the blame 🥱 , but by stories end, he's slept with, I think, all the female characters except one. 😝, oh isn't love grand?
The top villain isn't that hard to figure out. I give more, but I'm not a spoiler 🤫 , but I wasn't clueless 🤷♂️in a short time.
You got the most evilest characters, a couple of cops who are the usual basic crooked, sexist, racist 🥱🥱. So original 🤥.
The end story for one victim, again, no great surprise 😱.
I could deal with some of the stereotypes no surprise stuff for a possible second read, but guys who grieve over a loved one and blame themself, but 'shags' just about any breathing female, Nah!
This brings me to my last gripe. The story does cover a. Dry horrific subject, sex trafficking, but our hero sees sex with any hot babe as just sucking on another piece of candy. 😢
December 30, 2019
A chance discovery of a human skull in a remote lake leads all hell to break loose and DI Mike Nash gets to wrap up a massive human trafficking ring. A very accessible thriller - easy to read, good flow and pacing and introduces a lovely new cast of characters. I have read four of these now but the series stretches to over ten. Unfortunately issues with publishers means the e-books are currently unavailable and I can't continue at this stage.
January 8, 2023
What Lies Beneath is book one in the DI Mike Nash series by Bill Kitson. Detective Inspector Mike Nash caught a case of two skeletons found in an isolated Lamentation Tarn in Yorkshire. At first, Detective Inspector Mike Nash and his team were not sure if they had a murder or suicide. However, this changed when they found a young victim who escaped her prison, leaving evidence of child trafficking. When Russian law enforcement officers became involved in the investigation, Detective Inspector Mike Nash became acting Superintendent to oversee the joint task force. The readers of What Lies Beneath will continue to follow Inspector Mike Nash to discover what happens.
I found this series by reading the last book and fell in love with the characters and the plot, so I decided to go back and start reading book one. What Lies Beneath did not disappoint and, differently, ensures that I continue reading books in the series. I love Bill Kitson's portrayal of his characters and how they interact throughout this book. What Lies Beneath is well-written and researched by Bill Kitson. I like Bill Kitson's description of the settings of What Lies Beneath, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of What Lies Beneath will learn the meaning of Tarn. Also, the readers of What Lies Beneath will understand the consequences of child trafficking.
I recommend this book.
I found this series by reading the last book and fell in love with the characters and the plot, so I decided to go back and start reading book one. What Lies Beneath did not disappoint and, differently, ensures that I continue reading books in the series. I love Bill Kitson's portrayal of his characters and how they interact throughout this book. What Lies Beneath is well-written and researched by Bill Kitson. I like Bill Kitson's description of the settings of What Lies Beneath, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of What Lies Beneath will learn the meaning of Tarn. Also, the readers of What Lies Beneath will understand the consequences of child trafficking.
I recommend this book.
March 6, 2013
The hero drinks a couple of bottles of wine a night & then has psychic dreams. He also favours the approach of Lord Peter Wimsey & Hercule Poirot of pronouncing things like "I know who did this but I'm not going to tell you - at least not until the start of the next chapter." If you worked with anyone like that you'd kill them - you certainly wouldn't hero-worship them.
He's also shagtastic so there's some toe-curlingly awful innuendo-laden dialogue and banter as well as multiple conquests.
The writing is clunky and immature and the characters are universally uninteresting. The plot is ludicrous - name a hot-button news story of the last few years and it's probably been shoe-horned in here.
As you may have guessed I hated it, but I seem to be in the minority.
He's also shagtastic so there's some toe-curlingly awful innuendo-laden dialogue and banter as well as multiple conquests.
The writing is clunky and immature and the characters are universally uninteresting. The plot is ludicrous - name a hot-button news story of the last few years and it's probably been shoe-horned in here.
As you may have guessed I hated it, but I seem to be in the minority.
April 9, 2022
This reads like someone who has taken a writing course and written their first novel. Transitions from one scene are often abrupt. Topic is intriguing and storyline is engaging but it’s very amateurish.
