The breathtaking sequel to the addictive, critically acclaimed, bestselling Black Reed Bay

Book blurb

Hampstead County Police Department is embroiled in scandal after corruption at the top of the force was exposed. Cleared of involvement and returned to active duty, Detective Sergeant Casey Wray nonetheless finds herself at a crossroads when it becomes clear not everyone believes she’s innocent.

Partnered with rookie Billy Drocker, Casey works a shocking daytime double-homicide in downtown Rockport with the two victims seemingly unknown to one another. And when a third victim is gunned down on her doorstep shortly after, it appears an abusive ex-boyfriend holds the key to the killings.

With powerful figures demanding answers, Casey and Billy search for the suspect, fearing he’s on a murderous rampage. But when a key witness goes missing, and new evidence just won’t fit, the case begins to unravel.

With her career in jeopardy, Casey makes a shattering discovery that threatens to expose the true darkness at the heart of the murders… with a killer still on the loose…

My thoughts

Shatter Creek opens up with one of those senseless shootings that seem to be an almost daily occurrence in our news feeds. Two people shot, an unidentified man is killed and a woman, Sheena Rawlins, left barely alive.

Detective Casey Wray is still reeling from the events in the previous and first book of this series. Let me take a moment to urge you to read Black Reed Bay (which was shortlisted for the CWA Steel Dagger and book of the month in The Times and Literary Review) not only because it will help with the continuity of this ongoing thread but because it’s an absolutely cracking story. Nevertheless, Casey is awaiting the decision on who will become the next Lieutenant of her unit. Will she be promoted? Does she really want it? The signs were better than she expected. Or, is there one more twist to the fallout from what happened in Black Reed Bay?

Casey is sent to the scene and starts to lead the investigation into what happened on the sidewalk outside the Strongbox gym. With two victims and no suspect(s) the only hope is to track down an eyewitness who saw what happened. There’s been little help in that quarter and the only one who might have seen something appears to have fled and disappeared!

Then there is another killing!

As leads are followed and links between evidence suggests a person of interest Adam Ryker as the likely killer, Casey and the team turn to searching for the suspect but when he turns up dead too is everything really resolved? The powers that be are certainly thinking so but Casey has a bad feeling about it all!

There is a deal of tension in this complex and intense story coming of course from the investigation but also from the decision regarding who the new lieutenant is and the ongoing fallout from the corruption allegations. Casey is dealing with all of these issues and also with a problem between two of the team, something she could really do without. Worse still Casey finds that she is being set up!

Casey Wray is a wonderful character whose straight talking and concerns for the victims and their families, especially if they then become targets, can be misunderstood. There are still dark forces at play and they are masters at manipulation and deception. Casey has to be able to work out what is really going on but will that be enough to find the killer and show she is innocent of the accusations and potential charges that are being made?

The second book in the Detective Casey Wray series is a terrific, gripping read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. It has an ending that will have you wishing, even more than usual as you read this stupendous story, that the third book will be out immediately, you’ll understand why when you read Shatter Creek, what a book, what a series – I’m absolutely hooked!

I highly recommend Shatter Creek by Rod Reynolds.

Book

Many thanks to Orenda Books for an eARC of Shatter Creek by Rod Reynolds in order to read and share my thoughts and honest opinion of it.

While you wait for Shatter Creek to come out next week why not get yourself a copy of Black Reed Bay (links below) if you haven’t read it already, it’ll be a great read for the weekend, you’ll then be all ready for publication on 22 May.

You could also check out the up coming RandomThingsThroughMyLetterbox Blog Tour starting on the 8th May.

Information

Published: Orenda Books | 22 May 2025 |300pp

Buy Shatter Creek: Orenda Books | AmazonSmileUK | Bookshop.org (affiliate link) | Hive | Your local library | Your local bookshop

Buy Black Reed Bay: Orenda Books | Amazon | Hive | Bookshop.org (affiliate link)| Your local library |Your favourite indie bookshop

Buy: titles (by other publishers)

Author:

Rod Reynolds is the author of four novels, including the Charlie Yates series. His 2015 debut, The Dark Inside, was longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger, and was followed by Black Night Falling(2016) and Cold Desert Sky (2018); the Guardian have called the books ‘Pitch-perfect American noir.’ A lifelong Londoner, in 2020 Orenda Books will publish his first novel set in his hometown, Blood Red City. Rod previously worked in advertising as a media buyer, and holds an MA in novel writing from City University London. Rod lives with his wife and family and spends most of his time trying to keep up with his two young daughters.

Rod Reynolds on Twitter: @Rod_WR  | RodReynoldsWebsite for further information.

Books

The Dark Inside (2015) | Black Night Falling (2016) | Cold Desert Sky (2018) | Blood Red City (2020) | Black Reed Bay (2021) | Shatter Creek (2025)