In Too Deep takes Lynn H. Blackburn’s writing game to a higher level. I thought Beneath the Surface was a great start for a new series, but this second entry to the Dive Team Investigations series is even better - or deeper if you’re into the whole pun thing.

But seriously, I thought the character development was awesome, as was the storyline. And don’t get me started on the pacing! Okay - I’ll start: the pacing was edge-of-your seat, hurry-up-and-read good!

**Why In Too Deep is SO GOOD!**

The story begins with the aftermath of a car that went off the road and into the creek. Since the car was now submerged, the dive team was called in. However, this story quickly gets personal for one dive team member.

We then learn that the accident may not have been an accident, and human trafficking may be involved. Further, it isn’t about sex trafficking but modern day slavery! And it gets worse. There are potentially so many people involved that the team isn’t sure who the good guys are.

With that plot, Blackburn did an amazing job of establishing the conflict and raising the stakes. But she’s not done yet!

The story is mainly told through the POV of the main characters, investigator Adam Campbell and Dr. Sabrina Fleming. However, Blackburn periodically and deliciously throws in the POV of the unknown baddest of the bad folks. Thus, we know the bad person is there, and we’re sometimes privy to just how close we are to that person’s end game. But it doesn’t seem to make any sense.

Sabrina again helps the dive team with her computer security and forensics skills, but someone seems to be afraid of what she might find, so the team assigns Adam to provide protection. As Adam and Sabrina try to deny their mutual attraction to each other, they also become personally connected to the case. For each of them, the outcome of the case could hold significant consequences to their families.

**Technically Speaking**

I don’t recall very many SPAG errors, if any. However, to be truthful, I was so wrapped up in the story that I may have completely missed them.

The character arcs are just wonderful! This applies to not only the main characters, but some of the supporting cast had some unexpected arcs.

I briefly touched on the pacing earlier, but I’d like to expound. I can’t imagine the pacing in this story to ever be any better: it’s perfect! The build to the climax begins unexpectedly, but it isn’t rushed. When we arrive, the climax happens quickly, but Blackburn ensures that we don’t miss anything.

But wait - was that really the climax? That’s a very good question, and you’ll have to read the story yourself to get the answer. But I’ll be a sport about it and give you a small hint. For one of the main characters, that light at the end of the tunnel isn’t really the end of the tunnel. It’s the train, and it’s coming to call. I didn’t see it coming. Will you?

I give In Too Deep my highest recommendation!

In Too Deep
by Lynn H. Blackburn
Revell
Christian
Pub Date 06 Nov 2018
I am reviewing a copy of In Too the Deep through Revell and Netgalley:


Adam Campbell is a white collar crimes investigator, the dive team is called to recover a body from a car that was underwater. What they aren't expecting to find is an encrypted laptop that has an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the victim, a dead accountant.



In order to recover the files from the laptop Adam turns to his friend Dr Sabrina Fleming a professor at the local university who has unparalleled computer and forensic skills. As they dig deeper the investigation only gets more deadly. Soon the evidence uncovers a human trafficking ring and implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case.


Revealing the truth can sets hundreds free but someone is willing to silence them at all costs.


I give In to the Deep five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This second book in the Dive Team Investigation Series follows Adam Campbell and Dr. Sabrina Fleming as they try to solve a murder that seems to involve both of them. While working the case with the other members of the Carrington County Sheriff's Dive Team, he also has to protect her as someone is trying really hard to make sure she never shares what she knows. Can Adam keep Sabrina alive long enough to tell her that he wants to be more than friends? Can she see that she is good enough for him and not let him get away? Can they figure out what is going on before someone else dies?

This is a great continuation of Beneath the Surface and brings in the same great characters, who the author gets you invested in. Makes you want to read the next book in the series to see what happens with them and how their stories unfolds.

In too Deep is a well written romantic suspense with a great plot and well developed characters. This hooked me from page one and kept me glued till the end. I highly recommend this book.

"They killed me. Ask Adam Campbell."

