New adult crime thriller · Venice · Kindle and paperback · HORIZIN Apps Publishers
Dead Water — an atmospheric Venice mystery by dyslexic Marine veteran Robert Hethcoat
A councillor is found dead in a Venetian canal. The stones sewn into his coat point to a church destroyed decades ago. Somebody still needs that old secret buried.
In Dead Water, Carabinieri Major Chiara Volpe investigates a murder amid Venice’s rising floodwaters, property deals, hidden wealth and decades-old loyalties. As the water climbs, so does the danger. This independent adult crime thriller brings readers into Venice’s canals, islands and backstreets in a story of corruption, history and justice.
An adult mystery from a dyslexic author
Robert Hethcoat is a dyslexic writer and retired U.S. Marine. He uses dictation as part of his writing process, with an emphasis on straightforward storytelling and a reader-conscious presentation. This is a full-length novel for adult crime-fiction readers—especially those who love a suspenseful mystery but appreciate clear, readable prose. Its dyslexia-conscious approach is an authorial intention, not a claim of medical certification or guaranteed accessibility for every reader.
Robert’s experience is part of the story behind the book: a reminder that adult readers and writers with dyslexia belong in every genre, including intricate thrillers.
Read the four books in their intended order
- Dead Water — Venice, Italy (Book One; available now)
- The Seventh Floor — London, England
- The Pressing — Rioja, Spain
- Low Tide — Saint-Malo, France
The later books are presented in reading order, not as a claim that their Amazon editions are already for sale.
Book clubs, reviewers and journalists
Looking for a European crime novel for your next review or book-club read? Dead Water is available in print and digital formats. Book bloggers and literary journalists are welcome to enquire about interviews or review-copy requests through HORIZIN Apps Publishers.
If you enjoy the novel, recommending it to another reader or leaving an honest independent review on Amazon is a meaningful way to support an independent author.