Sloan McPherson of Florida's Underwater Investigation Unit is one of the responders to a distress call from a sinking cruise ship off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. When the explosion seems to be the work of an ecoterrorist and other ships are threatened, it becomes a race against time.
A coming tropical storm means valuable clues and evidence could be washed away, and Sloan is concerned about the strange lack of urgency by authorities. She's determined to track down every lead she has, little knowing that she's put herself on a collision course with someone who has every resource imaginable to bury her.
~
Andrew Mayne certainly knows how to write a compelling thriller, and I really enjoy this Underwater Investigation Unit series. The underwater scenes are so vivid that I felt as though I were swimming alongside Sloan as she dodged pursuers and raced to bring a James Bond-like villain to justice.
Sloan McPherson is definitely the star of this show. The McPherson clan is filled with scallywags and pirates which means that sometimes all she has to do is ask a relative to get information on a lead she's developing. She has phenomenal instincts and an amazing knack for putting clues together which the other members of her team are learning to rely on more and more. The dashes of humor throughout Sea Storm are usually at her expense but in the spirit of camaraderie which readers will have a greater appreciation of if they've read the other two books in the series. I have read those other two books (The Girl Beneath the Sea and Black Coral), and one of the things I like the most is Sloan's character development. Sloan is growing up as the series progresses. She's learning to control her impulsiveness as well as to rely on her own opinions rather than looking for validation from men.
A main character with a distinctive (and addictive) voice, thrilling underwater scenes, and a compelling mystery all mean that, once again, I'm looking forward to Sloan McPherson's next adventure. Bring it on!
Sea Storm by Andrew Mayne
eISBN: 9781542032230
Thomas & Mercer © 2022
eBook, 300 pages
Thriller, #3 Underwater Investigation Unit
Rating: B+
Source: Net Galley
I know you've posted good reviews of others in this series, Cathy, and I don't know much about underwater investigations. I'm sure that part would interest me! Sloane sounds like an interesting character, too. So why am I hesitating? Because I truly dislike the use of the present tense in fiction. I may be rushing to judgement, because that's just the first line, but I am pulled out of a story instantly if it's in the present tense. Rarely do I make an exception. But that's just me...
ReplyDeleteI know of other readers who can't stand present tense or first person. Fortunately, I'm the type of reader who doesn't care. Or maybe I'm not fortunate, seeing as that just gives me a lot more books to try to read...
DeleteThis sounds like a series worth investigating further.
ReplyDeleteIt ain't rocket science, but I do learn things and I do enjoy the tale the author spins.
DeleteI've never heard of this series, but I'm intrigued by the whole Underwater Investigation Unit!
ReplyDeleteThat's what drew me in, Lark. :-)
DeleteUnderwater Investigation Unit sounds intriguing and I always appreciate a character who grows up during a series. I just might have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteBeware that she does go swimming with big ole alligators...
DeleteOh, no. Scary.
ReplyDeleteYes. Very.
Delete