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Fish Out of Water #8
Devil and the Deep Blue Fish
PI Jackson Rivers and Henry Worrall have gotten used to throwing themselves into danger as a team, so when Henry is hurt badly one night defending a friend and her teenage ward, it's all hands on deck for Jackson, his fiancé Ellery Cramer, their firm, and their friends. Henry is battling for his life. The least they can do is hunt down Henry's shooter and keep the intended victims safe.
Knowing Jackson will dedicate himself to tracking down a very dangerous assailant with no regard to his own safety, Ellery makes one Jackson needs a temporary partner. Jackson finds a good one in someone from the firm's past, but while Jackson's figuring out a new rhythm on zero sleep and a lot of desperation, Ellery and their friends are putting together a puzzle with a lot more pieces than Henry's random shooting. Somebody in their city is preying on teenagers in a most insidious way, and nobody in their circle is going to let this stand.
Jackson has spent a year and a half trying to heal from physical and emotional wounds, and this case is going to make him look at every choice he's made to survive. Ellery—and Ellery's mother—will do anything to help him, but does Jackson finally have emotional defenses to fight his own demons while he's slaying dragons for the family he's found, or will he drown in his own remorse? Sometimes, when you're a kid on the streets, living past tomorrow means choosing between the Devil and the Deep Blue Fish.
Knowing Jackson will dedicate himself to tracking down a very dangerous assailant with no regard to his own safety, Ellery makes one Jackson needs a temporary partner. Jackson finds a good one in someone from the firm's past, but while Jackson's figuring out a new rhythm on zero sleep and a lot of desperation, Ellery and their friends are putting together a puzzle with a lot more pieces than Henry's random shooting. Somebody in their city is preying on teenagers in a most insidious way, and nobody in their circle is going to let this stand.
Jackson has spent a year and a half trying to heal from physical and emotional wounds, and this case is going to make him look at every choice he's made to survive. Ellery—and Ellery's mother—will do anything to help him, but does Jackson finally have emotional defenses to fight his own demons while he's slaying dragons for the family he's found, or will he drown in his own remorse? Sometimes, when you're a kid on the streets, living past tomorrow means choosing between the Devil and the Deep Blue Fish.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2025
About the author
Amy Lane
235 books3,519 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 4, 2025
This is not really a three star book. It’s a four-star book that has missed the mark.
It’s four-stars because it’s about Ellery & Jackson (one of my favourite m/m couples), because Lane is furious about injustices (recent and endemic), because she is, on the whole, forgiving of errors, and because she constantly affirms the importance of truth over comfort.
These are all excellent things, and why I will read anything she writes in the “Fishverse”.
But there are quite a few things that don’t come off, and unfortunately, they’re enough to pull this book down. Some of them are what my HR department would have called “over-played strengths”—too much of a good thing, and some of them are in-built faults. If I enumerate them, it’s because I’m an auditor at heart, not because the book isn’t worth reading—it is.
First off, the plot is Too Much. Real plot spoilers ahead—you have been warned!
My next gripe is probably a completely unfair one: all the Good Guys love each other. There are no shades of friendship. If a guy is a Good Guy, you proclaim your cheerful love for him and your willingness to take a bullet in his stead. I longed for characters who were more —I was going to say ‘shades of grey’—more circumspect in their affections. Jackson is an attractive hero, who fights for everything that’s right, but Lane sails very close to making him the centre of a cult. It’s just a little off-putting.
Finally, I read the Fish books because I fell for Jackson & Ellery in books 1 & 2. It’s been good to see how Jackson has changed for Ellery (dropped some of his self-lacerating habits) over books 3-7. In the later books and, unfortunately, particularly in this one, the relationship has been watered down.
That’s happened, I think, for two reasons.
1. Lane has introduced a lot of characters from her other series into the Fish books. I can understand why—if your book calls for a second lawyer, and you’ve already created one in the Johnnies book series, why would you invent another lawyer? Bring Galen into the Fish books. Simples. But doing this has meant many other Johnnies characters take over page time in the Fish books, and are awarded more attention than their plot value demands. So less time for Ellery & Jackson.
2. The other reason, which has crept up gradually over the past few books, is that both MCs spend far more page time with other people than with each other. Jackson has been joined at the hip to Henry, and Ellery—rather disconcertingly— to his mother. I’m not sure Lane realises the extent to which Jackson is idealised, and Ellery diminished by this. The MCs do have sex (good), and a three-way midnight confessional with Ellery’s mother (most peculiar), but the sense of two people making a life together is always subordinated to the dictates of a ‘Let’s have another madcap break-in’ plot.
Of course I’ll read the next in the series, and will be cheering Lane’s liberal political plots, but principally I’ll be hoping to see a more equal and central relationship between the MCs.
It’s four-stars because it’s about Ellery & Jackson (one of my favourite m/m couples), because Lane is furious about injustices (recent and endemic), because she is, on the whole, forgiving of errors, and because she constantly affirms the importance of truth over comfort.
These are all excellent things, and why I will read anything she writes in the “Fishverse”.
But there are quite a few things that don’t come off, and unfortunately, they’re enough to pull this book down. Some of them are what my HR department would have called “over-played strengths”—too much of a good thing, and some of them are in-built faults. If I enumerate them, it’s because I’m an auditor at heart, not because the book isn’t worth reading—it is.
First off, the plot is Too Much. Real plot spoilers ahead—you have been warned!
My next gripe is probably a completely unfair one: all the Good Guys love each other. There are no shades of friendship. If a guy is a Good Guy, you proclaim your cheerful love for him and your willingness to take a bullet in his stead. I longed for characters who were more —I was going to say ‘shades of grey’—more circumspect in their affections. Jackson is an attractive hero, who fights for everything that’s right, but Lane sails very close to making him the centre of a cult. It’s just a little off-putting.
