What do you think?
Rate this book
Kenzie Gilmore #7
Storm Surge
In the eye of the hurricane, lies a deadly secret.
A hurricane blasts the coast of Florida, unleashing mayhem and devastation. Amidst the chaos, a billionaire Miami philanthropist, Salvatore Del Gatto, is suspected of foul play when his yacht washes ashore, containing millions of dollars in stolen diamonds. Investigative reporter, Kenzie Gilmore, is assigned the case.
As the tempest rages on, Lieutenant Reid Garrett's team discovers a corpse in a demolished coastal property. Initially thought to be a natural death, things take a dramatic turn when an uncut blood diamond is found on the victim. When it's revealed the victim died six hours before the hurricane made landfall, Reid knows this was no accident.
As Kenzie and Reid piece together what happened, they uncover a sinister plot involving a network of dangerous criminals who will stop at nothing to keep their illegal activities under wraps. Even if it means murder. Suddenly, they're hurled from the eye of the storm, into the path of the hurricane, as they race against the clock to catch the culprits and bring them to justice.
A hurricane blasts the coast of Florida, unleashing mayhem and devastation. Amidst the chaos, a billionaire Miami philanthropist, Salvatore Del Gatto, is suspected of foul play when his yacht washes ashore, containing millions of dollars in stolen diamonds. Investigative reporter, Kenzie Gilmore, is assigned the case.
As the tempest rages on, Lieutenant Reid Garrett's team discovers a corpse in a demolished coastal property. Initially thought to be a natural death, things take a dramatic turn when an uncut blood diamond is found on the victim. When it's revealed the victim died six hours before the hurricane made landfall, Reid knows this was no accident.
As Kenzie and Reid piece together what happened, they uncover a sinister plot involving a network of dangerous criminals who will stop at nothing to keep their illegal activities under wraps. Even if it means murder. Suddenly, they're hurled from the eye of the storm, into the path of the hurricane, as they race against the clock to catch the culprits and bring them to justice.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2024
544 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Biba Pearce
41 books257 followersBiba Pearce is an award-winning, internationally published crime author, known for crafting gripping, atmospheric mysteries. She is the bestselling author of multiple series including DCI Rob Miller, Kenzie Gilmore and Shrap Nelson. Her work has been recognized by the Feathered Quill and the CWA Debut Dagger awards, and The Marlow Murders was named Best Crime Fiction Book at the 2024 Indie Excellence Book Awards.
Website: bibapearce.com
Instagram: @author_bibapearce
Facebook: @authorbibapearce
TikTok: @authorbibapearce
Blue sky: @authorbibapearce.bsky.social
Facebook Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/bibasthrillseekers
Website: bibapearce.com
Instagram: @author_bibapearce
Facebook: @authorbibapearce
TikTok: @authorbibapearce
Blue sky: @authorbibapearce.bsky.social
Facebook Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/bibasthrillseekers
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 14, 2024
I love this series but if it ends with Reid and Kenzie not together… I will be really disappointed . Can’t wait for the next one!
April 18, 2024
Storm Surge opens as the coast of Florida is being battered by Hurricane Matteo. This is big news for staff of the local newspaper The Miami Herald. Keith, the editor-in-chief has already dispatched a photographer to the local marina and is now receiving video footage of the unfolding chaos. Several luxury yachts have been violently dislodged from their moorings and are almost certain to be wrecked, among them The Jewel of the Seas owned by Salvatore Del Gatto. The wealthy businessman has long been suspected of having links with organised crime and Kenzie Gilmore, an investigative journalist with the Herald, has been on his trail for a while. She is delighted when Keith assigns her to cover the story and immediately makes her way to the scene. If The Jewel of the Seas breaks up, she may find evidence that will expose Del Gatto’s nefarious dealings and Kenzie can hardly believe her luck when the boat crashes into the marina wall. Ignoring the tempest raging around her, the indefatigable reporter heads towards the splintered remains – this is too good an opportunity to miss.
Meanwhile, at Sweetwater Police Department, Kenzie’s boyfriend, Lieutenant Reid Garrett, is working out how best to deploy his officers during the maelstrom. Almost every member of his team is out, and Reid’s priority is command and control. Then, a member of the public calls to say he has found a dead body. He can’t redeploy his already exhausted staff, so Reid braves the storm to deal with the incident himself. First impressions suggest the corpse is a victim of the dreadful weather, but something’s not right and the lieutenant decides to treat the discovery as a suspicious death. He is still dealing with the situation when Kenzie calls him from the marina. There is something she needs him to see, and it won’t wait. The couple have a long night ahead of them.
