This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

This will be most appreciated by those who have been following the series. This time out. Sloan is searching for answers about her old pal Fred (as well as the man himself). There's an archeological thing going on but that is less interesting that the details of the dives. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

Another great Sloan McPherson UIU book! In this book Sloan and Scott are searching for one of Sloan’s family friend and famous diver Fred. They found his truck and some diving gear in a sinkhole hole but things do not add up. In their search for Fred, they stumble on an archaeological find. This one had me guessing on who the actual bad guy was. Looking forward to the next book. I need more on Run.

For the most part, I've enjoyed every book in this series. They're not great, sometimes not even good, but I never regret my time spent with them because they have a unique twist on the police procedural format and move along at a nice clip without ever overstaying their welcome. That was still the case for Dark Dive, which I actually thought was better than many of the others in the series, but it also felt like Mayne took on too much in this installment.

There are too many mysteries to solve, too many dangling threads, and too many new characters. For the first time, there's also a greater theme Mayne is working within that pertains to lineage and identity, which could have been really effective and interesting if it were fleshed out more; but one of UIU series' biggest strength (the brevity and pacing of each book) worked against it here and made such an intriguing concept feel shoehorned by the end.

But at the same time, this is an improvement over the last entry, which didn't feature nearly enough actual under water investigating, and the central mystery is the best since book 2.

TL;DR: I liked this more than others in the series but wanted to like it even more, but the pieces didn't fall into place just right.

Trying To Break Into A Tight Knit Group

In central Florida, 11,867 BCE, Niquia is out near the seashore looking for some snails that her mother told her would with the pregnancy. A stranger comes up behind her and tries to catch her. She runs and is hit by something in her shoulder. She crosses the stream and runs through some mangroves. She finds herself at the edge of the forbidden Darkland. She is hit again in the neck by a small rock. She must escape, so she enters the Darkland. This event, which happened almost 14,000 years ago, leads to the events in this novel.

The one main storyline is the search for a master diver, Fred Stafford, who is a good friend to Sloan McPherson and her father. Fred just disappeared with his van and gear. While it is common for Fred to leave for jobs worldwide, there were no indications he did this time. As the Underwater Investigative Unit is being stood up after a short disbandment, there is free time to look for Fred. As Sloan and Scott Hughes start the investigation into what happened, they discover a darker side and a group of possible suspects. The suspense is maintained by the hope of finding Fred alive. As Sloan and Scott’s investigation continues, several what I call literary grenades significantly change the investigation's complexion. Like most previous novels in this series, the flow of action is fast, with Sloan still taking some risky chances. These situations occur at a lower rate in this novel than in the previous novels. I found the novel easy to follow, which having a single narrator, Sloan, facilitated. My attention was captured quickly and maintained to the end.

With a new character, Fred, who has a long history with Sloan and her father, the background of Sloan's character is expanded with new background information. As mentioned previously, Sloan finds herself in situations where she wants to take more risks but backs off. She is maturing. She even says that she needs to cut back on risk-taking. The new information on Sloan in this novel increased my enjoyment of reading.

Some aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading are low-key in this novel. There are no intimate scenes. Bad and impious language are at a minimum. The only violence is when a giant male alligator takes an interest in Sloan McPherson when she goes swimming in his domain. Lastly, this is the fifth novel in the series, but all references to events in the past novels are generic enough not to require you to have read them to understand their relevance to what is currently happening. Overall, I do not believe that this will be an issue.

There is one major problem I have with this novel. A significant loose end is not explained by the end of the novel. This loose end is a spoiler, so I am not revealing it in my review. When an author leaves such a significant loose end unexplained, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Otherwise, this novel has all the aspects I have come to enjoy in this series. The pace is fast but still easy to follow. There is plenty of short-term suspense where disasters during the diving are avoided. Lastly, I did not want to stop reading the novel.

This book is the eighth that I have read, spanning three series. This one novel is not enough to drop this author from my Must-Read category. I already have his next novel in my sights to read and await its availability. This novel has many aspects that I enjoy and for which I read this series and author, but because it has a significant flaw, I rate it as mixed feelings that earn it a rating of three stars. It potentially can be a good read, and it might not.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

This series has to yet to disappoint. Once again we are taken on an aquatic adventure with heroine Sloan when a peer goes missing. There’s a somehow odd combination of archeological history combined with a murder mystery that just works. As this crazy lady often does, she’s blind diving into mucky bodies of body where alligators and even pythons are most certain to be found. Plus some information about possible crocodiles and even anacondas in the wilds of Florida has me looking at the state in a whole other way. Over the course of the series Sloan has really grown from a search/rescue diver to an official police diving role. Seems though the danger of the job and time taking its toll has her possibly considering retirement. I can’t quite see her giving up the job entirely as she’s clearly not one to stay still but I’m eager to see where her story and journey leads next.

Police Procedural Mystery in which a Florida Underwater Investigation Unit detective and her team's missing treasure-hunter case uncovers links to a cold case, local legends and conspiracies.

5/5 stars: This is the fifth entry in Mayne's Underwater Investigation Unit series, which is a Police Procedural Mystery that takes place in Florida and follows a scuba-diving archaeologist detective who's part of an team with her former navy diver partner, a retired homicide detective turned researcher and their boss as they investigate high profile crimes involving Florida waterways. With tons of action and plenty of twists and turns, Mayne's written a gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the big reveal. Mayne always manages to thread together such interesting subjects into his plots and this book's doesn't disappoint. Additionally, Mayne's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. I love catching up with Sloan, her UIU team, her life partner, Run, and her teen daughter and her the rest of her family. Especially her treasure-hunting father, who's a hoot. It's great to see Sloan's growth and I can't wait to read what she's up to next. And I just loved the special appearance of Theo Cray (who's the MC of The Naturalist, book one of the Theo Cray series). Mayne touches on some sensitive topics, so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading this series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Girl Beneath the Sea.

I received this eARC thanks to Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This was an amazing book. I highly recommend it to everyone. Great characters and a great plot. I will be looking for more books by this author. The book is superbly written. Lots of twists, turns and shocking turns of events. Quickly becoming a go to author for me!!!!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Andrew Mayne's latest thriller, "Dark Dive," plunges readers into the murky depths of suspense and intrigue. Set against the backdrop of Florida's sun-soaked coastline, this gripping novel takes us on an underwater adventure that will leave you breathless.

Detective Sloan McPherson is no stranger to the mysteries of the deep. After the disbandment of the Underwater Investigation Unit, she thought her days of diving into treacherous waters were over. But when a family friend, Fred Stafford, vanishes without a trace, Sloan is pulled back into the abyss.

Mayne's writing is as sharp as a harpoon, propelling us through a labyrinth of secrets and submerged danger. The short, punchy chapters keep the pace relentless, mirroring the urgency of a diver running out of air. Sloan's first-person narration adds an intimate layer, allowing us to feel the pressure of each descent and the weight of every revelation.

Stafford's disappearance leads Sloan to a tangled web of clues: an abandoned truck near an unmarked sinkhole, a gambling debt, and an enigmatic group of underwater treasure hunters known as the Dive Rats. As she dives deeper, she unearths a shocking conspiracy—one that threatens to drown her in darkness.

The Florida setting comes alive under Mayne's skilled pen. The salt tang of the ocean, the oppressive humidity, and the eerie beauty of submerged caves—all are vividly rendered. And just when you think you've caught your breath, the author twists the plot, revealing layers of deception that ripple through the narrative like a riptide.

"Dark Dive" isn't just a thriller; it's a love letter to the ocean. Mayne's meticulous research shines through, making diving feel both exhilarating and perilous. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a landlubber, you'll find yourself holding your breath as Sloan navigates treacherous currents and uncharted depths.

In Sloan McPherson, Mayne has crafted a resilient and complex protagonist. Her determination to unravel Stafford's secrets drives the story, but it's her vulnerability—the fear of losing someone she cares about—that resonates. And let's not forget her partner, former navy diver Scott Hughes, whose unwavering loyalty adds depth to their dynamic.

"Dark Dive" is a pulse-pounding thriller that submerges readers in a world of shadows and secrets. Mayne's prose is a tidal force, pulling us into his vortex.

I've been following this series since the beginning, and the Underwater Investigation Unit books always seem to deliver exactly the high-octane and suspenseful crime thriller I enjoy. I love the fact that this series has a Florida police diver angle, which gives the books such an unique angle as it isn't something you read about every day. Not ever sequel has the same amount of focus on the diving element though, but I'm happy to announce that Dark Dive truly does its title justice. While it still had a different feel than some of my favorite sequels, there is no doubt that Sloan and Scott have a LOT of diving going on. And yes, there is also plenty of danger along the way to keep you entertained!

I think part of the reason this series works is both because of this police diver angle, the unique special unit Sloan works for and the fact that she has such a colorful background in the first place. Both Sloan and the rest of the small team aren't afraid to break the rules, and it does make for some entertaining reading. I liked the addition of Gwen to the team after book four; she is rude, blunt and grumpy, and I love her for it. Gwen is one of the reasons I would suggest reading the books in order, because you might miss out on character background and/or stumble across spoilers otherwise. The case in Dark Dive does work as a stand-alone though.

After everything that happened in book four, Sloan and the rest of the team are back in action again. I'm definitely happy with that, because I was missing the diving element as well as hanging out with Scott and Solar! Dark Dive literally dives straight in with its first chapter, although I do have to say that that prologue was a bit confusing. It didn't fit the tone of the rest of the story, but I understand why it was included. That said, it was great seeing the team back at what they do best, and it was an investigation of a missing fellow diver that had the main focus of the plot. There are plenty of twists and turns to be unraveled along the way, although the plot wasn't as explosive as some of the previous sequels.

There is something about the writing that makes it really easy to keep turning those pages, although the pace was slower than expected in certain parts. There was still plenty of action and danger lurking around as well though, and it was interesting to learn a bit more about the history of the land. Things can be said about the credibility of it all and you definitely have to suspend your disbelief in certain parts, but if you read Dark Dive for the entertainment factor you will be fine. I'm also curious to see how things will continue after how things ended! If you like your thrillers on the fast, exhilarating and action-packed side, this is definitely a series to put on your radar.

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.

Eager to get my hands on Andrew Mayne’s latest novel, I devoured this recent quasi-police procedural. I discovered Mayne through the debut novel of this series and have been enjoying much of his work since. Taking a unique spin on police work, Mayne sheds some light on a great means of discovering crimes and catching those who commit them. With a great deal of attention to detail, Mayne is able to check all the boxes and keep the reader engaged until the final page.

With the dissolution of the Underwater Investigation Unit (UIU), there is significant blowback. The uproar eventually sends Sloan McPherson and her partner, Scott Hughes, back underwater to solve crimes and plunge to new depths while doing so. However, things are slow to get started, giving Sloan some time to play hero, as well as victim, during some dives across Florida.

Sloan finds herself in the middle of a personal case as the UIU returns to business. Family friend and famed diver, Fred Stafford, has disappeared without a trace. Working with Scott and using her intuition, Sloan is able to locate Fred's truck, which has been left abandoned near a sinkhole. Fred, always the adventurous diver, has used his skills to explore many uncharted spots, of which this might be one. While Sloan prepares to explore the area, she stumbles across some news that tosses her for a loop and leaves her wondering if she ever knew Fred Stafford at all. A group of underwater diving enthusiasts who seek treasure have been scavenging with Fred whenever possible. Their finds are surely being sold on the black-market, which would cover Fred's large debts accrued from a gambling addiction. If that were not enough, a discovery on Fred's property opens up new and troubling revelations.

As Sloan and Scott keep working the case, they call in outside assistance to locate Fred Stafford. Things morph into a cold case with significantly problematic evidence that leads Sloan to wonder what is actually going on. With the UIU back in play, Sloan will have to represent them as best she can, knowing that each dive and every question could take things in a horrible direction with little knowledge of what waits under the murky waters. Mayne does a fabulous job at pulling the reader into the middle of the story without letting go.

I have long enjoyed the stories that Andrew Mayne writes. As I mentioned above, this was the first of his series that I discovered, though I have never found a book of his that I disliked. Filled with great narrative flow and action, Mayne keeps things moving and never lets up. There is something about the unique perspective that has long interested me. Sloan McPherson does well to provide the reader with the insight needed to respect diving and how it fits into policing. Peppering in great ideas and developing them throughout, Mayne proves his worth and keeps the reader fully engaged as the mystery thickens throughout the novel.

Plot points grow as the story builds, thrusting Sloan McPherson into areas of the law and her personal life she had not expected. As Mayne explores the world of diving and the risks undertaken by those who thrive on adventure, the story follows along and keeps things on edge throughout. Mayne knows how to use the proper pacing and keeps the reader involved in the many twists he inserts throughout the story, always willing to surprise when things seem to be on the straight and narrow. I am eager to see where things will go with this series and if there will be more than a passing 'crossover moment', as Mayne brought in one of his other great protagonists to offer up some of their insight.

Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for another thrilling novel that has me eager for the next instalment.

Dark Dive is the fifth book in the Underwater Investigation Unit series. Florida detective Sloan McPherson has been diving all her life, and now she uses those skills to solve murders, stop corruption, and help as many people as she can. But you can hide a lot of secrets in the dark waters of Florida, and this time it seems a missing friend was keeping secrets of his own. Sloan and her colleagues have to race to solve the disappearance before those secrets cause even more harm.

I'm a dive instructor in my spare time and there's no better place to be than underwater, so I love books that explore that world. And it's a perfect complement to mystery/thrillers. Mayne's writing is very straightforward and to the point, no frills. On one hand we get very little internal dialogue from the characters, so they don't feel incredibly fleshed out. On the other hand, this keeps the plot moving at a rapid pace, which is often what you want from a fast paced thriller.

On a technical aspect I was a bit frustrated when the character talks about taking oxygen tanks to depth as a backup - any diver knows that pure oxygen, when breathed below about 18 feet, will cause convulsions and drowning. Presumably the author meant oxygen enriched gases, but a non-diving reader wouldn't know that. You could argue it's not necessary to explain this for the story, but misinformation that can lead to death seems unnecessary - why not just say 'tanks'? Also, there's a story line regarding a school and identity that are entirely unresolved. There's no mention at all at the end, so it's unclear if the author intends to delve further into it in the next book, or that plot line was just dropped, but it left me unsatisfied.

I did love the line where the main character mentions that she's way more worried about a boat driver ignoring a dive flag in the water than a shark... Amen to that. Those boaters are a menace.

All in all, it was an enjoyable thriller with some clunky parts, but they don't take away too much from the plot itself. It's a perfect weekend or airplane read when you want a little mystery, a little excitement, but you don't want to get too emotionally invested in a story.

Dark Dive is the fifth book in the Underwater Investigation Unit series. Florida detective Sloan McPherson has been diving all her life, and now she uses those skills to solve murders, stop corruption, and help as many people as she can. But you can hide a lot of secrets in the dark waters of Florida, and this time it seems a missing friend was keeping secrets of his own. Sloan and her colleagues have to race to solve the disappearance before those secrets cause even more harm.

I'm a dive instructor in my spare time and there's no better place to be than underwater, so I love books that explore that world. And it's a perfect complement to mystery/thrillers. Mayne's writing is very straightforward and to the point, no frills. On one hand we get very little internal dialogue from the characters, so they don't feel incredibly fleshed out. On the other hand, this keeps the plot moving at a rapid pace, which is often what you want from a fast paced thriller.

On a technical aspect I was a bit frustrated when the character talks about taking oxygen tanks to depth as a backup - any diver knows that pure oxygen, when breathed below about 18 feet, will cause convulsions and drowning. Presumably the author meant oxygen enriched gases, but a non-diving reader wouldn't know that. You could argue it's not necessary to explain this for the story, but misinformation that can lead to death seems unnecessary - why not just say 'tanks'? Also, there's a story line regarding a school and identity that are entirely unresolved. There's no mention at all at the end, so it's unclear if the author intends to delve further into it in the next book, or that plot line was just dropped, but it left me unsatisfied.

I did love the line where the main character mentions that she's way more worried about a boat driver ignoring a dive flag in the water than a shark... Amen to that.

All in all, it was an enjoyable thriller with some clunky parts, but they don't take away too much from the plot itself. It's a perfect weekend or airplane read when you want a little mystery, a little excitement, but you don't want to get too emotionally invested in a story.

Dark Dive will be released on March 12, 2024!

#bookreview #bookstagram #scuba #scubadiving #scubabooks #thriller #mysterybooks #read #darkdive #newbook #crimefiction #underwatercriminalinvestigators

I highly recommend, I enjoyed this very much. I was a bit puzzled by how it starts out but it is all explained later in the story. I don’t know much about diving and can’t imagine the scenarios they have to go through but the ones described here are pretty intense. I would have liked to know who Fred really is but alas it didn’t reveal that. The story makes it plain that there is a group of people who are the only suspects but it is impossible to tell who the killer is till the very end. The book has lots of tension and action, but it be Nile crocodile never shows up. #DarkDive #NetGalley

Andrew Mayne always gets five stars from me because his books never disappoint. With the perfect mixture of thrills and pop-science, his plots are impossible to put down. With four previous volumes in this series, we already know Sloan and Hughes, their families, and teammates. Their chemistry shines in the dialogues, and it’s fascinating to see how divers explore the depths of oceans and, in this case, sinkholes. This time, there is also possible cryptozoology, and delicious creepiness. One scene in particular, with Sloan and Hughes diving in the twilight, really made my skin crawl. As usual, the short chapters keep adding to the tension, the twists are (mostly) unexpected and the last chapters so suspenseful that I could not stop reading. Pure fun!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Thomas & Mercer.

In this thrilling book by a bestselling author, Sloan McPherson, a detective from Florida, gets back into solving crimes after her Underwater Investigation Unit disbands. Sloan, along with her partner Scott Hughes, faces a personal case involving the disappearance of a family friend named Fred Stafford.

As Sloan digs into Stafford's disappearance, she finds some puzzling clues, like an abandoned truck near a strange hole in the ground and surprising discoveries that challenge what she thought she knew about Fred. His gambling debts, connections to a group of underwater treasure hunters called the Dive Rats, and a mysterious find in his storage shed make the case even more mysterious.

Sloan's investigation uncovers a mix of elements, including an old unsolved case in Florida, local beliefs, and a surprising conspiracy. Trying to figure out what happened to Stafford becomes a journey into the unknown, dragging Sloan into a world of buried secrets and unexpected challenges.

The story cleverly combines suspense, historical mysteries, and local legends, keeping us interested until the very end. As Sloan deals with this puzzling mystery, the book explores the complexities of human relationships and the lasting impact of the past. A great read for those who love thrilling stories and mysteries set in the fascinating landscapes of Florida.

I just reviewed Dark Dive by Andrew Mayne. #DarkDiveAThriller #NetGalley

I’ve been a fan of the Underwater Investigative Unit series, but this one didn’t work quite as well for me. The Unit has been re-assembled, and Gwen is now working for them. I enjoy the team and their interaction.
This time, it’s an old family friend of Sloane’s who has gone missing. He’s also an expert diver. But he seems to have had quite a few secrets in his past. And when they find a prehistoric mummified body in his storage unit, well, let’s just say it really strained credibility. Although I’ll give Mayne credit for sneaking in some facts about the ancient history of the region.
There was one point in the book when I felt like one of the side plots was borrowed a little too heavily from another recent book. And it didn’t really add to the main storyline.
This is a good series for folks that like entertaining thrillers and aren’t concerned with believability. It’s a thrill a minute with very little downtime. Sloane isn’t known for walking away from risky endeavors. But things are catching up with her and she’s beginning to think about a life beyond always jumping into the unknown.
This could work as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

I like this series of a dive police unit and the crimes in Florida that they solve. This one involves a diver who is missing and the search involves antiquities in the form of a mummy. The cave diving is suspenseful and interesting. A couple of seemingly unresolved developments in the search, but a face paced easy to read mystery.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

"Dark Dive" follows a Florida police diver as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of a longtime diving friend. It's the fifth book in a popular series but very readable as a standalone.

From uncharted sinkholes and unmarked graves to dangerous wildlife and menacing conmen, there's a lot going on in this book. While the plot felt convoluted at times, the author skillfully builds suspense and brings Florida's surroundings and characters to life.

Overall, this is a fun read. Check it out if you're looking for an underwater twist on the cop thriller genre.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me an advance copy of this book for review consideration.

"Swim out until you can't see land and then drop down deep to where there is nothing you've ever known." (Jessica Graham)

Sloan McPherson does that on a daily basis. She's part of the Florida Underwater Investigation Unit that pursues crimes in the depths of the ocean and in the expanses of local rivers and ponds. Sloan combines her daredevil nature with plenty of smarts. She's also in the pursuit of a PhD while balancing motherhood and a relationship with Run.

But before erecting statues and composing songs in her honor, Sloan is the first one to tell you that diving to the depths can be a crap shoot with the odds against you at any moment. It's in her blood. Her father is a deep sea treasure hunter and Sloan could practically swim before she could walk.

Dark Dive is one of the best in this series. Don't hesitate when seeing the #5. It reads perfectly as a standalone. (But once you dive into these waters, you'll be hooked. Oh, yeah.) The storyline in this one becomes personal. Fred Stafford, a renowned diver and family friend, is missing. His truck has been found in the Ocala Forest near a series of bottomless sink holes. Stafford has been known for his daring personality. Yet, he has never been out of sight this long.

Andrew Mayne is one of my favorite authors. He writes. He crafts stroylines imbued with such high interest and such sharp-witted intelligence. There's always a challenge with Sloan. Mayne knows the intricacies of land and the immediate dangers within the watery depths. We'll meet up with intrusive Nile crocodiles, unexpected dead bodies of the present and the past, and a bevy of hidden secrets floating to the surface. While other novels have you treading water, this one goes deep.......really, really deep. Check it out.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Andrew Mayne for the opportunity.