#BookReview – “In Too Deep” by Jayne Ann Krentz

Blurb

Scargill Cove is the perfect place for Fallon Jones, confirmed recluse and investigator of the paranormal. It’s a hot spot, a convergence point for unusually strong currents of energy, which might explain why the town attracts misfits and drifters like moths to a flame. Now someone else has been drawn to the Cove — Isabella Valdez, on the run from some very dangerous men.

When she starts working as Fallon’s assistant, Isabella impresses him by organizing his pathologically chaotic office—and doesn’t bat an eye at the psychic element of his job. She’s a kindred spirit, a sanctuary from a world that considers his talents a form of madness. But after a routine case unearths an antique clock infused with dark energy, Fallon and Isabella are dragged into the secret history of Scargill Cove and forced to fight for their lives, as they unravel a cutthroat conspiracy with roots in the Jones family business…and Isabella’s family tree.

Review

In book one of the Looking Glass Trilogy (an Arcane Society spin-off), Isabella Valdez has stumbled upon a conspiracy that could get her killed. Raised by her eccentric grandmother, she’s lived all her life off the grid and goes to the little town of Scargill Cove, California for two reasons: to hide out and to seek the help of the Jones and Jones paranormal detective agency.

For the past three years, Fallon Jones has run the West Coast J&J branch in Scargill Cove all by himself. He’s both psychically and physically exhausted, but he’s determined to destroy the Nightshade organization that stole the Arcane founder’s formula. As a chaos-theory talent, he can see the lines and connections between seemingly unrelated problems. After Isabella claims the role of his assistant (the ballsy woman doesn’t give him a choice in the matter!), they find a bunch of dead bodies and a paranormal clock with the power to kill.

I’ve been waiting so long for Fallon’s story and it didn’t disappoint! Fallon is strong, secretive, moody, patient, and desperate for someone to understand him (even though he doesn’t realize it). Most people think he’s a kook and don’t take him seriously. His crazy predictions, however, usually come true. It’s not until he meets Isabella and starts working with her that he can finally relax and start living his life outside the pressures of the office. She’s a conspiracy theorist like him and understands how he thinks, but she prefers to look on the brighter side of life. Isabella pulled him from the darkness of his own mind. Fallon, in turn, provided her with stability. I loved their chemistry. Fallon and Isabella are one of my most favorite couples in all the Arcane books.

I really enjoyed the folks of Scargill Cove. It’s a small, protective community of unusual people with a wide variety of psychic gifts, but most of them don’t believe in the paranormal.

Zack and Raine Jones (the H/h from Sizzle and Burn) made a few appearances, so it was nice to see how their relationship is progressing through all the political backwash of the upper echelons of Arcane. 

Though the Looking Glass trilogy is about energy-infused glass and mirrors, this book didn’t much play up the Quicksilver Mirror. Instead, the Bridewell Curiosities (Victorian era weapons that look like harmless dolls, clocks, etc) played the bigger role.

As with the Dreamlight trilogy spin-off, Ms. Krentz wrote this trilogy backwards. The present day story comes first, followed by the historical book, and then the futuristic book, and all the books are written under different pen names.

The story is fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. I’m a little sad that it’s over because I would love to read more about Fallon. Also, as far as I know, this is the last contemporary book in the Arcane series. That surprises me because there are some unanswered questions. In any case, this is one my favorite Arcane books and I definitely recommend it.

5 Stars

Disclaimer – I bought this book for my own enjoyment. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.