Deep into the Dark is a brand new series set in LA and features LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan and murder suspect Sam Easton. Several stories are going on in this novel, and the two main characters, Sam and Margaret, both have very intriguing backstories that seem to control their actions and reactions. Sam is suffering from PTSD since his return from Afghanistan, and when work friend Melody is abused by her boyfriend, Ryan, Sam offers her his place to stay at. Then Ryan ends up dead. And this is just the first murder! Margaret is the detective assigned to the case, and she, too has demons in her past she’s trying to escape, and although Sam is the prime suspect in two of the murders, she has a gut feeling he is innocent. All the pieces of these stories fit together nicely in the end, and I appreciated a female detective who wasn’t a gorgeous supermodel!!

An excellent thriller based on murders that bring two unlikely characters together. The twists are very good but I found the ending a little unsatisfying. The two main characters are a female bartender and a former badly wounded soldier that is a bar assistant. People in their lives are being killed and a team of cops are trying to figure out what's going on while the two main characters remain as possible suspects.

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Sam Easton has been struggling with PTSD ever since he returned from Afghanistan. Melody Traeger, a former singer, works at the Pearl Club with Sam. Because they both have their struggles, they are more understanding with each other and eventually become great friends.

Melody’s abusive boyfriend, Ryan Gallagher, is found dead inside his apartment by his housekeeper, Consuela Ortiz. While the LAPD are investigating, they find out that Melody confided to Sam about Ryan. Soon the prime suspect turns to Sam, another thing added on top of his stress and PTSD.
LAPD detective Margaret Nolan is one of the detectives investigating Ryan's case. She comes across Sam during questioning, but her gut feeling tells her he didn't murder Ryan. Margaret's brother was killed overseas a couple of months ago, so she feels sympathy for Sam though her detective partner, Al Crawford, doesn't agree.

The characters weren't perfect in the beginning because of what happened in their lives before, but it's what makes the novel interesting to read. Instead of seeing perfectly shaped characters, I got to see them with their flaws and how they grew in the book.

This book is portrayed as a "darker" side of LA and it gave insight into how Hollywood isn't as glamorous as you think. Ryan's death just set off a chain of murders that hit too close to Sam and Melody. It only continues to get worse from there.
This mystery is unlike the other ones I tend to read because it was more serious and dark. The author did a good job creating a darker mood for the usual sunshine and bright LA city, so I enjoyed that part of the book.
This mystery is unlike the other ones I tend to read because it was more serious and dark. The author did a good job creating a darker mood for the usual sunshine and bright LA city, so I enjoyed that part of the book.

I prefer reading mysteries like Nancy Drew where the setting wasn't so dark because I'm kind of a scaredy-cat when it comes to horror and scary things, but it was a good book. I just don't think it was the best fit for me. One thing I thought the author could have done was included more was the story from Margaret's point of view. In the synopsis, I thought it sounded like more of the book would be based on Margaret and Sam while Melody would be more of a side character, but overall I still liked the book.

Deep Into the Dark- A Mystery by P.J. Tracy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A killer is loose on the streets of Los Angeles. We mainly follow Sam Easton, a veteran who has returned to his hometown after an accident in Afghanistan almost killed him. He’s trying to rebuild his life while working at a bar, and seeking therapy for his PTSD.

Melody Traeger is a bartender at Sam’s bar, and she, too, is looking to rebuild her life. She seeks Sam’s help when her boyfriend becomes abusive. When the boyfriend winds up being murdered shortly after, she and Sam become prime suspects.

Detective Margaret Nolan is on the case. Her brother died in military action overseas, so she feels a connection and respect for Sam and his service. Detective Al Crawford, her partner, thinks Sam is guilty as sin. Can Sam, in his dark, fragile psychological state, be the man the LAPD is after?

Deep Into the Dark held my interest throughout. I enjoyed the twists. There were enough shady characters built into the story that I had (incorrectly) thought I’d “solved” the mystery a few times. The characters are well rounded and intriguing. This book is a solid 4 star mystery.

Thank you kindly for this ARC. I look forward to reading more of P.J. Tracy’s work.

Deep into the Dark primarily features Sam Easton, a wounded vet with PTSD, in a story about a serial killer. No, he isn't a cop. Nor a newspaper reporter. He's just a guy trying to cope with half a burned face and survivor's guilt, as the only man left from his small unit. He works as a barback at Pearl Club. Melody Traeger? Not a cop - the bartender at Pearl Club.

Margaret Nolan and Al Crawford, however, are cops - LAPD homicide detectives. They're the ones investigating a serial killer. They are called out to the scene of a murder involving a dancer at Pearl Club. And this is how everything starts coming together.

