Deep Water: A Brooks & Banks Novel

by P.J. Mouchet, Paul Mouchet

The future looked bright until the past cast a dark shadow.

FBI Special Agent Willow Banks hasn't spoken to her eldest brother in three years—not since he betrayed her. Now Mason sits in a cell, charged with murder, and the evidence couldn't be more damning.

Alongside her fiancé, FBI Special Agent Jackson Brooks, and their two K9s, Willow returns to her South Carolina hometown, determined to prove Mason's innocence. But the deeper they dig, the more dangerous the case becomes—and what they uncover threatens more than just Mason's freedom.

When her own dark history surfaces, Willow is forced to confront secrets she thought were long buried. Mason and his three young daughters are now in danger, and Willow must find a way to help a brother she's never forgiven while keeping the past from derailing the investigation that could save them all.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep Water is a gripping blend of crime thriller and emotional reckoning, where justice isn’t just a job—it’s personal. PJ Mouchet returns with the second Brooks & Banks novel, and this time, the stakes are higher, the shadows deeper, and the past impossible to outrun.

FBI Special Agent Willow Banks is forced to confront the brother she hasn’t spoken to in years—now accused of murder. What begins as a mission to clear his name quickly spirals into a dangerous investigation that dredges up long-buried secrets, fractured loyalties, and the kind of family wounds that never quite heal. Alongside her fiancé Jackson Brooks and their loyal K9s, Willow must navigate a case that threatens not just her brother’s freedom, but the fragile peace she’s built around her own history.

Mouchet’s writing is clean, emotionally grounded, and quietly suspenseful. The Southern setting hums with tension, and the presence of the dogs adds a comforting heartbeat to the chaos. I especially appreciated the way the story balances grit with grace—there’s violence, yes, but also tenderness, resilience, and the kind of love that fights to survive.

Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven thrillers with emotional depth, a touch of romance, and canine companions who always make it out alive. Think Criminal Minds meets Where the Crawdads Sing, with a dash of Southern gothic and a whole lot of heart.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Estelle Bouldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Water is a tightly woven thriller that immediately pulls you into its world of law enforcement, family loyalty, and long-buried secrets. From the first pages, the tension never lets up, shifting seamlessly between heart-pounding action and deeply personal moments of reckoning.

What makes this novel stand out is not just the suspenseful storyline, but the depth of its characters. Willow, Jackson, and their extended circle are more than just players in a crime drama—they’re people wrestling with complicated pasts, fractured relationships, and the blurred lines between duty and love. Their development feels natural, layered, and at times raw, which makes the stakes of the story hit even harder.

The pacing strikes a perfect balance: adrenaline-fueled sequences are followed by quieter, more intimate scenes where character growth takes center stage. Every interaction reveals something new—whether it’s a hidden strength, a vulnerability, or a secret that threatens to change everything.

Without giving away the plot, I’ll say this: Deep Water is not only about solving a crime, it’s about what happens when the past collides with the present, forcing every character to confront who they really are. It’s smart, emotional, and impossible to put down.

I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Highly recommended for fans of suspense that values character as much as action.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "Book sirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Jackson and Willow in Ala. conducting a training test with a new K9 handler. Things did not go well for this handler and the two of them gave him some advice. Shortly Willow receives a call that Mason has been arrested for murder. Willow and Jackson quickly head to Beaufort, S.C. to learn what happened. Even though Willow had been estranged from Mason jor a few years, she was still concerned. After learning more, she was positive that Mason was innocent and she and Jackson bean looking into it along with Matt, Willow's former fiance, who was with NCIS. The murder involved an MP so that meant that NCIS was in charge. As the investigation proceeded, many new items were discovered which created a large situation where the BPD was responsible. As it was soon learned, Mason was poisoned and things quickly changed with additional attempts on Mason's life.

Read along and follow Willow, Jackson and Mike Reeves, the K9 handler who was being tested in Ala. Learn what major discovery completely change the focus of the case. Follow along and become aware of what was really going as well what events had to be overcome before the case is put to bed.

The story has a great deal of action and the ending isn't what is expected. This is definitely an exciting story and well worth the read!

[Christine Choptovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing FBI procedural thriller. Jackson Brooks and Willow Banks are FBI agents who work with K-9 partners. Jackson’s dog is a Golden Retriever named Ruby and Willow’s dog is a Belgian Malinois. Willow is conducting training exercises when she gets a call from her brother Cooper. He explains that their brother Mason has been arrested for the brutal murder of a young woman. Willow has been estranged from Mason and hasn’t seen him for quite awhile. She’s certain that Mason is innocent, even though he was found standing over the body. The evidence is stacked against Mason and it appears that he will be found guilty.

Willow and Jackson take time off work so they can hopefully assist with the investigation. However, there’s a lot that of depth and unknown circumstances surrounding the crime. Is Mason innocent? Who killed the young woman and why? You won’t be disappointed by this book. I love the addition of the K-9’s to the story. A fantastic read!

