Another fantastic book by Andrew Mayne! I have loved all the books in the series about Sloan and the Underwater Investigation Unit. This book is another great read!

Andrew Mayne's Underwater Investigation Unit (UIU) series has always been a favorite of mine. This is the fifth book in the series and as with all the other books it has good pacing and a lot of suspense and intrigue.

The last book had grounded the UIU team and kept the strong female protagonist, Sloan McPherson, and her cohorts mostly out of the water. This time, they are all back together again and diving into deep waters with alligators and crocodiles as they are looking for an old friend who is an experienced diver and has gone missing. The team uses all their investigative skills in and out of the water to find him, including a small, talking, robotic dive machine. Their methodical search leads them to new clues, new suspects, and danger around every corner. There is even a hint about what new adventures may await the UIU in the future.

I'm always on the lookout for new books by this author. I highly recommend this book to readers who love fictional action adventures and suspenseful investigative mysteries. It's never too late to "dive" into this series.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Dark Dive is the fifth book in the Underwater Investigation Unit series by Andrew Mayne, which follows Sloan McPherson, Scott Hughes, and George Solar and their investigations into underwater crimes and mysteries.

When Fred Stafford a longtime friend of Sloane's family, is reported missing by his girlfriend, the UIU looks into the sinkholes and underwater cave systems Stafford was mapping. As the UIU investigates Stafford's disappearance, the case becomes increasingly complicated with his mysterious personal history, gambling debts, association with the "Dive Rats", and the discovery of a shocking artifact in Stafford's storage unit.

As always, Mayne's writing is compelling, Sloane is a capable and competent heroine. An easy five stars for a quick and compelling read. While Dark Dive would read fine as a standalone story, I highly recommend this entire series and look forward to the next entry in the series.

Dark Dive proves yet again why this series is a can't be missed, hugely atmospheric, wildly compelling mystery series that perfectly straddles police procedural (in a wildly unique way) and suspense.

I so so so adore this series. There is something magical about this combo of characters who are messy, dynamic, loveable and scruffy, out there doing such a uniquely specific piece of investigative work, and the element of scuba diving and underwater drama that makes these books impossible to set down. I love the mix of action and suspense, while still having characters that can be funny and relatable all at once.

The central plot of this one is also brilliant and deliciously dark, with a local diving legend going missing, as the investigation drives Sloane and her team to sinkholes throughout the Florida swamps that hold secrets from lifetimes ago. No spoilers but there is one sinkhole scene in this book that had me literally reading from between my fingers, I was so terrified of what was going to happen next.

Truly, I cannot recommend this series enough, if you want action and suspense, a fantastic and fresh take on a police procedural vibe, claustrophobically terrifying settings, and a plot that will have you glued to the page from beginning to very delectable end.

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy. Andrew, I hope you truly write this series forever. I never want it to end.

Sloane McPherson is back, and this time her old family diving friend Fred Stafford is missing. Along with her partner Hughes and the UIU team, Sloane is determined to find either him - or the answers to his mysterious disappearance. But who can be trusted?

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I love Andrew Mayne's Underwater Investigation Unit series, but this one took me a while to get through. While I didn't dislike the ending, I felt like there were a lot of side stories in this one that were left unresolved and I'm pretty disappointed about that. I'm sure in a future book they might be referred to - as the author tends to do that - but I just wish we would have gotten more answers to a lot of the other questions in this novel. Too many remaining questions by the end of this one, for me, that it just felt a bit unfinished.

Dark Dive, the fifth book in this series, brings the Underwater Investigation Unit back. The case is personal for Sloan McPherson, Fred Stafford, family friend and a famous diver, has gone missing. Sloan working with her partner, Scott Hughes, work to locate the missing man.

As the investigation progresses, Sloan comes to realize that Fred was not the person she thought he was. He may have been involved in scavenging and selling items on the black market. There are twists, turns and surprises. Andrew Mayne has written a thriller/police procedural that will keep readers turning the pages for what comes next.