June 7, 2024
I hate to say it, but it's one of the worst books I've ever read! I kept thinking it might get better, but it didn't.
The portrayal of female characters is unrealistic and awful. The imagery is non-existent - I lost track of who was who because of such poor descriptions. The majority of the book is in statements telling a story without any imagery. It's supposed to be a tense story... but it really isn't.
The violence is extreme but with no substance to ground it in the story. Police officers, so shocked by the extreme crime they are investigating, are repeatedly in tears - not sure police officers behave like that!
One particular scene that grated with me was when the protagonists love interest (paralysed from the waist downwards and in a wheelchair), has a collision with some villains who try to kidnap her. She injures herself and is distressed when she fears she is paralysed further from the neck downward. And so, our protagonist, who is supposed to love her, proceeds to feel her breasts to check if there is any feeling!!! It's ridiculous! I'm sure there are better ways to check if she is paralysed!!!
I am completely disappointed in this book. I think in my head, I associated this book with the 2000 haunting thriller: What Lies Beneath with Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. Needless to say.. it's nothing like the film and is no way linked. However, it is still a poorly written book with unrealistic characterisations and a weak plot. Just one star from me.
The portrayal of female characters is unrealistic and awful. The imagery is non-existent - I lost track of who was who because of such poor descriptions. The majority of the book is in statements telling a story without any imagery. It's supposed to be a tense story... but it really isn't.
The violence is extreme but with no substance to ground it in the story. Police officers, so shocked by the extreme crime they are investigating, are repeatedly in tears - not sure police officers behave like that!
One particular scene that grated with me was when the protagonists love interest (paralysed from the waist downwards and in a wheelchair), has a collision with some villains who try to kidnap her. She injures herself and is distressed when she fears she is paralysed further from the neck downward. And so, our protagonist, who is supposed to love her, proceeds to feel her breasts to check if there is any feeling!!! It's ridiculous! I'm sure there are better ways to check if she is paralysed!!!
I am completely disappointed in this book. I think in my head, I associated this book with the 2000 haunting thriller: What Lies Beneath with Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. Needless to say.. it's nothing like the film and is no way linked. However, it is still a poorly written book with unrealistic characterisations and a weak plot. Just one star from me.
March 22, 2021
Randy Cop
What could be an interesting if squalid story is additionally marred by the main character having the sexual morals of an alley cat. Enough so that it distracts from the story.
What could be an interesting if squalid story is additionally marred by the main character having the sexual morals of an alley cat. Enough so that it distracts from the story.
November 21, 2020
Great Story
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be the last. Full of action with plenty of twists and turns and lots of sub plots that all come together to form a great ending.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be the last. Full of action with plenty of twists and turns and lots of sub plots that all come together to form a great ending.
August 23, 2021
I’m so glad I found this ebook by Bill Kitson. The theme of child trafficking is moving and heartbreaking, it reminds you how real these issues are.
I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series entails.
I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series entails.
February 22, 2023
I wanted to like this book, because I was excited about the prospect of finding a new detective series! And while I half liked it… the murder and mystery part were pretty interesting, but the personal characters were just so ridiculous. The author hints that every woman in his life is secretly in love with Nash. Nash is apparently such a good man, but yet the author spends a lot of time discussing how hard it is for him to tear his eyes away from the breasts of ANY WOMAN he is speaking with...
It’s so ridiculous. Also everything happened VERY quickly. Like met a woman once, she’s standoffish. Then Nash impresses her with his detective work… and later that night shows up outside his apartment and they sleep together…and in the back of his mind he’s thinking about Stella. We’re supposed to believe Mike Nash is in love with Stella. But he never even visited her in the hospital after the second injury??? And he was literally sleeping with another woman at the time she DIED!?!?
It’s so ridiculous I don’t know if I will be able to read all the books in the series like I originally hoped.
Oh and there are a lot of abbreviations for the UK police/detective system. So I had to look them up multiple times, but still kept getting confused.
