Elizabeth Haynes - Revenge of the Tide

review by Corinna Christopher live on show 6th Sept 2012

This author’s debut novel “Into the Darkest Corner” was an exceptionally good thriller so I thought I would try her next book.

Genevieve is working hard at her two jobs in sales and as a pole dancer in a London club, in order to save enough money to fulfil her dream of owning and restoring a houseboat. When she achieves this she finds it impossible to escape from repercussions from her past.

Genevieve’s boat a 75ft barge named “The Revenge of the Tide” is moored up in the Medway. She is surrounded by happy other boat owners and their families. She decides to throw a party inviting her old London friends and her new neighbours. Later on when they have all gone she discovers a body in the water by her boat. She is horrified to identify it as her friend Caddy. This is the young girl who befriended her when she first worked at the Club. This place was frequented by rich and shady individuals overseen by Fitz the owner who was involved in suspect deals. Also in evidence was Dylan one of the security men who kept an eye on all the girls. It was work well-rewarded and the reader was entertained by the many detailed moves that revolved around the poles.

When Genevieve decided to pack it all in as there were dangerous undercurrents Dylan gave her a large sum of money to look after some package and keep it safe on her boat.

The Police were obviously investigating the murder and Genevieve became very friendly with one of the officers Jim Carling who later on we discovered was a bit of a mystery and not who he seemed.

The story gathers momentum ending up in a fight and gun shoot -out in another boat. This culminates in Dylan and Jim both hoping to win Genevieve’s heart. Sine she fancied both of them I found this bit a little strange and you will have to read to the end to resolve this issue.

Although the details about lap dancing acrobatics was interesting I found it unbelievable that she could spend most of the night in a club and then turn up for a demanding daytime job in the morning.
This book was disappointing with a two-dimensional heroine who I lost patience with and thought selfish and money-grabbing . Not as good as the first book and lacking menace and tension.