4.5 stars. Excellent mystery. Looking forward to book 2 ( )

One of the things I loved about this book is the authenticity with which Micki Browning writes. The story kept me thoroughly engaged and I loved the main character Meredith Cavallo, a.k.a. Mer. She's witty, smart, and practical and all the more reason why the paranormal aspect of this mystery works with this particular character. This is really a refreshing take on the usual path of a traditional mystery, and one that I liked a lot. In her story the paranormal activity is introduced when her dive group encounters a man who believes he's seen a ghost. This is a perfect foil for our scientific thought processing MC to have to investigate. Plus, there's a little of everything in this wonderful debut, aside from mystery and the paranormal, there's just the right level of romance.

I'm glad there will be more Mer Cavallo books! A really great job on this debut for Micki Browning! ( )

Received via Abili and NetGalley in exchange for an completely unbiased review.
Also posted on Silk & Serif

Adrift is the debut novel for author Micki Browning – and it’s amazing. Mer, a safety diver who saves a man while babysitting a set of tourists, is thrown into an epic mystery about a ghost, a murder and starring the dysfunctional crew of a paranormal investigation team. Mer becomes part of the safety divers for a paranormal investigator’s documentary on a ship wreck that the diver Mer rescued had seen a ghost. The head of the documentary, Ishmael goes missing under water and Mer becomes the prime suspect in murder. Meanwhile, Mer begins to suspect that not all is above board with Ishmael and his paranormal investigative team and vows to unearth the truth – even if it destroys her. What she finds may not be what she was expecting..

I loved this novel and couldn’t put it down. I mean, struggling marine biologist, diving, an underwater mystery, paranormal documentary AND shipwrecks? Yes, pleaase.

Adrift is one part mystery and one part drama. While the police investigate Mer, we follow Mer as she investigates the mystery of the haunted ship wreck that inevitably leads us to an unexpected conclusion. Browning sets the stage by creating an “interesting” dynamic between all the members of the paranormal crew as well as bringing in Mer’s shifty ex-boyfriend at just the right time. The reader is suspicious of most of the cast while also being lead along on the dramatic roller coaster that is Mer’s romantic and personal life.

Personally, I loved that Browning created a novel filled with suspense and suspicion. The two S’s are interspersed by strong emotive descriptions, intense action scenes and a strong plot. I read this book cover to cover in one night and was left wanting more..thankfully this is book one of the Mer Cacallo Mystery.

Most shocking, this is a debut novel that is written as if it were written by an experienced writer (pen name, perhaps?). Browning hits all the stops, breathes life into her stories and yet doesn’t let the plot wither – something that is rare in a new writer. I would definitely recommend Adrift to anyone who loves a good mystery with complex romance or even just a novel that defies expectations on both the skill front and the plot front. I DID NOT SEE THAT ENDING COMING!

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy mystery, complex romance, suspense, novels about the ocean and marine biologists who daylight as a safety diver and novels that defy the norm. I would not suggest this novel to those who are looking for a dreary DNF novel because you will be up all night reading this one until the very end. ( )

Mer Cavallo is a scientist who is working for a Florida dive shop while looking for a new research posting. Herding wayward divers is not always fun but it does get her out on the water and it pays the bills.

Then one day a diver appears at a dive site where he should not be, claiming he has no idea how he got there and telling a wild story about a ghost in the water. The media picks up the story and some ghost hunters appear. One of them is murdered, and suddenly Mer's rather orderly scientist's life is in disarray.

Good storytelling and good description. I could feel the hot sun and the lapping of the waves. I thought the final ending a bit irrational but, as this is the first book in a series, I will hold off judgment for a while.

I received a review copy of "Adrift: A Mer Cavallo Mystery" by Micki Browning (Random House – Alibi) through NetGalley.com. ( )

I thought this book would be a light cozy mystery but ended up having more substance. It was a great read and kept me engrossed to the end! A recommended read.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ( )