Deep into the Dark

PJ Tracy, author of the popular Monkeewrench series, is a new-to-me author. Originally the mother-daughter writing duo of P.J and Tracy Lambrecht, after the death of PJ in 2017, daughter Tracy continued writing under the same pseudonym. Deep into the Dark is the first book in her new series and is a slow burn, character-driven story with just enough mystery to keep me turning the pages and quite dark subject matter. 

The chapters are short and pivot between different characters, giving readers a variety of perspectives. But while the series features Detective Maggie Nolan, she shares a surprising amount of the spotlight with Sam Easton, a mentally and physically scarred war vet and his coworker Melody Traeger. Despite this different focus, Tracy gives her characters depth and hearty doses of emotional baggage to contend with, which makes for an interesting cast. I applaud the author for not holding back on the darker subject matter, particularly the intense effects of PTSD on war vets and how it influences their family members, but sometimes this focus took precedence over the murder investigation. 

I enjoyed this book, but I was disappointed that I guessed the culprit early on and felt that the plot unraveled a bit at the end requiring me to suspend disbelief in how things panned out. Perhaps there was just too much going on, particularly when we're just getting to know Maggie. 

This was a bit of a mixed bag for me but I overall I enjoyed it and think the main characters and general premise have good promise for a new series. I liked that the author doesn't shy away from big topics and I'm hoping Maggie becomes more of the focus in future books so readers can connect with her as the main character of this series. 

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Minotaur Books, St Martin's Press for my advanced digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: P.J Tracy

Genre: Suspense

Type and Source: eBook from NetGalley

Series: 1st book in Detective Margaret Nolan series

Publisher: Minotaur Books (St Martin's Press)

First Published: January 12, 2021

Opening Lines: Los Angeles, the City of Angels. The 

sobriquet promised the divine and its golden façade radiated celestial 

perfection, but peel back the fragile veneer and the deception was revealed.

Book Description from GoodReads: Deep into the Dark features up-and-coming LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan

Sam Easton - a true survivor - is home from Afghanistan, trying to rebuild a life in his hometown of LA. Separated from his wife, bartending and therapy sessions are what occupy his days and nights. When friend and colleague Melody Traeger is beaten by her boyfriend, she turns to Sam for help. When the boyfriend turns up dead the next day, a hard case like Sam is the perfect suspect.

But LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan, whose brother recently died serving overseas, is sympathetic to Sam's troubles, and can't quite see him as a killer. She's more interested in the secrets Melody might be keeping and the developments in another murder case on the other side of  town.