A continuation of the UIU series and it was everything I hoped it would be!

I’ve been hooked on Sloan’s story and misadventures since the first book, and this third one did not disappoint.

There are always so many layers to the story along with a nuance to the personal lives of the characters that makes this series a stand out.

Can’t wait for the 4th book!

The third book in the underwater investigation unit series did not disappoint.

5/5

It’s fast paced and you don’t want to put the book down. McPherson, Solar, and Hughes make the best team. This series has quickly become my favorite. I love that this book took on some intense rivals. The dive portions are always fun to read as well!

Could not recommend this series more

*Thank you to NetGalley and especially for allowing me to read the arc in return for an honest review.

Another rollicking tale from the UIU! I read the previous book in this series and I was excited to read this one. It didn't disappoint.

Sloan and her partner Hughes are tasked to figure out what happened when there were explosions on a cruise ship, carrying thousands of people. Of course, they have to also rescue some passengers as well, and the pages devoted to that rescue reminded me a bit of The Titanic when it was sinking and people were trying to escape etc. Exciting stuff!

Of course, this is the UIU and nothing is ever what it seems. It is lucky that Sloan and Hughes have Solar as their boss because they get themselves into hot water with someone very high up who isn't pleased by what they uncover. At all. Sloan does what she always does and tries to do way too much but she is one gutsy woman, it has to be said. In between, she is trying to spend time with her partner and daughter as well, so she is straddling an unusual line. I really like the character of Sloan.

The story gallops along and I wondered how it was all going to end. A bit abruptly, it has to be said. I looked down at one point and noticed I only had 9 minutes to go in my book but the story didn't seem to be THAT close to the end. It is a bit of a shame, could have done with a few extra pages just to finish the story a little better. Anyway, I still really enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading the next book in the series :)

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

Sloan is my hero. She’s a single mom, amazing scuba diver, incredible investigator and has a sassy mouth. She doesn’t think like a demure little lady watching what she does and says. She’s impulsive to a fault and honest to her bone. A cruise ship has been attacked and the team must determine why and who. The way the UIU team manipulates any situation takes guts and bravery, along with the biggest cajones ever imagined. They manage to ruffle many feathers while they investigate what the bad guys were after on the cruise. If you’ve read other Mayne books who’ll appreciate the cameo by Cray and Jessica. His books are intense, intelligent and quick reads, despite the sizable novel I found myself reading faster. I received an early copy through Netgalley and left this review voluntarily.

Thrilling investigative mystery with characters you care about! Love this series, yes some of what The UIU leader pulls out of his hat is a little over the top, but we are reading fiction people. Highly enjoyable thriller fiction. Familiar with diving and underwater this is cherry on top for you. No clue on underwater diving - still a win. I fall in the no clue and I thoroughly enjoyed. I have read all 3 and this can be read a stand a lone. Reading all 3 has allowed me to watch our impetuous Sloan grow, had seen the introduction of Hughes and has watched our 3 person team meld into a true unit. Non stop action, humor, intrigue are provided by our Underwater Investigative Unit. I recommend this to anyone who wants to be entertained, thrilled and enlightened. Thank you Thomas and Mercer for the arc, thank you Andrew Mayne, thank you Net Galley

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I rated the first in this series and skipped over the second (because I missed it).

PROS:
- well written
- good action with rising stakes
- author has a good sense of humor

CONS:

- a bit too far fetched on how the UIU gets out of sticky situations, such as twice being deputized
- as with the first novel, I had difficulty believing the protagonist was a woman ... the book was definitely NOT written in a woman's voice
- the author needed several transition sentences ... sometimes, paragraphs or chapters tended to skip over information

Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Who tried to sink a cruise ship off the coast of Florida and why? More urgently, are other ships at risk? Those are the questions Sloan McPherson and the Underwater Investigations Unit must answer and quickly, This is a fast paced plot driven novel with good characters that sometimes goes a bit over the top but which is very entertaining. I've read and enjoyed the earlier books but this will be fine as a standalone because of Mayne's storytelling, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, Perfect for travel- but maybe not for those heading to sea.

This is the third in the UIU series and the second one I have read.(I have yet to read the first in the series). I really enjoyed the second book and I enjoyed this one too, albeit not as much.

