Dead Water

Inheriting the quaint, yet commercially exploited, island of Portcarrow, the fiercely pragmatic Emily Pride finds herself embroiled in conflict with the local community. The island's famed 'Pixie Falls' is believed to possess miraculous healing properties, a legend the islanders have capitalized on with tacky gift shops and neon signs – much to Miss Pride's dismay. Determined to restore the island's dignity, she attempts to dismantle these commercial enterprises, igniting fierce resentment among the locals whose livelihoods depend on the 'miracle' trade. As tensions escalate over the sanctity of the spring and its associated profits, the simmering frustration erupts into a murder. Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn is called to investigate, but this case takes a personal turn, drawing him deep into the island's superstitions, class divisions, and a tight-knit community where everyone has a stake in the spring's reputation and a potential motive for murder. Alleyn must unravel the truth from the murky waters of local lore and human greed.