This is the first book by the author that I have read. I decided to read this one as it starts a new series and there were very good reviews of the first series. The book revolves around a woman detective with the Los Angeles police department and the particulars involve a veteran of Afghanistan suffering from PTSD and a bartender who has had a few bad relationships. The book is fast paced and holds the readers attention. I recommend this book for someone who enjoys crime/mystery/thriller novels and is looking for a new author.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page

Sam Easton is a combat vet. His internal scars have lead to his wife to move out after a long struggle to help him. His one friend is Melody with whom he works. She is having problems with her boyfriend.
A keep has been seen outside both their homes. Now both of their partners have been murdered. What is going on with these two. Could it be part of Sam's mental issues, or just a coincidence. Great story. Thanks netgalley.

Sam Easton has bad dreams, very bad dreams. Small wonder after what he has seen and done. Melody Traeger, a friend and semi-survivor has her own issues and problems which quickly become Easton’s. And both of their problems are about to be the ballast that either shoots LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan to the top of her game or sends her spiraling down into the whirlpool of lost causes and cases.

After the successful Monkeewrench series this was a little simplistic and disappointing. I missed the quirky characters and dialog but appreciated that Tracy took the time to create a new cast of unusual, offbeat personalities with mega issues that psychotropics can’t touch. It was a fast read but not up to the heart racing high of the Monkeewrench gang’s capers.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a copy

This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. It is about a man returned from was with scars inside and out and how he works with an unlikely friend to solve multiple murders they are accused of committing.

Deep into the Dark by P.J Tracy is a brand new mystery crime series featuring LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan and murder suspect, Sam Easton. Sam has recently returned from Afghanistan, he wears scars on the inside and outside, the only survivor of a road side bomb while in the army. Sam is separated from his wife, not by his choice, bartending with his friend Melody, and seeing his therapist on a regular basis. When Melody shows up at Sam’s house one night, beaten by her boyfriend, things are going to get very bad. For everyone involved.

Step in Detective Nolan, who has recently suffered the loss of her own brother overseas, is investigating recent murders in her jurisdiction. The common factor in both, Sam. Detective Nolan seems to be the only person on the squad who truly believes Sam is innocent, and wonders how Melody also fits in to the equation. Both seem to be running from something in their past. There is also a serial killer on the loose, it is LA after all, where there also seems to be a connection somewhere, it will just take some more digging to figure everything out.

There are two major storylines going on at the same time, two brutal murders and a serial killer, but most of the time it seemed they were more parallel than intertwined. It was often confusing how they fit together, until the very end of the novel. There were a lot of characters as well, I really liked Sam’s character, he seemed like a really nice guy who went through some really bad stuff and is trying super hard to come out at the right end. The other characters didn’t seem as well developed as Sam’s, and there was an issue with Sam having ‘psychic abilities’ that were never addressed, which I’m still trying to figure out. I was hoping for more of Detective Nolan’s character development, since it’s her new series, maybe the author will take that into consideration in the next book of the series. The book overall was a little predictable.

I had a difficult time staying engaged in this story. There was a lot going on, too much back and forth between character’ points of view, and the connections really didn’t ‘fit’ in my opinion. Since this is the first in the series, I would definitely be interested in the second book of the series to see if there is any improvement, especially if Sam is part of it, and we get to see more of Detective Nolan, I think she could be a good, strong female character if given the chance.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Minotaur Books and P.J. Tracy for an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest opinion.

Who’s left to turn to when you can’t even trust yourself? When reality becomes entangled with his tragic memories and haunting nightmares, a combat veteran with PTSD begins losing his grasp on reality and believing himself capable of murder. Author P.J. Tracy explores the depths of heroism and survivors’ guilt in the suspense thriller “Deep Into the Dark.”

Sam Easton is adapting to life after war following a roadside IED that killed his entire team and left him disfigured and suffering from PTSD. Melody Traeger is a Los Angeles bartender trying to escape her tragic past as a homeless drug addict. When both of their lives are upended by the murders of Sam’s estranged wife and Melody’s abusive boyfriend, they must rely on each other if either has a chance to make it through the trauma or the murder investigation. Los Angeles homicide detective Margaret Nolan has been assigned to both cases and against all odds, she vows to look beyond the obvious connection to find the truth. Set against the backdrop of a series of grisly serial killings, suspicions shift endlessly as clues are revealed and loyalties are tested.

