Undercurrent

by Patricia Evans

When bodies start washing up on the shore in Salem Harbor, Massachusetts, an elite task force of FBI agents, profilers, and detectives join forces in a remote log cabin to decode the clues and stop the killer from targeting another victim.

Agent Tala Marshall overcame a childhood of deep generational wounds to become the country’s best criminal profiler. Now she faces her most challenging case yet, racing against the clock to profile the elusive killer before they strike again. She must partner with Wilder Mason, a local detective convinced that the murders are connected to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, and Tala builds a connection to the task force that helps her come to terms with her tumultuous past. But Wilder wants more and is determined to find the key to both the case and Tala’s guarded heart.

Can they find the undercurrent that connects Salem’s past and present before another victim washes to shore?

Genres: Lesbian, Crime, Mystery Thriller

255 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

Patricia Evans is the bestselling author of five books, including The Verbally Abusive Relationship, Verbal Abuse Survivors Speak Out, Controlling People, The Verbally Abusive Man: Can He Change? and Victory Over Verbal Abuse. She has appeared on Oprah, CNN, national radio, and in Newsweek and O, The Oprah Magazine. She has spoken to groups throughout the US, Canada, Madrid at the "Commission for the Investigation of Violence Against Women" and in five cities in Australia. Patricia lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A serial killer is on the loose in Salem Massachusetts and the local Sheriff’s office is being aided by the FBI’s best investigators. The combined task force offers us two budding romances that take center stage for most of the novel. Between the romances and the killings the brisk pacing of the story never lets up although it never dips deep either.
The mystery itself is confined by the limited choices offered by the author. The revelation at the end is anticlimactic because of this.
Undercurrent is underwhelming unfortunately for true mystery buffs.

I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley.  I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MaxDisaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Good. A lot of main characters, that were a bit typecast, but nevertheless entertaining. But I have to admit to being far more interested in the case than their personal lives.
Which was not the focus of this book. Which was sad.
The case could've been interesting if the author directed more energy to it. This way it was just meh. And the big reveal was as obvious as they come (as in the hints were the size of a billboard, so you had to wait the whole book for the investigators to catch up)

[Rosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has been just ok for me. Maybe I had expected more because I had discovered this author recently and I liked her McCall and sequel a lot. More than this one.

This novel has quite a homicide plot, with FBI agents and local Salem police teaming up to catch a serial killer. Perhaps the number of characters that appear in the plot, especially the group created to try to catch the killer, has been the main cause of my lower rating. I'm not saying that each and every one of the characters isn't interesting, but maybe because there are too many, too much accumulates in a single book. And that makes you lose interest.

The police plot itself is not original or surprising, so it adds to the general disappointment.

I think that, separately, some of the couples that have been formed in this story would be more interesting, without mixing one with the other. The personalities of some of the protagonists have not been clearly explained either, many things are intuited or must be read between the lines.

Definitely, this author has better novels.


Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Wilder Mason an interim police chief in Salem Mass. Wilder is teamed up with 5 FBI agents to find and stop a serial killer who is coping the Salem Witch Trials from the 1600s.

I liked Wilder’s character and one of the FBI agents, Mason. They were fun and interesting people. The book had too many characters in it for me and was a short book with predictable plot.

I enjoyed McCall written by Patricia Evan’s, so I was looking forward to this book. It was not as good and I was disappointed in it.

Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The female team who caught a serial killer
Reading the blurb I expected this book to track down a serial killer with all the tension and gritty details that usually entails. So it was a total surprise that the focus from the outset is on the investigation team which comes together in smalltown Salem, Massachusets: There were quite a few fun scenes which had me laughing out loud. I loved the chemistry between the characters and the delightful insights into those individuals who are not always what they seemed (cheers for the Australian mate!). It gave the whole story warmth and substance - the romance comes naturally. As a foodie I relished the dashes of great cooking.
And the thriller? There are grisly murders, creepy encounters and the grand finale sneaks up behind all the efforts to get a handle on the murder.
So yeah, there was some great writing, good character descriptions, a fun team but the balance between this and the thriller was a bit off. So it was 4 plus stars rounded up to 5.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Undercurrent by Patricia Evans, an all-female task force of FBI specialists was assembled to work with the Salem chief of police and hunt down a serial killer. I am not overly knowledgeable about police procedures, so I cannot comment on the accuracy, but I did find it mostly believable and interesting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, who quickly grew to care about one another and formed a solid found-family unit. Each member had their strengths and purpose. Probably the most unbelievable part to me was that the crew was all female and all lesbians. I loved it though. Couplings happened during the intense investigation. There was a nice balance of sweet and spicy. I am familiar with Salem, and I enjoyed reading about a location I have visited. That and the link to the historical witch trials was an immediate sell for me, although I wish the history had a more prominent role in the case. The seriousness of the serial killer theme was lightened by comic relief through witty dialogue and team dynamics. I didn't feel like the stakes were very high even though there was some suspense and a fun twist at the end. Some of the characters could have used a little more development but it is clear where the focus was, and it wasn't a huge issue for me. It was a quick and entertaining read with some endearing characters who are mature in their interactions. I recommend this book and will read more by this author. I am giving this one a 3.75 rounded up.
#graphicviolence #sapphic #policeprocedural #salem #massachusetts #witchtrials #smalltown #maturecharacters #murder #HEA #comicrelief #wittybanter
I received this free ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

i absolutely loved the characters in this book, they were well developed and made you really enjoy your time with them

i loved the scene where the two detectives are sent to get the two fbi agents from the lesbian cruise ship and find one of them more interested in the lap dance.... so funny

and the way the task force came together with their interesting personalities...it made for an entertaining read

the task force is bought about because of the mounting murders that were happening in salem.... and with the twist of the salem witch trails maybe behind the murders these specialist team were bought together to work with wilder as she had no one she could trust as the murder could be anyone even on her police force

well have to say this book gripped me in such a way that i found the characters believeable and was routing for them to get their guy....
cant wait to see what else this author comes out with next

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Agent Tala is in a race against time to stop a serial killer when bodies starts appearing in Salem Harbor, Massachusetts she gets help from detective Wilder as they dives deeper they learn the murders may be tide to the Salem Witch Trials. As they get closer not only to the truth but with each other they get help from the supporting characters Hooper, Trobaugh, Maren, and Darcy who all brings their own take to the case. I thought this was a good read the second half was bit better but I wouldn’t mind seeing theses characters again.

[Amelia Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! 4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this book!! The cover and the blurb pulled me in straight away and i was so excited to be approved for an ARC copy via netgalley! thank you so much for the opportunity! This book had me in a chokehold! The plot was so interesting, hunting a serial killer in a small town and having a task force put together of the best of the best to track them down. Also audibly gasped when i found out it was an all female & gay cast! Loved that so much!! You don’t see enough representation in books and it warmed my heart. The suspense kept me going all throughout, just when you thought you knew who the killer was, NOPE! Such a good twist and the ending was so beautiful. I wasn’t 100% sure about Tala’s mum and her situation but the closure for Tala was so meaningful. Love Tala and Wilder together and their little saying is so cute; “you’re safe, i’ve got you” and Tala then saying “you remembered” UGH hit me right in my feelings. Loved the banter throughout and all of the characters were so lush. Maren’s opening scene was HILARIOUS and her relationship with Darcy was so lovely. This is my first read from this author and it definitely has me wanting to read more of their books!
Only thing i would’ve loved is an epilogue!! or a next book for Tala and Wilder😍

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a hard book to get through. It was so slow and boring that I had to take frequent breaks throughout.

The book felt so rushed halfway through answering the dialogue was so bad between the characters. I wanted more backstories on each agent. I wanted more about the murders and more on Salem.
I hated the smut/romance aspect. It was not needed at all. Maybe if it was left out then the focus could have been more on the story.

The ending was so bad. Some of the choices the agents made were very questionable. I was very disappointed and not at all what I expected based on the description.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six mains, as far as I can see. Two may have been in another book so are not a romance as together but it is still six mains that is quite a lot to keep their backstories in my head and I’m struggling. I’ve resorted to writing a cheat sheet, with names and potted history to try and keep on top.
I’m also struggling with the story and some plot devices. It feels a bit like a clever book that is cleverer than me. I’m enjoying it but not understanding all of it. That said when the tension ramped up towards the end, I was tense. There were actually less baddies than mains, but the writer did a good job of each red herring being possible. I never quite felt I was on top of all the moving parts but I still enjoyed the read as a tag along rather than immersed.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Undercurrent

Author: Patricia Evans

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Rating: ★★★½☆
Release Date: 9th July 2024

Patricia Evans’ "Undercurrent" is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that combines historical intrigue with modern-day crime-solving. With bodies washing up in Salem Harbour, Massachusetts, this thrilling novel brings together an elite team of FBI agents, profilers, and detectives in a race against time to stop a killer.

Agent Tala Marshall, one of the country’s top criminal profilers, joins an elite task force to tackle a chilling case in Salem Harbor. When bodies start appearing on the shore, the team sets up in a remote log cabin to decode the clues and prevent more deaths. Tala’s partner, Detective Wilder Mason, believes the murders are linked to the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. As they delve deeper into the mystery, Tala must confront her own turbulent past and build connections with the team. Wilder, determined to crack both the case and Tala’s guarded heart, must work alongside her to uncover the undercurrent that ties Salem’s dark history to the present-day murders.

What I Loved:

1. Historical Connection: The link to the Salem Witch Trials adds a fascinating layer to the mystery. The historical context enriches the story and provides intriguing clues that connect the past to the present.
2. Complex Characters: Tala Marshall is a compelling protagonist with a deep and troubled past. Her journey of self-discovery and the gradual unveiling of her backstory add depth to her character. Wilder Mason’s dedication to the case and his growing connection with Tala bring a nice balance of professional and personal stakes.
3. Atmospheric Setting: The eerie and mysterious setting of Salem Harbour, with its rich history and haunting ambiance, is beautifully described. The remote log cabin serves as a perfect backdrop for the team’s intense investigation.
4. Team Dynamics: The interactions and camaraderie within the task force are engaging. The team’s diverse skills and personalities create an interesting dynamic as they work together to solve the case.

The historical references and clues tied to the Salem Witch Trials add a unique twist to the murder investigation. This blend of history and modern crime-solving sets "Undercurrent" apart from typical thrillers.

"Undercurrent" is a fun and thrilling read that combines historical intrigue with a modern-day murder mystery. Patricia Evans crafts a story that keeps you guessing, with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged until the very end.

While the pacing can be uneven at times, and some character relationships feel a bit rushed, the novel’s strengths lie in its atmospheric setting, compelling protagonist, and the fascinating connection to Salem’s dark past. Tala’s personal journey and her evolving relationship with Wilder add emotional depth to the story, making it more than just a standard thriller.

Thank you to The Publisher Bold Strokes Books, Inc. ,The Author Patricia Evans & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you call books about a serial killer nice? Let's go with yes, so I can say this was a nice crime procedural about a task force pulled together to track down a serial killer in Salem Massachusetts. And because this is totally normal, ALL of the women on the task force are lesbians. And just like a softball team, romance is not far behind!

The romance part of the story is focuses on hotshot FBI Profiler Tala Marshall and acting Salem Police Chief Wilder Mason, two women with painful pasts who find themselves drawn together despite the gruesome circumstances. There are also agents Maren James, a wild Australian, a buttoned-up Darcy Norse and the married couple LJ Hooper and Brenda Trobaugh. The six women converge on the police chiefs cabin to try and figure out who is killing the people who keep washing up on the beach in Salem.