These chilling words self-written on the body of a recently deceased woman set the stage for an increasingly intense and action-packed book filled with pulse-pounding suspense and a thrilling conclusion!

While the story is full of danger that continues to ratchet up as the pages fly by, I greatly appreciated the author's ability to develop main characters that I was also extremely invested in. Sabrina and Adam are so completely relatable that they often seemed to jump right off the page. Not only do their personal interactions with each other hint at their vulnerabilities, but their professional involvement demonstrates their respect and admiration for one another. The family dynamics and strains plaguing them added depth and emotional understanding to so much of their individual decision-making, yet their conversations with each other were uplifting and spoke volumes about the beautiful and adoring relationship they gradually open themselves up to.

"Unfortunately, many of my colleagues believe science and faith are at odds with each other instead of seeing how they are, in fact, beautifully interwoven."

I was such a fan of how the author combined the religious nuances into the overall story. I felt that it realistically presented the internal dialogue one would have throughout the day in striving towards a deeper connection with a higher authority. The touches of faith provided some much needed calm within the sea of so much illegal activity, betrayal, and greed. As the clues began to point to some of the worst aspects of the human condition, the characters' prayers and Christian references became an encouraging beacon of hope.

Although I had not read the first book in the series, BENEATH THE SURFACE, I never felt that I was missing anything. Small details were included to address issues from the previous story, but rather than feeling spoiled, I was intrigued enough that I want to read from the beginning to get the whole picture. The secondary characters created such a fantastic friend group that it was hard not to fall in love with them. I'm looking forward to more with Gabe, so here's to hoping he will be the focus of the next book!

Overall, this was thoroughly entertaining, hard to forget, and I can't wait to read more! Additionally, the author's ability to seamlessly communicate all levels of the investigation in such a dynamic way makes this a solid choice for fans of police procedurals as well.

In Too Deep is a sensational, fast-past romance/suspense/Christian fiction full of intrigue and deception, but the characters are what I love most about this book. The camaraderie between the friends and co-workers is what brings this story to life and makes it enjoyable and believable. The romance between Adam and Sabrina is sweet, especially because Sabrina is incredibly intelligent but a bit clueless when it comes to reading people's social signals. Many books have the two love interests rushing headlong into a whirlwind romance almost from the beginning (which is definitely okay because a story often has time constraints, and that relationship sometimes needs to be established quickly); however, Adam and Sabrina have known each other for a couple of years before the start of In Too Deep. Of course, their feelings for each other were already there but needed a bit of coaxing before they could surface and be acknowledged. Once those two lovebirds finally admitted the truth to themselves and to each other, well look out! Their romance is lovely, quirky, and true.

The main plot is rife with escalating danger and deadly intentions as Adam and his crew rush to decode a murder victim's mysterious message. As the clues start piling up, the team begins peeling back layers of lies, despicable greed, and betrayal, all of which hit way too close to home for both Adam and Sabrina. While these plot elements are typical in many suspense stories, they are downright explosive in In Too Deep, keeping the story racing along at a brisk clip from start to finish.

The topic of human trafficking is uncomfortable to read about yet important in terms of reminding us that this ugly practice is an unfortunate reality. The Christian references and prayers from characters offer a positive backdrop to those baser plot points, providing that needed hope and encouragement in a world full of greed and hate.

The author does a really great job keeping everything connected and relevant and offers a few twists that will break your heart, make you angry, and keep you turning the pages. Even if you figure things out before the end (I didn't), In Too Deep will resonate as an entertaining story about love, friendship, and family as well as a thought-provoking story about the darker side of humanity and the good people who are doing their part to combat that evil.

This was a good addition to the series but for some reason, I kept getting the 6 characters confused as to who "went" with who. The suspense was well written and the romance was a good addition. One did not seem to overshadow the other. Well done!

4.5 Stars

Blackburn knocks it out of the ballpark with In Too Deep, book two in the Dive Team Investigations series!

