Alex King and her new assistant, Chloe Lane, are called to the scene when the body of Lola Evans is found in a park on a cold winter morning. A few days later, another girl is reported missing. Lola and the missing girl seem to have a lot in common when it is found that they share a troubled history and were members of the same support group. As Alex and Chloe investigate, Chloe realizes she is also in danger.

This is Victoria Jenkins's debut novel and is surprisingly good for a first novel. It is a police procedural with an unexpected twist at the end. I look forward to reading this author's next book.

“The Girls in the Water” by Victoria Jenkins is the first in the Detectives King and Lane series. One cold morning, the detectives are called to the park when a young woman's body washes up on the riverbank. And then, another body is found in similar circumstances. The progresses at a rather slow but steady pace as the team as they work to identify the victims and find the perpetrator.
The detailed background descriptions of the geography around Cardiff give the story a sense of place and realism. The characters are well developed, and there is ample background information about them in the narrative that we know them, love them, and hate them. We empathize as they struggle with the ordinary and extra-ordinary problems of life, both past and present. The characters themselves are the real heart of the story rather that the search for the killer.
I received an advanced copy of “The Girls in the Water” from Bookouture, Victoria Jenkins, and NetGalley in exchange for my impartial review. I enjoyed reading the book, and recommend it with stipulation; readers should be advised that there are graphic descriptions and gruesome passages as part of the plot development. This is not a book for faint of heart.

This is a great debut novel that I really enjoyed. I liked the fast paced storyline and I wasn't expecting the twist at the end. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes police/ thriller books

My review as posted on Goodreads:

This book opens with a hauntingly sinister prologue. It then moves to the discovery of a body in a river in Cardiff.

This book is marked as number one in a series, featuring Detectives Alex King and Chloe Lane. I like the way Victoria Jenkins has managed the difficult task of introducing the detectives and at the same time creating a novel which has pace.

There are several murders along the way, with several suspects emerging and then being ruled out.

The use of real places in and around Cardiff gives the story a real sense of geography.

There are some fairly gruesome passages, but I won't go into too much detail for fear of spoiling the plot.

This is an excellent debut novel. It currently tops my list for 'Best debut novel of the year 2017'.

I for one will await the next appearance of Detectives King and Lane!

My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this debut novel in return for this review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the free ebook in exchange for my honest review. Fairly good debut starring DI Alex King and D.C. Chloe Lane . The plot was great . Both are chasing a serial killer . Fast paced with lots of twists and turns and suspense..

this was a good read. A little too slow for me but that is purely my preference and not a criticism. Was a good thriller with no clue what was going on which I enjoyed

I enjoyed having two female protagonists as the lead characters. I thought the author was able to tell their stories clearly so you felt as though you "knew" the characters. i thought the story was interesting and I enjoyed how the background of Chloe interwove into the present.

A fabulous read, great characters, good fast paced story line, I can't wait for the next book from this author.

Very intriguing plot tying older murders into current ones, with a special twist involving one of the investigators, Chloe. I was full of questions, ideas, and possibilities as I made my way through Chloe's backstory and current situation. Definitely a book that will grab your interest and be difficult to put down.

Well written but for me this was no different to other books in this genre. Nothing unique or outstanding. That said I will be reading book 2. I've read numerous debut novels lately that people have raved about but I've found mediocre. The subsequent novels however do seem to be of the 4/5 star variety so I'm hoping this series will follow in this trend too.

Fans of Lisa Gardner will love this book. I look forward to reading more about Detectives King and Lane.

A killer is on the loose. It's down to Alex and Chloe to find out who the killer is before they strike again and kill their 3rd victim. As this is the first in the 'Detectives King & Lane' story, book 1 introduced us to the two ladies we will be spending a lot of time with and really focused on the relationship between the two of them.

Lola Evans was tragically found dead in a local park and Alex soon made it her mission to arrest the person behind such a sick murder. Chloe on the other hand, whilst trying to stay focused on Lola Evans, had too much going on in her mind when she decided to re-open the investigation to her brother's death without permission, leaving her in a cross fire with the supervisor. It's now up to Alex to put an end to this once and for all after victim number 2 is revealed, however when Alex finally pieces the puzzle together, somebody very close to her is in danger as the killer's next victim. Will Alex make it in time, or will she be too late?