As this is the fifth book we are well acquainted with the team of Sloan, Scott, and George Solar, the team leader. Gwen Wylder joins the team as an independent contractor. Sloan is a risk taker, uses her instincts and believes in justice. She has an interesting family dynamic that plays well with the series. I love her daughter.

This can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading from the beginning. Mayne gives his character, Theo Cray, from The Naturalist series a cameo. I look forward to the next adventure with Sloan and the team.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for an ARC. The review is my own.

After a brief hiatus the dream team Sloan+Solar+Hughes are back & dive deep into a brand new gripping twisted plot! The prologue reels you in & the plot is one compelling chapter after another but the epilogue ties it all neatly in a bow & may leave you with major withdrawal symptoms for the next book in the addictive UIU series. With the mix of an unusual unique plot with quirky characters this book is one I found very difficult to put down.
The only disappointment comes from the fact that I read this book before Sea Castle & never wrote down a review for this one despite having feasted(figuratively)on this book. So now I no longer have a UIU book on my shelf & desperately seek the next thrilling adventure Sloan gets to go on. #stupidme

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, Andrew Mayne for the arc!

Never a disappointment from Mayne. Sloane investigates a missing friend known for diving expertise. What she discovers takes them down a rabbit hole. The beginning chapter is a bit unique but stick with it because that part of the story comes back later. I enjoy learning about diving, Florida history and attempting the crime puzzle. Mayne weaves an intelligent mystery that’s unique, a bit funny and intense. I’ve read all five books but you could jump in anywhere and still be involved without missing a beat. I got to read an early copy and have written my review voluntarily.

I always look forward to reading the latest Underwater Investigation Unit thriller. I've learned a lot about diving in different locations-- in Dark Dive, it's sinkholes and underwater caverns-- and about the state of Florida itself. Florida seems to be the home of abandoned "pet/monsters": pythons, anacondas, Nile crocodiles... let alone the native alligators, and Sloan has to take the wildlife into account each time she dives.

The diving sequences are always riveting. You never know what's going to spring at Sloan from out of the murk, and I have to admit that I enjoy the vicarious scares. But it's not all fast-paced thrills and technical gadgetry. I wish every state in the country could have someone with the savvy of Sloan's boss, George Solar. To smooth the way for his investigators, Solar has two RVs-- one filled with lawyers ready, willing, and able to get search warrants and other legal necessities, and the second armed with CSI techs and all the lab equipment they need to avoid the interminable delays of local law enforcement backlogs. Sweet, eh?

Even sweeter is the fact that the cast of characters is just as strong as the story, the thrills, and the technology. I like Sloan's irreverent voice, and her partner Scott is increasingly figuring into the stories. In addition, there's always a one-time character whom you wish could become a recurring one. In Dark Dive, it's octogenarian Gayle Pinnesky. I just loved her to bits!

Exciting story, lots to learn, fantastic setting with a touch of the alien about it, and great characters. If you haven't already gone diving with Andrew Mayne's Underwater Investigation Unit, it's time you did!

As usual Andrew Mayne has done it again! I couldn’t put this book down. Absolutely enthralled with Sloan McPherson and the UIU. I’m really hoping this series can continue on as I feel her daughter Jackie might be interested in following her mother’s footsteps ? Love everything about this series!

Andrew Mayne brings action, suspense, and mystery to Dark Dive , the fifth novel in the Underwater Investigation Unit series. Add to this, underwater caverns, archaeology, and a missing family friend and readers are in for another exciting adventure with Sloan McPherson and Scott Hughes.

The Underwater Investigation Unit is back in business. Besides Sloan and Scott as well as their leader Geoge Solar, they are now joined by Gwen Wylder, a contractor to help research cases. Readers of the series met Gwen in book four. The story kicks off with a longtime family friend of the McPhersons disappearing. As they search for him, several alarming items become known. The situation is not nearly as straightforward as one might initially think.

