Danger in the Depths - Addison Fox (HRS #2240 - Aug 2023)

Series: New York Harbor Patrol (Book 1)
 
Some secrets should stay beneath the surface…
 
Working alongside Marlowe McCoy means that NYPD diver Wyatt Trumbull has to ignore his fierce attraction to the prickly safecracker. He faces a whole new set of challenges when she finally responds to his desire with her own -- and when clues in his latest case implicate her family. He wants to protect her, but will his own hidden scars make them both vulnerable?
 
Terrific book that hooked me from the start. I read it in one sitting. This is the first in a series about a little-known branch of the NYPD - the Harbor Patrol. These officers deal with everything from checking the bridges for bombs to diving for evidence recovery to water rescues. The underwater descriptions fascinated me and made me feel as though I was there.
 
Marlowe is a lock and vault technician, aka a safecracker. She has a stellar reputation and often works with the NYPD. Her path crosses with Wyatt's again when she works on a series of safes that are part of his murder investigation. I enjoyed the banter between them as Wyatt teased her with silly nicknames that got under her skin. However, underneath the irritation is an attraction that neither can deny, though both fight against it.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Both have events from their pasts that have influenced who they are, though they try to keep them in the past. That becomes more difficult when aspects of the current case bring those memories to the surface. As Wyatt and Marlow spent time together, they began to see past the façades they showed others and found they had many things in common. There are some rough patches because both are stubborn when they get an idea in their heads. Marlowe does some things that damage Wyatt's trust, causing tension between them. A dangerous situation opens their eyes to their feelings and the hope for a future together.
 
The suspense of this story kept me intrigued from start to finish. The fast-paced action and the twists kept me guessing for a long time. A few scenes from the bad guy's perspective contribute to the case's complexity, while an unexpected link to Marlowe's family adds another layer of tension and danger. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was done.
 
I've already read the third book in the series and look forward to reading the second one. Though characters and workplaces connect the books, each story can be read as a standalone. 

 
 
 

Threats in the Deep - Addison Fox (HRS #2288 - Aug 2024)

Series: New York Harbor Patrol (Book 3)
 
They shared one unforgettable night
And now they're partners in more ways than one
 
NYPD diver Gavin Hayes can't stop thinking about the woman he rang in the New Year with. Assistant District Attorney Sera Forte needs to find the man she spent the night with and break the news of her unexpected pregnancy. When they learn they've been paired up for a new criminal task force, they realize they need to solve more than the mystery they've been given. The burning attraction that brought them together still smolders. But the case Gavin and Sera are working is a dangerous one. Can he protect the woman he loves and their baby?
 
Good mix of romance and suspense. Gavin and Sera spent an unforgettable but anonymous New Year's Eve, exchanging only first names and small details about who they were. Neither has been able to forget the other. Sera is pregnant and has no idea how to find him to tell him.
 
As the story opens, Sera, an assistant district attorney, is invited to participate in a special task force with the police department, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies. It's a good career move and an intriguing opportunity. The last thing she expected was to encounter Gavin, the father of her baby. Gavin, a diver with the NYPD's Harbor Unit, was equally surprised to see Sera. Their first meeting was awkward, with Gavin being a bit of a jerk and Sera unsure how to deal with him.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gavin and Sera. Though it got off to a slightly rough start, they didn't take long to get to know each other. I liked that Sera trusted her instincts and realized Gavin's attitude wasn't like him. I liked their connection and how Gavin's interest in her and her work made Sera feel good. I liked how easily they talked together and how sensitive they were to each other's moods.  Sera's confession of her pregnancy shocked Gavin, but he quickly embraced the idea. The obstacle they face is that each is freaked out about the intensity of their emotions and hesitant to admit them. I enjoyed seeing how their time together brought them closer and helped them overcome their hesitation.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. I was intrigued by the diving aspect of the case and the discovery of the weapons cache. Gavin and Sera's teamwork was terrific, and I loved the involvement of the other Harbor team members. The escalating danger caused by the person behind the guns had everyone on edge, and it intensified when the team came under attack. I could feel their frustration as lead after lead turned into dead ends. A twist at the end brings insight and danger to Sera, with a final confrontation that had me on the edge of my seat.
 
This is the first of this series I have read, but I will definitely read the others.