John Dobbyn

This story grabbed me from the start, and I told my friends and family about it before I was done!

Deadly Depths is a new suspense-filled thriller that will take readers across the globe in search of truth and treasure. The engaging protagonist puts his life on the line out of love and loyalty to an older couple when his friend and mentor’s murder is staged to look like a suicide, leaving behind a devastated widow and lots of unanswered questions. He vows to find out who is responsible and bring them to justice.

The main character, Matthew Shane, is likable, loyal, and a man of his word. Professor Holmes was a friend, mentor, and second father to him, so he has a deep emotional connection to the man and his widow, Mary. His unique background as a former United States Air Force investigator gives him the skills necessary to pursue the answers he and Mary crave.

Matthew’s search takes him to various interesting destinations, such as the home cities of the professor’s archaeological colleagues, who have dubbed themselves The Monkey’s Paw Society. The author does a fantastic job of giving each location an identifiable sense of place. However, early on in the adventure, New Orleans and Bayou St. Germaine became my favorites. (I swear I could hear the mosquitoes!)

At every turn, sinister sorts step out of the shadows, increasing the ever-present feeling of menace. I was never certain who could be trusted. There are plot twists that completely alter the direction of Matthew’s investigation; still, it all links together. There is even a compelling story within the story that was fascinating all on its own.

With an engaging hero, adventuresome plot, creative settings, little-known histories, and even romance, I recommend DEADLY DEPTHS to readers who enjoy action adventures, thrillers, and suspense.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.… (meer)

Deadly Depths by John F. Dobbyn is a very highly recommended action/adventure thriller.

Matthew Shane is a law professor in Salem, Massachusetts, when his mentor and friend, Archeology Professor Barrington Holmes, is found murdered in his office. His death is made to look like a suicide, but the truth soon becomes clear. Matthew promises his widow to find the truth and the murderer. This requires looking into a group of four other notable archaeologists who along with Holmes, called their alliance “The Monkey’s Paw society.” They all had one of five clues that purported to show the way to a valuable historical artifact and it appears someone is targeting the members for death.

While Matthew is currently a law professor, he formerly practiced criminal law and was an Intelligence officer in the Air Force, so he brings some observational skills, insight, and abilities in the search for the professor's killer. I rather loved the fact that he often gave credit to God in the narrative. The direction of the search and the novel changes and goes global part way through the novel, which ups the tension and suspense with several breathe-taking scenes.

Deadly Depths is an action-packed hold-on-to-your-hat thrill ride of a novel. I was engrossed in the action from start to finish. Yes, you most certainly need to suspend your disbelief while reading. I will admit to three moments of dramatic eye rolling, perhaps a few more dramatic sighs, but I wasn't about to set the novel aside. This is the kind of global action/adventure novel meant to provide pure reading pleasure while escaping reality and I was full-in for the armchair adventure. 4.5
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/07/deadly-depths.html… (meer)

The cover for Deadly Depths hints at the treasure hunt to come. The book was everything I expected and more. I loved everything about it.

Professor Barrington Holmes was like a father to Matthew Shane. He was found…dead…in his office. His death was deemed a suicide. But, a man with a heart condition found with a slashed wrist, a man with a passion for life, taking his own? Matthew didn’t believe it and sets out to prove the police are wrong.

Matthew had been in the Intelligence branch of the Air Force. He had been a criminal attorney. Now, he is a law professor in Salem, Massachusetts. The perfect man for the job.

His journey will take him from Massachusetts to Canada, Jamaica, France, and beyond as he connects to the members of The Monkey’s Paw, a group of five archaeologists searching for the discovery of a lifetime. Each member was a given a piece of the clue and when put together would lead them to the treasure, the discovery of a lifetime

More death and threats to The Monkey’s Paw society are shrouded in mystery. I have a feeling that more than the natives are restless and my thoughts were, sorta, correct. A dive in the sea poses its own threat. I knew that diving on the wreck would have to involve some danger for Matthew. A book from a young Welshman, buried in the depths of the sea for more than a century, spells out the story.

The Caribbean…I love everything about it. I have a passion for the waters and the history. I have read many novels, fiction, nonfiction and historical about the islands, the Spanish, the English, the Aztecs, the Mayans, Mexico…Matthews journey was so familiar to me, as I read about the Maroons, pirates, slavery, the Ashanti, treasure hunting and more.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Deadly Depths by John F Dobbyn.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (meer)