Crocodile Tears

An MM Romantic Thriller (Dark Water Book 1)

Sold. Used. Broken. Until him.

⭐ All About Romance Favourite Book 2025 ⭐

London, 2095. The world drowned. The system broke. And people became property.

Enslaved and microchipped, Alexander Lytton survived by creating the perfect mask: blank, obedient, invisible. Behind it, he was safe. One slip, and he was dead.

Until his master is murdered, and Alex becomes the prime suspect.

Detective Josiah Raine hasn’t touched another man since his husband’s brutal murder seven years ago. He’s a ghost investigating ghosts, running on empty, barely holding himself together.

His job: prove the beautiful, sharp-witted suspect guilty.

The problem? He isn’t sure Alex did it. And when Josiah cracks Alex’s mask wide open, he finds something far more dangerous—the man Alex buried to survive.

In Alex’s arms, Josiah remembers what it feels like to be human. But Alex isn’t his to love. He’s evidence. Property. Forbidden.

And the secrets Alex is hiding could destroy them both.

Dark water. Deadly secrets. Dangerous love.

Contains dark themes intended for mature readers—see Author’s Notes for content advisory.

What readers are saying:

“Crocodile Tears is beautiful and sad; full of love, pain, grief, guilt, hopelessness, and loneliness. It’s a tale of two lost souls, each treading the violent waters of guilt and grief in their own way for their own reasons.” – Cinnamon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Holy shit, this was amazing! It’s got my stomach twisted in knots and my heart already broken for both Alex and Joe.” – Goodreads Reader ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“WOW! It’s not often that I get sucked into the turmoil and grief on page but damn did I feel it in this one.” – Bkwrm24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Xanthe Walter crafts characters that feel real, raw, and unforgettable. This book gave me chills and tears—I couldn’t put it down.” – Maissy Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐ All About Romance Favourite Book 2025 ⭐

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Crocodile Tears Content Advisory

A gripping murder mystery

Crocodile Tears is fabulous – a gripping murder mystery involving fascinating characters, set against the backdrop of an all too believable dystopian future. Best of all, it’s written with heart and insight. I read it in one day and can’t wait for more!

Angela Brown

Gripping narrative and immersive setting

“Crocodile Tears” by Xanthe Walter is a masterful blend of rich world-building, a captivating mystery, and deeply compelling characterisation. Set in a vividly imagined near-future, Walter crafts a world that feels both familiar and hauntingly plausible. The intricate plot keeps readers guessing, while the characters—complex, flawed, and achingly real—drive the emotional heart of the story. With its gripping narrative and immersive setting, Crocodile Tears is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction, gay romance, and riveting mysteries alike. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jacci

Touching & Intruiging

Crocodile Tears is a touching and intriguing read that will keep you guessing! I loved the dystopian world building and the personal back stories the characters brought to this future. Xanthe doesn’t disappoint with her psychological insights into human motivation. You’re in safe (but never boring!) hands.

Leslie

Gripping narrative and immersive setting

Xanthe has a well-deserved reputation for sizzling male/male romances, but for me her greatest strength is the ability to build beautifully detailed worlds, and this series showcases her talents to their full extent. In a futuristic, flooded London, both the landscape and the social order have been irrevocably changed, with older, more brutal ways emerging from the chaos. Against this backdrop Josiah, a hardened investigator, is summoned to the scene of a sensational celebrity murder that brings him face-to-face with its main suspect – the enigmatic indentured servant Alex. Blending science fiction, mystery, thriller and romance, Xanthe effortlessly melds plot and character into a compelling read that explores the depths of the characters along with the world they live in. Much more than just a run-of-the-mill romance, this is an ambitious and thoroughly satisfying adventure.

ML Sydney, Australia

When your prime suspect is hiding a sad secret…

“Take off your shirt,” Josiah ordered. Alexander blinked, panic flickering across his face. “

Why?” he challenged.

“Are you sure you don’t want that lawyer, Alexander?”

Alexander gave a tight smile. “Quite sure.” He put his hand on the top button… then his manner changed. He looked up through his eyelashes with a provocative smile.

“You know, I don’t usually put out on a first date, Investigator Raine…”

He proceeded to undo his shirt slowly, teasingly, button by button. Josiah refused to be provoked by the sheer cheek of it. “Turn around,” he ordered.

Alexander hesitated, suddenly looking like a scared child. Then he slowly did as he was told. Josiah’s jaw tightened. Alexander’s back was covered in bite marks, bruises, and scratches so vivid he could make out finger shapes.

“Shit,” Baumann said. “That’s so fucked up.”