To be honest, after being a bit disappointed by book one, Beneath the Surface, I didn't have very high expectations for this one. But Blackburn exceeded those expectations and then some!

From page one, I fell in love with the main characters, Investigator Adam Campbell and Dr. Sabrina Fleming. Both of them are such strong, well-rounded, realistic characters on their own, and together, they are simply fabulous. As I observed in Beneath the Surface, Blackburn's background characters are pure gold. Gabe Chavez is always great for lightening the tension with his epic sense of humor, but I also enjoyed seeing his more serious side in this book, and I am looking forward to seeing more of him and Anissa in book three. It was also good to hear from Ryan and Leigh again. The interactions and relationships between the entire dive team are just awesome.

The story itself moves along very quickly and there is no lack of suspense and edge-of-your-seat moments. The story takes an interesting and unexpected turn near the end that leaves you guessing. Unfortunately, I guess the villain very early on in the story, so that ruined a bit of the suspense for me, but I was still able to enjoy the story. The main subject - human trafficking - is a subject very near to my heart, so I found that aspect very interesting. I appreciated how Blackburn didn’t go into too many nitty-gritty details, yet still accurately portrayed the atrocity of modern day slavery.
The romance was very sweet and clean, which, not being a fan of the romance in the first book, I greatly appreciated. Blackburn also has a very laid back and casual writing style which I am not typically fond of, but I appreciated it in a setting like this one.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed In Too Deep, and this one is going on my favorites shelf! If you are looking for an fast-paced suspense read with a sweet romance and fabulous characters, then this one is for you.


Content Advisory: Mentions of labor trafficking and the sex trade, although not in detail. A murder, an attempted murder, and mentions of an illegitimate child. As for the romance aspect, nothing went beyond the occasional kiss.

In Too Deep is a great addition to the Dive Team Investigations series that takes place in Carrington, North Carolina. The story starts off with the dive team called to recover a car that had gone off the double bridges over Lake Porter. The victim in the car had already been recovered by a good Samaritan trying to rescue her but it was too late. It appears to be a suicide until a message on the victim's stomach addressed to team member, Adam Campbell, is noticed. In the car, a laptop, is found and local professor of cybersecurity and computer forensics, Dr. Sabrina Fleming, is called to the scene to help preserve it and recover the files on the computer. Sabrina and Adam became friends a couple of years ago and worked on a case the prior Spring. As a precaution, Adam helped Sabrina get the laptop to her lab and secured in a safe. He asked a patrol officer to periodically drive by her place that night to ensure she was safe. When she is attacked while on a run around her family's property early the next morning, it becomes apparent that someone thinks that she might find something on the computer that they don't want her to find. Security is stepped up and the team all stay together at a friend's place on the lake as the case progresses and the danger increases. The more they investigate the case, the more attempts to kill Sabrina, Adam and others. The dead victim is Lisa Palmer, an accountant, who had clients who are wealthy and appear to be involved in illegal activities. As the case unfolds, the activities are found to be not only illegal accounting practices but involve possibly human trafficking.
The book grabs from the first page until the end and has all the things that make a great faith themed suspense with danger, mystery, teamwork and support among friends with a touch of faith and romance.
I received a complimentary ARC from Revell Publishing through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions stated are mine only.

Blackburn has definitely done her research on underwater criminal investigation and cybersecurity. She uses this knowledge to enhance the mystery as she takes on the issue of human trafficking. We hear and read a lot about sex trafficking but less about labor trafficking which is the main topic of In Too Deep. The reader will be made aware of the types of jobs these people do among us as well as the types of things to notice as we encounter people from all walks of life.

Dr. Sabrina Fleming may not be good at reading people, but she is a master at mining data from a computer and from the internet. This skill makes her an invaluable resource in certain crime investigations. Her friends, however, believe that this time it has also made her a prime target for people with things to hide. Police investigator Adam Campbell doesn't know what to think when it is revealed that a dead woman pulled from a lake has written him a message in permanent marker on her abdomen. Most of the time he doesn't know what to think about how Sabrina reacts to him either. During this case it is essential to figure out both of these situations and to decide what is next to be done.