Finally, I read the Fish books because I fell for Jackson & Ellery in books 1 & 2. It’s been good to see how Jackson has changed for Ellery (dropped some of his self-lacerating habits) over books 3-7. In the later books and, unfortunately, particularly in this one, the relationship has been watered down.
That’s happened, I think, for two reasons.
1. Lane has introduced a lot of characters from her other series into the Fish books. I can understand why—if your book calls for a second lawyer, and you’ve already created one in the Johnnies book series, why would you invent another lawyer? Bring Galen into the Fish books. Simples. But doing this has meant many other Johnnies characters take over page time in the Fish books, and are awarded more attention than their plot value demands. So less time for Ellery & Jackson.
2. The other reason, which has crept up gradually over the past few books, is that both MCs spend far more page time with other people than with each other. Jackson has been joined at the hip to Henry, and Ellery—rather disconcertingly— to his mother. I’m not sure Lane realises the extent to which Jackson is idealised, and Ellery diminished by this. The MCs do have sex (good), and a three-way midnight confessional with Ellery’s mother (most peculiar), but the sense of two people making a life together is always subordinated to the dictates of a ‘Let’s have another madcap break-in’ plot.
Of course I’ll read the next in the series, and will be cheering Lane’s liberal political plots, but principally I’ll be hoping to see a more equal and central relationship between the MCs.
June 8, 2025
This long novel is a lot. And yet, I finished it in less than five days. And, even though it's romance, I wondered how the heck they'd win!
As always, Lane manages many characters without confusing me, a person not great at remembering names. Impressive. Also, as with all her stories, this is very woke. If you don't like that, this is not the author for you. (Unless you're ready to shed hate, then come on in.)
Loved it. Loved the 'ficlets' at the end even though I'd read two of them already. Can't wait for more!
As always, Lane manages many characters without confusing me, a person not great at remembering names. Impressive. Also, as with all her stories, this is very woke. If you don't like that, this is not the author for you. (Unless you're ready to shed hate, then come on in.)
Loved it. Loved the 'ficlets' at the end even though I'd read two of them already. Can't wait for more!
June 4, 2025
Five Stars for Devil and the Deep Blue Fish
I have been through hell and high water with Ellery Cramer and Jackson Rivers. We have watched these two amazing men fight injustice, right terrible wrongs, catch serial killers, rescue trafficked children, defend wrongly accused people that have no way to defend themselves. I have watched Jackson grow with the love and support of Ellery, learn to trust again, develop deep family/friend relationships, and overcome nightmares. Both Ellery and Jackson have huge hearts of gold, and have developed a support system that will go to extreme lengths to help them both.
It’s all hands on deck for this latest case that starts with a homeless youth propositioning Ellery’s law partner, and ending with Jackson’s private investigator partner being shot, and almost dying. It takes all the contacts Jackson and Ellery have developed throughout the series to help bring down a child abuse/conversion therapy, homophobic/religious cult. They claim it’s their religious right to help these vulnerable youths “pray the gay away”. What really goes on behind the walls of the “religious school” is far more sinister and shocking than even Ellery and Jackson can imagine.
What I love about Amy Lane’s books is her character driven stories. We get to see characters from as least 3 different series she has written. I love seeing them give assistance and rally around a community of lost youth that have been physically, sexually, and emotionally abused. The subject matter of the book is heavy, but it is handled tastefully, and honestly. I was cheering “Lucy Satan” as she fought back using her steel reinforced leather briefcase. Even Galen got in on the action, assaulting an abuser with his cane, whacking him into submission! It is a true reader’s dream to read these scenes, watching the impeccable aristocratic elders lose their cool, and become the feral bears they truly are.
I cheered, I cried. I cringed from the awfulness people do to each other in the name of “righteousness”. The Fishverse is one series you need to read. It gives all the feels *both good and bad), and will take you on a ride of self discovery, and found family. Love is always a HEA in Amy Lane’s books, and Ellery and Jackson are my true heroes ,right next to Ellery’s mom, Taylor Cramer, but don’t tell Jackson that!
I have been through hell and high water with Ellery Cramer and Jackson Rivers. We have watched these two amazing men fight injustice, right terrible wrongs, catch serial killers, rescue trafficked children, defend wrongly accused people that have no way to defend themselves. I have watched Jackson grow with the love and support of Ellery, learn to trust again, develop deep family/friend relationships, and overcome nightmares. Both Ellery and Jackson have huge hearts of gold, and have developed a support system that will go to extreme lengths to help them both.
It’s all hands on deck for this latest case that starts with a homeless youth propositioning Ellery’s law partner, and ending with Jackson’s private investigator partner being shot, and almost dying. It takes all the contacts Jackson and Ellery have developed throughout the series to help bring down a child abuse/conversion therapy, homophobic/religious cult. They claim it’s their religious right to help these vulnerable youths “pray the gay away”. What really goes on behind the walls of the “religious school” is far more sinister and shocking than even Ellery and Jackson can imagine.
What I love about Amy Lane’s books is her character driven stories. We get to see characters from as least 3 different series she has written. I love seeing them give assistance and rally around a community of lost youth that have been physically, sexually, and emotionally abused. The subject matter of the book is heavy, but it is handled tastefully, and honestly. I was cheering “Lucy Satan” as she fought back using her steel reinforced leather briefcase. Even Galen got in on the action, assaulting an abuser with his cane, whacking him into submission! It is a true reader’s dream to read these scenes, watching the impeccable aristocratic elders lose their cool, and become the feral bears they truly are.
I cheered, I cried. I cringed from the awfulness people do to each other in the name of “righteousness”. The Fishverse is one series you need to read. It gives all the feels *both good and bad), and will take you on a ride of self discovery, and found family. Love is always a HEA in Amy Lane’s books, and Ellery and Jackson are my true heroes ,right next to Ellery’s mom, Taylor Cramer, but don’t tell Jackson that!
February 28, 2026
Gaaaah! This needs an editor or seven and a continuity director and consultants in law and medicine.
Too hurriedly pushed out without any of those things, and very much the worse for it!
Too hurriedly pushed out without any of those things, and very much the worse for it!
June 8, 2025
I know I go on about spreadsheets when I am reading an excessively long series, but Ms. Lane actually brings in characters from numerous other series for this book... so, yeah... SPREADSHEET!!! 😭
The fact that I always "love" the characters written by this author definitely saved this book. So many pages... so many plots... and I didn't even get the ending I wanted. OK, that was on me for expecting my "walk down the aisle" moment, but this book has almost 500 pages... grrr
Understanding that authors must write in their own time, I know that it will be a while before we get our next "fish" fix... but, dang... the waiting is hard!
BTW: This story led me to a new couple with a dog, no less, from a book that I hadn't read. Looks like I have missed a spin-offish series? So, yeah... there is that!🥰
The fact that I always "love" the characters written by this author definitely saved this book. So many pages... so many plots... and I didn't even get the ending I wanted. OK, that was on me for expecting my "walk down the aisle" moment, but this book has almost 500 pages... grrr
Understanding that authors must write in their own time, I know that it will be a while before we get our next "fish" fix... but, dang... the waiting is hard!
BTW: This story led me to a new couple with a dog, no less, from a book that I hadn't read. Looks like I have missed a spin-offish series? So, yeah... there is that!🥰
June 19, 2025
I love these Fish books, dammit
February 21, 2026
This book is very good as is the entire series. I’ve loved reading Jackson and Ellery. Their growth throughout the books has been phenomenal. Each book introduces a few new members to add to the family. Not to mention adding a few scars to Jackson’s body and Ellery’s brain.
This is not a happy book. Bad guy’s are horrific and unfortunately they present themselves as righteous.
I definitely recommend this series and the adjacent books as well. Enjoy
This is not a happy book. Bad guy’s are horrific and unfortunately they present themselves as righteous.
I definitely recommend this series and the adjacent books as well. Enjoy
June 7, 2025
Jackson and the gang are back for a new adventure. I loved meeting new characters, bringing back some old, and that Jackson and Ellery continue to expand their group. As the 8th book in the series, I highly recommend reading the others first, but it is worth it. This is a group that just grabs you and never lets you go. It is fantastic to see the characters continue to grow and evolve as the books continue. Even better, you get to see how other characters are doing and how their lives have progressed as time has passed (Dex from Dex in Blue for example). So lots of good things in this book and series. Keeping with the theme of the other books in the series, Devil and the Deep Blue Fish is about the guys working for someone who really needs their help, working to figure out the who, what, and why and in the end make it so if the little guy doesn't win, they at least don't get squished. I particularly loved the plot of this one because it takes an current issue and turns that issue into a suspenseful investigative work of fiction. As always, not only do I really connect with the the good guys, but Amy Lane gives me enough of the back story for the bad guys to if not empathize then to at least recognize that humanity lives in a world full of grey. There is phrase in this book that goes something like, "sometimes people don't always have the strength to win the hand they've been given." I love that. It isn't an excuse, but it is true, sometimes people just give in. I love that Amy Lane always underscores the humanness of her characters in both the good guys and the bad guys and more importantly, makes a point to highlight the shades of grey in both. The lines aren't always clear. Jackson, the main PI chose to delay going to the cops for good reason in the book and his partner a former cop agreed with him and admitted he wouldn't a year prior when he had been an active cop. A lot of amazing story happened in that time. The world is built in the grey and amazing characters and plot are born from it.
Particularly loved: The pets and the huge amount of cameos from characters in other books or series. You don't need to have read the other cameo's books to understand the story here. Lucy Satan is always fun too!
Didn't love: That I have to wait for audio. I hope the established narrator is queued up soon!
Particularly loved: The pets and the huge amount of cameos from characters in other books or series. You don't need to have read the other cameo's books to understand the story here. Lucy Satan is always fun too!
Didn't love: That I have to wait for audio. I hope the established narrator is queued up soon!
June 3, 2025
I love Amy Lane books because they're full of love and compassion and action and adventure and so much humour. I've been following her from the beginning (more or less) and eagerly await each new book because it's going to give me laugh out loud moments and pull on my heart strings and reassure me that things will work out in the end. And in between books she brings out ficlets (which I tend to call Fishlets when they concern people in the Fishiverse). She also liberally uses Easter eggs (references to other books she's written, as if you were going on an egg hunt at Easter) which, in my opinion, add to my reading pleasure, because once I've reread this book, I can go off on tangents to reread her other series
When I was thinking about my review, I realised I needed to write it for people new to Amy's books, because if you're a fan, you don't really need me to tell you why I'm a fan.
Some fans might advise you to start with Fish Out of Water (first book in the series) but I wouldn't agree
If you're new to Amy Lane's books, this is the perfect place to start. It's a perfect example of how one simple encounter causes Jackson and Ellery's "normal" day to explode into consecutive days of manic action exposing corruption and protecting the helpless.
And she's put SO MANY Easter eggs in this book, that it's a great book to discover just how extensive the Amyverse is. If you follow her on Patreon, she's just wrote a post on the Fishiverse timeline and all its crossovers, so I don't need to do it
Amy will never be able to write fast enough to meet my need for new stories, new Fishlets, new books, but at least I now have enough Amy Lane books in my library to happily tangent from one series to the next while I'm impatiently awaiting Randy's book (and Eric's and Josh's and Josue's)
But I think the reason she's a must-buy author for me is that while I'm laughing at the various antics and really enjoying all the references to past stories and books, her books also make me think, and react, and not just take the status quo for granted. So while her books ARE very entertaining, they're not "just" entertainment. I hope if you've read this review you won't hesitate any longer to dive into the Amyverse. I've never regretted it, and I hope you don't either.
