The Cove is the first installment in Gregg Dunnett’s DCI Sands series, and while I approached it with modest expectations, it ultimately proved to be a far more compelling experience than anticipated. Dunnett has already enjoyed considerable success, with several titles appearing on Amazon bestseller lists, and this novel demonstrates why his work resonates with thriller readers.

Rather than functioning as a traditional police procedural, The Cove leans heavily into psychological thriller territory. The story opens with the brutal abduction and murder of eight-year-old Emily, an investigation led by DCI Sands. Although the evidence points toward a likely suspect, Sands remains uneasy — particularly about the girl’s father. The case takes a violent turn when the suspect is killed, and Sands herself is left critically injured, forcing the investigation to an uneasy halt.

The narrative then shifts focus to Christine, a grieving widow who relocates with her children, Molly and Ryan, after her husband’s death from COVID. She unknowingly purchases the former home of Emily’s family, only later learning of the crime that occurred there. That discovery propels Christine into an increasingly obsessive quest to uncover the truth behind Emily’s murder — one that eventually intersects with DCI Sands, still recovering both physically and psychologically from her injuries.

Dunnett structures the novel around a central question: was the original suspect truly responsible, or does the real culprit remain at large? As Christine digs deeper, the answers unfold through a layered, sometimes deliberately disorienting psychological narrative that rewards patience.

The novel does stumble early. The first half is challenging to fully engage with, and the story initially feels fragmented and difficult to connect to emotionally. Christine is intriguing, but her motivations and actions can seem confusing at first. However, once the book passes its midpoint, the pacing sharpens dramatically. The tension tightens, the pieces begin to align, and the story becomes difficult to put down.

Most importantly, the central twist is genuinely surprising. I didn’t see it coming for quite some time, and that reveal elevates The Cove from a solid thriller to a truly memorable one. While the early pacing issues are noticeable, the strength of the second half more than compensates.

In the end, The Cove is a rewarding psychological thriller for readers willing to let it develop on its own terms. For fans of slow-burn suspense with a strong payoff, it comes highly recommended.

Rating: 5/5