This Sapphic thriller-suspense had my attention all weekend. I read it alongside a close friend, and we spent the whole time dissecting the plot and playing detective as if we were Chief Brody himself.
"Dead Tide" takes place in a small coastal town, and if you’re a Jaws fan, you’ll pick up on the homage right away. We’re talking beach closures, Fourth of July panic, and a community on edge—just swap out the shark for a serial killer. Author Jane Marks clearly had some fun with the nods, and honestly, that made this book perfect for me.
There’s an “ice queen” character, because a grumpy FBI is always fun. But if you’re expecting a bunch of steamy scenes when she thaws out, don’t hold your breath. This book keeps the spice pretty mild, and I actually appreciated that. The focus stays on the murder mystery. Not every Sapphic story needs glue the book together with a little tongue action. Sometimes it’s just nice to follow queer characters through a solid suspense plot.
I gave this one four stars. As someone who adores Jaws, I felt like there were a few missed chances to lean harder into the theme. But the story was entertaining, the pacing kept me engaged, and the characters were just flawed enough for the genre.