Diamonds are forever - until someone takes them from you… Wealthy businessman, Terry Forsythe, always gets his way, so when his jewellery store is robbed, and an obstinate old man won't sell out to make way for his multi-million-dollar resort, he won't play nicely.
Helping the authorities, dive boat operator AJ Bailey soon discovers the victim in one crime, may well be the villain in another. No one is safe, and her good deeds could land AJ in the line of fire.
Spanish Bay Reef delivers a high-stakes chase around paradise in book nine of the thrilling series set in the Cayman Islands.
A USA Today bestselling author, Nicholas Harvey's life has been anything but ordinary. Race car driver, motorsports professional, adventure traveller, divemaster, and since 2020, a full-time novelist. Raised in England, Nick has dual UK and US citizenship and now lives nomadically wherever he and his amazing wife, Cheryl, choose to land for a few months. He is the author of the Nora Sommer Suspense, Kat Cromwell Mystery, and AJ Bailey Adventure series, as well as multiple collaborations.
Harvey’s books really trigger the wanderlust. This one has a layered mystery alongside a wonderful “odd couple” pair of characters that were equal parts hilarious and moving together. I hate spoilers in reviews, so I’ll have to leave it at that.
Gosh, I sure love AJ Bailey and friends! The 9th novel of the series hit a bit different than the others, but kept things fresh! Instead of a scuba diving adventure, this landed straight on the island of Grand Cayman itself!
Grand Cayman...known for its banks, jewelry shops, and high end real estate (along with its beautiful beaches and scuba diving)... In this one, diamonds go missing, a marriage is ending, and a new development is in the works. But, as it goes in all good series, the main character finds herself smack in the middle of all of it....again.
Once again, I loved it!
Sincere THANK YOU to Nicholas Harvey for the advanced copy!
Nicholas Harvey’s ninth installment in the AJ Bailey Adventure series, Spanish Bay Reef, is a thrilling journey that left me breathless and eager for more. It’s a testament to Harvey’s storytelling prowess that even as the ninth book in the series, he still manages to throw me for a loop, leaving me with a sense of narrative whiplash (in the best way possible).
Harvey’s writing style is nothing short of remarkable, weaving together an engaging narrative with unexpected plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Throughout the story, there are those delightful “oh wow, I didn’t see that coming” moments that are a testament to his storytelling finesse.
One of the standout features of “Spanish Bay Reef” is the introduction of a captivating array of new characters. Each new book in this series gets some new “baddies” but these ones really stood out. From a high-profile couple on the brink of divorce to a daring jewel heist and the presence of a gun on an island where firearms are strictly forbidden, each character adds a unique and compelling layer to the story. This diverse cast brings freshness to the series and adds depth to the overall narrative.
AJ Bailey, the series’ beloved protagonist, continues to be a delight to follow. Her character’s evolution and the addition of her new bike introduce a thrilling dimension to the story, resulting in intense and fast-paced action scenes that were written to match the speeds her character was able to achieve on her new machine.
What’s particularly impressive about Harvey’s writing is that each book in the AJ Bailey Adventure series can stand on its own. While there may be some long-running information for readers of the previous installments, Spanish Bay Reef is a fantastic starting point for newcomers. Harvey’s narrative is so well-crafted that it seamlessly welcomes readers into the series without any sense of confusion or disorientation.
Overall, Spanish Bay Reef is a standout addition to the AJ Bailey Adventure series and probably one of the most thrilling and action-packed. But it also has some of the most interesting and easy-to-like additive characters and places (I’m looking at you tiny shack on the beach). Harvey’s ability to craft an enthralling narrative, introduce captivating new characters, and maintain the series’ accessibility to new readers makes this book a must-read for adventure enthusiasts. It’s a wild ride that will leave you craving more of AJ Bailey’s escapades. Throw in the continued excellent performances by Kim Bretton and it was easy to rate this one 5 out of 5 stars.
I am now officially addicted to the works of this author. It started with a prequel to a series featuring a young woman named Nora Sommer, and set in Grand Cayman. The character appeared in a previous series about A J Bailey , a woman who runs a dive school in Grand Cayman. Before i started the new series, i went back and read the three AJ books that Nora appeared in. Each one was better than the last. From a brutal beginning as a runaway from Norway, exploited and abused (Ghost Mountain), to a wonderful friendship as coworkers in the dive school, ( Spanish Bay Reef), I cant get enough of Aj and Nora. I have now downloaded all of the Nora Sommer books and cannot wait to resume the journey. If you like action, adventure, great locales and wonderfully relatable characters, these books are for you .
Nicholas Harvey's novels just keep getting better and better! Loved how this one had your brain working from beginning to end - lots of twists and turns ... and loose ends that weren't tied in a tidy little package had me thinking about this one even after I was finished with the book. As always I enjoyed the adventures above and below the water and can't wait for the next in the series - always a new twist and fun characters to keep things fresh but still familiar.
I love the way the author reveals the hijinks in this book!! I love the characters and the plots. Everything so well-placed and so well thought out; this is an awesome read!! This book is just so much fun!! All right Mr. Harvey I’m ready for the next one!!
I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, not only in reading but in life. Obviously written to the heart of active living. The past year has many of us living the adventures we like in our lives vicariously. Here is your tropical adventure.
Mr. Harvey has always managed to keep me entertained with his vivid descriptions of the Cayman Islands and diving. While this book was a little different, it’s still a good read.
I don’t know how Mr. Harvey does it, but he keeps putting out consistently good books at a great pace with great characters that are just plain fun to hang out with.
This AJ Bailey story introduces the reader to one Archie Winters and provides a great deal of background for the Nora Soomer books by the same author. Another good mystery read on Grand Cayman Island.