The story was well-written and engaging, but lacked the complexities that the best crime thrillers have. The women do their best to solve the mystery, and do uncover some answers, but I never got the sense that these were crack agents despite their reputations. I don't want to give any spoilers, as I was surprised at the ending, but I didn't feel like there were clues or a good build-up to discovering who the murderer is, which takes some of the fun and suspense out of the novel. It was an interesting take to tie it in to the Salem Witch Trials, but in the end I felt like it was just a coincidence of location.

I liked the characters and their different personalities, but trying to write a book with six of them is ambitious and in this case took away from getting deep into any of them. It was interesting to see how the dynamics changes depending on who was interacting with who. I know Hooper and Trobaugh have their own book, but there was still a decent amount of page time allocated to them here. All the characters just made it hard to develop the romance between Wilder and Tala, which was meant to be the main focus of the story.

Overall I enjoyed reading Undercurrent and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light serial killer read.

I received an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was biting my nails while I was obsessively reading this gem!
I loved it!
At first I thought this motley crew of women would scratch each other's eyes out or fight.
But they are absolutely wonderful, funny, brilliant when it comes to the case, and some of them seem made for each other.
Wilder is the interim boss of Salem, where three bodies have turned up so far and no one has any idea where to start looking for the killer.
So the FBI and police need help from the best.
They even personally pick her up from vacation on a cruise full of women (Maren is so cool, I love her!).
They stay together in Wilder's cabin to solve the case. There they focus on the case, but it turns into much more than that!
The friendships that slowly develop bring them closer together and they discover each other's talents up close. Admiration and understanding lead to wonderful moments and more!
I don't want to give too much away and therefore won't reveal anything about possible constellations etc.
I'll just say, it's going to be hot!!
Of course, the murders and the mystery surrounding them are in the foreground and keep everyone on tenterhooks.
Salem is mystical, with a difficult, very well-known past and that actually made it even more interesting for me. The story is gripping.
A thriller with very sweet and tender moments and full of wonderfully written characters.
Remains exciting until the end! Amazing story!
Thanks to Patricia Evans, Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undercurrent is the story of a group of specialist law enforcement women forced together to work on a serial killer case. While the case itself weaves in the background, the main focus is the dynamics and budding relationships between the women involved in catching the killer.

As a mystery, the murder story has all the intrigue you would expect. However, it was a little predictable, and I have to admit that I was able to guess the culprit halfway through the book. I found the real focus to be on the incredibly complex characters who each have a myriad of layers written into their personalities that made them come alive on the pages. As you would expect, when 6 powerful same sex attracted women are thrown together, sparks will fly. Our author clearly captures those sparks and carefully peels back the layers of each of the women’s personalities to render them vulnerable to each other.

At the centre of this is Tara and Wilder, both with complex histories, who see each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities. As they become closer, they develop a mutual trust and companionship that lends itself to further exploration. Hooper and Trobaugh, the older, married couple within the group add value with their maturity and strength and of course, humour. Then we have Maren and Darcy, two opposites who find a strength in each other as they work together to solve the case.

An all-round good read. I really hope this turns into a series, there is so much more to explore of each of these wonderful women.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In “Undercurrent,” Patricia Evans masterfully intertwines historical intrigue with a gripping modern-day murder mystery. 

The story begins with a bang as bodies start washing up on the shores of Salem Harbor. The urgency is palpable as Tala, a profiler, alongside local detective Wilder Mason, races against time to decode the clues and stop the killer before they strike again. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. 

Tala Marshall is a standout protagonist. Her journey from a troubled childhood to becoming the nation’s best profiler is inspiring and heart-wrenching. Her partnership with Wilder Mason adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Wilder, with his deep-rooted belief in the connection between the murders and the Salem Witch Trials, brings a unique perspective that complements Tala’s analytical approach. 

“Undercurrent” delves into themes of generational trauma, the quest for justice, and the struggle between past and present. The historical references to the Salem Witch Trials serve as a haunting reminder of the past’s influence on the present. 

Evans’ writing is crisp and evocative. She paints vivid pictures of the eerie Salem Harbor and the tense atmosphere within the task force’s remote log cabin. Her ability to blend historical elements with contemporary crime-solving techniques sets this book apart from typical thrillers. 

“Undercurrent” is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of both historical fiction as well as mysteries.

[Leane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read that I devoured in a single sitting, and I'm already looking for the next book from the author!

The thriller storyline that sends an FBI Task Force to Salem to stop a serial killer and brings our lovable ragtag group together, is a tale full of twists that will keep you guessing right up until the end. It's a clever tale that stands up on it's own, even if you're not here for the character growth and romance layered on top.

You'll journey with Tara's as she lets go of deeply embedded guilt and battles to process the past. You'll fall for the sexy and deeply sensual Wilder. You'll grin at Maven's roguish, but adorable and loveable ways. You'll want to hug Darcy as she melts and finally finds happiness. You'll absolutely adore Trobaugh and Hooper as we spend time with them.

Be prepared to laugh, to enjoy lovingly cute moments, to appreciate the careful handling of sensitive topics, and to fan yourself during the spicy sections.

The attraction between Tala and Wilder is instant, and a flame that burns ever brighter as the story progresses. The lovemaking scenes are sensual, authentic, well written, intimate, and so very hot!

Pick up this book for the romance and thriller plotlines, stay for the love, and found family that is the story's undercurrent.

*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.*

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The murder plot of Undercurrents is engaging, offering layers of intrigue that keep readers guessing. The historical connection to the Salem Witch Trials adds an interesting twist that sets this mystery apart from others in the genre. The urgency of the investigation and the race against time are well-conveyed, providing a sense of tension and excitement.

While the murder mystery itself is compelling, the character relationships fall short of being deeply developed. Agent Tala Marshall and Detective Wilder Mason's partnership, though central to the narrative, lacks the depth and complexity that could have enriched the story. The personal connections and emotional stakes between the characters could have been more fully explored to enhance reader investment in their journeys.

Undercurrents offers a gently interesting read for fans of murder mysteries, particularly those intrigued by historical connections. Although the character development could be stronger, the plot's layers and the backdrop of Salem provide enough intrigue to keep readers engaged. It is a solid choice for a light, suspenseful read with a touch of historical flavor.

Overall, Undercurrents might not captivate every reader with its character dynamics, but it delivers a sufficiently engaging mystery with a unique historical twist.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have picked the book based on the very intriguing premise of hunting a serial killer in Salem and discovering connections to 1692 Salem Witch trials in his motives.
FBI task force is pulled together to join local Police chief Wilder Mason. Complete task force is 6 females who share a cabin in the woods.
They all have complex stories. I believed that Darcy's character deserved lots more detail and time in the book. Tala and Wilder were the main characters. Maybe others get follow up book in a series?
The book felt rushed, big leaps made with not much detail as to how the characters got there.
The author painted lovely picture of the rural cabin, you felt cosy reading about amazing meals shared by the agents and the roaring fires.
Maren was my favourite character, also have enjoyed few witty jokes.
However my main gripe is, that the story was nothing like what I expected.
The serial killer hunt was tucked away so far in the background that you could fit in on 2-3 pages if that. Instead the book was fully focused on the dynamic of the group and their relationships.
The book could have been easily twice as long with more time spent on the crimes and history of Salem Witch hunt and on individual characters.

[Jazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

And all female, all queer, team of law enforcement coming together to track down a serial killer in Salem connected to the witch trials. This book literally sounded like it was made for me and I was SO excited to get into it!

Overall I enjoyed it, the characters were all great, there was good banter and light moments, the romance was cute, the rep was amazing, and the crime aspects and twists were all enjoyable. I think my biggest let down was really the development within the book.

I'm a sucker for found family and people coming together, and our group had that by the end, but it didn't feel earned. They were all such interesting characters but it felt like we hardly got to know them. We got a cute romance between two leads and I WANTED to care about them but it felt like they didn't even know each other. At 255 pages I think if we had gotten closer to 400 we could have spent that time really exploring each of the six leads, their dynamics together and then the romance too.