The dead woman was convinced someone was following her. Traeger has been seeing a black Jeep now and again - as has her stoner friend at the apartment where they both live. Easton has seen it. The cops aren't so sure.

As it turns out, Easton's marriage with Yuki is on the rocks. Traeger has been kind of seeing a guy with a volatile temper. When both turn up dead, Easton and Traeger have an issue: how to convince the cops that a guy who has PTSD-related blockouts, and an abused woman who used to be an addict are not cold blooded killers.

There's a subplot involving the son of a famous filmmaker that really isn't a subplot. It's more of a parallel, and it's important to keep tabs on it.

While Crawford is ready to lock up Easton and Traeger, and throw away the key, evidence found at yet another crime scene seem to show that one of Easton's dead buddies may not be quite so dead after all.

To get into more detail would really be quite spoilery, but I'll say this: the killer came as no surprise to me.

The book is well paced, and with the possible exception of Crawford, I found the characters to be well-rounded human beings, versus people stuffed into a story because the narrative demanded it. I like the investigation, and Nolan's bit of confliction about Easton because her brother Max was killed in action.

Three out of five stars.

Thanks to Minotaur/St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

This was my first book by the author and it was very well written.

I had expected this book to heavily involve the LAPD detective introduced, Margaret Nolan, but she was regulated to more of a side role. The other main character is Sam Easton, a veteran fighting his own demons. Sam is the main focus of the book, along with his friend Melody, a former singer turned bartender. They work together to try to clear their names and find who killed Melody’s abusive boyfriend. The book is told from many different perspectives which I like because it helps keeps things interesting, but there were so many POVs it did get a bit confusing at times.

The characters are all very complex and well developed, but as a mystery it fell a bit short for me. The killer seemed very obvious from the get go which did not seem to be the authors intention. The book was well paced and took us on a thrilling adventure, but with the severe psychological issues the characters are trying to manage it was a very dark book. It would have benefited from some lighthearted material perhaps from one of the characters POV.

Overall it was a good read, but I am not sure that I would be ready to pick up a 2nd book should this be made into a series with these characters. It is very well written and I would be interested in trying another book from this author in the future, perhaps from her other series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this eARC.

This was a really suspenseful and fast paced thriller from PJ Tracy. I loved the Monkeewrench series and hope this is the start of a new series. There were a few loose ends that I would have liked wrapped up but other than that I liked the ending. The characters were all strong and if it is a series, there is definitely a lot to be learned about Nolan and Remy. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

A complicated thriller that will keep you guessing and reading! Engrossing, and not-so-perfect, characters that will keep you turning pages obsessively until you reach the [tainted but satisfying] conclusion. Nothing is as it seems, but everything ties in - none of the "surprise out of nowhere that make no sense at all" that some authors throw in for their "twist at the end" - here we actually have real characters, and plot twists that don't defy logic, but keep you guessing and engaged. I liked that the hero wasn't perfect, so tired of perfect people with bizarre names that so many authors throw in. A definite must read if you like a good crime thriller. I will look for more from this author in the future.

So many layers in this story. They all make it so interesting. Sam is trying to help Mel while trying to help himself. He probably needs more help, but his friendship with Mel means a lot to him. Sma has lost a lot and continues to lose more, but he remains a good kind caring man. He continues to help and stabd by Mel. I'd love for this story to continue to see how Mel and Sam continue after all their loss. As friends or maybe lovers they seem to be people who truly care about each other.

Another well done thriller with an intricate plot and unusual characters. The author’s depiction of ptsd and of a woman who believeS herself to be a victimized without courage.
The strength of character and mental strength needed by them to make it through and conquer the hunt for a serial killer and an obsessed stalker is slowly revealed to themselves.
Wild ride from frightening to tense to sweet to ‘oh my God’ Worth your time
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this arc

I’m a long time Monkeewrench fan so when I found out there was a new series coming I was super excited.

Sam Easton is a Veteran with PSTD figuring out how to get his life back.

But dreams like this one weren’t memories, they were ghoulish, torturous mosaics of guilt and fear, sorrow and regret.

Melody Traeger was semi famous but started over for her own sanity.

Sam and Melody are the main focus of this crazy crime thriller.

A different direction for this author than past books Nothing wrong with that just a change. Not as much suspense as before but still a good adventure.