This time we have Sloan McPherson called to a cruise ship that is sinking off the coast of Florida. Explosions on board make it look like a terrorist attack but as Sloan digs deeper she finds herself embroiled in a corruption plot that goes to very dark and high places.

This one was a fun and entertaining read. Again we have Sloan doing things her way and going against protocol as she tries to discover the secrets of the attack on the cruise ship.
It starts off at a blistering pace and while it does move along quickly with plenty of twists and indeed action, I felt the book never reached the intensity of those first few chapters. The set up I felt promised more than it ultimately delivered. Towards the end the book kind of peters out rather than coming to a climax.

Having said that I did enjoy it overall. A little underwhelming but a fun read none the less.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

Andrew Mayne has at least three series that I enjoy profusely. I read the UIU novels last, but I’m already familiar with the characters. I love Sloan’s twisted sense of humor. She makes me laugh in very inappropriate situations. This time, she and her team face a humongous enemy that will probably keep them busy for a while. There are cameos that made me cheer, even if I didn’t need them because I’m so invested in these characters. Not only Sloan but her whole extended family, as well as her friends and business associates. The plot, as always, is so addictive that this makes for a quick read. Very entertaining.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Thomas & Mercer!

This book follows Sloan McPherson, a scuba diving crime solver, and the Underwater Investigation Unit as they solve the mystery of an attacked cruise ship off of Fort Lauderdale. I love mysteries, Florida, and a strong female lead. This series is the perfect combination. While this was my least favorite book in the Underwater Investigation Unit Series, it was still good! It was probably my least favorite in the series because the characters traveled to other places and Florida wasn't as much of a focus. If you like books by Carl Hiassen or Tim Dorsey this is right up your alley!

Sloan McPherson and company are back in “Sea Storm”, the third book in Andrew Mayne’s Underwater Investigation Unit (UIU) series. The action starts right out of the gate in this fast-paced crime thriller with Sloan and her partner Hughes called out to a capsizing cruise ship. Racked by a series of explosions, the ship appears to have been the target of ecoterrorism, but something about the explanation feels a little off to Sloan. What follows is a high stakes wild ride through perilous situations, crime, and corruption as the UIU races to solve this case.

Sloan is a strong female protagonist – smart, immensely capable, and not afraid to take risks or step on toes to get to the bottom of the investigation. The characters are compelling and likeable, and I would have loved to see more interaction between them, especially between Sloan, Hughes, and Solar. The plot is complex and conspiracy minded and pulls in the reader right away. More underwater adventures would have made this novel even better, because that’s where Sloan really shines.

As part of the UIU series, “Sea Storm” is a wholly unique take on the police procedural. You don’t need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, but do yourself a favor and read them – they’re outstanding! Mr. Mayne is an exceptionally talented author and is on my “must read” list. Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an advance copy of his latest book.

I enjoyed this third book in this series by Mayne. The cameo appearance of some other characters from other books was fun too. The characters have fun personalities, even if they are always taking risks to solve the case.

Andrew Mayne is no stranger to creating captivating entertainment. His thrillers have always been detailed and thorough while including innovative storylines. The Underwater Investigation Unit is a great series that follows one of the most steadfast women in the thriller world and Mayne’s terrific writing is supported by numerous awards and accolades.
Mayne kicks off Sea Storm in fantastic fashion with a cruise liner experiencing horrific damage after a series of explosions cause ‘The Sea of Dreams’ to immediately require assistance. Florida law enforcement divers from the Underwater Investigation Unit (UIU) provide timely response to help safely retrieve crew members trapped in compartments under rising water levels. As the investigation continues for the team of Sloan McPherson and Scott Hughes, they begin to understand that there is more to the explosions and the reasons behind why people are shooting at them while on board conducting their search.
As the cruise ship sits stranded on a sandbar in a Florida waterway, clues force Sloan to Catalina, California, not for the Catalina wine mixer that you’re thinking but for a hot lead. While on the hunt for a suspect deemed to have been potentially associated with the attacks, she winds up getting her ass beat. Not good for an officer of the law to be attacked but it goes to show the tenacity of Sloan. As she pushed through another attack by the moped mafia, Scott and Sloan are hampered by continuous interference from every single law enforcement agency. They have been assisted by the generosity of one of the worlds richest hedge fund managers, but he starts to become a pain in the ass. What will prevail is only due to the headstrong determination of the UIU.
Mayne cleanly delivers a fast-paced thriller worthy of being read in one sitting. Sloan McPherson is one of the most determined and dedicated characters and the UIU is a refreshing take on law enforcement thrillers. The political tones are subdued and are exactly what you would expect with the state of the political climate in the world today.

