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Erin McKenzie #1
In Too Deep
When undercover work requires working under the covers, danger is an uninvited bedfellow...
Erin McKenzie, a newly promoted homicide detective, lands the assignment of her career when she is chosen to investigate Elizabeth Adams, the number one suspect in a slew of serial murders. Adams, elusive and devastatingly beautiful, is not only an accomplished seductress but also a lesbian. Erin, straight and married, needs a crash course in more than just undercover detecting. With Patricia Henderson, a fellow homicide cop and Adam's former lover as a mentor, Erin embarks on the journey of her life...with love and danger hot on her heels.
Erin McKenzie, a newly promoted homicide detective, lands the assignment of her career when she is chosen to investigate Elizabeth Adams, the number one suspect in a slew of serial murders. Adams, elusive and devastatingly beautiful, is not only an accomplished seductress but also a lesbian. Erin, straight and married, needs a crash course in more than just undercover detecting. With Patricia Henderson, a fellow homicide cop and Adam's former lover as a mentor, Erin embarks on the journey of her life...with love and danger hot on her heels.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2005
28 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Ronica Black
41 books141 followersRonica Black is an award-winning author and a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her books range from romance and erotica to mystery and intrigue, and she enjoys trying her hand at all. Ronica also enjoys drawing, painting, and sculpting. She lives in Glendale, Arizona, with her partner, where she relishes a rich family life and raising a menagerie of pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 21, 2016
This is the first Ronica Black book I have read and I liked it. The romance was good, the murder story-line decent, and the sex scenes where very steamy. If your looking for a hot crime drama, this is a good choice.
September 26, 2012
I absolutely loved it!!!
I'm officially in love with Liz Adams....
May 5, 2014
Great mystery read! Enjoyed the interaction between the undercover police officer Erin McKenzie and the beautiful intriguing alleged serial murder suspect Elizabeth Adams..... Looking forward to reading the sequel...
February 10, 2013
Wow!!!!!!!! This is a really hot book!!!! I more than loved it. One of the best books I have read in this genre…believe me when I say it’s really difficult finding good books in f/f romance category.
In Too Deep, Ronica Black’s debut book and a great one at that, has so many things going for it. Romance, mystery, sex, great characters and so many twists and turns that keep you glued to your seat until the very last page.
Erin McKenzie, an undercover cop is assigned to get closer to Elizabeth Adams, the owner of La Femme, a famous lesbian club and a murder suspect in the murders of several men whom she had openly threatened.
Elizabeth Adams, the ultimate gorgeous, seductive, rich and powerful, who every woman, gay or straight wants, is totally enthralling. I fell under her spell……..believe me when I say I could turn GFH any day!!!
And that’s exactly what happens when Erin first lays eyes on her.
I could go on and on ….but….I am going to try and not make this a too long “drool”…….
A fabulous, compelling, well-paced, character-driven plots and sub-plots that surprised me each time I thought I thought I knew what would happen next. Pacing filled with tension and unexpected turns that had me gasping a few times.
Elizabeth’s world is one of wicked decadence, beautiful women who want to and be seduced by other women and at the same time, there’s certain sadness underneath the facade she shows. There’s something underneath all that gloss, something good, a vulnerability that no one is allowed to see or touch until she meets Erin.
The club scenes were so awesome….the themes, the vividness…..I was there….I could hear the pounding music, taste the flowing champagne, touch the gorgeous women….ooohhhhhh!!
I loved how the author had me wanting something good happen between the two mc’s. I felt so many emotions – happiness, sadness, anger, surprised. That’s how much this story grabbed me.
Ronica Black writes the most erotic, sexy, sensual and very hot sex scenes ever that had me actually reading every single word/sentence/page slowly so I could savor the moments between Liz & Erin.
A brilliant and emotional story, unforgettable characters that I fell in love with and an intricate plot that had me reading this book non-stop…in one go!!!
I can’t wait to read the follow-up. I need more and more of Liz Adams & Erin Mckenzie.
In Too Deep, Ronica Black’s debut book and a great one at that, has so many things going for it. Romance, mystery, sex, great characters and so many twists and turns that keep you glued to your seat until the very last page.
Erin McKenzie, an undercover cop is assigned to get closer to Elizabeth Adams, the owner of La Femme, a famous lesbian club and a murder suspect in the murders of several men whom she had openly threatened.
Elizabeth Adams, the ultimate gorgeous, seductive, rich and powerful, who every woman, gay or straight wants, is totally enthralling. I fell under her spell……..believe me when I say I could turn GFH any day!!!
And that’s exactly what happens when Erin first lays eyes on her.
I could go on and on ….but….I am going to try and not make this a too long “drool”…….
A fabulous, compelling, well-paced, character-driven plots and sub-plots that surprised me each time I thought I thought I knew what would happen next. Pacing filled with tension and unexpected turns that had me gasping a few times.
Elizabeth’s world is one of wicked decadence, beautiful women who want to and be seduced by other women and at the same time, there’s certain sadness underneath the facade she shows. There’s something underneath all that gloss, something good, a vulnerability that no one is allowed to see or touch until she meets Erin.
The club scenes were so awesome….the themes, the vividness…..I was there….I could hear the pounding music, taste the flowing champagne, touch the gorgeous women….ooohhhhhh!!
I loved how the author had me wanting something good happen between the two mc’s. I felt so many emotions – happiness, sadness, anger, surprised. That’s how much this story grabbed me.
Ronica Black writes the most erotic, sexy, sensual and very hot sex scenes ever that had me actually reading every single word/sentence/page slowly so I could savor the moments between Liz & Erin.
A brilliant and emotional story, unforgettable characters that I fell in love with and an intricate plot that had me reading this book non-stop…in one go!!!
I can’t wait to read the follow-up. I need more and more of Liz Adams & Erin Mckenzie.
September 26, 2015
A few twists and turns.. Some I expected and some were a surprise...
August 3, 2012
The police has a suspect on the latest crimes. Elizabeth Adams is an owner of a lesbian night club called Le Femme. She is a suspect because the men who were killed wanted to close her club & she was heard threatening them. Erin Mac, goes undercover in the club as the typical woman Adams would stake. Short blond hair & fit.
This was one of the worst books I've ever read. There wasn't one intense relationship between any of the characters.
Adams lured Erin by getting her house number & address after their first encounter where Erin plays hard to get. Erin agrees to meet Liz after this attempt. I don't know about you but stalking isn't exactly a way to impress someone. Liz is portrayed negatively at the beginning and at the end she is described to be misunderstood.. which I didn't buy.
The ending blows. Adams begged Erin not to tell about her sister's murders which is really strange since Erin is a detective & is investigating this case & their relationship wasn't intense nor developed for Erin to cover her. And when Erin calls an ambulance, Adams disappears while she had a bullet wound & was lying on the ground minutes ago.
The last scene, Liz was in some sort of paradise & is wondering whether Erine did tell about her sister. How did she get away? I'm sure since she can get someone's home number & address she could easily acquire easy info.
Awful plot & events played out felt like they were written with no consideration when the idea came to mind.
This was one of the worst books I've ever read. There wasn't one intense relationship between any of the characters.
Adams lured Erin by getting her house number & address after their first encounter where Erin plays hard to get. Erin agrees to meet Liz after this attempt. I don't know about you but stalking isn't exactly a way to impress someone. Liz is portrayed negatively at the beginning and at the end she is described to be misunderstood.. which I didn't buy.
The ending blows. Adams begged Erin not to tell about her sister's murders which is really strange since Erin is a detective & is investigating this case & their relationship wasn't intense nor developed for Erin to cover her. And when Erin calls an ambulance, Adams disappears while she had a bullet wound & was lying on the ground minutes ago.
The last scene, Liz was in some sort of paradise & is wondering whether Erine did tell about her sister. How did she get away? I'm sure since she can get someone's home number & address she could easily acquire easy info.
Awful plot & events played out felt like they were written with no consideration when the idea came to mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2017
Not recommended
One dimensional characters and poor storyline. I had a really hard time finishing this book and won't be reading its sequel.
One dimensional characters and poor storyline. I had a really hard time finishing this book and won't be reading its sequel.
Want to read
July 18, 2022reqiem for immortals tore a hole in my heart that will never be filled, but i will be trying anyway LMAOFOSDKN.
stop i just realised this is toaster oven naur....
stop i just realised this is toaster oven naur....
May 31, 2015
In too deep is especially good at describing and building sexual tension. The scenes between Erin and Liz are very good. I personally found the rest of the story too long and therefore I'm not sure why there is a part 2. Of course I'm going to read part 2, but I am very curious about the quality. Actually I wanted to give 3.5 stars, therefore I gave 4 stars, 3 stars is too little.
July 3, 2012
Really good plot line, excellent characters and a little hot sex. Looking forward to reading more of her books.
December 2, 2014
Sure, the story's not deep and meaningful. Sure, it doesn't make sense. But this is a fun and naughty book if you don't expect too much from it.
October 19, 2023
intriguing STUFF.
January 14, 2025
This was intriguing, blending murder mystery and romance. The characters were well-drawn and fit into the story as the focus shifted between the protagonists. But who did do it? And who got a HEA?
May 5, 2017
The story sounded interesting but it didn’t take long before I had some reservations.
I didn’t find the way Erin suddenly became a Lesbian fantasising about two women within minutes of meeting them entirely convincing. Also the whole police operation didn’t seem right. After three murders they set up a highly risky and expensive undercover operation without checking the wereabouts and alibi of the main suspect.
I also struggled with the romance story; to be fair I don’t particularly like stories that revolve around three way romances and I didn’t feel any real connection with Erin, so I wasn’t particularly bothered how it turned out. In the end this story didn’t get to me, although I did find Jay and Lizze’s story interesting.
I didn’t find the way Erin suddenly became a Lesbian fantasising about two women within minutes of meeting them entirely convincing. Also the whole police operation didn’t seem right. After three murders they set up a highly risky and expensive undercover operation without checking the wereabouts and alibi of the main suspect.
I also struggled with the romance story; to be fair I don’t particularly like stories that revolve around three way romances and I didn’t feel any real connection with Erin, so I wasn’t particularly bothered how it turned out. In the end this story didn’t get to me, although I did find Jay and Lizze’s story interesting.
May 15, 2019
Suspense, suspicion & seduction in one salacious story
“Ttrue love is something that you can’t control. It just happens. And no reason or sensibility can quell it. It just is.”
“Hurt beyond her wildest dreams, she clenched her jaw, caught between pain and complete shock. Never before had any woman been able to wound her. Somehow, some way, this young detective had that power, and Liz hated herself for being vulnerable to it.”
•~•~•~•
A good, entertaining story with interesting characters. It was a very enjoyable & easy to read. Anticipating the next part of this series.
Wonderfully written, wonderfully developed, wonderfully told, wonderfully enjoyed.
“Ttrue love is something that you can’t control. It just happens. And no reason or sensibility can quell it. It just is.”
“Hurt beyond her wildest dreams, she clenched her jaw, caught between pain and complete shock. Never before had any woman been able to wound her. Somehow, some way, this young detective had that power, and Liz hated herself for being vulnerable to it.”
•~•~•~•
A good, entertaining story with interesting characters. It was a very enjoyable & easy to read. Anticipating the next part of this series.
Wonderfully written, wonderfully developed, wonderfully told, wonderfully enjoyed.
June 26, 2019
Oozes seduction, intrigues and emotions. I read this on a busy time frame and so had to drop and pick it too many times not to my liking. So you can inagine how frustrating i was postponing a steamy scene 😁.
Good story, well rounded characters and a nice suspense end.
Good story, well rounded characters and a nice suspense end.
February 7, 2008
Full of intriguing twists and turns, In Too Deep, was a great read!
September 20, 2010
Great story, great characters, good mystery and steamy sex. The big downside to this story was the constant head-hopping!
April 11, 2013
GREAT READ. Held my attention and loved the characters.
When undercover work requires working under the covers, danger is an uninvited bedfellow…
When undercover work requires working under the covers, danger is an uninvited bedfellow…
June 2, 2014
3.5 Stars.
January 24, 2015
The book had my undivided attention from the very beginning!! The characters were all perfect and the story so beautiful!! Definitely worth another read!
November 6, 2023
I really enjoyed the premise behind this book of a detective going undercover with a potential serial killer, but i was kind of hoping this book was going to be darker than it is. The other thing i'd have liked to have seen more of was Erin's backstory. She has a really interesting backstory thats slightly touched on and is clearly shown as having an impact on her but beyond the one instance where its shown, it just sort of goes away and gets swept under the rug, but id have loved to have seen more of that and how her story interacted with elizabeth's.
looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing where that goes.
looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing where that goes.
Read
May 22, 2025I should’ve known better when I read that sypnosis. I hate love-triangle romance because it causes confusion to the mc. It feels like Erin has more emotional connection with Patricia, and just physical attraction with Liz, but she ended up with Liz? Like I can’t control your feelings girl but you blind and can’t see color especially when it’s red smh. I don’t feel any connection with Erin, hell I don’t even like her HAHAHHA I’ll take Patricia to myself lol she’s a whole ssa green flag. The story was promising but didn’t live up to my expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2021
After reading the book, many emotions are experienced: joy, sadness, surprise. The interaction between Detective Erin McKenzie and the beautiful murder suspect Elizabeth (Liz) Adams is described sensuously. Erin falls under Liz's spell, and sinks deeper into the relationship. In general, the book is interesting, but there are questions to the detective line. I didn’t like the sequel of the book as much.
June 20, 2020
Wow this was really good. Had me on the edge of my seat. Didnt realize there was a sequel and am hesitant to read. I've head it leaves it open ended for a third and i really liked how the first ended. Wonderful job
March 29, 2020
SO. DARN. GOOD. PERIOD!
September 5, 2020
Another great read
Great book. I love the plot. Nice suspense, great love scenes, great overall flow. I am anxious to read the next book!
Great book. I love the plot. Nice suspense, great love scenes, great overall flow. I am anxious to read the next book!
November 9, 2023
Perfect for thriller/mystery X lesbian romance fans. A few interesting twists and compelling chemistry between characters. An intriguing must-read and one of my favourites of 2023.
January 1, 2024
horniest book I've ever read
Read
June 18, 2020I recently read a review of another lesbian mystery that began with the words “Well-written.” I read on, but noticed that the reviewer gave the book only two stars because she didn’t find it interesting. In Too Deep is the opposite: interesting, but not well written.
It’s not your typical whodunit. Although solving the homicide is an important part of the book, it is the romance between the detective and the suspect (and her co-worker) that the author spends the most effort on. And it is an effort well rewarded. From titillating to smoldering, to graphic, this author knows how to write a sex scene—and to lead up to one as well. The actual mystery, too, is fairly riveting and contains several well-executed changes of direction. Call it "romantic suspense," then--a more and more popular genre these days.
The fact that the protagonist, Erin McKenzie, is an undercover officer is unusual and a welcome change from the run-of-the-mill homicide detective. And the fact that she is straight—at least when the book begins—sets it apart from 95 percent of the books on our list. Another welcome diversity.
But the writing style is worse than pedestrian. It reminds me more of a cheap porno novel than a mystery. Here are some examples.
“It was going be okay. All of it. She had Liz by her side, now and forever. Together, they could get through anything.”
“Was she ready to let someone love her? Physically as well as emotionally?:"
“But Erin made her feel comfortable and accepted, and she knew she could speak her true feelings without fear of judgment or rejection.”
“Erin was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. No other woman could even compare.”
“She blushed at her own thoughts.”
Etc. It’s like someone is trying to achieve free indirect discourse without knowing what the term means. It isn't that the language is misleading, it is just, well, easy. Almost cliched. It makes you think, “Wow, if this writer had an original voice, this could have been a terrific novel all the way around."
As it is, readers of erotica will be floored, romance readers will be either shocked or satiated, and readers of porno will have a new hero. But as in most mysteries I have read lately, the actual plot and denouement of the crime are not believable. Likewise the character studies, where arrogant becomes gentle and gentle becomes murderous without much in between.
If you are a writer, stay away from this one. Bad habits in language abound--and they are catching. Again, this book is going to get some very good reviews from people that are not very literary. Does this matter? Well, not to them and more power to Ronica Black for giving them a thrill. But it matters to me. For me to really enjoy a book, I have to be awed at the author's verbal skills. In this book it is all I can do not to be awed at their absence.
Note: I read the November, 2013 e-book version of this novel.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
It’s not your typical whodunit. Although solving the homicide is an important part of the book, it is the romance between the detective and the suspect (and her co-worker) that the author spends the most effort on. And it is an effort well rewarded. From titillating to smoldering, to graphic, this author knows how to write a sex scene—and to lead up to one as well. The actual mystery, too, is fairly riveting and contains several well-executed changes of direction. Call it "romantic suspense," then--a more and more popular genre these days.
The fact that the protagonist, Erin McKenzie, is an undercover officer is unusual and a welcome change from the run-of-the-mill homicide detective. And the fact that she is straight—at least when the book begins—sets it apart from 95 percent of the books on our list. Another welcome diversity.
But the writing style is worse than pedestrian. It reminds me more of a cheap porno novel than a mystery. Here are some examples.
“It was going be okay. All of it. She had Liz by her side, now and forever. Together, they could get through anything.”
“Was she ready to let someone love her? Physically as well as emotionally?:"
“But Erin made her feel comfortable and accepted, and she knew she could speak her true feelings without fear of judgment or rejection.”
“Erin was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. No other woman could even compare.”
“She blushed at her own thoughts.”
Etc. It’s like someone is trying to achieve free indirect discourse without knowing what the term means. It isn't that the language is misleading, it is just, well, easy. Almost cliched. It makes you think, “Wow, if this writer had an original voice, this could have been a terrific novel all the way around."
As it is, readers of erotica will be floored, romance readers will be either shocked or satiated, and readers of porno will have a new hero. But as in most mysteries I have read lately, the actual plot and denouement of the crime are not believable. Likewise the character studies, where arrogant becomes gentle and gentle becomes murderous without much in between.
If you are a writer, stay away from this one. Bad habits in language abound--and they are catching. Again, this book is going to get some very good reviews from people that are not very literary. Does this matter? Well, not to them and more power to Ronica Black for giving them a thrill. But it matters to me. For me to really enjoy a book, I have to be awed at the author's verbal skills. In this book it is all I can do not to be awed at their absence.
Note: I read the November, 2013 e-book version of this novel.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews