When the mutilated body of a beloved New Orleans civil rights activist surfaces in the swamp, haunted detective Decker O’Day uncovers a deadly conspiracy linking corrupt politicians, ruthless developers, and a missing daughter whose secret could decide the city’s survival.

SYNOPSIS:

In the swamps outside New Orleans, the body of a beloved activist is found torn apart by gators. But Detective Decker O’Day knows this isn’t just another killing—it’s the key to a conspiracy that could drown the entire city.

Decker is a second-generation cop, scarred by loss and barely holding his badge. When the trail leads to a missing daughter, ruthless developers, and a suppressed study proving their billion-dollar project will sink New Orleans, he realizes he’s chasing more than a killer. He’s up against the city’s power structure itself.

Every step forward draws new enemies: gangs with scores to settle, a sheriff on the take, and a mayor who’ll do anything to stay untouchable. At the heart of it all is the LaRae family, developers who rule with blood and money—and whose own betrayals may tear them apart before Decker can.

As the body count rises, Decker and his only allies—his fiery partner Gail and the terrified but determined Nita Pitro—race through the bayous, bars, and backrooms of Louisiana to uncover the truth. The climax detonates when the conspiracy unravels in public, forcing Decker to confront both his city’s corruption and his own demons.

Dead in the Water is a gritty Southern noir thriller: part Chinatown, part True Detective, with the residue of Dirty Harry. It’s a story of murder, betrayal, and justice set in America’s most haunted city—where the line between survival and corruption is as thin as the levees holding back the water.

DEAD IN THE WATER