In Too Deep

by Jae Malone

In 1722, one of the most devastating storms ever experienced in the Spanish Canary Islands battered La Gomera and Tenerife. In the channel between the islands, the captain and crew of a small ship desperately fought to keep control of the vessel, and to reach the safety of San Sebastian, La Gomera's largest port. Above, clinging to a boulder to brace himself against the wind and to see through the stinging rain, a young man watched helplessly as the Katarina-Thereza lost her battle with the tempestuous sea, was forced onto the rocks, broke up and within just a few minutes, was swallowed up by the Atlantic Ocean. The young man slid to the ground in despair as the sea swept all his hopes and dreams for the future down to the watery grave.

Three centuries later, evidence of the lost ship is found creating a sequence of events, none of them good. There are three deaths. Murders? Accidents? Suicides? Mateo Moreno, an elderly gardener. Edward Taylor-Owen, an expert in maritime history and shipwrecks. Jake Rutherford, an experienced diver in trouble.

Corporal Paloma Perez of the Guardia Civil on the island of La Gomera, is assigned to the Moreno investigation, and is relocated to Tenerife. There she joins forces with Luke Rutherford, brother of the dead diver, to discover the truth. Are these individual cases or is there a link? Is the sunken ship the key to all the deaths, or is something else going on?

Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2025

Reviews

[Ryan Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jae Malone’s In Too Deep is an electrifying blend of intrigue, seduction, murder, and treasure hunting, masterfully woven into a gripping narrative. From the moment the story unfolds, Malone immerses the reader in an exotic world rich with suspense and atmospheric tension. The stunning coastal backdrop of La Gomera and Tenerife is so vividly rendered that one can almost hear the waves crash against the cliffs and feel the ocean breeze carry whispers of long-buried secrets.
The dynamic between Jake and Luke is flawlessly crafted, and their brotherly bond is a crucial element of the narrative. The villain is chillingly believable, exuding a menace that sends a shiver down the spine. Malone’s writing is seamless, propelling the reader forward with perfectly timed twists and reveals. In Too Deep is a relentless thrill ride—impossible to put down and utterly unforgettable. Highly recommended for lovers of intelligent, high-stakes suspense!

[Marianne Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!
Drama, adventure, lovely characters to root for - Luke, Mateo, and I want to see more of Paloma especially!
Investigating the death of diver, Paloma Perez teams up with his brother, Luke, to uncover the truth. There are murders, villains, good guys and those in between, tense action scene and touching moments - Paloma is so adorable, yet sharply clever - and Luke, reeling with the loss of his brother, discovers secrets and lies that lead to yet more mystery.
Malone paints the exotic settings so beautifully it feels like you're there, basking in the sun and surrounded by waves, characters are all great, the bad guys are proper rogues and the interactions between them all are so believable, I was swept away.
With wonderful descriptive narrative and fast paced action and conflict, this book is a gripping crime thriller with a satisfying ending.

[Sally Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a departure from Jae Malone's previous work, but I sincerely hope that there is more Crime Fiction to come! I was gripped from the beginning to the end and absolutely loved it! I really hope there will be more to come from these wonderful characters.

[Joanne Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. Bit of everything. Looking forward to the sequel. xxxx