Dark Water Book 2: Ghost Eye
Open 1st July
Ghost Eye - Dark Water Book II
He thought he knew everything about his husband’s murder. He was wrong.
Detective Josiah Raine witnessed his husband’s brutal murder seven years ago. He was there that blood-soaked night, and he knows what happened. The murderer is long-since dead. The case closed.
But now, Josiah is about to discover a devastating revelation that will drag him back into the darkness he’s fought so desperately to escape. Will it shatter his life or help him build a new one?
“I was totally drawn in from the beginning as Xanthe is the master of plots, mystery and intrigue, weaving and twisting and taking you in so deep that you just need more.” 
Reader Review of Book One.
Dark water. Deadly secrets. Dangerous love.
London, 2095. Sixty years after rising seas drowned the old world, a corrupt system of servitude keeps the new one afloat.
Alexander Lytton is now a pawn in his captor’s hands. Stripped of his freedom and forced into a life of prostitution in Ghost Eye City, he clings to the memory of who he once was.
Meanwhile, Josiah’s dogged pursuit of justice forces him to confront the truth about his husband’s murder – and his own buried grief. What he uncovers shatters everything he thought he knew.
In a searing climax, the consequences of two nights of violence, years ago, collide – and nothing will ever be the same again.
Dive into Ghost Eye, the exciting second novel in the gripping dystopian romantic suspense series Dark Water.
This book series explores difficult themes and contains intense content intended for mature readers.
Please consult the content advisory page listed in the Author’s Notes to make an informed reading decision.
The Dark Water series must be read in order, starting with Book One, Crocodile Tears. Each book continues the story directly and cannot be read independently.
Tropes:
- Second Chance
- Forbidden Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Murder Mystery/Criminal Investigation
- Touch-Starved/Emotional Awakening
Reader Reviews of Book One:
“My first read by Xanthe and it really did have that wow factor. Stunning and vividly described futuristic setting and atmosphere. I felt like I transported there myself.”
“This water-y, green, world submerged atmosphere gave me such a Ghibli vibe? I kept picturing those big areas of old cities under water, the sky reflecting in them. Loved it.”
“I was totally drawn in from the beginning as Xanthe is the master of plots, mystery and intrigue, weaving and twisting and taking you in so deep that you just need more. Her characters of Josiah and Alex are so real, beautiful and achingly sad.”
“Xanthe Walter was a new author for me and I fell in love with her writing style. The dystopian world she created was dark and fascinating (and sadly also believable), but the real masterpieces of this book are the characters. They have so much depth and layers and I want to peel them all off and really understand what makes them tick. I don’t think I ever wished so hard for a happy ending for two main characters than I do for Alex and Josiah…”
The way past, present, mystery and romance were all seamlessly woven together was nothing short of spectacular.”
“Well written, with interweaving timelines that draw you in. It’s fast paced with lots of interesting peripheral characters and detail. Five stars for all of it. Brilliant.”
“… a blend of drama, emotion, angst, heart, and action… smartly crafted and absolutely divine. You will be unable to put it down once you start reading.”
Wow Factor
“My first read by Xanthe and it really did have that wow factor. Stunning and vividly described futuristic setting and atmosphere. I felt like I transported there myself.”
Loved It
“This water-y, green, world submerged atmosphere gave me such a Ghibli vibe? I kept picturing those big areas of old cities under water, the sky reflecting in them. Loved it.”
Her characters of Josiah and Alex are so real, beautiful and achingly sad.
“I was totally drawn in from the beginning as Xanthe is the master of plots, mystery and intrigue, weaving and twisting and taking you in so deep that you just need more. Her characters of Josiah and Alex are so real, beautiful and achingly sad.”
The real masterpieces of this book are the characters
“Xanthe Walter was a new author for me and I fell in love with her writing style. The dystopian world she created was dark and fascinating (and sadly also believable), but the real masterpieces of this book are the characters. They have so much depth and layers and I want to peel them all off and really understand what makes them tick. I don’t think I ever wished so hard for a happy ending for two main characters than I do for Alex and Josiah…”
Suddenly, without warning, a man appeared out of nowhere and charged towards them. Josiah ducked, instinctively… but the man disappeared as soon as he’d come, leaving Josiah breathless, his heart pounding.
“What the hell…?” He looked around and saw Reed trying hard not to laugh.
“Lifelike, aren’t they?” Reed grinned. “Don’t worry – we all ducked for that one. Wait for it… here he comes again!”
The man appeared out of nowhere, but Josiah was ready for him this time. He caught a glimpse of a hauntingly beautiful face and blank grey eyes, then the man strode through him, the image dissipating around him as the pixels broke up in mid-air.