The reader is irresistibly caught up in this whirlwind of a thriller. Plotlines merge, separate, seem to resolve and then collide again. Many of the characters are as unpredictable as the precarious weather that dominates the beginning of the story, misleading investigators and readers alike. Kenzie and Reid must negotiate challenges in their respective jobs, whilst in the tentative first stages of their romance and this inevitably leads to misunderstandings between them. At times they seem to dance around each other, trying to protect the other’s professional integrity whilst still nurturing their bourgeoning relationship.
Storm Surge is the seventh book in the Kenzie Gilmore Crime Thriller series. It works perfectly as a standalone, and helpful snippets from Kenzie’s backstory are included smoothly and sparingly. I immediately warmed to Kenzie as a character and Reid’s steady personality makes him the perfect foil for his impulsive lover. Pearce writes with flair and skill to create a tense narrative that leads to an ending that I didn’t see coming. Highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Dot Marshall-Gent
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Meanwhile, at Sweetwater Police Department, Kenzie’s boyfriend, Lieutenant Reid Garrett, is working out how best to deploy his officers during the maelstrom. Almost every member of his team is out, and Reid’s priority is command and control. Then, a member of the public calls to say he has found a dead body. He can’t redeploy his already exhausted staff, so Reid braves the storm to deal with the incident himself. First impressions suggest the corpse is a victim of the dreadful weather, but something’s not right and the lieutenant decides to treat the discovery as a suspicious death. He is still dealing with the situation when Kenzie calls him from the marina. There is something she needs him to see, and it won’t wait. The couple have a long night ahead of them.
The reader is irresistibly caught up in this whirlwind of a thriller. Plotlines merge, separate, seem to resolve and then collide again. Many of the characters are as unpredictable as the precarious weather that dominates the beginning of the story, misleading investigators and readers alike. Kenzie and Reid must negotiate challenges in their respective jobs, whilst in the tentative first stages of their romance and this inevitably leads to misunderstandings between them. At times they seem to dance around each other, trying to protect the other’s professional integrity whilst still nurturing their bourgeoning relationship.
Storm Surge is the seventh book in the Kenzie Gilmore Crime Thriller series. It works perfectly as a standalone, and helpful snippets from Kenzie’s backstory are included smoothly and sparingly. I immediately warmed to Kenzie as a character and Reid’s steady personality makes him the perfect foil for his impulsive lover. Pearce writes with flair and skill to create a tense narrative that leads to an ending that I didn’t see coming. Highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Dot Marshall-Gent
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
March 14, 2024
Biba Pearce has fast become one of my favourite authors and this book proves just why.
Kenzie Gilmore had desperately wanted to follow her father into the police force but an accident just before her graduation prevented this, Kenzie did the next best thing and used the skills learned at the academy to become an investigative reporter.
Lieutenants Reid Garret was happy at the small coastal town of Sweetwater, Miami, he had done policing in the big cities and it had left him with a deep feeling of guilt.
The gentle romance between Kenzie and Reid shouldn't work, him a police officer and her a journalist but somehow it did, even though Kenzie's habit of putting herself in the firing line drove Reid to distraction, he would always have her back.
When hurricane Matteo blasted the shores of Miami, Kenzie watched as a luxury yacht, "The Spirit of the Seas", belonging to wealthy Salvatore Dell Gatto, was smashed to matchsticks, risking life and limb against the howling wind and horizontal rain, Kenzie rescued two things from the surf, a beautiful socialite and a metal box, a metal box who's contents were beyond belief.
Kenzie had had Dell Gatto in her sights for a long time, she knew that he was a crook, she knew that there was a scoop there, but he always came up squeaky clean, could this be her chance to nail him ?
Kenzie quickly handed the contents of the box to Reid who was at the time investigating the murder of a young man, a young man who had been a crew member on "The Jewel of the Sea".
Kenzie and Reid both knew that the box came from Dell Gatto's yacht but proving it and proving his involvement was far trickier, the net was cast wide and dangerous criminals were coming out of the woodwork, the bodies were stacking, Kenzie was driven, Reid desperately wanted to keep her safe but he knew that he couldn't push her.