When I was thinking about my review, I realised I needed to write it for people new to Amy's books, because if you're a fan, you don't really need me to tell you why I'm a fan.
Some fans might advise you to start with Fish Out of Water (first book in the series) but I wouldn't agree
If you're new to Amy Lane's books, this is the perfect place to start. It's a perfect example of how one simple encounter causes Jackson and Ellery's "normal" day to explode into consecutive days of manic action exposing corruption and protecting the helpless.
And she's put SO MANY Easter eggs in this book, that it's a great book to discover just how extensive the Amyverse is. If you follow her on Patreon, she's just wrote a post on the Fishiverse timeline and all its crossovers, so I don't need to do it
Amy will never be able to write fast enough to meet my need for new stories, new Fishlets, new books, but at least I now have enough Amy Lane books in my library to happily tangent from one series to the next while I'm impatiently awaiting Randy's book (and Eric's and Josh's and Josue's)
But I think the reason she's a must-buy author for me is that while I'm laughing at the various antics and really enjoying all the references to past stories and books, her books also make me think, and react, and not just take the status quo for granted. So while her books ARE very entertaining, they're not "just" entertainment. I hope if you've read this review you won't hesitate any longer to dive into the Amyverse. I've never regretted it, and I hope you don't either.
June 9, 2025
PI Jackson Rivers and Henry Worrall have gotten used to throwing themselves into danger as a team, so when Henry is hurt badly one night defending a friend and her teenage ward, it’s all hands on deck for Jackson, his fiancé Ellery Cramer, their firm, and their friends. Henry is battling for his life. The least they can do is hunt down Henry’s shooter and keep the intended victims safe.
Knowing Jackson will dedicate himself to tracking down a very dangerous assailant with no regard to his own safety, Ellery makes one Jackson needs a temporary partner. Jackson finds a good one in someone from the firm’s past, but while Jackson’s figuring out a new rhythm on zero sleep and a lot of desperation, Ellery and their friends are putting together a puzzle with a lot more pieces than Henry’s random shooting. Somebody in their city is preying on teenagers in a most insidious way, and nobody in their circle is going to let this stand.
Jackson has spent a year and a half trying to heal from physical and emotional wounds, and this case is going to make him look at every choice he’s made to survive. Ellery—and Ellery’s mother—will do anything to help him, but does Jackson finally have emotional defenses to fight his own demons while he’s slaying dragons for the family he’s found, or will he drown in his own remorse? Sometimes, when you’re a kid on the streets, living past tomorrow means choosing between the Devil and the Deep Blue Fish.
Heather's Notes
I really enjoyed being back with Jackson, Ellery, and all the others. I liked the story, even though she was dealing with a series topic she didn't get too bogged down in the dark. I did take a star off for all the politics in the book. I read books to escape not to hear how horrible people are for making the political choices they made. For someone who screams for inclusiveness, they are very inclusive. The choices people make political are done for a many different reason, and sometimes they are not about you. Also democrats are the ones who want to defund the police. I will continue to read this series however.
Knowing Jackson will dedicate himself to tracking down a very dangerous assailant with no regard to his own safety, Ellery makes one Jackson needs a temporary partner. Jackson finds a good one in someone from the firm’s past, but while Jackson’s figuring out a new rhythm on zero sleep and a lot of desperation, Ellery and their friends are putting together a puzzle with a lot more pieces than Henry’s random shooting. Somebody in their city is preying on teenagers in a most insidious way, and nobody in their circle is going to let this stand.
Jackson has spent a year and a half trying to heal from physical and emotional wounds, and this case is going to make him look at every choice he’s made to survive. Ellery—and Ellery’s mother—will do anything to help him, but does Jackson finally have emotional defenses to fight his own demons while he’s slaying dragons for the family he’s found, or will he drown in his own remorse? Sometimes, when you’re a kid on the streets, living past tomorrow means choosing between the Devil and the Deep Blue Fish.
Heather's Notes
I really enjoyed being back with Jackson, Ellery, and all the others. I liked the story, even though she was dealing with a series topic she didn't get too bogged down in the dark. I did take a star off for all the politics in the book. I read books to escape not to hear how horrible people are for making the political choices they made. For someone who screams for inclusiveness, they are very inclusive. The choices people make political are done for a many different reason, and sometimes they are not about you. Also democrats are the ones who want to defund the police. I will continue to read this series however.
June 9, 2025
was given an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review
Back by popular demand, another entry into the Fish Out of Water series. Attorney Ellery Cramer along with his boyfriend investigator Jackson Rivers and their various band of merry men, including some cameos by Johnnie’s’ models. This time Jackson isn’t the target, but their friend and employee and fellow investigator Henry Worral is the one who is hurt. While trying to help a teenager on the run from a shady organization called Moms for Clean Living(yes, Amy’s aiming for you Mom’s for Liberty)Henry is shot multiple times, which means Jackson and Ellery and co. Need to investigate this heinous crime. Poor Jackson, who is now without his normal backup, Henry, needs to find new backup. He calls in a ringer from a previous case an Ex Under Cover police man who got too familiar with the product, and was abandoned, abused and attacked by corrupt fellow officers, a song Jackson knows far too well. Given the story that came from the teenage witness, it looks like Moms for Clean Living are going under the microscope by Henry’s friends, who intend to dig up any and all bad acts by the pseudo religious cult sponsored by some people high up in politics.
This is my poorly written recommendation for this book, and don’t hold my mistakes to compare to Amy Lane’s incomparable wordsmithing. If anyone was born to write it’s Amy Lane, who weaves in characters from all aspects of her backlist with a compelling timely, unputdownable book. It’s no light beach read, although there’s always enough lol light moments thrown in to keep the reader from going on a similar rampage to gut the highly hypocritical far right organizations. This is a very good curl up in the window seat on a rainy day read, or a pretend you’re not being treated like tinned fish in an economy row flight seat. Our wonderful Fishy characters continue to grow and surprise the reader at many turns. So anyway, pick up a copy of this book and dive into suburban Sacramento seas, you’ll come out the better for it, I guarantee.
Back by popular demand, another entry into the Fish Out of Water series. Attorney Ellery Cramer along with his boyfriend investigator Jackson Rivers and their various band of merry men, including some cameos by Johnnie’s’ models. This time Jackson isn’t the target, but their friend and employee and fellow investigator Henry Worral is the one who is hurt. While trying to help a teenager on the run from a shady organization called Moms for Clean Living(yes, Amy’s aiming for you Mom’s for Liberty)Henry is shot multiple times, which means Jackson and Ellery and co. Need to investigate this heinous crime. Poor Jackson, who is now without his normal backup, Henry, needs to find new backup. He calls in a ringer from a previous case an Ex Under Cover police man who got too familiar with the product, and was abandoned, abused and attacked by corrupt fellow officers, a song Jackson knows far too well. Given the story that came from the teenage witness, it looks like Moms for Clean Living are going under the microscope by Henry’s friends, who intend to dig up any and all bad acts by the pseudo religious cult sponsored by some people high up in politics.
This is my poorly written recommendation for this book, and don’t hold my mistakes to compare to Amy Lane’s incomparable wordsmithing. If anyone was born to write it’s Amy Lane, who weaves in characters from all aspects of her backlist with a compelling timely, unputdownable book. It’s no light beach read, although there’s always enough lol light moments thrown in to keep the reader from going on a similar rampage to gut the highly hypocritical far right organizations. This is a very good curl up in the window seat on a rainy day read, or a pretend you’re not being treated like tinned fish in an economy row flight seat. Our wonderful Fishy characters continue to grow and surprise the reader at many turns. So anyway, pick up a copy of this book and dive into suburban Sacramento seas, you’ll come out the better for it, I guarantee.
June 23, 2025
Another instalment from a reliable series.
I like this series a lot, I think Lane is an amazing author but I do have some reservations that keep it from reaching 5 stars and this book was a good example of why. I don't feel like going into details but the plot seems a bit stagnant at this point, like we're transitioning into episodic format where things stay the same, just the cases are new. The side characters get more pronounced character arcs (though they are also fairly weak) and there are so many of them that it's harder to connect to them all properly (on an emotional level). I don't want to act like every book needs to be twise as awesome as the last one but most people do a wedding book after a wedding is announced and Lane just made a new case and just hurt Henry to spice things up.
I do appreciate Jackson not ending up in the hospital, like always! And the ending set it up rather nicely for the next book - I have things I look forward to.
Look, these books are all amazing but for me, it's like... like... Kate Daniels vs. Mercy Thompson, there are so many things that are similar but I just like Kate more (and it's actually a good paraller because Mercy also has more tragedy - Kate kicks more ass and packs more power - Jackson is definitely the "regular" saint I mean guy fighting for the little people while powers around him try to put him down and while we now have way too many nice characters, the overall tone from the case is just hearthbreaking.)
I like this series a lot, I think Lane is an amazing author but I do have some reservations that keep it from reaching 5 stars and this book was a good example of why. I don't feel like going into details but the plot seems a bit stagnant at this point, like we're transitioning into episodic format where things stay the same, just the cases are new. The side characters get more pronounced character arcs (though they are also fairly weak) and there are so many of them that it's harder to connect to them all properly (on an emotional level). I don't want to act like every book needs to be twise as awesome as the last one but most people do a wedding book after a wedding is announced and Lane just made a new case and just hurt Henry to spice things up.
I do appreciate Jackson not ending up in the hospital, like always! And the ending set it up rather nicely for the next book - I have things I look forward to.
Look, these books are all amazing but for me, it's like... like... Kate Daniels vs. Mercy Thompson, there are so many things that are similar but I just like Kate more (and it's actually a good paraller because Mercy also has more tragedy - Kate kicks more ass and packs more power - Jackson is definitely the "regular" saint I mean guy fighting for the little people while powers around him try to put him down and while we now have way too many nice characters, the overall tone from the case is just hearthbreaking.)
June 12, 2025
Welcome back to the Fishverse!
Jackson and Ellery have returned, and they are just as chaotic as ever. With more villains to put an end to, family (both real and found, old and new - plenty of Easter eggs to enjoy), this book was everything I waited for and more.
This is yet another wonderful installment in this series, where this author tells an extremely complex story and weaves in characters (past and present) seamlessly. Each book, she creates a compelling adventure with wrongs to right, pushes her characters forward, resolves the main issue (bye-bye bad guys), and leaves me wanting all her characters to get their HEAs. I fall more in love with Jackson and Ellery and company every time, and I am always greedy for the next installment, be it book or ficlet. More of them, more of their friends and family, just more, more, more.
Over the top? Absolutely. Action packed and fun with a side (or three) of danger? Definitely. Emotional impact? Present as always. Jackson and Ellery, though far from perfect, and having been through so much, are some how still idealistic and still want to save the world, and I am so here for it. Thank you, Amy, for making this a universe I never want to leave. Keep the stories coming!
***ARC***
Jackson and Ellery have returned, and they are just as chaotic as ever. With more villains to put an end to, family (both real and found, old and new - plenty of Easter eggs to enjoy), this book was everything I waited for and more.
This is yet another wonderful installment in this series, where this author tells an extremely complex story and weaves in characters (past and present) seamlessly. Each book, she creates a compelling adventure with wrongs to right, pushes her characters forward, resolves the main issue (bye-bye bad guys), and leaves me wanting all her characters to get their HEAs. I fall more in love with Jackson and Ellery and company every time, and I am always greedy for the next installment, be it book or ficlet. More of them, more of their friends and family, just more, more, more.
Over the top? Absolutely. Action packed and fun with a side (or three) of danger? Definitely. Emotional impact? Present as always. Jackson and Ellery, though far from perfect, and having been through so much, are some how still idealistic and still want to save the world, and I am so here for it. Thank you, Amy, for making this a universe I never want to leave. Keep the stories coming!
***ARC***
June 17, 2025
Wow1 I love this series and this installment not only built on the last few but also pulled in some characters from other series as well. Anyone remember Damian and Preston from Silent Heart?
The story is complex and dark, involving pray the gay away schools that are actually involved in child sex trafficking. Enter at your own risk. There's minor character deaths and more gore and disgusting characters than I'd like to see again, and there's plenty of poking at politics and hot political topics. But I loved it all and I especially love the poignant scenes between Jackson and Lucy Satan, Ellery's mom. I love the twist in the planning for the future growth of the law firm and I loved the boys from the Johnnies series as well as John and his partner Galen.
So much action, so many thrills, heartache and heartwarming scenes. I definitely going to be rereading this one! I very highly recommend this whole series.
The story is complex and dark, involving pray the gay away schools that are actually involved in child sex trafficking. Enter at your own risk. There's minor character deaths and more gore and disgusting characters than I'd like to see again, and there's plenty of poking at politics and hot political topics. But I loved it all and I especially love the poignant scenes between Jackson and Lucy Satan, Ellery's mom. I love the twist in the planning for the future growth of the law firm and I loved the boys from the Johnnies series as well as John and his partner Galen.
So much action, so many thrills, heartache and heartwarming scenes. I definitely going to be rereading this one! I very highly recommend this whole series.
June 2, 2025
It has been awhile, so it was great to visit this universe again. The story starts with Henry getting shot while protecting a teen who had been living on the street. The team then has to find out who shot Henry and is after the boy, which turns out to be quite complicated and disturbing. It was great to see our favorite PIs and lawyers in action, with quite a few cameos from the Johnnies and Flophouse series. We also continue to see Jackson grow and take care of himself without a fight. This was a great story that was hard to put down once you pick it up. There is a nice dose of action and mystery-solving, while still having the heart be Jackson and the people that surround him. Lucy Satan continues to be kick-ass. There is also groundwork set for the future, and I don't want to spoil anything, but I love the direction it is taking. Plus, we get to know Cody better and have a nice set up for a future book and his romance. All in all, this is a great story and universe and can't wait for the next book.
June 8, 2025
Another swim with our Sacramento fish! This one dives into a different shade of danger, one that thrives on blinding glare and shadow.
If the previous book's themes of child trafficking were a struggle, take care of yourselves while reading and hold onto the knowledge that Jackson, Ellery and their family and friends (and through them, Amy) are fighting to find the best way through to keep people safe.
I for one, am always up for the ride that Amy Lane takes us on. The way Amy's stories try to map a way through pain to find goodness, to find sweetness, to find kindness. It is so good to have these books in my life.
Also, I am SO happy how much progress the principle characters have made! It's so great to find an author who does series work where characters don't stay stuck in a cycle of progressing for the sake of a story or an arc and then reset back to the person they were when we first met them. Amy lane has a real knack for drawing the threads of a character's formative experience and blending the new growth in so that they make emotive and logical sense.
If the previous book's themes of child trafficking were a struggle, take care of yourselves while reading and hold onto the knowledge that Jackson, Ellery and their family and friends (and through them, Amy) are fighting to find the best way through to keep people safe.
I for one, am always up for the ride that Amy Lane takes us on. The way Amy's stories try to map a way through pain to find goodness, to find sweetness, to find kindness. It is so good to have these books in my life.
Also, I am SO happy how much progress the principle characters have made! It's so great to find an author who does series work where characters don't stay stuck in a cycle of progressing for the sake of a story or an arc and then reset back to the person they were when we first met them. Amy lane has a real knack for drawing the threads of a character's formative experience and blending the new growth in so that they make emotive and logical sense.
August 8, 2025
Stylistically strange
I liked the plot (well, “liked” in terms of it was strong, passionate, driving, and emotional), but some of the style seemed weird, like Jackson calling Ellery “baby boy.” Things like that didn’t seem to fit the personalities or voices that she’d established for those characters. Galen didn’t seem like quite himself in the early part of the book, as another for instance. This was an extremely harsh plot, and also very political, similar to the last book. I don’t mind that at all, since Lane’s politics are my own, but I feel like there really should be trigger warnings for this book: child abuse, sexual abuse, death of minors (off page but graphic), mention of rape and pedophilia, trafficking of minors, to suggest some. There are some cameos from the Warm Hearts series, tying them into the Fishiverse, as well as the return of some favorite characters and the promise of new members of the cast. This was not my favorite of the series, but it was still good. I’m looking forward to the next book.
I liked the plot (well, “liked” in terms of it was strong, passionate, driving, and emotional), but some of the style seemed weird, like Jackson calling Ellery “baby boy.” Things like that didn’t seem to fit the personalities or voices that she’d established for those characters. Galen didn’t seem like quite himself in the early part of the book, as another for instance. This was an extremely harsh plot, and also very political, similar to the last book. I don’t mind that at all, since Lane’s politics are my own, but I feel like there really should be trigger warnings for this book: child abuse, sexual abuse, death of minors (off page but graphic), mention of rape and pedophilia, trafficking of minors, to suggest some. There are some cameos from the Warm Hearts series, tying them into the Fishiverse, as well as the return of some favorite characters and the promise of new members of the cast. This was not my favorite of the series, but it was still good. I’m looking forward to the next book.
