Other Dark Waters

I've decided to share a Google Drive folder that contains all of my chapters for my novel, Dark Water, with DW. I've asked her to read my rough draft and provide any feedback.

She loves crime fiction and could tell me if the story makes sense and let me know if I've missed anything.

Over the weekend, we were talking about my novel (she already knows the plot and who the killer is) and she asked me, "Have you ever done a search to see if the title of your book has already been used?"

"There's no copyright on book titles," I told her.

"I know, but wouldn't it be confusing if someone else wrote a crime novel with that title?"

It was a good question.

When I thought of it, I wouldn't have been surprised if someone else had come up with the title, Dark Water. It was a pretty common term and with the word Dark, it would make for a sinister title, so I decided to search book titles that are available through Chapters-Indigo, our Canadian chain bookstore.

Sure enough, there's another crime novel with that title.

There's also a romance novel called Beneath Dark Waters, a Canadian, general-fiction novel called The Tears of Dark Water, a Canadian sci-fi/fantasy book, Dark Water Daughter, and many more that use variations on "Dark Water."

Another novel, Dark Water, by J.A. Armitage, is a fairy-tale story. I don't think there will be any confusion with my novel.

But I'm curious about the crime novel, Dark Water, written by British author Robert Bryndza. As the synopsis states, the main detective in the novel receives a tip about drugs being stashed in a disused quarry outside of London. The drugs are key to a major narcotics case.

When the drugs are located, the skeletal remains of a missing young girl are also discovered. She has been missing for more than 26 years.

So it doesn't look like my book, which involves a dead CBC reporter, her missing fiancé, and an investigative story that would shake up Ottawa City Hall, is similar to Bryndza's book. Yes—SPOILER ALERT—there are references to drugs in my book and a quarry plays a minor role (my quarry is not disused), but they're pretty common elements to crime novels.

But to make extra-sure, I've checked out an e-book copy from the library and I've started reading it. Let's see if there are more similarities than a mere title.

Dark Water was initially used as a place-holder for my book, but as I got more into the story, I started thinking of a final title less and less, and the place-holder has grown on me. But I'm not married to it.

No, who I am married to is about to start proof reading my first draft, giving me her thoughts. I've also asked her to think of an alternative title, in case I feel I need to change mine.

Stay tuned.