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Shelby Alexander #4

Serenity Submerged

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A mysterious woman with a hidden agenda. A deadly secret hidden at the depths of a lake. And someone close to Shelby is marked for death.

A woman claiming to be an FBI agent arrives at Shelby's door and presents him with a photograph, asking if he recognizes the man in the picture. Shelby is shocked to see the face of a dear friend staring back at him.

But the woman is not the only predator lurking in the shadows. A group of hired assassins have descended upon Serenity with a single to kill. And it's up to Shelby to make sure that the bullets fly in the right direction.

Relationships are put to the test, secrets are uncovered, and nothing is as it seems. Serenity will never be the same after the events of this gripping thriller. The stakes have never been higher, and Shelby must use all of his skills to survive and protect those he loves.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2017

365 people are currently reading
305 people want to read

About the author

Craig A. Hart

129 books333 followers
Craig A. Hart is a writer of thrillers. In a past life, he was also director for Northern Illinois Radio Information Service, a broadcast outreach that brought daily news and information to the visually impaired.

In 2015, Kindle Press published his literary novel BECOMING MOON. NPR affiliate Northern Public Radio featured BECOMING MOON in their Winter Book Series, and it won Best Novel of Summer 2015 from Pinnacle Awards. He is also the author of the historical mystery NIGHT AT KEY WEST, which is based on true events.

In 2016, he publishing SERENITY, the first book in the popular Shelby Alexander Thriller Series. Serenity alone has been downloaded over 400,000 times by eager readers.

In 2022, he launched the Maxwell Barnes Adventure Thriller Series, co-written with S.J. Varengo. The award-winning first book in that series, MAYAN SHADOWS, was published on May 11, 2022. Two more books follow in that series: MAYAN THUNDER and MAYAN TEMPEST.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Craig lives in Iowa City, Iowa with his wife, sons, insane dog, and anti-social cat.

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5 stars
301 (41%)
4 stars
261 (36%)
3 stars
118 (16%)
2 stars
23 (3%)
1 star
14 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Jacqui.
Author 65 books228 followers
August 26, 2017
Another excellent addition to this series. My only complaint: It was too short!
1,304 reviews33 followers
December 28, 2018
There’s torture in this one. Just sayin’.
12.7k reviews190 followers
July 16, 2017
Excellent mystery. Shelby sees the face of a friend from a detective. How is this possible. Read this fantastic story by an amazing author who keeps on writing these superb stories. Just loved it.
Profile Image for Karen.
Author 27 books165 followers
July 19, 2017
Shelby Alexander is at it again, and discovers submerged truths about his friends and girlfriend. A real page turner with just enough questions at the end to create anticipation for Craig Hart's next Serenity book. There'd better be one!
Profile Image for Texas.
1,685 reviews394 followers
September 10, 2018
Night at Key West - While not in the same ballpark as the Shelby series and lots better than the Assignment series, this is a good start to a new series. Set in 1937 and using real background material, Mr. Hart weaves a substantially interesting and partly humorous story. All the characters are interesting, quirkly in some cases, but all hold the reader's interest, along with their realistic dialog. The story lines are entertaining and well thought out; yes, there are a few kinks, but the story moves along at a good pace. Key West has always been interesting during this time period and Mr. Hart keeps that interest going with this story. 5*

Serenity series:
Serenity #1 - A great read. A well written, action packed suspense story that draws you in and doesn't let go until you've finished the book. The characters range from likable to despicable, all believable and make you respond to them. 5*

Serenity Stalked #2 - Fast paced but a cliffhanger. A well written suspense, darker than Serenity, heavy with vulgar language. The plot and characters keep you reading until the end. Rather short in length and a cliffhanger ending, although this subject of this story is complete. In the Serenity series, the author has some real doozies for villains for the main characters to fight. 5*

Serenity Avenged #3 - Dark but complete. A well written, but dark, suspense that grabs you and doesn't let go. Surprisingly light with the vulgar language, Serenity Stalked had too much, but contained the darkness found in the short stories of The Girl Who Read Hemingway. If you like one of these books, you'll like the other. The darkness was not graphic. Although picks up where S. Stalked ended, this novel has closure. 5*

Serenity Submerged #4 - Fast paced story. Another well written, action packed suspense story that keeps you reading until the story ends, which was all too soon. The characters are believable and real, and the twisting plot is riveting. I haven't been disappointed with any of the author's books that I've read so far. 5*

Serenity Engulfed #5 – Another dynamic addition to the Serenity Family. Another well written, fast paced, suspense filled novel with our favorite characters Shelby and Mack and some not so favorite; but without them there’s no intriguing book to read. There’s a new sheriff in town and she and Shelby are learning to play nice together, with Mack’s help. The ending makes me wonder what kind of trouble Shel and Mack will face in the future. I contacted the author to review his books and have enjoyed them all. 5*

I contacted the author to review his books after reading the first two books of the Serenity Series.
Serenity series: End.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,824 followers
April 27, 2018
“I’m deducting two stars from my Yelp review for lack of creativity. The town is called Serenity, for god’s sake.”

Iowa author Craig A. Hart is both a writer and an editor: he has served as editor-in-chief for The Rusty Nail literary magazine, as manager for Sweatshoppe Media, and director of Northern Illinois Radio Information Service, an outreach that brought daily news and information to the visually impaired. His works have been published in The Orange Room Review, Voices, The Stray Branch, Red Poppy Review, The Mindful Word, Inclement, Right Hand Pointing, 7x20 Magazine, among others. In addition to writing fiction Craig has published self help manuals on writing and critiques of other writers’ works. SERENITY was the initial installment in a series he calls The Shelby Alexander Thriller series. – SERENIITY ENGULFED is a very fine fourth installment in a series that grows in importance.

Craig has a fine grasp on character development, and when he launched a series based on a main character (Shelby Alexander) he realizes it is even more important that we get to know him quickly and watch his development grow so that the series can maintain our interest and secure our addiction Craig supplied that in the first installment and in this book he sets in motion the grisly deed that is the focus of the novel – the crucial fact of missing his own child and how that dynamic alters everything about Shelby’s work and thoughts.

The plot as, as usual, well summarized by Craig: ‘A mysterious woman knocks on Shelby’s door. A secret lies submerged at the bottom of a lake. And someone close to Shelby is going to die. A woman claiming to be an FBI agent appears on Shelby’s doorstep and hands him a picture, asking if he recognizes the man in the photo. Shelby is shocked to see the face of a good friend staring back at him. Little does Shelby know, the woman isn’t the only predator on the prowl. A group of hired killers has rolled into Serenity with one thing on their minds: death. And it’s up to Shelby to make sure the bullets fly in the right direction. Relationships are questioned, secrets are revealed, and no one is quite who they seem. Serenity will never be the same.’

All the ingredients are there, but it is the chef’s hand at mixing them that makes this novel so successful. This is a bite out of Middle America, bursting with flavor and atmosphere. The book is relative short – making for a fine evening’s read. Highly Recommended.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,915 reviews71 followers
July 5, 2018
Serenity Submerged - a review by Rosemary Kenny

FBI Agent Shelby Alexander's given a photo and told someone close to him will soon die, at the beginning of the thriller Serenity Submerged, by Conjurer of Criminality, Craig A Hart.

The photo's subject gives him and his lover Carly a shock - it's of Fritz, one of Shelby's close friends and he quickly warns him. Enemies from Fritz' past (against he testified) have come to find and finish him off and the friends agree to do all they can to prevent a tragedy. What happens subsequently will shock and amaze the reader as the action moves at a rapid pace towards a thrilling conclusion that involves crooked law enforcers, drug cartels and much skulduggery afoot!
Shelby Alexander is a powerful man who risks life, limb and even snake-bite to rescue his friend from [further], torture and put a stop to lawlessness and oppression.
Rough justice but it's fair to all the community and the wider country too. A real humdinger of a read - get your copy today - and tell all your friends!


1,707 reviews35 followers
July 31, 2017
When a person with a very passable fake FBI ID shows up at Shelby Alexander's door inquiring about a friend, Shelby goes into protection mode.
As Shelby learned of Fritz hidden past and secrets. He had worked for some very powerfully connected people. Both Political and criminal, and he knew too much to be allowed to live as one of the crime bosses was in the lead for a political nomination.
With a trio of hitmen, one of them schooled in the ways of torture, a former girlfriend with unknown loyalties, and a crooked cop after him Fritz needed to have an escape plan and hope he made it out alive.
Craig A. Hart wrote a thrilling suspense story that has an intensity that is lacking in many stories. He has well defined characters, and give excellent descriptions of locations that help you visualize the area the characters are in.
Craig is a new author for me and as this was the first story I have read of his I will be going back to start at the beginning.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,613 reviews43 followers
October 8, 2018
This is the forth book in the series and I think they should be read in order. Shelby always seems to be in some form of trouble or trouble comes looking for him. This time he gets involved in a friend’s trouble. An FBI agent comes to his door asking if he recognizes a man of course he says no. But of course, he does and it is a friend of his. While this woman is looking for his friend she isn’t the only one nor the most dangerous one. This book takes the reader on a wild ride. Shelby learns more about a friend’s past and is determined to help him in anyway he can. I love Shelby so much. He is an older man but still amazing. Serenity may be a small town but trouble always seems to be lurking there. I am never disappointed when I read a book in this series. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Pete.
895 reviews7 followers
July 29, 2017
I really liked this book, the (lead) character of Shelby Alexander is very believable and well written, the plot is very involving and the action scenes are extremely well written. The other characters are written with enough detail to make them come alive.
There are a couple of fairly mild erotic scenes, which are handled tastefully, and quite a bit of 'adult' language, although the author has been fairly restrained and what there is, just makes the dialogue more realistic.
Overall a very workmanlike thriller, and I will be reading more by this author.
I did receive a complimentary copy of the ebook, and I have voluntarily written this review from it.
141 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2018
A solid 1 star

Hart has a bit of imagination but not much storytelling skill, and it seems no patience for research. This results in a yarn that captures interest then leaves the reader without the expected satisfaction of a tale told well.

So many stupid errors (Trainwreck cab bend a railroad _tie_ with his little finger; romance scenes that aren't romantic; fighting that leaves one of the contestants unaccounted for; etc., etc.) really spoiled the read.

How sad that Hart has no friends or advisors willing to point out the shortcomings and help put a little polish on the book. A firm 'thumbs-down' to anything of Hart's.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,706 reviews28 followers
December 31, 2024
Serenity Submerged (The Shelby Alexander Thriller Series Book 4), my sixth read from author Craig A. Hart. Being a Michigander I'm attracted to all books Michigan and this one just whet my appetite for more in this series & by this author, since I own twenty-nine books by him that won't be a problem. I was given a Kindle copy of this book back in 2017 but never got around to reading it until now & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to my next read from this author, Serenity Avenged (The Shelby Alexander Thriller Series Book 3). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Profile Image for Lisa Robbins.
426 reviews11 followers
September 22, 2017
With each book in the Serenity series, Craig Hart gets better and better. The action gets started early in the book when a strange woman shows up on Shelby Alexander’s doorstep. Things just keep getting crazier from there! With a shootout (of course!) and torture, this visit to Serenity kept the intrigue and action moving. I thought Serenity Avenged was my favorite Serenity book. Submerged has now taken that position! With how this series keeps getting better, I’m hoping that Mr. Hart comes out with another book soon. A quick and entertaining read.
427 reviews4 followers
September 22, 2023
Another good read about Shelby.

This book starts out with a real good laugh. The book begins with this laugh and ends with lots of blood and loss of a friend. It doesn’t take long for Shelby’s friends to get the trouble going and Shelby steps in to help. The author does a good job working all the characters in the story to get the most out of them. Shelby doesn’t have a good way with relationships, male or female. Both always causes him trouble. This is an interesting book that is fun to read and see the ups and downs for Shelby.
Profile Image for Margaret.
792 reviews5 followers
August 20, 2017
Tough Luck

The fourth Shelby Alexander book is an especially tough one. Tense and emotional, hard to put down. The stakes are high and the mystery is deep. He does his ever exciting best, but loses so much on the way to resolution. By the fourth book, we know Shelby and his friends and wish for his success. Will he vanquish the bad guys and save his friend? Will he defeat his perennial enemy? And what about his lover? It is a real nail biter! You'll love it.
Profile Image for M.
1,576 reviews
September 18, 2018
Action-Packed NC-17 Book

This quick-read, action-hero (not Bourne or Bond; maybe an older Ethan Hunt) book has it all: guns, knives, shootings, murder, in-your-face physical torture, much miscellaneous violence, hit men, crooked sheriffs, corrupt politicians, plus a venomous snake that bites. Add to all that: sexual situations.
Oddly, for this type of book, it has no f-words, but lots of other NSFW language.
132 reviews
September 23, 2018
Quick moving

I found the main character, Shelby, too described and the lesser characters almost stereotypical and under completed. Trainwreck was not believable as the torturer. The love interests, past and present, had neither complexity or warmth; perhaps people are that shallow. Plot line was interesting. Action was quick. Even as a third in a series, it could stand on its own. A "beach read."
18 reviews
April 9, 2019
Sharp gripping story

Could not put this down and would be annoyed if I fell asleep and had only read a page!
The best I can describe it as is short and to the point but a great story and I was almost a bit sorry as I realised it was coming to an end.
I haven't read any other books in the series but didn't feel like I was missing anything. Although I'm heading straight to the store to download some others!
Profile Image for TE.
240 reviews3 followers
August 21, 2017
Shelby and Mack are at it again in Serenity Submerged. I really enjoy reading about these two. They're likeable and a lot of fun -- kind of a snarky geriatric version of Batman & Robin. lol. Even though this quick read is the 4th book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any confusion. Good read.

For those who want to know: This one has mature content, language and violence.
Profile Image for Karla Thompson.
376 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2017
This book was, how you say, fabulous!

Shelby and Mack caught up in some wild adventure of kidnapping, lies and money....and of course brutal torture. And Trainwreck brought blood and gore to the party. And Carly...sweet Carly. Fun to read. Loved every minute. Thanks again, Craig! Now, back to read books 2 and 3.
Profile Image for Joan Waite.
351 reviews6 followers
November 8, 2017
I can't get enough of Craig A. Hart's Serenity series! I love Shelby, the ex fighter, and his good friend Mack, who helps him out with the situations he finds himself in. In this thriller, Shelby helps his girlfriend with tuition, and uncovers the mystery that his buddy, camp ground owner, Fritz has kept hidden for years. Read in one sitting!
474 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2017
Great story

One thing you love about Shelby Alexander his dedication to his friends. Shelby is always willing to put his own life in jeopardy for his friends. This book was hard to put down the author is terrific and will continue reading anything written by Craig Hart. Great author
1,306 reviews7 followers
March 13, 2018
Unforgettable characters and a great plot with a surprise twist or two kept me reading…I hadn’t planned on finishing it in one sitting, but the chores will be there tomorrow. This is the third book in the series and can stand alone, but I enjoyed it so much now I will have to go back and read the first two. I recommend it
Profile Image for P..
Author 2 books11 followers
October 21, 2018
Gritty and enthralling

This was a great addition to the series. It was a gritty and enthralling story with a right plot line that kept me interested and reading. The sub plots that were woven into it and that enable the series to continue were good in themselves but did not take away from the book of make ending seem artificial
Profile Image for Judith Johnson.
35 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2018
Easy read, good character.

This book was not a twist and turn mystery -thriller. It was pretty straightforward with good guy lead character and your everyday villain that happened to be female. It was an easy, but pleasant read. I immediately liked Shelby and look forward to reading more of his adventures.
35 reviews
November 6, 2018
Another Good One

Another classic Shelby adventure and I 'm quite sure not the last one.The situations he gets himself into considering how remote of a place he's living in are unreal.As usual Shelby comes out on top despite the odds which is good to see because it's hard not to root for a guy as likable as Shelby.Another good one from Craig A. Hart.Four stars.
1,683 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2018
This need to read in the order written Shelby Alexander is a sucker for a woman in distress Of course his need to help people always gets him into violent situations trying to protect and save friends. In this plot, the sheriff finally shows his true colors. Alexander is not a man to be trifled with and he proves his meddle in the story that ends in a surprising way. A good read.
117 reviews2 followers
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October 16, 2019
Great story

I enjoyed this book, great storyline and kept me intrigued. An old man who settles in the wilderness near a small town has many secrets. His close friend of 10 years had no idea until thugs came to town. The adventure unfold there with many twist and turns. The friendship between the old man and the younger one has many layers as the story is revealed. Enjoy.
2,000 reviews38 followers
April 30, 2020
When Detroit hitmen come after a friend of Shelby's the retired boxer turned fixer gets pulled into the blood bath.
Lots of action, a little romance and some mystery make this a page turner and one of the best of the Shelby Alexander stories I've read so far.
If you enjoy action-adventure in the relentless style of the John Wyck or Jack Reacher, you'll love this one as much as I did.
967 reviews8 followers
March 6, 2021
This book was heart pounding non stop action! Shelby is an ex boxer and fixer! When his friend fix finds himself in trouble then kidnapped Shelby is there to help! This book was full of double crosses,liars, deceit and drama. I love the relationship between Shelby and Mack. Their banter is the added extra to the book. I’m in love with this book and series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews

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