It’s so ridiculous. Also everything happened VERY quickly. Like met a woman once, she’s standoffish. Then Nash impresses her with his detective work… and later that night shows up outside his apartment and they sleep together…and in the back of his mind he’s thinking about Stella. We’re supposed to believe Mike Nash is in love with Stella. But he never even visited her in the hospital after the second injury??? And he was literally sleeping with another woman at the time she DIED!?!?
It’s so ridiculous I don’t know if I will be able to read all the books in the series like I originally hoped.
Oh and there are a lot of abbreviations for the UK police/detective system. So I had to look them up multiple times, but still kept getting confused.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2022
Grizzly page turner, confusing writing
The abduction of children world wide for nefarious uses are not old news. This book goes into explicit details the horrors unleashed on these poor, defenseless kids. Good story line, believable characters.
Why only three stars? The writing is confusing. From one paragraph to the next are entire changes of characters and scenery. The disjointed uses of first and last names with no previous introduction was annoying. I had a heck of a time figuring out who was who. Some lead in to the characters would have been nice, first names attached to last. New chapters started when there was a drastic change of story line would also help eliminate confusion.
The abduction of children world wide for nefarious uses are not old news. This book goes into explicit details the horrors unleashed on these poor, defenseless kids. Good story line, believable characters.
Why only three stars? The writing is confusing. From one paragraph to the next are entire changes of characters and scenery. The disjointed uses of first and last names with no previous introduction was annoying. I had a heck of a time figuring out who was who. Some lead in to the characters would have been nice, first names attached to last. New chapters started when there was a drastic change of story line would also help eliminate confusion.
June 10, 2022
I've had I've had this book on my "To Be Read" pile for so long that it's now overtaken by events. Given the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I can no longer see the British and Russian law enforcement teams working together. The subject of human trafficking was indeed horrendous and it was very difficult for me to read about it. What I didn't like though is that Mike Nash is such a predator himself in a way, sleeping with this woman, flirting with another, etc. I'm curious. Does he look like Brad Pitt or a male model? He seems to be so irresistible to women, that frankly, it suspends my disbelief. Mike may be smart, but I still didn't like his character.
September 1, 2020
What Lies Beneath
I had read mixed reviews about this book, but being always eager to try a new series, I decided to be my own judge.
I'm not sure I fully agree with the negative reviews I've read, it was an enjoyable read.
Granted, there were some aspects of the story I found a little unnecessary. But overall, I enjoyed it.
The topic of the storyline is never going to be an easy subject to tackle, but this stuff happens!!
I had read mixed reviews about this book, but being always eager to try a new series, I decided to be my own judge.
I'm not sure I fully agree with the negative reviews I've read, it was an enjoyable read.
Granted, there were some aspects of the story I found a little unnecessary. But overall, I enjoyed it.
The topic of the storyline is never going to be an easy subject to tackle, but this stuff happens!!
January 28, 2022
Plot was ok (if trigger warning of sex w/ children isn't too much for you) but the author ruined an interesting protagonist with all the sleazy "hook-ups" that he engaged in. Sex sells? Not for me.
October 13, 2019
What Lies Beneath
This is the first book by Bill Kitson that I have read. I plan to read all of his books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. Great read 👍
This is the first book by Bill Kitson that I have read. I plan to read all of his books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. Great read 👍
May 16, 2022
Hard, really hard. As a father of two, tears came and went, the subject is hard to read. It eats me up knowing there's child's in this world enduring what is described in the book.
Good:
- Writing: I enjoy the writing very much
- Most characters: although Mike is a bit too much Mr. Poirot to be believable I liked most character development and I'm looking forward to know more of what happens to them
Bad:
- some characters are too stereotyped for my liking
- the book depicts sex trafficking and main character ends up having sex with almost every female character
Definitely will keep going on the series.
Good:
- Writing: I enjoy the writing very much
- Most characters: although Mike is a bit too much Mr. Poirot to be believable I liked most character development and I'm looking forward to know more of what happens to them
Bad:
- some characters are too stereotyped for my liking
- the book depicts sex trafficking and main character ends up having sex with almost every female character
Definitely will keep going on the series.
January 16, 2021
This book is so horrific but so gripping and it’s so fast paced! My first read by this author. Will definitely be reading more!
January 5, 2022
I got this as a free offering from Amazon. I enjoyed it initially but found that I didn’t like the writing style or the main character. I also found some continuity issues with the story. It is always interesting to start a new series but I suspect I won’t be continuing with the series.
April 5, 2020
gripping and mind catching all the way,kept me wanting more,i didnt want to put this book down,really enjoyed reading it
January 30, 2013
I bought this because it was a one-day Kindle offer. I read the book in a few hours and will definitely read more Kitson.
The protagonist, DI Nash, is called out when the skull of a teenage girl is hooked by a fisherman in a local lake. I have to say the eerie atmosphere of the two lakes was so well described, they could be termed characters in themselves.
The plot really takes off when divers find more bodies in the lake and then discover a hidden, but very identifiable, teddy bear. It is this last find that sets the ball rolling and it never stops racing until the satisfying denouement. Very enjoyable.
The protagonist, DI Nash, is called out when the skull of a teenage girl is hooked by a fisherman in a local lake. I have to say the eerie atmosphere of the two lakes was so well described, they could be termed characters in themselves.
The plot really takes off when divers find more bodies in the lake and then discover a hidden, but very identifiable, teddy bear. It is this last find that sets the ball rolling and it never stops racing until the satisfying denouement. Very enjoyable.
November 8, 2019
Great story
I'm happy to know that I'm not the only writer who sees the story as it unfolds with each strike of the pen.
Well done, Bill Kitson. What Lies Beneath is a fantastic crime thriller which I found hard to put down. I'll certainly be buying more books from this author.
I'm happy to know that I'm not the only writer who sees the story as it unfolds with each strike of the pen.
Well done, Bill Kitson. What Lies Beneath is a fantastic crime thriller which I found hard to put down. I'll certainly be buying more books from this author.
November 18, 2019
Review
This book is an absolute roller coaster of suspense and tension, it takes you up and leaves you hanging onto the edge of your seat, then takes you down, then does it all over again. I loved it. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a really great crime thriller.
This book is an absolute roller coaster of suspense and tension, it takes you up and leaves you hanging onto the edge of your seat, then takes you down, then does it all over again. I loved it. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a really great crime thriller.
December 29, 2019
A gut wrenching read
A couldn't put down novel!. Gripped from opening chapters yet had to keep reading. The fact that these horrors still occur in many countries in this day and age is horrendous and one can only hope that investigations like the one portrayed in this novel will never cease until these perpetrators are wiped off this earth!
A couldn't put down novel!. Gripped from opening chapters yet had to keep reading. The fact that these horrors still occur in many countries in this day and age is horrendous and one can only hope that investigations like the one portrayed in this novel will never cease until these perpetrators are wiped off this earth!
March 3, 2020
Page turner
I was recommended this book by a friend. It was as good as she had said, a real page turner, I cannot wait to read book 2 and 3
I was recommended this book by a friend. It was as good as she had said, a real page turner, I cannot wait to read book 2 and 3
July 8, 2025
The sins of this storyline were forgivable for only so long. So, so bad. And I’m (usually) always nice even when a book is meh. Shallow characters with dark, played out tropes for their backgrounds. Cliche in so many ways - there’s even a woman dropping her coat to be then only wearing her smile. Gag me dude. So LAME.
October 29, 2019
Well written story about real life horror.
I couldn't stop reading this book! The characters were so real, the plot was believable and well crafted. Not for the overly sensitive due to the nature of the story. Well done!
I couldn't stop reading this book! The characters were so real, the plot was believable and well crafted. Not for the overly sensitive due to the nature of the story. Well done!
February 22, 2022
Overall a pretty good book. Realistically I’d give it a 3.5 but went with a 3 because the narrator of the audiobook wasn’t great. He begins every sentence full volume then trails off almost to a whisper making it difficult to hear.
September 12, 2023
A great book, A Detective who cares,in an brilliant gripping plot, :)
February 11, 2020
A very good read. Liked the previous four books I have read by Bill Kitson. Look forward to following this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews