Beneath the Surface (Blackridge Detectives 3) by JC Valentine
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /
Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 6, 2026
Investigative journalist Quinn Barrett returns to Blackridge after ten years for one reason: her dying grandmother’s deathbed confession. Your father didn’t die in an accident. He was murdered.
Armed with her father’s hidden files, Quinn digs into a decade-old real estate scandal. But her investigation collides with Detective Dax Mercer—a former Army bomb specialist who prefers working alone and doesn’t appreciate civilians meddling in police business.
Except Quinn’s sunshine personality is impossible to ignore. When her exposé makes her a killer’s target, Dax’s protective instincts override his determination to stay distant. He knows bombs—and Quinn’s car has one. He knows danger—and it’s coming for the woman who’s gotten under his skin.
Forced into hiding at Dax’s isolated cabin, they must work together to finish what her father started. She brings relentless optimism. He brings tactical expertise and cynicism. Together, they’ll crack the case—or get each other killed.
Because the people who murdered Quinn’s father don’t leave loose ends. And falling for a grumpy detective who’s convinced he doesn’t deserve happiness? That might be the most dangerous thing Quinn’s ever done.
••••••
REVIEW:BENEATH THE SURFACE is the third instalment in JC Valentine’s contemporary, adult BLACKRIDGE DETECTIVES romantic suspense series focusing on the Blackridge PD. This is former US army bomb specialist turned Blackridge Detective Dax Mercer, and investigative journalist Quinn Barrett’s story line. BENEATH THE SURFACE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Quinn and Dax) BENEATH THE SURFACE follows in the wake of the return of investigative journalist to her home town of Blackridge, Washington. After the suspicious death of her father ten years earlier, Quinn Barrett left Blackridge, Washington only to return to say her final goodbyes to the grandmother she would always love but a death-bed message from her grandmother sends Quinn on a deep dive into local businessman James Wheeler, who may have ties to money laundering, and the murder of several people including Quinn’s father David Barrett. David had been investigating Wheeler ten years earlier, but like Quinn, law enforcement refused to heed David’s clues. Reporting to the Blackridge PD, Quinn was told the cases were closed but her insistence caught the heart of Detective Dax Mercer, a man who has seen his fair share of death and loss. As Quinn and Dax being a deep dive into the man in question, Quinn will be targeted by the same people who killed her father.
The world building follows Quinn and Dax as they search for the clues. Quinn’s father David had collected years of proof, potential suspects, victims and betrayals, and with the information our couple find themselves pulled into the machinations of a man intent of killing them all.
The relationship between Quinn and Dax begins as detective and journalist but once Quinn has been targeted, Dax becomes guardian and protector much to the chagrin of our story line heroine. Often TSTL, Quinn refuses to remain in hiding, often placing herself in the direct line of fire. From the outset, Quinn was warned but as an investigative journalist, she refused to listen to anyone else. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.
The secondary and supporting characters are energetic, determined and dynamic. We are introduced to FBI Agent Lisa Torres, lead Detective Carson Black, FBI Agent Nathan Cross, Captain Darius Holloway, questionable businessman James Wheeler, attorney Martin Voss, and Quinn’s grandmother Dorothy Barrett.
BENEATH THE SURFACE is a story of power and control, greed and obsession, murder and madness, family and relationships, loss and love. The character driven premise is detailed, edgy and dramatic; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are desperate and charismatic.
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Trilogy. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn’t sorry.
Living in the Northwest, she has three amazing children and far too many pets. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor’s in English and when she isn’t writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors.
Sign up for J.C.’s newsletter and never miss a thing! http://bit.ly/1KxXWWB
Website • Twitter • Facebook •
