Dangerous Depths

An Underwater Investigation #3

by Kathy Brandt

Trying to save an endangered species doesn’t normally target one for extinction. But homicide detective Hannah Sampson has her doubts when Elyse—her close friend and neighbor—dies from a fiery boat explosion. The local police believe she committed suicide. But Hannah knows that Elyse—a staunch environmentalist—was too dedicated to preserving life to take her own. But if Hannah is going to hook her friend’s killer, she’s going to have to chart her own course—and make sure that her deep sea forensics don’t get her in way over her head… EDITORIAL REVIEWS"Fast-paced thriller…that explodes onto the opening page. By the end of the first chapter, Brandt’s heroine is breathless and the reader is hooked."--Diver Magazine“A plunge into intrigue. Brandt is in her element as underwater sleuth.”--The Denver Post“White-hot writing, a charismatic heroine and crackling tension flawlessly merge in Brandt’slatest Underwater Investigation. Plus, her crisp depiction of the British Virgin Islands lends lush atmosphere to this suspenseful story. Police diver Hannah Sampson is smart, skillful and independent. But her independence makes things difficult when her best friend is seriously injured in a boat fire. Hannah’s the only person on the island who believes the fire was a murder attempt. Clues lead to dead ends, but Hannah knows she’s onto something. Threats against her own life reinforce her gut instinct and push her toward a risky resolution.This richly plotted mystery is as satisfying as finding buried treasure.”—Romantic Times Magazine“Beginning in Swimming With the Dead, and then Dark Water Dive, Brandt introducedHannah Sampson, an independent and spunky heroine who, not coincidentally, hails fromColorado. Her special talents, aside from a quick, sometimes raw wit and a bulldog-like curiosity,include diving. While the storylines in Brandt’s books are compelling and the plots, filled with murder,pending murder, and intrigue, keep the pages turning, it’s really her special gift for atmosphere that has kept me reading. Her latest book, Dangerous Depths, is no exception. Hannah Sampson, emerges as a fully developed and complex character. And, as much as I like Sampson, I enjoy the descriptions of the British Virgin Islands even more, particularly the detailed evocations of diving that can almost make you taste the regulator in your mouth.”—Springs Magazine

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2005

About the author

Kathy is the author of Walks on the Margins: A Story of Bipolar Illness, co-authored with her son, Max Maddox. It was a finalist for the Iowa Review Award in Non-Fiction. She also writes the Hannah Sampson Underwater Investigation series.

After her son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1999, Kathy became a vocal advocate for those with mental illness and their families. She has served is on the board of directors for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) most recently as president of the local chapter. She is the recipient of the 2012 NAMI Award for Outstanding Service and the Golden Quill Award for "Walks on the Margins."

Kathy has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric and taught writing at the University of Colorado.

Sourced: http://www.kathybrandtauthor.com

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have totally enjoyed this series of books about the British Virgin Islands and diving. This is the last in a continuing story about a young woman, Hannah Sampson, who is a police diver and underwater investigator. In this book, her close friend and neighbor, Elyse Henry, a staunch environmentalist, is working to protect an endangered species of sea turtles when she is drugged and her boat is set on fire. Hannah rescues Elyse from going down with her boat. Then while she is lying comatose in the hospital trying to recover, Hannah is out to track down the person responsible, while her chief thinks its just a freak accident with the stove on her boat, and tells Hannah not to investigate it. Of course, that doesn't fly with Hannah and nothing and no one's going to stop her from investigating ... to her own personal detriment.

Needless to say, there's the usual murder, mayhem, robberies, politics, and romance. Its an amazingly fun read which I enjoyed very much. I'm sorry that the series has come to an end. I'd love some more Hannah Sampson, underwater investigator extraordinaire!

[Barbara Derksen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kathi Brandt's Underwater Investigation Series keeps one reading long past lights out. Hannah Sampson changes environments in the series as she works as an investigative diver for Denver's Police Department and then the police force in the BVI, British Virgin Islands.  Her near death experiences, new and old friendships, and her intense love of the environment make for some edge of your seat reading. Detrimental to the work, however, is the writer's need to use God's name as a swear word. Hannah appears, because of her irreverent language, as a hard women and that aspect of her character doesn't change much from the first book to the fourth. It leaves little for the reader to sympathize with. The writer's obvious knowledge of scuba diving takes her readers into the beauty of the underwater environment and the hazards that divers fac

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a very enjoyable series set in the islands. The main character, Hannah, is a homicide detective doing underwater rescue and recovery work for the police in the British Virgin Islands. In this story she has to contend with the murder of one of her best friends, only she's the only one who thinks Elyse was murdered. In addition to that, Hannah is having relationship issues with her long time boyfriend. I'm just sorry that this series only has 4 books, and it doesn't look like this author will be writing any more.

[Shadallark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book, with diving, mysteries, intrigue, and suspense. Like the other books in the series there were some very good twists. Unfortunately, this book seemed a bit contrived at times. Overall it was an enjoyable story.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still enjoying this series. One review thought it too preachy, but I think that is what made up the series, the fact that there is no paradise on Earth and there are problems everywhere.
Good mystery.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Hard to put it down :)

[Genie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed this kathy brandt book, the british virgin islands and divinb settings as well as the story. I wish she had more.

[Yu Ting]

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series. Underwater search and rescue, very different from most mysteries.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery with a great location.

[a · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the series but, it seems the author is done after the fourth book...:(

[Belva Shelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book to read at the beach!