Submerged

February 27, 2012
A man and woman who were once a couple confront their past in a brush with a treasure-seeking killer in this steadily paced thriller. Bailey Craig left her small Alaskan hometown 12 years ago and vowed she’d never return. But when her beloved Aunt Agnes dies in a plane crash, she’s forced to revisit the place—and some of her demons. Meanwhile, a former boyfriend, Cole McKenna, runs a local diving shop and helps police whenever they need his underwater expertise. When the authorities find the body of an alleged tourist who rented from his shop and another not long after, he realizes he needs Bailey’s expertise in Russian to help decipher some of the clues. With the help of a 19th-century diary, will they find the murderer or only end up in harm’s way? Pettrey’s debut novel is a thoughtful attempt to capture both love and suspense in this intricately plotted mystery. While the writing is clumsy at times, the novel introduces the reader to some memorable characters who must rely on their faith just as much as each other. Agent: Chip MacGregor.

April 15, 2012

Bailey Craig left Yancy, AK, and Cole McKenna behind 12 years ago and swore she'd never go back. When her aunt dies in a plane crash, she is forced to return but promises herself she will leave after the funeral. When the police find the body of a diver who rented equipment from Cole's diving shop, and then another diver turns up dead, Cole asks Bailey for help. Can they find the murderer before the murderer gets to them? Can they fight off the feelings that they still have for each other? VERDICT A nice freshman attempt to combine romance and suspense. The writing is sometimes choppy, but the story and characterizations save it. Pettrey is a new author to watch. Recommended for fans of Dee Henderson.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2012
Submerged launches Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series. Combining romance, danger, and a dose of Russian history, the novel is a rapid and entertaining read. Bailey Craig must return home to Yancey, Alaska, when her aunt dies unexpectedly. Although she loved her aunt, Bailey dreads the trip, because people in small towns have long memories. Cole McKenna leads Yancey's team of expert divers, his siblings. They're on a recovery mission after a plane crash, of which Bailey's aunt was a victim. As Bailey sorts through her aunt's possessions, Cole searches for evidence about the cause of the plane crash. Their paths inevitably intersect, and soon the pair must confront lingering feelings for one another. Pettrey builds suspense as the plot twists and turns. Yancey's Russian heritage becomes a critical key to the mystery. Murder victims keep appearing, yet the killer's motive remains unclear. Cole and Bailey, along with their friends and family, must get to the bottom of things before another person is killed. Will love or death prevail?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)