Sloan has good reflexes, amazing instincts, and doesn’t shirk responsibility. She also has a discerning sense of justice and determination that makes it easy for readers to get behind. However, she takes risks and has trouble with people who ignore clues and go for the quick resolution. Hughes also has a somewhat reckless streak, but has incredible analysis capabilities as well as some skills from his military career. He’s also the technical equipment and robotics member of the team. Both have a police background which helps since the UIU is a law enforcement agency. Together, they are a formidable pair of investigators. Gwen can be abrasive and rude, but she’s also extremely smart and analytical.

The plot is multi-layered and has twists and turns to keep a reader guessing. The world-building is excellent and I was easily transported to Florida. The well-written story and the incredible characters combine with action and multiple mysteries to culminate in an action-filled conclusion. Mayne is an exceptional storyteller who provides readers with gripping scenes that move at a blistering pace. The final chapter provides the thread for the next book in the series and hints at changes that are coming. How will the team adapt? Themes include deaths, disappearances, political pressure, family, friendship, greed, and much more.

Overall, this was an intense story with complex characters that kept me turning the pages. I was surprised several times by events. This kept the tension level high throughout the book. Those who enjoy crime thrillers, mysteries, and police procedurals may want to check out this series.

Thomas & Mercer and Andrew Mayne provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be March 12, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley for another amazing Andrew Mayne UIU book, #5 in the series about diver Sloan McPherson, her investigative colleagues, and her family.

This book's pub date is almost here - March 12, 2024 - and I am so glad to have had a chance to review an ARC from NetGalley. I like procedurals that let us stay with key characters, seeing them develop over time and forming a relationship of sorts with them. Mayne's writing moves the plot along at a good clip: this time it is based on a kind of odd fortune-hunting group, with a little drama to open the novel and give a reason for Sloan's growing hesitation for challenging dives.

This book is great, but at this point, I'm tired of reading about Florida swamps and really want to see the group move into new locales, maybe even globally, to mix it up. I would also love to see Sloan move into a position of leadership responsibility, where she isn't just the adventuresome diver. I hope the publisher takes heed of this because otherwise readers will grow bored with the series despite Mayne's good writing. 4-stars.

This is the fifth installment in the Sloan McPherson series, and while it was undeniably good, it didn't captivate me as intensely as some of the earlier books in the series.

However, I understand why this might be the case. It's evident that the author is experimenting with how to further utilize these characters, and I find that aspect quite appealing. As a result, each subsequent book offers something unique. Not every installment may be equally stellar, but I appreciate the author's decision not to rely solely on established patterns and to instead seek out new solutions. This approach ensures that each book brings something fresh to the table.

This time around, Sloan and her team are not tackling a strictly police matter, at least not at the beginning, but rather a more personal issue for Sloan that evolves into a police case. Sloan takes on the investigation into the disappearance of a long-time family friend, Fred Stafford. The more Sloan delves into Stafford's life, the more mysteries she uncovers.

As always, I found the scenes involving Sloan and Hughes diving and conducting underwater investigations particularly compelling. I admire how the author skillfully employs Sloan's expertise and how many underwater secrets this team still has the potential to uncover. The fact that this series focuses on solving crimes that require diving skills is what makes it so unique. As I said, I'm glad the author is exploring new ways to leverage this aspect.