I absolutely loved this story, it is action packed, the characters are wonderful and it has nail biting suspense, I felt as though I lived through the storm, I could feel Kenzie's determination, I could feel Reid's frustration and fear for her safety, and oh, what an ending. Another winner for Biba Pearce.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
Kenzie Gilmore had desperately wanted to follow her father into the police force but an accident just before her graduation prevented this, Kenzie did the next best thing and used the skills learned at the academy to become an investigative reporter.
Lieutenants Reid Garret was happy at the small coastal town of Sweetwater, Miami, he had done policing in the big cities and it had left him with a deep feeling of guilt.
The gentle romance between Kenzie and Reid shouldn't work, him a police officer and her a journalist but somehow it did, even though Kenzie's habit of putting herself in the firing line drove Reid to distraction, he would always have her back.
When hurricane Matteo blasted the shores of Miami, Kenzie watched as a luxury yacht, "The Spirit of the Seas", belonging to wealthy Salvatore Dell Gatto, was smashed to matchsticks, risking life and limb against the howling wind and horizontal rain, Kenzie rescued two things from the surf, a beautiful socialite and a metal box, a metal box who's contents were beyond belief.
Kenzie had had Dell Gatto in her sights for a long time, she knew that he was a crook, she knew that there was a scoop there, but he always came up squeaky clean, could this be her chance to nail him ?
Kenzie quickly handed the contents of the box to Reid who was at the time investigating the murder of a young man, a young man who had been a crew member on "The Jewel of the Sea".
Kenzie and Reid both knew that the box came from Dell Gatto's yacht but proving it and proving his involvement was far trickier, the net was cast wide and dangerous criminals were coming out of the woodwork, the bodies were stacking, Kenzie was driven, Reid desperately wanted to keep her safe but he knew that he couldn't push her.
I absolutely loved this story, it is action packed, the characters are wonderful and it has nail biting suspense, I felt as though I lived through the storm, I could feel Kenzie's determination, I could feel Reid's frustration and fear for her safety, and oh, what an ending. Another winner for Biba Pearce.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
March 28, 2024
A great beginning that grabs you and keeps you!
Biba Pearce begins this story with a hurricane whipping over a beach in Florida, where a billionaire’s yacht is busting apart against the concrete marina wall and having its debris being flung helter-skelter in the storm surging waters. The ever bold and daring Kenzie, investigative reporter, takes on the wild surf with her co-worker, who had just filmed the demise of that yacht. Among the debris on the beach, Kenzie spies a foot long metal case being tossed around and she goes in after it before it’s swallowed up by the waves. With the help of her co-worker, she makes it to safety and they discover the surprise of their lives, a bag of stolen raw diamonds inside worth millions. The story goes on with one thing after another, including murder, lies and thievery, all with many suspects that Reid and Kenzie keep adding to the list, leaving me, the reader, trying to figure out who is behind it all, and wondering if Kenzie is finally going to be able to take down the ‘slippery’ billionaire, who she believes from past experience, is the one to blame. This story has been intricately designed, yet clearly set out to have many surprising twists which kept me guessing to the end. A great mystery with heart-pounding moments! I am happy to be an ARC for this author, and I have written my honest opinion in this review. 5 stars
Biba Pearce begins this story with a hurricane whipping over a beach in Florida, where a billionaire’s yacht is busting apart against the concrete marina wall and having its debris being flung helter-skelter in the storm surging waters. The ever bold and daring Kenzie, investigative reporter, takes on the wild surf with her co-worker, who had just filmed the demise of that yacht. Among the debris on the beach, Kenzie spies a foot long metal case being tossed around and she goes in after it before it’s swallowed up by the waves. With the help of her co-worker, she makes it to safety and they discover the surprise of their lives, a bag of stolen raw diamonds inside worth millions. The story goes on with one thing after another, including murder, lies and thievery, all with many suspects that Reid and Kenzie keep adding to the list, leaving me, the reader, trying to figure out who is behind it all, and wondering if Kenzie is finally going to be able to take down the ‘slippery’ billionaire, who she believes from past experience, is the one to blame. This story has been intricately designed, yet clearly set out to have many surprising twists which kept me guessing to the end. A great mystery with heart-pounding moments! I am happy to be an ARC for this author, and I have written my honest opinion in this review. 5 stars
March 11, 2024
Storm Surge by Biba Pearce is book 7 in the Kenzie Gilmore and Reid Garrett series. This series is set in Florida. Kenzie is a journalist and Reid is a detective in the Sweetwater Police Department in Miami. Hurricane Matteo is causing chaos and destruction at the marina with yachts breaking free of their moorings and smashing to pieces. One of the yachts belongs to Del Gatto and Kenzie has been after him for years. Kenzie watches as it is destroyed but manages to retrieve a case as it is washed ashore. Its contents are mind-blowing. Reid is called to an address where a body has been found. What the coroner finds links the two investigations. There are also high-end burglaries being carried out by someone called the Bling Bandit. This is a fabulous read with an exciting finish. It was hard to put the book down. Kenzie is a strong female character and a dedicated and determined journalist whose world is changing. Kenzie and Reid are a great match and they both add a lot to the story. Loved the writing. You can feel the force of the hurricane, and the tension as the police race to help where they can.