As a few other reviews have mentioned I would LOVE for this to be the first in the series and to see Tala and Wilder again on another case in the future.

Realistically this was 3.5 stars, but I did enjoy it so I feel like it deserves to be rounded up instead of down!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortly before Halloween, a serial killer begins killing women in Salem, Massachusetts. An FBI task force, made up of six women, is assigned to identify and arrest the killer. The task force quickly realizes that the killer is clever and smart - there are no clues at the murder scene, etc. While hunting for the killer, they are also getting to know one another - and the killer adds another person to the victim count.

Evans has a large cast of characters, which is both a good thing and a bad thing - every character is introduced in the first couple of chapters and there is little to distinguish them at that point except their names. As the book progresses, there are times when the reader is taken out of the story in order to determine who is speaking.

The author ramps up the tension as the team has difficulty finding the killer. The tension continues to climb to the point that some readers may have to set the book aside for a while. You may find yourself reading into the wee hours of the morning.

If you’ve never read Patricia Evans and like thrillers and/or procedurals, you may enjoy reading this book.

My thanks to Bold Strokes Books for an eArc.

[Celina · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: ꜱᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ. ᴄʀɪᴍᴇ. ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ. ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ. ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ. ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ. ꜰᴇᴅᴇʀᴀʟ ᴀɢᴇɴᴛꜱ. ɴᴏɴ-ʙɪɴᴀʀʏ ɢᴇɴᴅᴇʀ. ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏʟᴏʀ.

📖ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️‍🌈⁠


When I read the synopsis, this was not what I expected. I have never read Patricia's work so I don't know the writing style. But this was a little underwhelming. There was potential because the storyline of connecting the past and the present to solve a case was really intriguing. And I don't know but was Tala like psychic or something? There were adequate sub-plots but they did leave a few unanswered feelings, not questions because one can simply draw ones own conclusion. The whole issue with Miranda really didn't make sense, was she like crazy since the start or she, I don't know, like met Jesus or something cult-y? 😂😂


I did enjoy the interaction between the characters. And their friendly banter. There were six agents, 2 were already a couple, the MCs got together but the other two, I wonder if they ended up together on another cruise.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.⁠

[Sapphic Bookshelf]

Undercurrent is an Adult Mystery Thriller.

{When bodies start washing up on the shore in Salem Harbor, Massachusetts, an elite task force of FBI agents, profilers, and detectives join forces in a remote log cabin to decode the clues and stop the killer from targeting another victim.}

I love mysteries. I love thrillers. I love lesbians. So I really wanted to love this book. It’s a task force made up of sapphics trying to catch a serial killer. But I found this story difficult to get into. There’s two different romances occurring and an existing couple. But because this book is so short, in my opinion, we don’t spend enough time with any of the characters for them to feel fully fleshed out or have their arcs fully develop.

I was so ready to read about badass sapphic detectives, but I mostly read about delicious cooking and characters connecting on an emotional level with some crime solving sprinkled in.

Also there was a comment made multiple times about an ex leaving a character who then started dating a man. It was made in a way that it started to feel biphobic.

Publish Date: July 9th, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for a copy of this eARC.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, but I figured out who the killer was pretty early.

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, a task force is brought in to help with a serial killer. It's mostly based in Wilder and Tala's POV, but others are sprinkled in as well. This was a lot to keep up with in regards to all the characters, but Evans did a good job keeping it smooth and not give us too much information at once.

The six women living in a house together had its up and downs while they try to solve the case. The friendships that are developed and more were great to see even if I feel like it moved really fast. I would read a book about Maren and Darcy though as they are completely different. This was a good crime, suspense novel and the history was intertwined really well.

Overall, a pretty good book, but I still felt like Wilder and Tala moved super quick, but I've heard life and death situations enhance everything. I would recommend it.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber McDermott · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review
I have mixed feelings about this book. I had a really hard time getting into the story in the first half of the book, BUT the second half was really good. I just couldn't connect to the characters or the story at first, but I'm glad I stuck around for the ending.

Things I liked
I really enjoyed the connections made between the characters as they worked together on the task force. I thought Darcy's ability was a nice surprise, and I wanted to see more of it. The story taking place in Salem with ties to the witch trials was an interesting addition as well.

Tropes and Things
- Serial killer hunt
-Sapphic Romance (FF)
- BIPOC representation
- FBI Taskforce

Things I wanted more of

I wanted more detail and time spent on the abilities of everyone on the task force, especially Tala. I feel like I didn't really get to see her fully in action. I also would have liked to see more of the development of the relationship between Tala and Wilder. It felt a little rushed in the beginning stages.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you start reading, thinking "I’ll try a couple of chapters just to see what it’s like…" then realise you’re still reading several hours later. The plot involves a six woman task force set up to find a serial killer. This is Salem and the belief is that the killer is linking the modern murders back to the witch trials. The six women live in a 3 bedroom cabin owned by local police chief Wilder Mason.

Credibility is stretched in that the entire task force is female and lesbian, but really it doesn’t matter. This is a fast paced, well written narrative which has several funny bits and a lot of angst. The six women are very different and the way they change and develop and learn to trust each other is nicely handled.

I haven’t read anything else by this author but I’m hoping she writes more crime novels. I’ll certainly be watching out for her next book.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

[Monna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Undercurrent” by Patricia Evans is an interesting and absorbing sapphic murder mystery with a love story embedded firmly inside. There’s a large cast of characters–all female, all lesbian. The story is set in Salem, MA, and that location is an important part of the plot. As a reader, I found parts of the book a little choppy but still easy to follow. The choppiness didn’t take away from my reading enjoyment, but I wish the author had been consistent throughout with more details of the interplay between the six main characters. As I write this review I realize that perhaps the author has set up this group of law enforcement ladies for future adventures together. I’d read them all. Tala and Wilder are the leading ladies of this book. They’re well crafted, slightly mysterious, and a delicious pairing. Four stars for this story, and thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read it.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story and great setting in Salem Massachusetts but definitely too much
side story.
A serial killer is stalking Salem and a dedicated task force is sent in to find the killer.
They immediately get to work on their individual tasks and use their professional strengths to follow
the clues.
Gala is the FBI profiler and finds herself drawn to the Salem PD Chief Wilder.
Chief Wilder is a former detective, moved up to temporarily fill the chief's spot as a permanent replacement is looked for. She works well with Tala and therein lies the fault of the story for me.
A profiler and a police chief finding love amidst the search for a serial killer is just too unprofessional and totally unrealistic for me.
Threw the story off entirely.

[Night · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a group of people (fbi agents and an interim police chief) who team up together to try and stop a serial killer. Now this was an interesting book but I feel like the characters didn't hit their full potential. They were all interesting people but with so many characters and this being a fast and short read... we didn't get time to fully connect with the characters. Not only that but some of the characters personalities seemed to falter when with the group. I think they would've been better for their own story, they just felt crammed in this particular book.

BUT besides my issues with the characters, I really did enjoy this book and the plot. I thought it was a thrilling read that kept me wanting more. and I do wish it was longer,

[Hannah Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A special task force of female FBI agents are assigned to a case in Salem, MA, to catch a serial killer. There is a lot more to this story than just your typical thriller- there is romance, witty banter, and some spice. If you are interested in the Salem Witch Trials and murder mysteries, I would recommend this. It reminded me a lot of criminal minds. I really liked the character dynamic of this story and liked to see the personal growths between some of the characters, as well as the romance between Tala and Wilder. This is told between several different POV's, but I never had any problems keeping up with the story. Overall, I really enjoyed this read.

Read if you like:
Murder Mystery
Romance
Witty banter
Found Family
LGBTQ
Thrillers
Spice