I'm genuinely curious about what else the author will come up with and what other unconventional diving scenarios Sloan will encounter. Dark Dive may not have completely blown me away, but it's a solid addition to the series that keeps me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

FUIU (Florida Underwater Investigating Unit)Sloan, Hughes, Solar and Gwen. I am addicted to this series, When a knowledgeable diver with years of experience goes missing Sloan and Hughes start looking. Police work, diving, caves, mystery and the trademark Andrew Mayne twists. I learn, I am entertained and always surprised. I love googling some of the locations that are provided and finding info. Dark Dive has Sloan starting to take stock of her future and her friendship with Hughes. Run her partner and Jackie (their daughter) have their cameos in the appropriate places to help round out the book. Possible changes on the horizon? Another great ride in this series that pretty much has it all (as long as your not looking for romance :) This is a thriller, mystery, police and characters you care about, Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions! #DarkDive #AndrewMayne #ThomasandMercer #NetGalley

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My thanks to Thomas and Mercer, Andrew Mayne and Netgalley.
You know..after the last book I was really freaking worried that I may have to give up this series and probably send a bunch of dead alligator heads to the author. Yes, I had, "had being the operative word" a brother in law who thought it was hysterical sending me alligator heads. "3 of them!" What a fool. My neighbor's son loved them.
However...I just loved this book! My favorite thing? Yes, it was the end! Not because I was tired of it, but now I know that the U.I.U. is now going bi-coastal! Thank goodness! I'm about tired of the gators. I love this series, and I'm happy it's finally going back into the water. That's why I signed up for this series!

Andrew Mayne's "Dark Dive" doesn't just invite—it pulls readers into the enigmatic realm of the Florida Underwater Investigative Unit (FUIU). It's a thrilling voyage through complicated crimes across the Sunshine State and an absolute must-read for mystery and suspense devotees.

The narrative orbits around Sloan McPherson, who spearheads the FUIU on an underwater escapade, revealing a distinct blend of crime-solving. The plot masterfully interlaces a diverse cast, including familiar faces like Solar and Hughes, and Sloan's quirky family, adding layers to the story.

Mayne's writing style is an exceptional fusion of engagement, velocity, and cleverness, vividly animating each scene. Themes of identity, social discord, police procedural, and mystery are woven together flawlessly, pushing "Dark Dive" beyond the confines of a typical crime novel.

The narrative charges forward relentlessly, adeptly balancing suspense and revelation, urging readers to eagerly devour each page. From the riveting prologue to high-stakes sequences, "Dark Dive" is laden with unforgettable moments that ensnare readers from the get-go.

The novel exudes an intoxicatingly thrilling ambiance, fueling the readers' curiosity, urging them to uncover the next enigma. Mayne introduces unanticipated plot twists and cryptic revelations, keeping readers on tenterhooks and sparking speculation about potential sequels.

Mayne's expert blending of science and classic police procedural elements is a testament to his narrative brilliance. "Dark Dive" emerges as a captivating read for those who appreciate gripping mysteries infused with a unique spin on police procedurals. Sloan McPherson and FUIU fans are set for a thrill ride, solidifying Mayne's standing as a maestro of crime fiction.

Emerging from the depths of "Dark Dive," readers are left with a lingering sense of wonder and a craving for more of Andrew Mayne's distinctive storytelling. The novel not only highlights his ability to craft an engrossing mystery but also his commitment to redefining the limits of conventional crime fiction. "Dark Dive" is a striking addition to Mayne's collection, leaving a lasting imprint on the genre and reinforcing its status as a must-read for mystery aficionados.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

Dark Dive by Andrew Mayne brings back divers Sloan McPherson and Scott Hughes from the Florida Underwater Investigation Unit. It is a highly recommended procedural.

Sloan and Hughes are summoned by their boss George Solar to recover a coroners van and the two bodies in it from an alligator breeding ground. After the harrowing dive Sloan had to make, their next case is that of a missing person, Fred Stafford, who is also a longtime family friend of Sloan. It seems Stafford was diving and/or treasure hunting with a group of underwater cavern junkies called the Dive Rats. It also is clear that he was diving in the many sinkholes located in Florida and his truck is found near an unmarked sinkhole. Sloan is concerned that they may be looking for a body. The investigation takes some twists and turns along the way to an exciting conclusion.

Dark Dive meets the criteria for an exciting thriller/procedural, further cementing Mayne as a dependable go-to writer for the genre. There are plenty of twists and interesting details uncovered during the investigation. Although I was pleased with the main case, there is one story line that is left unresolved and a few other questions that were left unanswered. I liked the inclusion of Hughes' ROV, remotely operated vehicle, and AI into the narrative. Dangers the team face are numerous and many of them in the wild - big cats, alligators, crocodiles, anacondas, pythons, to name a few, along with the human threats.

For those new to the series, it can be read as a standalone novel. There is enough information and background about the characters to easily slid into their world and enjoy the investigation. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Edelweiss, X, and Amazon.

Andrew Mayne has become one of my favorite authors. His books usually just suck me right in.

This one is part of the series starring Sloan McPherson, a diver with the Underwater Investigative Unit in Florida. I love reading about her adventures, and the things she does, such as diving into alligator waters really get my attention.

I truly liked this book. And if I didn’t have such high expectations I would have enjoyed it more. But it felt like more of the same story with nothing really new. In addition, I lover her daughter and her partner, and they did not feature much in this book – there was just no character development.

All of this makes it sound like I didn’t like the book and I really did. It just did not live up to my high hopes. It was really good, but not great.

I do want to thank netgalley for the ARC – this did not impact my opinion. And I will continue to loo forward to further books by this author

Surprise! The UIU (Underwater Investigation Unit) is back for a 5th installment with Andrew Mayne's Deep Dive. This book has everything in it.

-Murder
-Everybody Is A Suspect
-A Scary Large Animal Predator
-Abandoned Boys School
-Rural Parts of Florida with Sink Hole Ponds
-Remote Scuba Dives With The Suspects

Some things I really loved about this book were that we see a deepening in the work relationship between Sloan and Hughes. And that's what it is - a work relationship. Neither have any romantic ideations about the other. Hughes knows Run, Sloan's partner, would knock him out. And he respects that. They both are respectful that they have each other's backs. The other thing I loved about this book - chapter titles! This may seem minor, but to this reviewer, Chapter Titles are a major plus.

For a book about the Underwater Investigation Unit, a lot of the investigating took place on land and in some really interesting places. A rural part of Florida where a Boys Reform School existed and some very unsundry and disgusting things occurred. Hughes and Sloan end up on in another remote part of Florida away from the coastline. I will say this part had me on pins and needles. Animal predators in that part of Florida are bad enough…

When the case finally wraps up, it is whirlwind. I found myself wanting to have a good old McPherson party with the members of the UIU coming over, even old George Solar. Seeing him knock back a beer with the McPherson clan would have been nice.

But that isn't how it wrapped up. And I have a feeling Andrew Mayne isn't done with these characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with the Florida UIU team at the site where a coroner's truck went into a swamp. Hughes initially was using an ROV to fasten a cable to the truck so it could be pulled out. Due to unseen circumstances, Sloan was required to make a dive to finish the job. When she was leaving, she had an accident and had to be pulled out. As a result, she was taken to the hospital.

After she was released and when she went to the office, she began looking into the disappearance of Stafford, a friend, who had gone missing. As it turned out, the incident where she was injured, Stafford was called first but there was no answer. As the team began their search there was not a great deal of information available as to where he might have gone. There eventually went and searched his home and initially did not find anything. As they went over the scene once more, they made a discovery. One was a log where there discovered a lot of numbers, and the second one was that something had been moved from a shed.

They eventually located a key item which led to an unusual discovery. Using the numbers from the logbook, Sloan went to a couple of locations where she thought Stafford might be but had no luck finding him, but she did locate his truck.

She and Hughes tried another location where they found Stafford in addition to a major discovery.

Sloan in her search discovered she really know Stafford as well as she thought.

To discover what was taken from the shed, where Staffoord's body was found, what she learned about Stafford and his early years and who the killer was, then you need to read this book.

The ending is one that you wouldn't expect.