I received this book through "NetGalley Raed Now" and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

This story begins with Sloan and her partner Hughes responding to a call regarding a cruise ship. Once they arrived, they began searching the ship for people still stranded. As they began going to lower decks, they ran into people who notified them that they were people trapped blow. Sloan and Hughes discovered the people trapped and proceeded to get the door open. They learned that the door was stuck and could not be opened. Hughes had an item which he used to open the door so that the people were able to get. As they began to retrace their steps, they were told of an injured person that needed help.

While searching the ship later, they discovered an area that raised questions. After both Shelby and Hughes attended a meeting, the group was assigned to teams. Hughes was recuperating from an incident and Sloan was put on a team with FBI divers. The team basically ignored Sloan and because a storm was set to come in. she went that night to an area she believed would have debris from the incident with the cruise shop. Sloan and Hughes started investigating on their own. They were able to uncover evidence which ultimately had them zoom in on an individual as the person responsible. This individual had a lot of pull and tried to get Sloan and Hughes taken off the case.

Follow all of the events that the team of Sloan and Hughes had to overcome to finally locate the parties involved. The ending is one you won't expect.

Sea Storm is the third installment in the Underwater Investigation Unit series and while it could probably be read as a stand alone, you will miss out out on some amazing adventures.

I have loved this series from the beginning so I am sad to say this one is my least favorite of the three. I am not sure if this is just due to over hype in my own head but this one didn't live up to my expectations. I still enjoyed it (hence the four stars) but I wished that Sloan's family was shown more along with Hughes. I really enjoyed that in the first two books so it was disappointing when this one felt rushed. I liked how fast paced the story was but it did seem to wrap up way too fast in the end.

Overall I did enjoy this one and will continue to recommend this series to anyone looking for a good tropical thriller.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Mayne, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Andrew Mayne is back with another exciting story in the Underwater Investigation Unit series, showing how versatile his writing can be. Down in Florida, there are many parts to law enforcement, as Sloan McPherson knows well. Working as part of a dive team, McPherson and her partner answer a call when a cruise ship finds itself in trouble. What looks like a targeted crime soon becomes a highly volatile situation and Sloan McPherson refuses to let up until she has all the answers, even if it costs her everything.

When a distress call fills the airwaves, McPherson and her partner head towards a cruise ship off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. The ship appears to be sinking and there’s are thousands aboard. McPherson will have to act quickly to help them before things take a disastrous turn. She can see the panic in the eyes of many and this does not appear to be a simple malfunction, as smoke envelops the ship.

After examining the ship during an initial dive, it appears as though this was the act of an ecoterrorist, set to make a point. While Sloan uncovers more than could be of use to the investigators, she worries that an approaching storm could nullify all the evidence, thereby making any arrests impossible. What’s even more baffling is that no one appears to care much, leaving Sloan to worry that this is not a priority to anyone. If anything, many seem to be considering it as yet another protest move.

While she appears to be alone in this, Sloan pushes forward and discovers some new truths, things that could put the explosion into perspective and place a target on her back. Never one to back down, the investigation leads to the West Coast, where other things of a nefarious nature have been taking place. Sloan finds herself coming face to face with those in charge and her diligence must be stopped before all is revealed. With everything to lose and a determination to find the truth, Sloan McPherson forges onwards, not realising that she may have met her match. Mayne does well with this instalment, keeping the reader hooked until the final chapter with tension and intrigue.

Beginning this series when it came out was my introduction to Andrew Mayne and his writing. It was only later that others encouraged me to try some of his other novels, permitting me to see just how talented he was and the complexity to his stories. Mayne takes a unique approach to law enforcement with this piece, exploring the underwater domain as a place where crime is just as prevalent. Using a strong set of characters, he is able to keep the reader interested and also pushes something many within the genre have yet to attempt.

Sloan McPherson is back with a great deal to prove. She has an interesting backstory and great development in this piece, something series fans will surely appreciate. Her determination is second to none and she tries to find that balance between work and home life, though it is usually marred with a push to get answers as a member of law enforcement. Using her diving and scuba background, Sloan stands out as a character in the piece, pushing boundaries in order to get answers she needs. I am eager to see what Mayne has in store for her, as the series progresses.

The greatest ability of an author is to provide continuity to their stories and characters, something that Andrew Mayne has done repeatedly. He knows what he wants and weaves it into the narrative to get there. Strong momentum pushes the story along and keeps the reader from losing their way, while characters entertain and provide guidance throughout. A strong plot allows the reader to see where things are going, propelled by short chapters that tease them to try just a little more. While I won’t spoil it, Mayne has done some great crossover work in this piece, keeping his fans of all series entertained with a few small surprises. This unique series has kept me curious from the start and this is yet another reason why Andrew Mayne remains on the top of my list of authors to follow.

Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for taking the plunge and continuing this series. I can only hope there is more to come for this and your other powerful series.

Fantastic read. I really enjoyed seeing the UIU back in action. Sloan continues to be an entertaining and engaging character, leading the investigation, challenging authority, and solving crimes. Mayne sets up an intriguing mystery that starts with an a sinking cruise ships and leads to an international money laundering conspiracy. Seeing the relationship between Sloan and her partner, Scott, develop and how they played off each other enhanced the reading. And I loved the surprise guest appearances by Jessica Blackwood and Theo Cray.

This is the third book featuring Sloan McPherson and the Underwater Investigation Unit (UIU). The unit is called, along with other agencies, to a stricken cruise ship off the Florida coast. Passengers are being ushered into lifeboats but as Sloan and her partner, Scott Hughes, search the ship they learn there are some crew members trapped behind a door where the deck has buckled preventing it from opening. Scott, former navy seal as well former cop just happens to have a small block of C4 explosive which he uses to blow the door open and the crew is rescued.

During their scouting on the ship they note that the damage doesn’t make sense. It looks like it was meant to deliberately disable the ship rather than sink it - which would tend to rule out terrorism. Could it be ecoterrorism? The only communication is a veiled threat to another vessel operating out of New York. The next day FBI divers scout around under the ship for evidence but Sloan has a different idea of where to search as she knows these waters very well. So she goes out at night with Run (her baby daddy) and teenage daughter Jackie. A storm is coming which could change the pattern of the sand and cover up evidence. They find what looks like broken pieces of a drone.

On another visit to the stricken vessel Sloan and Hughes notice a square section of a bulkhead had been been cut away. There is a vacant space but no evidence of what could have been hidden there. Drugs perhaps? Who knows?

Inquiries and guesswork lead them to suspect a well known eco terrorist, Maxim Schrulcraft but when they finally locate his boat and Sloan drops in through a window, she only narrowly avoids being blown up. The whole boat is rigged with explosives. The FBI is keen to close the case saying their bomber is dead.

But now the UIU is obsessed with the hidden compartment in the bulkhead. As they get closer to the truth they get more and more obstacles thrown in their path. Somebody with lots of influence wants to shut them down. But Sloan is not the sort of person who lets herself be shutdown. It’s a good story with an exciting ending but it just didn’t feel as good as the earlier books, possibly because there was much less on/under water action. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

3.5 stars rounded down.

I was bored by this installment, though it still probably falls in the middle of the three releases. It's not as eye-rollingly absurd as book one, but it's also not nearly as much fun as book two. After the thrilling opening scene of Sloane & Co boarding a listing cruise ship, there's almost no action and almost no underwater scenes; that's why I'm reading these books! Why would I want the UNDERWATER INVESTIGATION UNIT to do an above-board investigation?! Go investigate a sunken ship or something! I don't want to read about this group getting involved in a billionaire's foibles.

I've been a fan of this series from the beginning and this new addition doesn’t disappoint. It’s a fun, entertaining thriller that romps along at a fast pace. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged, which makes sense, since Mayne knows his stuff and it shows. While this is book 3 and can be read as a stand-alone, why would you want to miss this great series? Recommended for anyone looking for a fast-paced, action packed thriller.