Deep Zero

#DeepZero by V S Kemanis
#NetGalley
1/18/2018

I just finished a truly great novel by an to me unknown author.  It is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and I thank #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for my unbiased review.  DA Dana Hargrove is fairly new in her position and basically ran unopposed on a platform against overprescribing of controlled substances, drinking and driving and vehicular manslaughter. The book covers all of these problems and more as well as cyber bullying which since the book takes place in 2009 is a new phenomenon with no laws in effect yet.  Dana’s family also is a very big influence and part of the cases.  Her husband is a defense lawyer and her middle school daughter and high school son are both closely involved in a case of underage drinking and driving and the use of prescription medication. The characters are well thought out and they come to feel as part of your own family as they go through all their trials. I was very excited when I learned that there actually three more books in the life of DA Hargrove. I will definitely buy those and will recommend this book to all my friends and family. A truly great read!

Absolutely loved it. Deserves all the 5 stars I gave it. Full review at: https://mysterysequels.com/deep-zero-by-v-s-kemanis.html

Deep Zero – V.S. Kemanis

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.
Dana Hargrove is the District Attorney for Westchester County, NY. As she and her office juggle the busy day to day case of the D. A.’s office, unbeknownst to them, a young girl commits suicide by jumping from the river bridge, leaving an enigmatic Facebook post behind…

Once young Naomi’s body is found, The D.A’s office quickly identifies significant cyberbullying as a possible cause for her suicide. But with no cyberbullying laws on the books in New York, and a grieving family demanding prosecution via news outlets, Dana and her fellow attorneys find themselves in a difficult position as they attempt to find justice for Naomi. 

Meanwhile, Dana’s young daughter Natalie, asks for permission to go to a friends home for a sleep over. Unbeknownst to Dana, or her daughter, there is no parental supervision at the house that night, and a post-dance high school party turns out of control, leaving two attendees severely injured, and Dana’s daughter Natalie as the only reliable witness.  

This book did a great job touching on the topics of teenaged cyberbullying, and polysubstance consumption, and made for a very enjoyable read. The characters are well developed, the circumstances are very believable, and I found it hard to put down!

This was my first introduction to the Dana Hargrove series, but it will not be my last!

This Dana Hargrove mystery, the first one I have come across, makes me want to look up the others. Dana, an attorney, has made it up through the ranks to being named the district attorney, has a full plate. She has a husband, also a lawyer, and two great kids, thankfully. But it seems that a lot of students at their school are getting in trouble all at once.
Naomi, a young woman who has been bullied, by two girls in particular, jumps off a local bridge to her death. Taylor and Chloe seem to have some culpability here, having basically dared Naomi to do it.
A Valentines Day dance after party ends in tragedy for more than one family. Dana and her team at the DAs office must decide how to proceed with each of these cases, especially since they touch her family in some way.

Great mystery that kept me engaged. I will definitely put this author on my tbr  list. Thank you NetGalley for an ecopy  of this book.

This is a story of one of today's problems, bullying. A young girl is bullied on the internet until she goes out in a storm and umps off a bridge.. What a job for the fairly new D.A. to handle. Dana has her own children going to the same school. Then there is a party and alcohol is at an after the school dance party. Where do the parents' responsibility begin and end. An interesting way to approach the problems with teens of today.

Deep Zero is a well written story that draws in the reader from the very beginning.  You identify with the characters so much that I wished I was speaking to some of them as I could see some of the mistakes they were about to make.  A must read.