I received an ARC of the novel and this review is my personal opinion.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting to feel all the things reading this book. I would definitely say this one is more emotionally intense than the first book. That’s not a bad thing, I just wasn’t expecting it.

This book brings us back to the now engaged Banks and Brooks, facing another conspiracy, but this time Willow’s brother is set up to take the fall. Willow has to face not only the risk of Mason being framed, but also her ex-fiancé/Mason’s former friend. Mason also has three daughters who have already lost their mother.

This book is just as intense and action-packed as the first book and it kept me wanting to read more. I’m curious if the series will continue with how things were left at the end of this one. There’s a lot of misdirection and doubts about who you can trust.

Overall, another book I really enjoyed and I would recommend!


I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent FBI crime story/thriller. This series has been thoroughly enjoyable, and I look forward to seeing what's next. Mr. Mouchet has managed to create characters that will get under the reader's skin and take up residence there. They become people you could know in real life, and this reader found herself worrying about them like friends and family. It doesn't get much better than that. But to top it all off, Mr. Mouchet manages to play the readers' emotions like a well-tuned instrument. I don't go into a crime story expecting to find myself in tears. I have learned Mr. Mouchet is quite capable of having me in tears and then, a few pages later, he will have me giggling. High praise as far as I'm concerned. I highly recommend any of Mr. Mouchet's works. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by the author. I truly gave up on police procedural novels prior to reading PJ Mouchet. This isn't another cookie cutter Criminal Minds or CSI. It was exciting, playing with my emotions, and truly did not disappoint. I loved seeing the characters delevlope. Even though you do not have to read Violent Echos, I do encourage it. The author does a great job referring to events previously and build upon them. With or without reading Violent Echos, the reader won't be lost. Thank you for the opportunity to read Deep Water. These thoughts are my own and freely given. If the author chooses to advance Brooks and Banks stories, I am here for it.

[Kathryn Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 2nd novel in the series cuts even closer to home for the duo, and is far more emotionally charged.

Willow's brother is charged with murder, and even the family find it hard to believe in his innocence with the weight of evidence against him…

Brooks & Banks have to fight to be allowed to be involved in a case that affects them so closely, and it just keeps getting deeper and darker as the novel goes on.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Whilst I can't wait for the next one in the series, I hope there's time for some healing & therapy for them before that's released….

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definately worth claiming a copy of this Thriller, crime. FBI Special Agent Willow Brooks is estranged from her oldest brother Mason and his three children, the past three years. Now that Mason is arrested for Murder and all evidence points that he is the only and strongest suspect. It gets messy, dangerous for everyone including the innocent. There is more to why everyone seems to be on the hit list. That includes Willow and her Fiancee FBI Special Agent Jackson Banks and both their individual K-9's. Everything is timed to perfection and unfolds in utter suspense. From the first page to the end. BookSiren

[Katrina Freckleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story that draws you into the world of the FBI agents Jackson and Banks and the banks family. I especially enjoyed the book because of the work and interactions with the K9 dogs and trust and loyalty shown by both the dogs and their handlers. Agent Banks has secrets and those secrets may cause disruption to solving the case/s. I don’t fully understand the title, I think its a bit deceptive, its more like deep secrets and the more you unearth but well worth the read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adrenaline rush read all the way through. I Iiked seeing the bond between dog/human. They acted as an extention of the human, and an equal partner in every way. There's danger around every corner. The intensity is compelling and gripping. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat biting my nails. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Tammy-Rose Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in for a ride. Action, packed, full of never ending suspense, it was intense and a full page turner. I loved brooks and banks relationships romantically and in their partnership. They are such great investigators and very smart. I loved their k9 so precious and protective. I did go through all the emotions through this story and got my heart broken.

I had received this arc in exchange for a honest review.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a word of warning… you will need tissues. That was a blow I was not ready for. Wow what a story. I really love this cast of characters. I was really happy to see Zeus back and Reeves stepping up. So many emotional moments in this one. Worth every second of reading though. The new characters added I really like how they fit. And with everything that has happened, I'm curious how the next book is going to go. But I'm ready! This was so so good. But I've got to decompress now🤣

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love these books, I am crazy for willow, Jackson, Ranger and Ruby.

I hope to read many more and follow the best K9’s going.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bob Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packs a punch

Fantastic series! Love a strong, female protagonist & dogs!! Very readable, twists and the author doesn't shy away from big, uncomfortable issues.
Give this one a go 👍

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting, it had me engaged from the beginning to the end. Definitely wasn’t expecting the ending!!

[karen a. vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished book 2, and as good as book one. Fast paced.

[Amor Moffat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving plot with plenty of surprises. I am growing fond of the main characters, especially the dogs. I will definately be following this series!