P.J. Tracy is the pseudonym for the mother-daughter thriller-writing team of Patricia and Tracy Lambrecht. Following the award-winning Monkeewrench series, “Deep Into the Dark” marks the first novel of the anticipated Detective Margaret Nolan series. P.J. Tracy once again uses their award-winning style the introduce several memorable and relatable characters. The characterization of the protagonists is one of the strongest elements of the novel. Sam Easton, Melody Traeger, and Margaret Nolan serve as three main protagonists, which sounds like it may be overwhelming, but within the confines of this novel works perfectly. Sam Easton as the tortured combat veteran with debilitating and often threatening mental lapses anchors the story through a multi-dimensional and wonderfully fleshed out character. Sam’s slow, gradual descent into madness, and his own questioning of his potential culpability of the murders, casts his entire narrative in question and adds a unique level of suspense and intrigue to the chapters told from his POV. Bartender Melody Traeger is recovering from her own traumatic past and reveals voluminous levels of depth as she confronts the constant threat hanging over her head. Finally, Detective Margaret Nolan plays the hard-as-nails LA homicide detective balancing her intense investigative sensibilities with a degree of empathy not traditionally revealed from similar characters. The internal conflict she wrestles with throughout the novel is wonderfully engaging and instantly forms a bond with the reader. The protagonists are genuine, dynamic, perfectly developed and allow the reader to invest in their stories and care about the journeys early in the novel.

A distinctly mysterious tone is struck throughout the entire novel as new questions abound throughout. Sam’s hazy recollections and tortured nightmares bring a dream-like quality to the mysterious tone and allow a level of doubt to the reliability of the narration. Coupled with the brilliant characterization is crisp, natural-sounding dialogue that is distinctive to each character and adds colorful depths to each character’s development. Evocative descriptions of the characters and settings support the mysterious, dream-like tone and bring the chapters to life with nuanced texture. Fast and exciting scenes blend perfectly with well-crafted intrigue to drive the narrative forward at a quick pace.

While there is a great deal to love about this novel, there were several elements I found troublesome and prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story. The novel is comprised of two murder investigations running parallel with each other. Detective Nolan is leading the investigation into the primary murders, while Detective Remy Beaudreau is leading the Homicide Special Section investigation into a serial killer on the loose in Los Angeles. While connections are made throughout that potentially link the two investigations, the serial killer plotline adds little to the murders that drive the bulk of the plot. The jarringly abrupt conclusion of the serial killer plotline feels like it was tied onto the end of the novel as a passing afterthought and feels extremely disconnected from the primary plot. The haphazard bow thrown on top of the serial killer case and the coincidental tie to the protagonist felt like an unnecessary complication that did little more than diminish the full weight of the story.

The narrative unfolds from the 3rd person POV from several different characters. Early in the narrative, prior to fleshing out the three main characters, the sheer number of POV characters explored in the opening chapters caused a head-hopping disorientation that made it very difficult to understand which characters the story was really about. Once the narrative gained its bearing and found a rhythm with the main characters, the early onset confusion was quickly remedied and the plot barrels ahead like a freight train.

I was impressed with and am a fan of “Deep Into the Dark,” and I recommend it to fans of character-driven murder mysteries. The character development alone is worth the price of admission and the carefully crafted plot filled with suspense and intrigue is the icing on the cake. While not without its troublesome elements, the novel is well constructed and reveals itself to be a page-turner as I was very eager to continually find out what came next. While the first of the Detective Margaret Nolan series, I am hopeful that future installments will also feature Sam Easton and Melody Traeger because I am very eager to find out what becomes of such compelling characters. You won’t be disappointed with “Deep Into the Dark.”

Intense and intricate plot. Very unique look into the effects of PTSD with an impressive mystery attached.
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I have to admit this book surprised me a bit. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I have never heard of this author before. Some of the pre-reviews were supportive yet slightly mixed. But I dove in anyway. Thank god!

The author completely sucked me in with an impressive storytelling ability that includes the depths of despair with psychological torment from PTSD. But it also became a murder mystery with two separate parts of the story connecting into one.

One side is the police detective’s point of view as they’re searching for the killer of gruesome murders in the city. The second view involves two coworkers whose lives begin to intertwine and intersect in a very unlikely manner.

These two pieces eventually become one through a very twisted and slippery slope. With one focus on the character with psychological and traumatic brain injuries, you have to wonder what’s truth and what is fiction through much of the story. Intense and intricate!

The author includes some mind-bending twists especially towards the end of the book that cement this as a fabulous read. Especially for those that enjoy cop fiction, psychological twists, and murder mystery, the author hits all pieces in this raw, realistic, and gritty story.

Deep Into the Dark is the start of a new series and if this is any indication as to what is to come, sign me up! Fast-paced, heart-pounding, and complex! This is one author who is on my radar for future reads.

(3+ but not enough for 4 Stars ~ I’m stingy with stars!)
P.J. Tracy is the pen name for the mother daughter team PJ and Traci Lambrecht. Unfortunately PJ died December 2016 but Traci continued to write the Monkeewrench series. I have not read any of those novels but the reviews are great. When I saw this was available I thought I would give it a try.

Story starts with Sam Easton who is home from serving in Afghanistan. He is an electrical engineer but is suffering from PTSD and can only get a job as a bartender.
Melody Trager is a coworker & friend and is being abused by her boyfriend, Ryan Gallagher. When Ryan is found dead by the house keeper soon after he assaulted Melody; Sam is a prime suspect.
Detective Margaret Nolan is young, bright and not so sure Sam is guilty; her own brother recently died serving in the military so she is a bit sympathetic to Sam’s situation.
Detective Nolan as well as Al Crawford are investigating this case as well as women who brutally murdered by someone they call “The Monster’.
Nolan is more curious about Ryan’s death and believes Melody is keeping secrets.

Story is more character based than plot driven. We learn a lot from Sam’s perspective.
Although this novel appears to be the first in a new series featuring LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan. There is no doubt Sam and Melody will play a role.
IN the meantime, I believe I will try a novel in the Monkeewrench series.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for professional review purposes only. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 12, 2021

Part police procedural and part thriller, this first in a new series kept me glued to my chair. Set in Los Angeles with a serial killer at large, the point of view varies from a couple police officers to a couple suspects, with smooth transitions and many twists. Highly recommended.

Edited. Initially this was a "can't keep reading, 'did not finish', horribly dark novel". I put it down after five pages because it was psychotic slasher-icky bad; life is so awful during this pandemic I didn't need anything dark to read. Tip: lots of triggers in here (stalkers and war flashbacks especially)

Fast-forward six weeks: I ran out of books, was in a really bad mood, found this still on my e-reader, jumped past the icky slasher beginning and started over (editor, PLEASE cut or redo this first chapter! It's disgusting and outputting!). Somehow I read until I got to Sam with his struggles to cope with PTSD, his disfigurement and his post-Afghanistan reality, and kept going because I could relate. Sam's character was just so darn believable I wanted to see how he managed. Though I'm definitely not into the club/bar scene, the characters in there seemed pretty believable. The cops were the same kind seen in other big-city novels but somehow a little less jaded and a bit more open to possibilities. Anyway, the novel progresses and you realize Sam is having huge trouble with his PTSD nightmares spilling over into daily life. Horrors. Is there a stalker in there or is he paranoid? All in all, this is a very dark book set in L.A., peopled with a few great characters, some run of the mill ones, and an almost re-tread of a plot but it works. In real life this would be a horrible, horrible nightmare. As a novel, it works.

Sam Easton cam home from Afghanistan, but left part of his face there. He suffers from severe PTSD, but meets with a shrink and takes his meds, trying to survive another day. His wife, Yuki, left him, but they both tried really hard to make it work. He is working as a bar-back at Pearl, where one of the bartenders, Melody Traeger, has become his friend. When she is beaten by her boyfriend, Sam takes her under his wing, but when the boyfriend turns up dead the next day, Detective Margaret Nolan and her partner begin an investigation that begins and ends with Sam. Also, a serial killer is working the streets and Nolan's kinda sorta boyfriend, Remy, is investigating that. This is the beginning of a new series for Tracy, who previously wrote the Monkee Wrench series. I hope that series will continue. I felt there is potential for this new series, but this book left a lot of strings hanging that felt wrong. Perhaps some of them will be picked up in later books, as the series develops. I have questions....

I’m so very sorry. I asked for this book because I’m a huge fan of P.J. Tracy. I read every one of the Monkeewrench books and loved them. I loved that they were set in Minnesota. I loved the ways the characters interacted, flaws, quirks and all. So I had very high hopes for this new series. Sadly, I simply can’t get into it. I don’t find the characters interesting or sympathetic. LA is LA. A hundred police procedurals have been set there. I will try to keep reading, but it’s just another serial killer novel so far. I do hope I’m wrong.
(I have not posted this review online because I so dearly love their other books.)

