Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC. I did not read the first book in the series, but that didn't detract from this book. It started out so good. What happened to the four teenagers? For me, the book was better when it focused on the teenagers, but then it just became a serial killer book. The ending was good, though. It wasn't a bad book, just wasn't great for me.

**ARC generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I really liked book #1, The Girl Beneath the Sea. But, I can see now that it was really a setup book for the series. Book number two, Black Coral, got me excited! I would recommend reading the first book for background but it could still be enjoyed as a standalone.
The series centers around Sloan McPherson, a single mom who uses her underwater diving experience to investigate crimes as a detective with the UIU, the Underwater Investigation Unit.
Black Coral opens with Sloan assisting the highway patrol with a car that has ran off the road and into a pond. While underwater she discovers a van. When the van is pulled from the water there are four dead teenagers inside that have been missing for 30 years.
From there we are treated to a fast paced ride that takes Sloan and the UIU on a journey to find a serial killer that has been active for decades.
Black Coral is a fast paced crime thriller that you can't put down! Highly recommend reading this book!

To comprehend how much fun I had reading Black Coral you must know these three things about me . . . I am a scuba diving enthusiast, I have recently moved to Florida, and I am not a delicate flower.

You never know what you’ll find below the surface . . . this thriller follows Sloan McPherson (a spunky female detective with the local Underwater Investigative Unit) into the murky waters of the Everglades where she discovers evidence beyond the current investigation. This find by Sloan along with the UIU attracts press and triggers the reopening of a cold case file from 1989.

We follow Sloan as she uncovers each clue, follows each hunch, and navigates tricky waters . . . at work, at home, and literally . . . all to protect her family and her community from a major creeper on the loose.

This book isn’t stuffy, not like the typical overly polished crime dramas I’ve been encountering lately. I love that this book captured a candid and snarky realness that kept the pages turning.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is book #2 in a series, but I enjoyed it as a stand-alone without having read the first one. I plan to seek out The Girl Beneath The Sea and other titles by Andrew Mayne.

Could not put this book down! A great story with engaging characters. Had me on the edge of my seat at some parts.

The second book in the series finds Sloan McPherson working with George Solar in the newly formed Underwater Investigation Unit. When asked to assist on a case Sloan finds an additional car in the water, a van that contains four bodies. While the other law enforcement agencies are quick to label the case an accident Sloan, Solar and their new hire Hughes determine that the evidence suggests homicide. As the investigation progresses they realize the van was just the beginning. Another interesting story with Sloan McPherson, even though it doesn't quite match the high stakes climax of the first book. I will definitely look for book three in the future.

Sue Grafton created a memorable private investigator in a long series of thrillers. She has died and we have a new heroine to replace Kinsey Millhone. She is Sloan McPherson and she is my new idol. What a terrific addition to the women detectives I love. She is an archeologist, a cop and a skilled diver whose deductive skills are more than admirable. She excels where her make counterparts pale in comparison. I loved the book. The Florida setting with the Everglades descriptions was interesting and clarifying. I look forward to more in a sequel. Grafton got up to X in hers so I hope Andrew Mayne is inspired to create many more mysteries with Sloan as the protagonist. Well done!

Black coral is a fast paced crime thriller that is distinctly unique. It follows the newly founded U.I.U as they investigate crimes in and around the Florida waters. This is the second book in the series.

When called to the scene to dive and investigate an accident in a pond, Sloan accidentally uncovers a van which has been missing for decades. This throws the underwater investigative unit into a 30 year old cold case.

Sloan is a master diver who comes from a colorful family with an even more colorful past. She’s reckless, and impulsive and speaks her mind when she really should not. Her lack of thinking before speaking often gets her and her team in trouble. She takes a lot of risks that put herself and her team in bad positions, leaving her boss to clean up her mess and deal with the political fall out within the other Law enforcement agencies.

Sloan, makes a connection that others are not willing to see. She begins to connect the dots and uncover one of Florida’s most horrific killers.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the interactions between Sloan and the other characters. The author makes her rough around the edges. Sloan is not a perfect crime fighting detective like you find in typical crime thrillers. Sloan has complicated relationships with pretty much everyone in her life. You get to see her struggle with being a mom, an investigator, an employee, and even her love interest.

This was a fun and entertaining book from start to finish. I loved all the twists the book takes. The mixing of agency politics along with the investigation itself kept me wanting to know what was coming next. There are a bunch of nasty, scheming characters that help make this story fantastic!

I definitely recommend Black Coral, especially if your looking for a book with great characters, that are not your typical investigators.

Book #2 in series. I enjoyed the first one and especially enjoyed this one. The main character, Sloan finds a van with four decomposed teens, while diving for a different case. Cold Case?? Evidence suggests something more. This series is refreshing to me. A diving female 'detective', unusual family (jailed uncle, pirate Dad, etc) her job always seems on the line. A major mystery, with a side one....Andrew Mayne develops his characters well. I don't need a reminder who they are...they stay with me. I was given an ARC by NetGalley. I'm looking forward to reading book 3.

This series is getting more action packed, exciting and entertaining at each book. It was pleasure to see Sloan McPhearson and UIU are back for another jaw dropping, breath taking, soul crushing, adrenaline pumping journey.
We also get a closer look and learn more details about Sloane's family dynamics, her entertaining, humorous inner monologues when she is under too much stress and it was pleasure to see her adorable daughter and Run again.
This time she finds bodies in tomb belong to teenagers who has been disappeared 30 years ago after they'd left a rock concert. They are murdered and their case connects with a few vanishing cold cases in Florida. This time she's trying to catch a real mad man, a genius evil master, a serial killer. Could she catch him without getting harmed and putting her loved ones' lives into danger? Time is ticking. She needs to move fast! Think faster!

It was another fast read for me. I couldn't stop. I couldn't put down and as soon as I finished I wanted more. These series are truly captivating and addictive and I need to read more. I cannot wait to dour the third book of the series!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for sharing this page turner ARC in exchange my honest review.