May 12, 2025
This book was so good. I loved everything about it. It is in one of my favorite universes. The Fishverse. lol These characters are now like old friends. I just wish a few more people had shown up, but then it might have been too crowded. I did like the few easter eggs I found. Amy is good at putting those in. There is one part toward the beginning that I was going to have to have a talk with Amy, but she knows what she is doing. lol
This one involved kids and I love when they go into protective mode. Jackson and Ellery were great as ever. They brought back someone that was a case in another book, which was good to see and I hope to see more of him.
If you like the fish universe, you will enjoy this book and you should get it!
This one involved kids and I love when they go into protective mode. Jackson and Ellery were great as ever. They brought back someone that was a case in another book, which was good to see and I hope to see more of him.
If you like the fish universe, you will enjoy this book and you should get it!
June 3, 2025
This is the eight book in the Fish Out of Water Series. This is another adventure for Jackson, Ellery and their team. I love this series, it is funny, tackles real life issues and still makes me believe the world can be a better place. The characters are all larger than life and willing to always help the little guy. I love how the author pulls in characters from her other series and melds them so thoroughly that you think they are from this series. The characters, as always, are wonderful and just keep getting better. The pace and setting are fabulous. I can’t wait for more adventures from this team. In my opinion, this book can be read as a stand-alone, but it is much better if you read the whole series.
August 1, 2025
Oof. I love Jackson and Ellery with all of my heart, but as easy as it is for me to love them, this was not an easy read. Amy Lane did not pull her punches in this one and to be honest, I'm glad - it would have been a disservice to her readers to spare them having to work for the happy ending when the content was so heavy. Fortunately for us, she was liberal with the reprieves and the dynamic between Jackson and Ellery is a joy to read. There were all sorts of cameos from characters that were a delight to revisit and I am already ready for the next instalment.
(You *absolutely* do not want to jump into this series here, there is way too much history to catch up with, but it's so worth it to start at the beginning.)
(You *absolutely* do not want to jump into this series here, there is way too much history to catch up with, but it's so worth it to start at the beginning.)
May 20, 2025
As a long time reader of Amy Lane’s work, it’s been a long wait between books, and a particularly long wait since Fish in a Barrel. (What’s up with that, publisher?) Anyway, this is a compelling read.
P.I. Jackson Rivers and his colleague Henry Worrall are enjoying a relaxing evening playing video games, when they’re interrupted by a call for Henry. One of the attorneys Henry and Jackson work for is calling him to help with a street rescue. A very young teen tried soliciting the attorney and his boyfriend as they came out of a recovery meeting. This has happened before, and they have a system in place, which involves getting the teen to a safe place where he can get physically clean, de-loused, fed, and cared for until a new situation can be found for him.
The system works, until someone shows up trying to capture the teen – who Henry sends out the back way with the host – and Henry ends up shot, critically injured. The plot takes off at a breakneck pace from there, involving Rivers, his attorney fiancé, the rest of the law firm, and a variety of characters from previous books of the Fish, Johnnies, and Flophouse series by Lane. There’s also a wickedly accurate parallel to be drawn between the fictional Moms for Clean Living (M4CL) in this book and the ironically named Moms for Liberty (M4L). While the latter group is real, and is NOT involved in the nefarious schemes of M4CL; the M4L IS behind many of the attempts to ban books from school and public libraries that feature any non straight, white, cisgender themes.
Jackson and Ellery are the good guys who may use unconventional methods to save people – but they get the job done more often than not.
If you haven’t read anything by Amy Lane before, you could do worse than to begin with this book. Then, go back and read the rest of the Fish books. Then, read the Johnnies books. Then, read the Flophouse books. For completeness, go ahead and read the Search and Rescue series, too!
P.I. Jackson Rivers and his colleague Henry Worrall are enjoying a relaxing evening playing video games, when they’re interrupted by a call for Henry. One of the attorneys Henry and Jackson work for is calling him to help with a street rescue. A very young teen tried soliciting the attorney and his boyfriend as they came out of a recovery meeting. This has happened before, and they have a system in place, which involves getting the teen to a safe place where he can get physically clean, de-loused, fed, and cared for until a new situation can be found for him.
The system works, until someone shows up trying to capture the teen – who Henry sends out the back way with the host – and Henry ends up shot, critically injured. The plot takes off at a breakneck pace from there, involving Rivers, his attorney fiancé, the rest of the law firm, and a variety of characters from previous books of the Fish, Johnnies, and Flophouse series by Lane. There’s also a wickedly accurate parallel to be drawn between the fictional Moms for Clean Living (M4CL) in this book and the ironically named Moms for Liberty (M4L). While the latter group is real, and is NOT involved in the nefarious schemes of M4CL; the M4L IS behind many of the attempts to ban books from school and public libraries that feature any non straight, white, cisgender themes.
Jackson and Ellery are the good guys who may use unconventional methods to save people – but they get the job done more often than not.
If you haven’t read anything by Amy Lane before, you could do worse than to begin with this book. Then, go back and read the rest of the Fish books. Then, read the Johnnies books. Then, read the Flophouse books. For completeness, go ahead and read the Search and Rescue series, too!
May 19, 2025
I absolutely loved returning to these two. There’s just something about them that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down once you’ve started. The dynamic, the humour, the heart—it’s all there, and it’s brilliant.
Their little (well, now not-so-little) family was such a joy to read about, and Lucy Satan continues to be iconic. Every moment felt like catching up with old friends in the best possible way.
Now I need Cody’s story. And a certain Marshall. And of course… Randy. Bring them all on, please!
Their little (well, now not-so-little) family was such a joy to read about, and Lucy Satan continues to be iconic. Every moment felt like catching up with old friends in the best possible way.
Now I need Cody’s story. And a certain Marshall. And of course… Randy. Bring them all on, please!
May 24, 2025
I received this book as ARC for my honest review.
This was a somewhat difficult book for me to read. Because of the subject matter regarding the main plot of the book. And all the details required to "realistically" progress the story. While it's necessary, the pacing was too slow for my liking. Even though,
In many ways, this is a timely release. With all the bigots in power right now, this is some of the catharsis that many would need to deal with the current climate.
One criticism that I feel when reading this book was that events and characters in the spinoff series, The Flophouse, are featured here quite a bit. Because these characters knew and associated with each others. However, I didn't read the latest book of that series. I will say that it's not a requirement to read that book. But doing so, you will probably get the broader picture.
After the story concluded, this book also contain excerpts from a few other books and a couple of extra treats. So the entire book is quite a hefty read.
This was a somewhat difficult book for me to read. Because of the subject matter regarding the main plot of the book. And all the details required to "realistically" progress the story. While it's necessary, the pacing was too slow for my liking. Even though,
In many ways, this is a timely release. With all the bigots in power right now, this is some of the catharsis that many would need to deal with the current climate.
One criticism that I feel when reading this book was that events and characters in the spinoff series, The Flophouse, are featured here quite a bit. Because these characters knew and associated with each others. However, I didn't read the latest book of that series. I will say that it's not a requirement to read that book. But doing so, you will probably get the broader picture.
After the story concluded, this book also contain excerpts from a few other books and a couple of extra treats. So the entire book is quite a hefty read.
June 3, 2025
Jackson and Ellery return in their latest case. And tragedy strikes their family. The two must work even more closely together and recruit their entire family both bio and found to help one of their own. This case is their most personal yet and brings about more demons for Jackson. He must use his strength through love and family ties to face this latest test. A newer character joins the mix and is quickly brought into the fold and holds so much potential. Another fabulous story of love, struggle and triumph.
June 4, 2025
In case you were wondering, this is NOT a standalone. If you're new to the Fishiverse, please start with Book 1. That being said, Jackson and Ellery are once again part of the quest to save the world. The whole crew must pitch in to help save kids from a trafficking ring. Henry is injured, and Jackson must survive with a stand-in backup person so that Ellery doesn't lose his mind. Lucy Satan is called to active duty this time, and boy, does she get her hands dirty with this one! This book has it all: drama, suspense, and a bit of a HEA! Well, at least until the next adventure.
June 4, 2025
I don't know who breaks me more...Jackson or Sonny. Another heart stopping journey with Jackson & Ellery. It's just as incredible as any of them. I love the way this journey is turning as well. Lucy Satan being added to the mix....as well as some other...just makes me want the next story here.. now. I can't say too much more because I'm afraid of giving something away, but if anyone hasn't read this series, I strongly recommend it. It will pull you through the wringer, but it is so worth. I absolutely love this series.
June 7, 2025
This is an incredible addition to the Fishiverse. Devil and the Deep Blue Fish is fast paced, heartrending, and still peppered with the humor these books are famous for. The characters are the best found family, and I adore them so much. While I never want to see my sweet Henry hurting, the way Jackson and everyone else jumps into action is no surprise. And when they're rescuing kids, their absolute goodness shines even brighter.
I love this world, and I love these characters. I cannot wait for more!
I love this world, and I love these characters. I cannot wait for more!
July 1, 2025
I absolutely adore Jackson and Ellery. I have enjoyed every book of the series. They have a perfect combination of snarky, dialogue, action, adventure, romance, and hot sex.
I love love, Amy Lanes writing style. Her characters are appealing and sympathetic. Her stories are interesting and fast paced.
This is absolutely positively purely my own personal preference, I do wish that she wouldn’t insert political ideology into the stories .
Her books, her writing, her babies, she’s perfectly entitled, but I wish the stories were sans politics .
I love love, Amy Lanes writing style. Her characters are appealing and sympathetic. Her stories are interesting and fast paced.
This is absolutely positively purely my own personal preference, I do wish that she wouldn’t insert political ideology into the stories .
Her books, her writing, her babies, she’s perfectly entitled, but I wish the stories were sans politics .
October 14, 2025
Honestly, the ficlets in this book were the funniest by this author I've read so far.
The main story was awesome too, but so many children living horrifically, which honestly should have a trigger warning. I'm aware this author has put her adult characters in terrible situations a lot, but having her underage characters to face similar situations to what her adult characters do is an additional layer that I would have appreciated some warning of.
The funny ficlets after the main story really helped keep this book's five stars.
The main story was awesome too, but so many children living horrifically, which honestly should have a trigger warning. I'm aware this author has put her adult characters in terrible situations a lot, but having her underage characters to face similar situations to what her adult characters do is an additional layer that I would have appreciated some warning of.
The funny ficlets after the main story really helped keep this book's five stars.
June 1, 2025
Rivers and Henry are having a good time enjoying some gaming when they get a call to help a teen in need.
They're going about assisting him when someone tries to snatch the kid and there's some action and someone gets injured.
Now there's a race to keep the kid safe and lots of fast-paced action, danger, drama and mystery ensue as we also get lots of interconnected characters involved in trying to resolve the situation.
They're going about assisting him when someone tries to snatch the kid and there's some action and someone gets injured.
Now there's a race to keep the kid safe and lots of fast-paced action, danger, drama and mystery ensue as we also get lots of interconnected characters involved in trying to resolve the situation.
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