I believe Blackburn's readers will truly enjoy this story as many unexpected events arise and it becomes clear that not everything or everyone is what or who they are thought to be. I thank NetGalley and Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of In Too Deep in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

This has to be one of the best books released this year. The plot kept twisting and turning and considering I am an avid romantic suspense veteran, I was kept guessing until the penultimate chapter. The characters were vivid and the human trafficking thread compelling. Every time I had to put it down (babies gotta eat), I felt like I'd left South Carolina and couldn't wait to go back. Bring on the next one!

I was extremely excited to hear that I had been chosen to be part of Lynn Blackburn's Street Team in September! I had stumbled upon the first book in this series by sheer accident, as I thought that it was Christian fiction that sounded interesting to me - so I downloaded it unto my Kindle! I ended up sharing the story and characters with my sister and daughters, too. And together, we anxiously awaited the release of In Too Deep .

The entire gang returns to play a role in the next installment of the Dive Team Investigation. Along with the stars of the first book, Ryan and Leigh, Anissa and Gabe also return. Their banter had me laughing out laugh at times. When I am reading, I enjoy series of books where the author allows us to get to know characters more deeply over time. As each of the characters interact, their dialogue enables me -as the reader to get to know them like a friend, I'm spending more and more time with. I loved this about Lynn's book! Her dialogue revealed personalities and at times, it seemed like I even heard voices of each of the characters as I was reading...

The book opens with Adam being paged during his Sunday meal with the Campbell family. The Carrington County Sheriff's office find a body from a car that had been submerged and the Dive Team is called. Along with the body, a laptop is also found. Even more disturbing, there is a mysterious link to Adam, himself and he does not know why. Because of the encrypted laptop, the team brings in Dr. Sabrina Fleming, a local professor of cybersecurity and forensic computer science.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the way Lynn masterfully brought us along. She was able to develop Sabrina and Adam's characters and relationship very naturally while weaving a plot twist that I did not see coming. As a Christian, I always appreciate the way authors can demonstrate the complexity of characters and the fact that their faith is integral to one's identity, no matter what their occupation. In Lynn's book, the characters, realize that they must pray for safety, direction, and wisdom. I was reading, they did just that, both individually and together and it was a natural outflow of people that have put their faith and trust in a Sovereign God.

Lynn did a marvelous job with In Too Deep and now here at the Kfam household, we're anxiously awaiting the third book in the series... We cannot get enough!

For anyone who read Beneath the Surface last year, that sneak peek at In Too Deep definitely left you ready for it’s release! Good news for us all!! The wait is over.

While the entire team works together to solve what initially could be labeled a suicide, the focus is on Adam, the white collar crimes investigator with a family everyone in Carrington knows and Sabrina, an intelligent professor who helps the team with all things online.

Sabrina is adorable naïve when it comes to picking up nuances with body language and, sometimes, verbal hints. While she’s a genius, her social interaction make her likable. Adam’s got some issues with his family but when it push comes to shove, they love each other.

Lynn H. Blackburn brings these characters to life within the pages. From their interactions with each other—the banter is great—to their professional positions, each person in this group has a unique personality. And then there is the added suspense—and oh, boy, is there a lot of it in this new release with plenty of twists and turns (a couple resulting in a few trips to Leigh’s emergency department).

I loved catching up with Leigh and Ryan and getting to know Sabrina and Adam better. Next up, Gabe (and I’m hoping Anissa as I feel like things have been brewing between them for two books).I have a feeling Blackburn is saving the best for last.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I loved “In Too Deep” Lynn H. Blackburn. This book had a lot of twists and turns that I never saw coming, and I love those kinds of books! I have loved all of Lynn Blackburn’s books, and this one was no exception. She never fails to disappoint!

The author did such a great job of developing the characters. It was hard not to love Adam and Sabrina (the main characters). There was a lot of suspense and a little romance thrown in. The author took a highly sensitive topic and did a great job diving in but no being too graphic.

Lynn Blackburn is one of my favorite inspirational suspense authors. If you enjoy good, clean, suspense reads, you will love her! I highly recommend all her books.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I loved being back with this team, and saying hello again to old friends, but this can be read alone, but once you devour this one you will want to read the first book in this series.
It didn’t take long to become completely immersed in this mystery, and page-turning to find answers. I changed my mind a few times as to what was going on. But loved the strong faith of the main characters, and with all that was happening and going on they lived their faith in God.
If you enjoy a really good, action packed story this is one you don’t want to miss, it also includes some really sweet romance, and love for fellow man.
I hope that there will be another book in this series!

I received this book through Revell Reads Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.

Awesome read!

When an accountant turns up dead, investigator Adam Campbell must determine why the woman seemed to have a personal connection to him. When the accountant's laptop is recovered from the scene, Adam turns to Dr. Sabrina Fleming for help with the computer forensics. The deeper they dig, the evidence leads back to a human trafficking ring. It also appears that members of Adam's own family could somehow be involved. Adam chose a career in law enforcement and he takes his position very seriously, even if that means taking a stand against his own relatives. Sabrina realizes she has very strong feelings for Adam and even though his family comes from great wealth, she believes Adam is really one of the good guys. Will they be willing to risk whatever it takes to uncover the truth?

I loved Adam and Sabrina's story! I would definitely recommend reading this series in order as you would understand the backstory of the characters better. The suspense is great as the author does a great job at plot twists to keep you guessing. I loved the first book in this series, and thought this second addition was even better! I can't wait to read more from this series.

*I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is another awesome suspense story by Lynn Blackburn. She is truly a master storyteller. The plot had unique twists and turns, and the events were something that you might read about in today’s headlines. I was absorbed in this story and it was hard to put the book down. The characters are as great as the storyline. The main characters of this book, Adam and Sabrina, work well as a couple and their story is a sweet one.

This is a clean book with no foul language or embarrassing scenes. There’s a thread of faith that weaves in and out of the story. I love this series and am already looking forward to the next book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

AMAZING! This book was amazing. I read a LOT of Christian suspense/mystery books and "In Too Deep" was superb. I adored Sabrina and I really want to be a part of the gang's group of friends. I loved the humor element in the book, I laughed out loud multiple times, which was a great addition to the mystery and danger of the book. This had a great mystery and the character I suspected as one of the main bad guys was completely wrong, and with the amount of cozies and suspense books I read as well as the cop shows I watch that is HARD to do. I loved the first book in this series and now with this one, this series is safely my favorite suspense series ever. I need Gabe and Anissa's story NOW!

Favorite lines(some of them!):
"It's not that I'm not a morning person," Anissa said. "But no one is a four-hours of sleep person. I can't even pretend to be perky on anything less than five."

"We never ratted him out for being in love with Sabrina, did we?' Gabe laughed so hard he choked on his cookie. Anissa speared Ryan with her most disapproving look. Sabrina looked up from her laptop and shrugged. "You've already told me it was love at first sight, so this really isn't new information."

Very well thought out and written whodunit and why are they doing it? Never be able to guess the end of this twisted tale. Enjoyed reading this even with a few flaws. Can't tell what one is because it will be revealing part of one of the surprises that occur, but the other one is that I thought Sabrina's and Alex's on-off romance was a bit much. But it all worked out at the end, of course. I saw that Ms. Blackburn has another book out about "Dive Team Investigations" and I will check that out now. Happy reading!

In Too Deep is a non-stop action-packed suspense novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat to the very last page. Lots of plot twists as Adam Campbell tries to solve a murder with the help of college professor and computer genius Sabrina Fleming. I love Sabrina’s quirky character as she tries to explore her feelings for Adam. The intriguing story line kept me hooked with the constant threat of danger. I highly recommend for fans of suspense novels. It’s the second book in the Dive Team Investigation series, but it could be read as a stand-alone (although Beneath the Surface is another great suspense read.)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.