I'm a big fan of Karen Rose's books but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. I like the format with the story being set over a matter of days but I struggled to engage with the characters. Val was almost too perfect and at times quite annoying as a result. I also found some aspects of the story rather predictable. That being said, it was a good read and ideal for a holiday book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

As always Karen Rose has delivered a very good book here. I always like the format her books take, in that they cover a short period of time and are told through various character perspectives. This one is no different and in my opinion is a thrilling, fast paced read full of lots of action. I found it hard to like Val at first, and felt she came across as almost too perfect although she did grow on me as the story progressed. I liked Kaj much more and thought Elijah came across a little irritating and far too mature for his age. All the main characters had good and believable histories. Karen Rose excels at setting the scene and drawing her readers in through her writing. The story is well written, flows easily and has a great plotline. The beginning had me hooked fairly quickly and wanting to know more, and this read held my interest and attention from start to finish making it quickly become a real page turner. There are characters I absolutely loathed with a passion and couldn't wait for them to be found out. Add in the usual romance element, secrets, lies, deception, is all as it seems, who has their own agenda and you've got a gem of a read on your hands.
I really liked the descriptions of the bayous and could picture them in my mind when reading. I really liked the ending which gave very fitting closure. This is a great addition to the authors New Orleans series and I'd recommend this if you like thrillers with a bit of romance. If you've new to this series I'd suggest you read the books in order so you know the characters from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and although it didn't quite wow me as some of the other books by Karen Rose, I will definitely want to continue with this series and read the next book.

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m usually a big fan of Karen Rose but this wasn’t one of my favourites. I found it hard to feel engaged with the characters. For me it dragged and the twists were a little convoluted and unbelievable. It certainly won’t put me off her books and I know others have loved it.

Val Sorenson is assigned as a bodyguard for ADA Kaj Corodozo’s son Elijah after two masked men tried to kidnap him. Val has a very personal connection to the suspects in the attempt, Sixth Day, as her twin brother Van was killed by them.

This has everything you want in a good read - gripping from the outset, fast paced and with brilliantly twisty and intriguing plot lines, going to dark, unexpected places. At times I found myself holding my breath I was so invested in the book. I love Vals character, determined, courageous but with a softness despite her background. She has her own demons but puts everything into making sure Elijah is safe, and by extension Kaj too. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another fantastic read from Karen rose . Just like all her other books a page turner that you just can't put down down . Looking forward to the next book .

Karen Rose returns to New Orleans for a story that will keep you reading long into the night.

As assistant District Attorney Kaj (pronounced pie) Cordozo's son is targeted when a man is remanded in custody for beating a doctor to death.

That man is Aaron Gates. Who it turns out is connected to a gang Sixth Day. Whom NOPD believe long disbanded but now believe are targeting Kaj's son.

But are they?

That's what Kaj has employed Burke Brossard Private Investigation Agency to find out and also to keep his son safe.And Val Sorenson is tasked with the job. But Val has a personal connection. As her brother Van was murdered by a member of Sixth Day four years ago.

Yet, as the investigation gets underway it becomes increasingly clear there is more at play than anyone thought and all eyes soon move to Aarons brothers.

And Val starts to question why her brother was murdered. Only the answer isn't the one she expected.

Yet, as the danger mounts Val is more determined than ever to do whatever it takes to keep Elijah and Kaj safe.

However, with threats coming from every direction and trouble knowing who the team can trust. This is not an easy task.

And with a fast-paced, edge of your seat and brilliantly unpredictable storyline. This was a gripping read. That I'd one hundred percent recommend to crime fiction fans everywhere

I’d like to thank Headline and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Beneath Dark Waters’ written by Karen Rose, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Two masked men attempt to abduct Elijah, the ten-year-old son of New Orleans ADA Kaj Cardozo. Val Sorensen works for Broussard Investigations and as Kaj is working on a high profile case involving the criminal Aaron Gates who’s currently in prison she’s assigned as Elijah’s bodyguard as his brother Corey Gates is still free and dangerous. As they work together to keep Elijah safe it becomes evident that drug dealers Sixth Day are involved and as they were responsible for the death of Val’s brother there’s a personal connection that Val intends getting justice for.

‘Beneath Dark Waters’ is the second book in the New Orleans series that gets increasingly exciting as the story progresses. I like the character of Val who experienced action in the Marines that left her with nightmares and it’s good that she finds romance. This action-packed book has everything I’d expect from a great thriller, suspense, drama, twists and turns and bloodthirsty criminals, leading to a fantastic conclusion that had me holding my breath. Karen Rose is an excellent author who writes strong and compelling novels and I look forward to her next one.

This book was so well written. It grabbed me from the time it started to the time it finished. I have never read anything by Karen Rose before but will now be looking for more of her books. The plot was gripping and realistic.

Yet another amazing book from Karen Rose. We are back in New Orleans with Broussard Investigations and this time the focus is on Val Sorenson (ex-Marine, ex-teacher and all around badass). ADA Cordozo's son has been nearly been kidnapped so he hires Val to be his bodyguard. The ADA is working on two high profile cases: one that involves the sexual assault of Bella Butler by her director and another is the murder of a doctor by Aaron Gates. The investigation ends up revealing more than they bargained for, especially when Val discovers some secrets about her own twin who was murdered 4 years ago.
This book had it all: suspense, romance, drama, intense pace and some good twists. In fact, one twist was so good, I may have said 'O sh*t' a little loudly. I really liked getting to know Val better and I enjoyed her character development more than Molly in the previous book (would really like Phin to be next in the series). My only issue is the fact that some things are repeated when they don't need to be.
I highly recommend her books.

A racy thriller whick kicks off with a bungled kidnap attempt. It was no coincidence that it was Assistant District Attorney Kaj Cordozo's son who was the subject of the kidnap as the ADA was pursuing a case which held a particular interest for the two teenage kidnappers. In their damaged minds and bodies, the boys thought the ADA's son was the bargaining chip they needed to effect the release of a murderer called Aaron. What follows brings in to play the kidnapper's brother, a cruel villain called Corey. Corey is the one the teenagers are trying to get way from. So starts the cat and mouse game with many twists and turns.
Without doubt Beneath Dark Waters is a great value novel as it is rather lengthy, it does however keep you gripped all the way through but I couldn't help thinking it could be trimmed down a bit. It would get a five star review from me but I have to knock a star off because it is saccharine sweet in parts and as previously stated, overly lengthy.

Karen Rose is one of my favourite authors. Definitely in my top 3. Her books never fail to keep me reading until the early hours of the morning. They are always edge of your seat storylines full of suspense and intrigue.
This one was no different. The story gripped and intrigued me right from the first chapter. The plot builds, the suspense is tense and I’m always kept guessing until the very end.
Karen is a definite go-to author if you like thrillers.

Book 2 in The Broussard Investigations Romantic Suspense Series. Now let me say from the off that if like me you don’t do romance don’t let this put you off as romance is really quite a small part of this excellent book. Taking place over a five day period, apart from the epilogue, this is a tense and exciting thriller. Set in New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou it is a real fast paced and exciting read that had me engrossed from page one to the end, and it’s a chunky read.

Briefly, public prosecutor Cardozo ‘Kaj’ has been assigned two high profile cases and is shocked when the brother of one of the defendants tries to kidnap Elijah, his 10 year old son. Not trusting the NOPD Kaj employs Broussard Investigations and former marine Val Sorensen is assigned the case. It soon becomes clear that the potential kidnapper isn’t the real problem and the danger lies elsewhere.

This book has so much going on. Two main threads, which meld together seamlessly, extreme violence, drug runners, murder for hire, corrupt police officers, oh yes and that romance. Some great characters, good and bad, but my heart went out to Elijah, what a great character, he hasn’t been dealt the best in life but he is kindhearted, intelligent, generous and loving - and very intuitive. I enjoyed book one but this for me moved up a notch. I loved it, a riveting read, action packed with a hint of romance. Fabulous.

I first heard of Karen Rose through my sister. This is my first book by the author.

The book had me from the get go. All my buzz words were mentioned and I didn’t wanna put the book down! I will definitely be checking out her back list. Lucky for me, my sister has her books so will be starting them soon.

In my opinion, this underrated author needs more attention! Thinking of checking her books out then please do so. There is something for everyone

This book was incredible, I could not read it quick enough, there were times when my heart was in my mouth at what was going on.

The blurb does not do the book justice - however giving too much away in it wouldn't do either. I think that the thing I really liked it that although there was a lot of action, it wasn't just action packed with nothing else going on. I loved the developing storyline first of all with Val and Kaj but this then expanded out to Elijah and then Jace.

This is honestly one of the most gripping books that I have read in a while as you just don't know how things are going to end.

Since reading this I have discovered that this is actually book 2 in the series - I am 100% off to read the first one too as if it is as good as this then I need to read it!!

Set in Louisiana, two lads try to abduct a young boy from his pregnant aunt's care in a desperate attempt to blackmail his father, an ADA, to release their brother currently in custody for murder. The attempt fails, but prompts the father, Kaj, to enlist some private protection as he does not trust everyone on the police force. And thereby Val enters his life.

Val has her own demons from the past, but is good at protection and bonds quickly with Elijah while finding his father very attractive. However, Corey is determined to punish his hothead younger brothers for their daring attempt which threatened to upset the hit-job empire he was building. The result is a high octane read as Kaj tries to keep his son safe, and continuing to work on high profile cases, while Corey and his team are determined to bring him down and find his witness before she can testify.

Its an exciting read, despite the gratuitous sex scenes, and the reader quickly identifies with the key players. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Once again I’m in the minority. I didn’t like this book at all. It went on and on and on and was a real struggle to finish. The end result could have been achieved with 200 pages chopped out. The plot line was ridiculous, there was too much repetition and nonsense, and the sex scenes made me want to vomit. No more for me. Sorry.

I really enjoyed Beneath Dark Waters, this is the first book I’ve read by Karen Rose but I’m sure it won’t be the last.
Beneath Dark Waters is the second book in the New Orleans romantic suspense series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone which is true for me.
The series is also partly a police procedural and a private investigator crime novels.
Except for the epilogue, this book takes place over the course of five frantically tense days.

Assistant District Attorney Kaj Cardozo is working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that is getting plenty of media attention across the country.
When his son Elijah becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt, Kaj hires Broussard Investigations to protect him.
Val Sorensen is assigned to be his bodyguard and the firm is hired to investigate the attempted kidnapping incident.
But the investigation reveals more than they bargained for, as drugs, corruption, and murder are uncovered as well as Val reliving something from her past and discovering secrets about her own family.

Kaj, Val, and Elijah are all likeable characters.
I thought the attraction between Kaj and Val may be too fast for some readers, but I knew my husband was the one very quickly so it can be fast in real life for some people!
The story is packed with plenty of drama and action from the off.
There’s plenty of twists and turns which kept me turning the pages eager to find out more.
I devoured Beneath Dark Waters over a weekend.
It’s a thrilling storyline – kidnapping, murder, drugs, sexual assault and so much more going on as well as the budding romance between Kaj and Val.

The book was descriptive without slowing the pace, which is fast. I really felt like I was there in Kaj’s house, out on the waters and cooped up inside the hideout of torture!

This riveting crime thriller, police procedural, and romantic suspense novel keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The suspense is built up throughout the intense five days of action and I felt I knew the characters well.
The plot is full of chasing down leads and interviewing people as well as plenty of danger for those involved. There’s murder for hire, child abuse, torture, abduction, corruption, friendship, sexual assault and other dark themes throughout.
There’s also humour, sexual chemistry, tender moments and family relationships to add some light to the darker aspects of the plot.

This is a thrilling, fast-paced exciting book.
With thanks to NetGalley, Headline Publishing Group and the publishers for a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest reviww.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for my approval to read and review this book early.

This is the 2nd book in the series set in New Orleans. It features characters from the Broussard Detective Agency and introduces new characters that need help. I found the plot full of twists and turns! Karen is very good at writing her descriptions of both the characters and locations and you can see them in your mind. The story begins with an attempted kidnapping, which is foiled and there is where Val Sorensen is brought in as a personal bodyguard for JP Cordoza and his son. All of the characters, old and new, mesh so well together. No spoilers as you will need to read the book to find out how it ends. I will be recommending this book!

What an excellent story. Loved this book. Not the first Karen Rose book I have read and she is rapidly becoming one of my go to authors for a page turner.
Can be read as a standalone book but is part of a series.
The characters develop with each book and you will feel as if you know them well.

When his son is kidnapped, ADA, Kaj Cordoza asks the Broussard PI Agency to help guard his son; enter Val Sorenson – ex-marine, roller derby player and bodyguard. This, despite being almost 600 pages long, is a fast, pacy read full of twists and turns, which kept me reading way past my bedtime (I have the bags to prove it!). The characters are well-developed and make you feel like you know them and want to know more. Like all of Karen Rose’s fabulous books, #BeneathDarkWaters belongs to a mini-series, set in New Orleans, but can be read as a standalone novel. Now off to buy ‘Quarter to Midnight’, the first in the series!