Unearthing the past brings them closer together...and to danger. A maniac is on the loose in London, drugging young women and assaulting them before burying them in shallow graves. When Inspector John Cordiline asks Jake Chivis for his unique assistance as a Fire Elemental with the Cemetery Rapist case, he feels he can hardly refuse. What begins as a simple job—trying to get memories from a suspect to aid conviction—soon takes a darker turn when one of the victims dies and an offer of help comes from an unexpected and unwelcome source. Dr. Mari Gale is disturbed to find that his former lover Tomas Arregui is London and wants to meet with him. Despite his best efforts to avoid the man, fate seems to be pushing him onto a collision course with Tomas. And the impact will cast him into more trouble than he could ever have imagined. Digging deeper for the truth could be the death of them.
Digging Deeper is book 4 in the Elemental Evidence series and it needs to be read in order since there's an ongoing storyline or you'll be missing out on a fantastic series and the progression of Jake and Mari's relationship.
While Mari hasn't been my favorite character in the previous installments (and let's face it, I love Jake too much for him to lose his crown, LOL), this book was a turning point for me in regards to Mari. He showed a lot of character growth and it was great reading his backstory and seeing why he is like he is. I didn't particularly care for how Tomas Arregui affects him still, but it is understandable all things considered. I also liked how protective he was of his mother and his relationship with her. My heart broke in this book with what Mari has to go through, although, I'm glad he has such a loving, patient man in Jake.
Jake was amazing as always, especially in light of what happened to him in the last book. I loved that he had the chance to confront Mustatti and seeing him working with Cordiline and Mari in this new case.
I loved how natural the progression of Mari and Jake's relationship has been throughout the series and in this book, we get to see even more focus on the BDSM aspect of it than on the others, at least during the first 2/3rds of the book, yet it was still loving and everything I'd hope for these two. They're so perfect for each other.
I hated Tomas with a passion, I found him despicable and what he did to Mari was abhorrent. I would've liked to have a bit more closure in regards to him, though.
Regarding the case, it was really well thought out and executed and had a satisfying conclusion, at least concerning the villain.
The secondary cast was great! I adored Solana, it was fun to see how out of sorts she made Mari. LOL And of course, I loved Cordiline (and Manny!) and Anni, and was very happy to see that her treatment worked a whole lot better this time around.
Digging Deeper was highly entertaining and I was unable to put it down until I was done with it, a great balance between fun and angst in a fantastic character-driven plot. Overall, this series just keeps getting better and better and I'm already looking forward to the next installment.
Highly recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Man this series gets better and better! The relationship between the two MCs is really what keeps this book going I think. I love the mystery though. The suspense and everything that's going on. However, I have one complaint. Why did it have to end that way???? *Sighs* these cliffhangers are killing me. But I love what I read in the beginning statements. That there is more to their journey. I'm anxious to see what happens and how their relationship grows.
Mari and Jake have been through so much and more is still coming. Including the past. The bad past. And Jake is in for a shock at information he's learning about Mari. I was in a shock, that's for sure. But I love it. I love the way things are kind of turning. No I don't like they are getting hurt and bad, but they need each other so bad and it makes them stronger. Well hopefully. This case has brought back the past and bad memories along with it, though, and they have to figure out how to survive it.
What doesn't help is Cordiline. He keeps popping in, to Mari’s dislike, and putting things to Jake that he knows Jake won't refuse. Which is putting everyone, especially them, in danger. And this case is a doozy. Not only is there a rapist who is burying people alive, but someone from Mari’s past is somewhat involved. And in order to try to solve this case, someone from Jake’s bad past has to get involved. This case is dangerous and pulling in ways that are horrible. They can't catch a break. Especially with who all gets involved. They dig and dig coming at dead ends until one of the victims actually dies and they get clues from her. And that was bad in itself. But they figure out who it is and it turns into a battle for living. The rapist tries to bury someone else alive, only this time he doesn't want them to live.
My heart breaks hard for Mari in this one. Everything is coming to a head with him. He's been so strong for so long. Or tried to be. Now he feels like he's on the verge of losing everything. Including the only man who has ever meant everything to him. Jake. Mari has always be very secretive. He's let Jake know a little bit at a time, but the more we find out about him, the more I understand why he does. But what I love is how much Jake has changed. He even tells Mari, before he met him, he would have been an asshole about some of Mari’s past. But now all that matters is Mari. And gah that melted me. To know someone still loves you no matter what you've done or how you were or anything. It's unconditional and gives you courage to go on. These are pulled through hoops constantly, but they really try to keep things going no matter how hard.
This series has just been amazing. The writing is great, the characters are complex but you can't help but love every inch of them. I can't wait until the next book to see more of their journey.
WOW - this was the best book so far in this series. Mari develops as a character a lot and I feel really sorry for what he has to endure. the ending was a bit unsatisfying - especially as there are some events, which should have been a bit more detailed
I really, really hope that the next book will come out soon, so that I can read more about these two
Digging Deeper is the fourth book in the Elemental Evidence series, and once again, I looked forward to reuniting with Jake and Mari. I do so love me a bit of Jake and Mari, even though I might moan about how one of them behaves 😉
Let me just say, he makes up for it in spades in this book. Both Jake and Mari help Cordiline once more on a case. This is not a very nice one (are any of them?!) where a serial rapist buries his victims alive in a graveyard. Not only this though, but Jake has some thoughts about his future, whilst Mari is reminded of his past.
We learn more about Mari, and what makes him tick. There ARE unanswered questions about parts of this book, but I have given it 5-stars anyway, simply for the pure, unfiltered enjoyment I had when reading it. I know that sounds wrong - or at least, if you have read the book, then you'll understand why it sounds wrong. I have to say though, that it was so exceedingly well written, it brought tears to my eyes. And I also loved how the recovery was a slow process, taking time. All I can to the authors for that part is THANK YOU! It made for such a wonderful change to see it recognised that you can't simply 'get over it' quickly, even if you have therapy.
Now, with the above paragraph, I've probably given you a big hint about what is going on, which I never like to do. So I will finish off by saying that once again, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story and loved every moment. I am so glad this isn't the last book, and I can't wait to see where the authors take it next. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books! Sep 4, 2018
Elemental Evidence Series is in one word A Breathtaking Series! Seriously I kid you not, these two authors have my heart pounding, palms sweating and then there is the story….
Yes this gorgeous, sexy duo “be still my heart” keeps me shivering in fear and delight….quite a duo.
The relationship between John and Jake is smoking hot…and as we learn more and more about them, their story pulls you in to find even greater peril for them. Again John is on another horrible murder case and enlists Mari’s help.
We are again taken into the story, learning more of Mari’s troubled past as he is faced with his ex’s returning and searching him out. We have learned previously how terribly Mari was treated and now worry about catching a killer, dealing with the past and trying to stay alive.
Again the authors, give us a wonderful story and hopefully at the end of it, the relationship of these two will not fall; and they can live on to fight another day! This is #4 and I cannot wait for more!