March 15, 2024
Storm Surge by Biba Pearce grabbed me after about two pages of text. The spunky reporter and her police lieutenant/significant other face some “wild winds” long after the hurricane wreaked havoc and left. It makes for some interesting reading. Discoveries, suspicions, setbacks, dangers, and other twists keep the reader’s interest throughout.
Pearce writes clearly making each character memorable. Midway through the book I had to pause for a couple of days. Yet when I returned to the book I discovered that I recalled who the main characters were and what had occurred. I didn’t have to look back. That doesn’t always happen for me.
I glad I read Storm Surge, which I received as an ARC. My review is freely and voluntarily given.
Pearce writes clearly making each character memorable. Midway through the book I had to pause for a couple of days. Yet when I returned to the book I discovered that I recalled who the main characters were and what had occurred. I didn’t have to look back. That doesn’t always happen for me.
I glad I read Storm Surge, which I received as an ARC. My review is freely and voluntarily given.
March 12, 2024
Diamonds and Death
Kenzie is looking for a big scoop even if it means braving a storm. She finds diamonds in the wreckage from the yacht and a nearly dead woman. Meanwhile, Reid has to deal with a corpse. Who is the dead man and why did he swallow an uncut diamond? When Kenzie hands over the diamonds to Reid they find a link to the corpse and more dead bodies. Kenzie and Reid are up against a very devious criminal. An edge of the seat thriller which had my heart in my mouth, especially Kenzie's antics which are death defying.
Kenzie is looking for a big scoop even if it means braving a storm. She finds diamonds in the wreckage from the yacht and a nearly dead woman. Meanwhile, Reid has to deal with a corpse. Who is the dead man and why did he swallow an uncut diamond? When Kenzie hands over the diamonds to Reid they find a link to the corpse and more dead bodies. Kenzie and Reid are up against a very devious criminal. An edge of the seat thriller which had my heart in my mouth, especially Kenzie's antics which are death defying.
March 25, 2024
After a hurricane hits Miami, Kenzie and Reid work together again after Kenzie finds a bag of diamonds and Reid deals with a dead body. Kenzie is convinced it’s a smuggling ring. As they work together they soon find there are clues tying the two events together. However finding proof of that becomes almost deadly for them both. Non stop action, colorful cast of characters and an extremely well written storyline will keep you up reading late just to see what happens next !
Read
June 19, 2024A decent whodunit, but poorly edited
The pros: Enjoyable main and side characters, along with a solid story. The romantic angle works pretty well too.
The cons: A but redundant with the secret keeping and the need too rely on a mysterious recurring character to accomplish the major reveal. Also, there were a disturbing number of typos throughout, and the ending seemed quite rushed.
The pros: Enjoyable main and side characters, along with a solid story. The romantic angle works pretty well too.
The cons: A but redundant with the secret keeping and the need too rely on a mysterious recurring character to accomplish the major reveal. Also, there were a disturbing number of typos throughout, and the ending seemed quite rushed.
September 30, 2024
This novel starts with pieces of a large ship washing on shore and also a mysterious case containing diamonds. Will Kenzie be able to prove that the evil person she is trying to get off the streets is the one responsible? Will she also be able to say that Bling burglar is involved?
Following all the twists of how everyone is related to these crimes makes this book flow and be a cannot put down in my opinion.
Following all the twists of how everyone is related to these crimes makes this book flow and be a cannot put down in my opinion.
March 23, 2025
We caught the breeze
People came and went , lived and died. Some were not as culpable as others, but all were complicent in one way or another. People were complicated in their approach to evasion of law and order and stepping outside normal boundaries, much to the chagrin of Kenzie and Reid. Individuals decided they could rise to kingpins without going the course and earning the accolades. Good read from a gifted author.