This was my first time reading a book by this author. I love a good mystery/thriller and starting a new series- featuring Detective Margaret Nolan. However she played a very minor role in this first book, maybe further into the series we will learn more about her. I wouldn't say this is a bad book, but it didn't grab me. I couldn't get into the storyline or stay hooked in reading it.

This is my second PJ Tracy book and while I didn't enjoy it as much as the first it was pretty good. I did walk away from it for a couple days but then needed to see how it ended. Well written, very descriptive. I would recommend it! Thank you!

Captivating mystery from beginning to end. One of my top reads this year. Well written, takes you straight into the turmoil, fissures and sanity of the main characters, to the unexpected twists and more unanswered questions by the end of the book. Excellent read. Add to the top of your TBR list.

This was my first time reading this author and I was in the mood for a suspenseful mystery/crime novel. I was also intrigued that it was the first in a series about Detective Margaret Nolan, because I enjoy reading good series in order to keep up with the changes in characters and their lives.

Honestly, I didn't learn much about Detective Nolan, aside from her attraction to a fellow detective, because the focus was mainly on Sam, a veteran who suffers from PTSD and his co-worker friend, Melody, who becomes involved in the mysterious killings that happen in L.A.

Those two intriguing characters come together because people close to them are murdered and both are suspects, while at the same time targets of the killer or killers. The unreliability of Sam's memories due to his PTSD was an interesting aspect of the mystery.

There was so much going on and so many characters that it was hard to keep things straight. I will say that the author knows how to build suspense well, and no wonder, as I found out after finishing the book, because she (or rather they - it is a mother/daughter team) has written many previous books. I was torn between 2 & 3 stars for this one, but rounded up because there was more to like than dislike, overall, but as a mystery, it was a bit meh for me.

I thought the ending was a bit rushed and kind of crazy, somewhat of a letdown. But I will likely give a second book in the series a chance, to see if Detective Nolan becomes more than a shadowy character. And, I just got the first of their Monkeewrench series from the library, because it had a lot of good reviews, so I look forward to reading that.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this eARC, that is due to be published on 12 january 2021.

It’s always interesting when a beloved author starts a new series. Will it live up to existing works? In this case, the answer is yes, although it’s a very different style of writing than the Monkeewrench series. Deep into the Dark gives us LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan. Sharp, young, recently promoted. Also an army brat who lost her brother in Afghanistan. “RHD was still an old boy’s club, and if you didn’t have the right equipment between your legs you had to have the guts to stand your ground.”
This is a very character driven story. My joy came from being invested in everyone’s story, not just Nolan’s. Sam, a vet suffering from PTSD and physical pain was especially compelling. In fact, while the series is named after Nolan, it’s really Sam’s story. After he helps a friend/co-worker, he becomes a possible suspect in the murder of her abusive boyfriend. Then a second murder follows that hits even closer to home.
The book isn’t fast paced, but kept my interest throughout. I did correctly guess the murderer but it was still interesting to see how it all came together.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

In this psychological thriller, P. J. Tracy goes deep into the dark of the minds of the characters while the cases unfold for the detectives Nolan and Crawford. Sam and Melody who have dark pasts are brought into the light with the murder cases which help them solve their ongoing problems as well. It is another great read.

There is a brutal serial killer loose in LA. His MO is quite brutal and so far 3 bodies have been attributed to "the Monster". Sam and Melody work together in a bar. They both have pasts that they are trying to put behind them, but are thrown together after Melody's boyfriend is murdered, and then Sam's wife is also murdered.

I've loved the Monkeewrench books and was thrilled to read this new series by Tracy. The writing is good but there were so many characters to keep track of, as well as two separate murders going on, that the book seemed to be moving in two different directions. I had the impression that this book was introducing Detective Nolan as the new protagonist for the new series, but she was a minor player.

Still a good effort and the story kept me interested. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

law-enforcement, veterans, abuse, PTSD, murder-investigation, crime-fiction, thriller, murder

This author is new to me but it's been a real thrill ride. Sam and Melody are damaged souls with histories that are guaranteed to give one PTSD but are paired and then entangled in a dark spiral of homicides with too many homicide detectives and ancillary characters to keep track of. Sometimes the complexity gets confusing, but it is worth the effort if it doesn't trigger the reader.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley.