Dark water. Deadly secrets. Dangerous love.

Top homicide detective Josiah Raine hasn't touched another man since his husband's brutal murder seven years ago. Notorious bad boy Alexander Lytton hasn't known peace since destroying his privileged life to become Britain's most hated man. When Josiah arrests Alex for murder, the last thing he expects is to fall in love…

“Crocodile Tears is a blend of drama, emotion, angst, heart, and action, and is smartly crafted and absolutely divine. You will be unable to put it down once you start reading.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
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London, 2095. Sixty years after rising seas drowned the old world, a corrupt system of servitude keeps the new one afloat.

Josiah leads a double life. At work, he tracks down killers with ruthless efficiency. At home, he's falling apart as he talks to his dead husband. His frozen existence is turned upside down when a celebrity is murdered, and all evidence points to the victim's servant—the beautiful but enigmatic Alexander Lytton.

Everyone is convinced of Alex's guilt except Josiah, who finds himself drawn to the sharp-witted young man. He knows Alex is hiding something, but is it murder or an even darker secret?

Haunted by memories of his husband's last moments, Josiah is running on empty as he tries to solve the case. As he slowly unravels, he finds an unlikely source of comfort—in the arms of his prime suspect.

But in a drowned world where servants are property, falling for Alex could cost him everything. Can he trust instincts numbed by grief, or is he being seduced by a master manipulator?

Immerse yourself in the enthralling first novel in the Dark Water series by MM romance author Xanthe Walter.

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.

Tropes:

Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Hurt/Comfort
Forced Proximity
Touch-Starved/Emotional Awakening

Reader Reviews:
“This book offers a fresh, gripping take on the dystopian genre unlike anything I’ve read before. Dark, suspenseful, and utterly immersive, it had me hooked from the very start.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This was my first read by Xanthe, and it really did have that wow factor. It was stunning and vividly described futuristic setting and atmosphere.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“It is, on the surface, a simple murder mystery. But it goes so much deeper than that. 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.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The way past, present, mystery and romance were all seamlessly woven together was nothing short of spectacular.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Who is the bad guy? I can't wait to find out. That is what makes this book a real page turner for me. I loved it. Murder, mystery, good guys with flaws... it has everything.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I loved the futuristic dystopian setting... I could so clearly visualize it all as I was reading. The murder mystery aspect of the story, along with all the twists, kept me on my toes from the very beginning.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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