Blood Tide

Name: Blood Tide
Price: 16.25 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780645340044

✍️ Brent McGregor

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$16.25

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Fort Lauderdale server meets a dangerous stranger while a detective hunts an ambiguous killer.

The novel follows Dani Kowalski as she seeks relief from her stagnant life through a new relationship with Eric Gilman. This connection threatens to consume her as Detective Frank Hagen uncovers grisly murders linked to the city. The narrative structure alternates between the romantic pursuit and the criminal investigation, building suspense through parallel storylines. McGregor uses the setting of Fort Lauderdale to contrast surface normalcy with underlying terror. The work appeals to fans of psychological horror who enjoy ambiguous antagonists and character-focused plots.

Key Themes

urban isolation dangerous romance ambiguous humanity

Literary Context

Published in 2025 by Dual Crows Press, the book sits within contemporary American horror fiction. It utilizes the modern setting of Fort Lauderdale to ground supernatural elements in a recognizable reality. The work reflects current trends in psychological thriller literature that emphasize internal conflict and moral ambiguity over traditional monster tropes.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Daphne du Maurier · Tana French

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Dual Crows Press 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780645340044

📝 Description: Blood Tide

Brent McGregor crafts a psychological thriller set in Fort Lauderdale, centering on Dani Kowalski, a restaurant server trapped in a loveless marriage. Her desire for escape leads her to Eric Gilman, a brooding stranger who offers both passion and peril. The narrative juxtaposes their entangled lives with the investigation of Detective Frank Hagen, who pursues a killer whose nature remains ambiguous. McGregor draws on gothic traditions of duality and hidden darkness within urban settings. The story examines the fragility of human identity and the seductive danger of unknown allies. Readers seeking grounded supernatural mystery will find this appealing, while those preferring historical horror may prefer other selections. The plot relies on character-driven tension rather than explicit gore or complex lore.

💎 Our verdict on Blood Tide

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

McGregor effectively juxtaposes a dangerous romantic entanglement with a grisly murder investigation, creating a palpable sense of dread in Fort Lauderdale. The narrative successfully contrasts surface normalcy with underlying terror, offering a fresh take on gothic duality. While it lacks complex lore or historical depth, the focus on psychological peril and seductive danger provides a unique reading experience. It is best suited for readers who enjoy ambiguous endings and character-focused plots rather than action-heavy horror.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who favor character-driven tension over explicit gore will find this title compelling. It appeals to those interested in grounded supernatural mystery and the fragility of human identity. Fans of ambiguous antagonists and parallel storylines exploring romantic pursuit alongside criminal investigation will appreciate the suspenseful structure.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

McGregor effectively juxtaposes a dangerous romantic entanglement with a grisly murder investigation, creating a palpable sense of dread in Fort Lauderdale. The narrative successfully contrasts surface normalcy with underlying terror, offering a fresh take on gothic duality. While it lacks complex lore or historical depth, the focus on psychological peril and seductive danger provides a unique reading experience. It is best suited for readers who enjoy ambiguous endings and character-focused plots rather than action-heavy horror.