The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

I was given this e-copy by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I wished I liked this book more. Unfortunately, it was only the plot twist ending that truly saved it. 

The novel begins with Samuel Pipps, world's greatest detective, in manacles about to be prisoner on a ship towards his execution. Sammy's companion, Arent Hayes, is amongst the passengers who is trying to figure out a way to prove Sammy's innocence. However, once the ship is at sea, strange and deadly happenings begin. Arent combines forces with Sara, a noblewoman, to determine if this is the devil or a man pretending to be thus. 

I struggled with his novel. Throughout the whole thing, I felt that I was reading too far ahead, like I had skipped a novel or two. Even knowing that this was Turton's second novel, I felt very confused. There were references to Arent's past that could have been built up in a previous tome. And the fact that characters spoke of Arent's and Sammy's previous adventures.

I did enjoy the Sherlock Holmes-esque feeling. Though this was more Dr. Watson based, there were elements of Sherlock throughout the novel. I enjoyed Arent's part more because the reader could see the techniques he had been taught while with Sammy. Which is a distinct omission in the Sherlock Holmes compendium. 

I will continue to follow Stuart Turton because I loved his debut novel. The puzzles in his novels are truly ingenious, and continue to be challenging. However, I must rate this novel 3 out of 5 stars, because of the abrupt greeting and fully packed history of Sammy and Arent. I wish this had been a series with this novel being the finale. Though that ending is making me hope that there might be more to come.