Swimming With The Dead (2015)

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I really liked this mystery and not sure I can articulate exactly why I liked it so much to give it 4 stars. I really liked Hannah Sampson and loved the novelty of a "scuba cop." Loved the description of the British Virgin Islands and deep sea diving. The mystery plot was tight and while I guessed a few of the pieces correctly I was surprised too.I very much enjoyed the budding relationship between Hannah and Peter O'Brien. I suspect this will develop in later books in the series.I want to go out this weekend and get the next book in this series!
—Suzanne

A most excellent 5 star read! Heck yeah, this is my new favorite series! loving the environmental side to it. My little brother has been an environmentalist, naturalist and all around saving the world kind of guy so this book very much appeals to me.Many, many years ago a friend and I took scuba lessons. He did well but me, not so much. The scuba angle is what intrigued me about the book and the story is what kept me turning pages. This is the first book in a series that starts in Denver and ends up in the BVI, British Virgin Islands. Homicide Detective Hannah Sampson is head of the Denver dive and recovery team. The Denver police commissioner's son Michael who was an expert diver and researcher has died in what appears to be a tragic accident while diving in a sunken wreck off the coast of the Tortuga. Soon after when the commissioners office is broken into, ransacked and his secretary shot dead he decides his sons death was no accident and he sends Hannah down to investigate. Hannah arrives on the island and starts to question all who knew Michael, his beautiful fiancé and her short tempered father, the very handsome wealthy islander Peter that has set his sights on Hannah, a shifty dock hand, and a host of other colorful fun characters. Almost immediately someone tries to run her over in a car and she realizes she must be onto something. With the help of the reluctant police Chief Dunn and some very scary dives to the wreck where Michael was found they try to solve the mystery of what really happened to Michael and why.This is a great colorful and vivid story of life in the islands, the way the author describes the diving makes you feel like you are right there in the water with her. I really enjoyed the differences she pointed out between diving in the mostly dark, muddy lakes and rivers recovering bodies in Denver as opposed to the beautiful tropical waters of the Caribbean where diving is actually fun and if not careful you can become entranced in all the colorful underwater beauty. Of special importance to me were the environmental issues that were raised and hopefully will be talked about in the other books in this series.Hannah is a wonderful strong and funny loner type of gal, married to the job. She is someone I felt I could hang out with comfortably, not to mention learn a lot from. There are many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end and if you are like me you will be eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.
—Annie Michelle

SWIMMING WITH THE DEAD‏AUTHOR - KATHY BRANDTSTARS - 5REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETSMichael Duvall was an avid scuba diver. Loved the water, loved the sea life and wanted it protected. While working on his dissertation on the British Virgin Islands, he becomes trapped under sea and drowns. George Duvall, Denver Police Commissioner, was not going to accept that Michael's drowning was an accident. George is convinced that Michael was killed but who and why ??Hannah Sampson, a Denver Homicide Detective, is being hired by George to find the missing puzzle to Michael's death. Hannah has the experience and know how to get the job done. Hannah and Michael had one thing in common - scuba diving. Hannah is also head of the Denver underwater recovery team. She has the experience and know how ! Hannah hadn't even unpacked her bags before a blue Honda tries to run her down. Every step Hannah takes on this beautiful island the more clues she finds. Michael was found trapped under the wreckage of a Russian Refrigeration Ship. When Hannah goes down for a view of the science she encounters more than she hoping for.What a great read ! Murder, love and suspense all under one title. Just when I thought I had it figured out the author added another exciting twist. There was many times while reading this I dreamed of sitting on a beach ! I loved the vivid descriptions of the under water life, so colorful. I even learned some really neat facts about coral reefs.Very good read and I will be reading book 2 !complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
—Julie Ramsey