‘Dive’ by Jon Barton

Published by Joffe Books,
14 January 2023.
ISBN: 978-1-80405021-7 (PB)

Marine Police Diver David Cade lives for his job. So much so that it has led to the estrangement of his family. One day however his daughter, Lex comes to him for help, but he sends her away.

A Naomi Harding has just joined the Crime Marine Police after being demoted from the Crime Agency due to a case she was in charge of going seriously wrong, leading to the deaths of three officers.

When brown wrapped parcels of cocaine are brought up from the bed of the Thames, she identifies them as part of the drugs haul, she had been involved in.

Then a girl’s body is found floating in the river. David and the team’s job is to recover any bodies found and pass them on, not to get involved in any way. However, when another girl’s body is found in the water, Naomi cannot resist investigating further.

David meanwhile is becoming concerned – he has not heard from his daughter since he sent her away and she is not answering her phone. He berates himself for not listening to what she had to say. When a third body is pulled from the Thames he begins to despair, will his daughter be next?

All the girls have the same nightclub stamp on their hands as he noticed on Lex’s. It’s thought they all died of an overdose. Although David and Naomi do not always see eye to eye, they must now pull together to find out what is going on.

Detective Chief Superintendent Shannon Baines meanwhile is acting strangely and seems to make life difficult for Naomi at every opportunity.  There has to be more to this case than it first of all seems.

David and Naomi’s investigations lead them to a terrifying life or death situation, will they get out alive? It certainly seems very unlikely.

I found the detailed descriptions of the Thames and London very interesting and learnt a lot about police diving procedure. With a nail-biting ending, this is a compelling read, which I thoroughly recommend.
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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Jon Barton is a London-based screenwriter with ten years' experience as a dramatist, writing continuing drama for the BBC, and new work for young people. His theatre work has been produced onstage at major London venues, including The Old Vic and The Almeida, with screen work under option at Northern Ireland Screen and Netflix UK. An experienced creative writing tutor and freelance editor, Jon works as a copywriter, edits for The Literary Consultancy, and teaches for City Academy and Iconic Steps. When he's not writing crime fiction, he's running, walking, and bingeing podcasts.

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.