Black Coral

Author: Andrew Mayne

Series: Underwater Investigation Unit #2

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: February 16, 2021

The second book in the Underwater Investigative Unit series heats up with a fantastic opening, simmers a little in the middle to allow readers to catch their breath, and then concludes with a satisfying boil to make a tasty and delicious read.

Sloan McPherson has once again used her diving skills to help in an investigation and found more than she bargained for. At the bottom of a Florida pond, Sloan finds a van with four bodies inside that disappeared almost thirty years ago. Everyone involved in the investigation believe it was just a tragic accident, but Sloan sees something more and is convinced it was murder. More and more evidence surfaces linking more and more cold cases to the van. Sloan and her unit work to find the predator that has been on the lose for years and their investigation might have just reawakened the dormant monster more dangerous than any they have faced yet.

Black Coral had one of the best opening chapters I have read in a good long while. The suspense and tension were so thick I caught myself holding my breath at several moments. The middle fizzled a little bit with a slower pace, but the end was a satisfying conclusion that left me ready for more from the UIU. Sloan is a great and intense female protagonist and it was nice to see her tackle the hard jobs and moments and not let the men tell her she couldn’t handle it. Her relationship with her daughter brings a relatable element to her as a character and makes her not so stiff as when she is on the case. Most of the characters from the first book are back, and a few new ones to spice things up, make for a fun and mostly enjoyable read. There is a fair amount of language so it is not recommended for younger readers, but I do recommend for fans of suspense thrillers. 

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.