I received a free copy of Deep Into the Dark by P.J. Tracy in return for an honest review.
“ Deep Into the Dark” is a good title for this murder thriller which dives deeply into various Dark areas. The dark side of Hollywood‘S movie and tv business where promoters will promise anything to anyone to hit the big time. The dark, sleazy , dangerous streets of L.A. where a serial killer is doing his or her best to emulate Jack the Ripper by eviscerating hookers in crummy motel rooms. The darkness in a human mind. In fact there is nothing at all to lighten the narrative. Even whatever romance there is, and there is little , is smudged.
The main character is Sam, a vet who was severely wounded in the Afghan by an IED which killed everyone in his squad but him, leaving him with horrible facial burn scars and brain damage. The lingering severe headaches are bad enough, but Sam suffers blackouts, nightmares and sees visions that show how a complete stranger will die. Troubled hardly describes Sam.
He does hold a job in a bar stocking, prepping and cleaning . Also working there is Mel ( Melody) waitress/ bartender. A former druggie, sex-worker , she tries hard to be straight, in an atmosphere where everyone is on the make. At the beginning of the book, Mel is involved with a hustler type of movie “ developer” . A smooth talking, handsome stud who wants to be In the big time, he had a cocaine habit and a bad habit of slapping around women. He is murdered and the. The cops suspect Mel, and wonder if Sam, in one of his blackout periods might have killed.
The author has a florid writing style that tends to being melodramatic, even manic. I guess that befits his characters and milieu, and It does not help that scenes and characters often change within a chapter, without the usual line break or double space, so that I lost track of events for a bit.
The deeper into the book I went , I thought that he author was trying too hard for shock value even as he seem to load the plot down with dramatic flourishes. Moreover, there seemed to be too many things going on: the serial killer, the personal problems of one of the cops, a doper who wants to make a true crime movie about a crime yet to happen.
Summary: dark, confused, and needed a strong editor.

An enjoyable read. As much as I like the Monkee Wrench crew, it's nice to have a different environment. I did find the use of larger vocabulary, especially at the beginning, to be unnecessary and believe that in one or two instances, may have been used incorrectly.

All that being said, I have read all of the books by the author (and I'm sorry for the loss suffered) and do look forward to more stand alone reads, as well as more featuring the Monkee Wrench crew.

P.J. Tracy Has Upped Their Game!
maryg03

Sam has a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Melanie has war wounds of her own. These friends have another thing in common--a stalker who is killing people close to them. Is he closing in on them as well?

Deep in the Dark is the mother-daughter team of P.J. Tracy at their best. The main characters are compelling and the multiple, complex plot lines are balanced beautifully. As a reader, I was engaged, absorbed, but never confused. While the resolution of the two main story threads did not come as a surprise, it was nontheless satisfying. I hope we will be seeing these characters again.

I was an early reader of the Monkeywrench series but confess that I had lost track of it. After reading this book, I can't wait to read the entire series.

This was not at all what I was expecting. I loved the Monkeewrench series so I was excited to be approved for the newest book. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this newest one by P.J. Tracy. This one just didn't grab me at all. Nothing against the writing style or author ... the story and the characters didn't grab me from the beginning.

I gave it three stars because there is nothing wrong with the writing style, the flow of the story, or the character development, I just didn't care for the story itself.

Thank you #netgalley and #stmartins press for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book
I enjoyed this one it was fast paced and I felt like it had engaging characters and good plot

I love The Monkeywrench series. This is the first book in a new series by one of the authors of that series.

Sam Easton is an Afghanistan vet whose life is in ruins. He has severe PTSD, his wife left him and he's struggling to survive. He works in a bar and one day one of his co-workers shows up with bruises inflicted by her boyfriend. The boyfriend turns up dead and Sam is the suspect. Margaret Dolan is the LAPD detective assigned to the case. She lost her brother in war and has sympathy for Sam and his plight. When another shocking murder happens, the case becomes more complicated.

It's a good book. I was missing some of the humor that was in the Monkeywrench series but it was enjoyable and I'll read the next in the series.

Sadly this one didnt' do it for me. I was excited to get started, but very early on I felt lost. the characters really didn't hold my attention and the storyline wasn't so good it kept my interest. as I pushed through hoping for some redeeming characters, it just never happened. The overall writing is good and the author is well versed, just didn't hook me.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. I have been a fan of PJ Tracy books for years. Sam Elston is separated from his wife who was murdered. Of course Sam is th3 obvious suspect. This book was well written and kept my attention from beginning to end.

A good read! It is a mystery involving a couple of friends who work together. Sam is a war veteran suffering from PTSD and Mel a former musician with lifestyle issues. As the story unfolds and they become murder suspects they must solve the crime themselves in order to move forward in their lives.