I was so dedicated to figuring out who the murderer was myself and was incredibly pleased with the results, everything seemed to add up so well and the reasons behind the murders was incredibly realistic, Victoria didn't over dramatise the situation and I loved that. It was definitely a catch me if you can story and I was 100% down for the chase. I also loved the unravelling of Chloe's story with her brother and how everything seemed to be connected in one way or another. Another wonderfully gripping story that makes me excited for book 2!

Enjoyable well written book, full of intrigue and kept me turning the pages. Would recommend to others.

This is a gripping debut thriller from Victoria Jenkins, the first in the Detective Inspector King and Detective Constable Lane series. The prologue sets a dark tone for the novel. It sucks you in and forces you to push forward to see how the plot will unfold. The suspense builds as each layer of the complex plot is revealed. The investigators encounter twists and roadblocks along the way, always one step behind, and the list of possible suspects seems to grow with each new piece of evidence they uncover.

This book has a complex cast of characters. The author does a good job of developing each character to the extent that is needed. DC Chloe Lane has a sordid, painful past. There is an alternate storyline that runs parallel to the main plot that involves someone from Chloe's past. She finds her job and her life in deep jeopardy when ghosts from her past make a stunning appearance. The tension really ratchets up as the two storylines converge and the investigation centers on a main suspect. A race against time develops and leads to a shocking conclusion.

I would recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense. This is a promising new series, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. I received this as a free ARC from Bookotoure on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

what's it about:
The first one had been an accident. He had never intended to kill her. But as he looked down at her body, he knew there would be a next one…’

When the body of Lola Evans is found in a local park on a cold winter’s morning, Detective Alex King and her new recruit Chloe Lane are called in to lead the hunt for the killer.

Days later, a second girl goes missing. It seems the two shared a troubled history, and were members of the same support group. Who is the monster preying on these vulnerable girls?

As the detectives start to piece together the clues, Chloe realises that she too is in danger – as she uncovers secrets about her own brother’s death which someone will kill to keep hidden.

Alex and Chloe are determined to find the killer before more lives are lost…

What did I think:
3 stars
While I did like the story and how it pulled me into the story I just couldn't love it like I wanted to , the main reason was the 2 main characters , they just got on got on my nerves so much that there was times I wanted to just out it down and not finish it at all, but I kept hoping that I would find something I would like about them, but that's kind to do when they both seem like all they do is think of themselves. Hopefully in the next book their be a bite better , but even though I disliked the main characters I did like the story, with that said I want to say thinks to Netgalley for giving me a change at reading a new to me author and her new series ,in change for my honest opinion.Note:
it took me from June 25 2017 to July the 3 ,2017 to read because of the 2 main characters Alex King and Chloe Lane .

Great read, gripping plot which kept you guessing. The characters are believable and flawed and very human and plot has you interested from the start. I would never have guessed the ending - very engaging read

Excellent book. Great storyline and wonderful main characters. I would recommend this book.

Woo! What a fantastic way to kick off a new series!

The prologue alone already made me move to the edge of my seat and after finishing those two pages, I was hooked and utterly convinced this would be one tense ride. My expectations skyrocketed at that point and I was not left disappointed as the promise of something dark and twisted was completely fulfilled.

When the body of a young woman is found in a local park, DI Alex King and DC Chloe Lane are put on the case. But Chloe quickly becomes distracted and obsessed as someone is taunting her about the death of her brother, Luke. Did he commit suicide or was he murdered?

Joys of joys, what a wonderful team of women we have here. Girl power and all that! Both are flawed and have baggage which makes them all the more realistic and believable. Chloe struggles with her past in more ways than one and Alex, while divorced from her husband, is still sleeping with him. As you do. 

The Girls in the Water is an incredibly compelling and gripping read. There are characters I loved and characters I'd happily strangle myself. The book had me glued to the pages as the investigation into the murder victim unfolded and various layers of the skilfully crafted plot came together. I stayed up way too late in a desperate attempt to finish as the team races against the clock to save another potential victim.

This is an incredible debut by Victoria Jenkins and a thrilling and exciting start to a new series. It has so much to offer, from a chilling killer to a haunting backstory and with an intelligent plot and interesting characters. I can't wait to see more of Alex and Chloe!

Excellent story, building up to a climatic conclusion. Very enjoyable.