People came and went , lived and died. Some were not as culpable as others, but all were complicent in one way or another. People were complicated in their approach to evasion of law and order and stepping outside normal boundaries, much to the chagrin of Kenzie and Reid. Individuals decided they could rise to kingpins without going the course and earning the accolades. Good read from a gifted author.
March 12, 2024
Biba Pearce is a phenomenal talent. She brings such life to her characters it's easy to become invested in her series, and there are a few. Kenzie Gilmore might just be my favorite, though choosing is difficult. The plots are always fast paced and riveting, the characters ever evolving. This novel leads them to a crossroads with no predictable path ahead. Don't miss out on this one!
March 12, 2024
What can I say about this one. I started it not knowing what to expect cos I hadn’t read any of Kenzies books before. Well I was thoroughly engrossed in it from start to finish, just could not put it down. There’s twists and turns all the way through and the final unveiling was not who I thought it was, again. Highly recommended.
March 13, 2024
Good pacey story with lots of twists and turns.The author is clever in that the reader is fed clues from Kenzie and her police officer partner, Reid, whilst the couple don’t share all the information they discover with each other. Read this in a day as it was easy to read and i wanted to find out what happened!
May 24, 2024
I did enjoy the story and the characters, with lots of twists.
It's a wonder that a British writer knows so much about Miami(I lived there for over 25 years)
One thing was funny....you could have a drinking game- do a shot every time someone "grunts", "grunted" or some other iteration. You'd be drunk in less than 2 chapters.
It's a wonder that a British writer knows so much about Miami(I lived there for over 25 years)
One thing was funny....you could have a drinking game- do a shot every time someone "grunts", "grunted" or some other iteration. You'd be drunk in less than 2 chapters.
March 10, 2024
This story is fantastic. I enjoyed every page...every word. Kenzie and Reid are a great duo. And all the other characters fit so perfectly - like a hand in a glove. Surprises galore. Incredible, entertaining, amazing. A must read. A Ten Star Book. Highly Recommended.
March 27, 2024
Kenzie and Reid are on another adventure after a hurricane washes ashore millions in diamonds. Kenzie is convinced her arch nemesis is at the root. Finding the proof, however, could be very dangerous. This is one wild adventure! Be prepared to read past your bedtime.
March 29, 2024
Book 7 in this amazing series. I love Kenzie and Reid (and Brody). In this instalment we have a hurricane, a bag of diamonds and a dead body. Makes for a fabulous read. I highly recommend this book and everything this Author writes.
June 28, 2024
Great, multi-faceted characters. Suspenseful and interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. A REALLY great read! Can't wait for this series to continue!!!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
April 27, 2025
This one I found a bit boring and predictable. But what keeps me coming back is the two main characters will they get together in the end or will they part company, well Kelsey decide she’d rather have a life or be a journalist chasing crimes all our life?
January 18, 2026
Stormy
Kenzie is at it again and if not careful she may be running out of luck.
She finds herself going after another savory character who has caused her mental pain after having been in the judicial system.
Kenzie is at it again and if not careful she may be running out of luck.
She finds herself going after another savory character who has caused her mental pain after having been in the judicial system.
March 12, 2024
An exciting story with action from start to finish, an edge of the seat page turner. A great cast of characters.
March 22, 2024
Storm Surge Book 7
A very exciting Kenzie Gilmore Crime story! Just when every thing seems to go plays jumps a surprise! Read and enjoy😑
A very exciting Kenzie Gilmore Crime story! Just when every thing seems to go plays jumps a surprise! Read and enjoy😑
March 30, 2024
Great book, but the end stresses me! Biba Pearce is a Phenomenal writer!💚
July 28, 2024
Excellent.
November 12, 2024
Wow
I read this book out of order. It is book 7 and the first one that I have read. A strong female lead. Myestery solved I liked this book!
I read this book out of order. It is book 7 and the first one that I have read. A strong female lead. Myestery solved I liked this book!
January 5, 2025
Riveting
Couldn't put it down. Pearce is the real deal. Great entertainment. There are reasons we're thriller junkies and Leader is one of those reasons.
Couldn't put it down. Pearce is the real deal. Great entertainment. There are reasons we're thriller junkies and Leader is one of those reasons.
April 20, 2025
Good read
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
May 5, 2025
excellent but not as good as book 6
May 6, 2025
Storm
Great story with a lot of twist and turns to keep you interested with the whole book enjoyed it from start ti!! The end
Great story with a lot of twist and turns to keep you interested with the whole book enjoyed it from start ti!! The end
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews