The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey Review

Hello Friends :)

I hope you're all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.

Ever since I read the first book in the Alaskan Courage series many years back, Dani Pettrey has become one of my all time favorite authors. I've read everything she's ever written, and her upcoming release was another title featured in my Most Anticipated 2020 Releases Post.

I ended up getting through this one pretty quick as I was super invested in the story, and now I'm looking forward to sharing with you all what I ended up thinking about it.

The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey:

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: June 30th, 2020

Genre: Christian Fiction/Suspense

Series: Coastal Guardians

Synopsis:

They know the power and peril of the ocean.
But as they get closer to the deadly truth . . .
An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker, Coast Guard Investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are flown to the scene thirty-eight miles from shore. Tensions aboard the rig are high, and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the "plague on the environment" from continuing its work. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating on board about an ancient curse lurking in the depths below.

Mounting evidence shows the death might not have been an accident. Was the man killed by one of the activists or, more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only numerous suspects, but also their own haunted pasts and their attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems about to break open, worse news arrives: a tropical storm has turned their way. Now they're cut off from any rescue--right where the killer wants them. 

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

I've read and enjoyed every single novel that Dani Pettrey's ever written, but the first title in the Coastal Guardians series hadn't been my favorite. I'd loved the Coast Guard setting, and I really enjoyed every member of the guard that was mentioned. However, I hadn't enjoyed Gabby, the main female character, and that affected my enjoyment of it overall. I'd loved the passages that were told from Rissi's point of view though, so I really couldn't wait to dive into her and Mason's story. The Crushing Depths grabbed my attention right from the opening lines, and I could barely bring myself to put it down once I started it.

Rissi and Mason's love story is a second chance romance. They knew each other as teens in a toxic group home, and hadn't seen each other for ten years until Mason shows up as the new member of Riss's guard. I personally loved their romance, and thought it was beautifully written. It's definitely not the focal point of the story, and instead is interwoven around the never ending suspense. It was kind of refreshing to read a less dramatic romance that simply focused on the rekindling of a friendship from childhood. I especially appreciated the fact that Rissi and Mason both come to realize that they've grown from the teenagers they last knew each other as, and both act respectfully of this fact to each other. 

With every Dani Pettrey story, I'm always impressed at how strong the faith content is. The way it's written throughout this one was never preachy or inauthentic, but was always present as an important part of any of the team's missions. The praise and recognition was given to Him who was truly deserving, and they never hesitated to ask for His guidance when walking into dangerous situations. The faith element truly felt like second nature, and I love when Christian authors can write it in this manner. 

 I enjoy in all of Dani's novels how the team works so effortlessly together. It's never about individual success and achievement, and instead the focus is always on the team working together to figure out what's going on. They truly care about taking care of each other no matter the cost, and no one fails to realize the importance of true teamwork. 

    The suspense is definitely the true focus of this story, and it never really stops from the moment it starts. The reader is actually treated to two separate mysteries being investigated by the Guard, and that made this particular story even more of a nail biter than it already would have been. The main mystery is connected to an oil rig where catastrophic events keep happening, and Rissi and Mason find themselves dragged into the middle of it. Back near base, Coast Guard medic Brooke has a stalker terrorizing her, and Noah and the rest of the team are determined to figure out who is behind everything. 

    Coastal Guardians is proving to be another fantastic, suspenseful series by one of the genre's best. I truly adore Dani Pettrey's writing, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for her reader's in the next book. While I don't think it was made blatantly obvious as to who and what the next story is going to be about, hints are definitely given as to who might be the next romantic interests, and I'm going to be anxiously awaiting its release. I also have to quickly mention that I loved the tiny reference to the Mckenna family. If you were a fan of the Alaskan Courage series, definitely be on the lookout for this. 

I wholeheartedly recommend this one to anyone who's a fan of Christian suspense novels, and anyone who's been a fan of Dani's previous novels. If you enjoy novels by Colleen Coble, Lisa Harris or Dee Henderson, then Dani Pettrey is definitely another author you're going to want to go ahead and check out.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Bethany House and NetGalley for the opportunity to advance read this.

I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley to voluntarily read and review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.