Under the Surface

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Glen Lloyd

When Hobart Detective Douglas Sawyer chases someone along Constitution Dock, the last thing he expects to see is the guy change shape and disappear into the freezing cold water. He also doesn’t expect a government suit to intervene on the case and offer him a job in a remote town in the wilds of the Southwest Coast to report on things that may or may not be weird.

As the leader of his consortium, Ciaran Brenner takes protecting his town of Tenebrae Cove, and his family, very seriously. He’s never been bothered by any cop who takes up post in town because none of them stay long enough to find out the truth.

Until Sawyer, that is.

Sawyer has never felt at home anywhere until he arrives in Tenebrae Cove, the creepy little town in Southwest Tasmania. He can’t explain the unnatural pull he feels toward the water, or to the man who seems to despise him. He knows things aren’t as they appear, not when it comes to the water and not when it comes to Ciaran Brenner either.

For reasons he can’t yet explain, he’s dying to get under the surface of both.

©2025 N.R. Walker (P)2025 N.R. Walker

Cozy and Mysterious

I was instantly hooked and drawn into this book, these mythical beings living apart from society. The atmosphere of the story is so warm and cozy, on top of the dark and mysterious elements. And the spice was perfectly seasoned. Narration, as always, was *chef’s kiss. I found all the characters so interesting, I cannot wait for the rest of the books in the coming series.

Great start to the series

I loved this isolated society, fated mates romance. There are secrets, romance, mystery, suspense, danger, laugh , spice, and chosen family all centered around two real, relatable characters who have flaws and issues but are just trying to do their best as messy beings. Sawyer is a cop who witnesses someone change shape and, as a result, he is assigned to a special division and to a post at Tenebrae Cove, an isolated location with only a handful of residents. Ciaran is one of the inhabitants of Tenebrae Cove, the owner of an antiques business, and the leader of his Consortium. For unknown reasons, Sawyer is pulled to the town, the water and Ciaran and ciaran is pulled to him. Despite all the secrets and trying to ignore the pull, Sawyer and Ciaran’s chemistry sizzled off the page and it pulled them together no matter how hard they tried to resist. As secrets are revealed, things only get more complicated for all the residents of Tenebrae Cove. The story has good world building. Enough to allow the story to flow without getting bogged down in the minutiae and leaving room for adding on in later books. While the love story arc of Sawyer and Ciaran is resolved in this book, the overarching story arc of what’s coming for the residents of Tenebrae Cove is not. This just means I will be definitely reading the next book to see what happens next and to who. 4.5 stars.

Glen Lloyd did a phenomenal job narrating the story and characters into life with enough change of inflection, tone and cadence to voice multiple characters quite convincingly. His narration makes a great story even better.

Very different storyline for me.

I am not a big reader or listener of paranormal books but I have some in my library. But went with it because of the author and narrator, love them both. Different isn't always bad and there were parts of this story and mysteries in the storyline I enjoyed. The two main characters are mated and I really liked the humor and lead in to some underlying mystery but as I got closer to the end, I knew that was it. Didn't like the ending, so there has to be a follow up to my lingering questions and what happens next. No regrets, just want to know when the next book is being released. The passion in Glen Lloyd's narration made this story a lot more enjoyable, otherwise with this ending, I might have returned it.

Different

Wasn't as easy to get sucked into as her usual books. It was good. I didn't like Toben at all. I'm sure he will have a book. Not sure I will be back to listen to the rest.

ok

Not my favorite from this author.
I read the blurb and listened to the preview and thought it was going to be a great tale and the beginning of a fantastic series. And for some people it maybe, unfortunately, not for me.

I was hoping for more plot, less 'mating'. I did very much enjoy getting the information about the history of the area, the characters and mythology. But not enough to carry on with the series.
I understand the author was probably using this book as a starter for the rest of the series but I need some more.
The narration was fine, not his best work in my opinion, but didn't stop from listening tonthe whole book.