In Too Deep: Book One of the Looking Glass Trilogy (Arcane Society Series 10)

In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz is filled with mystery, intrigue, magic, and romance. It's the perfect combination for a spectacular story. Will Fallon and Isabella unravel the mystery around the para-weapons? Isabella Valdez Isabella comes from a long line of conspiracy theorists. Even though she understands the theory, she doesn't want to be part of it. However, she ends up in the middle of one when she starts working at Lucan Protection Services. Just when her life starts getting settled, she ends up the fall guy for her corrupt boss. Her grandmother sends her to Scargill Cove to J&J for assistance if things get too dangerous. I like Isabella. She has an easygoing personality and puts people at ease. Some of it could be her power, but I think a lot of it is her personality. She accepts people for who they are and doesn't judge them. Isabella is sweet, but don't underestimate her, as she is also a fierce warrior when she needs to be. Fallon Jones Fallon Jones is the current head of Jones & Jones (J&J). His family has run the investigation service for a long time. Fallon's power is extremely powerful. However, power doesn't help with matters of the heart, and Fallon, although he doesn't know it, is lonely. He has set himself up in Scargill Cove on the Northern California coast. A small town with only a handful of people. All doing their best to stay off the grid. However, this has isolated him from the Arcane Society and his family. Fallon is quiet, a little brooding, straight to the point, but has the manners of an older gentleman. It was nice to see how he reacted to Isabella and her love for him. They truly bring out the best in each other. The Mystery The mystery is two parts, plus a bit more. First, we have the reason that Isabella ended up in Scargill Cove with Fallon. Which is her boss at Lucan set her up to take the blame for his selling para-weapons to those who shouldn't have them. Then we have Fallon trying to track down the rest of Nightshade's operatives (part of the Arcane Society plot line) and dealing with the clockwork-type weapons that were stashed in Scargill Cove twenty-two years ago. Five Stars My rating for In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz is five stars. I started reading Ms. Krentz's alter ego, Amanda Quick's Burning Cove series. I was immediately drawn to her writing style, which made me search for more of her books. However, I was given this book and Quicksilver, so the decision was made to start Arcane Society at the almost end of the series. I know now that I will go back and read the other books too. I highly recommend In Too Deep and all books by Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle. Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz. Until the next time, ~Jen

Fallon Jones – he is one of the Jones Family. If you have read any of Ms Krentz’s books on the Arcane Society you are familiar with the Jones family. They are founders, ongoing protectors, and basically the brains behind the entire thing. Isabella Valdez is an unknown. Her family is better known for being “conspiracy nuts”. But, both of them are honorable, intelligent, and gifted with different talents. When they meet, they form a pair who are unafraid to step into the breech and protect others who are not capable of protecting themselves. Fallon and J & J detective agency are under attack . In fact, the entire Jones family and their control of the Arcane Society are under attack. This is part of a long running series. If you have not read any of the other books in the series, it is OK. Ms Krentz provides background on people as well as past events. This woman writes terrific mystery/adventures. The characters are always fully formed. The reader is allowed into the development of those characters. And getting to know the adventurers is always a wonderful and exciting ride. This plot moves at a good clip. If you like fantasy and adventure and mystery and characters who are powerful people. – then this is a book for you.

IN TOO DEEP is the story of Fallon Jones, a chaos theory talent who people say is a conspiracy theorist -- the difference being that the conspiracies that Fallon sees are real. He lives in a small quirky town because his talent makes him more reclusive and he likes the energy of the area. One day Isabella Valdez comes to town. Isabella has a strange effect on Fallon. She gives him a sense of peace and connection. She declares herself his assistant and comes to work at the psychic detective agency that Fallon runs. The two begin working together to solve mysteries that have obsessed Fallon for the entire Arcane Society series. IN TOO DEEP is the tenth book in the Arcane Society series. This series deals with those who have paranormal talents. The books cover historicals (Amanda Quick), contemporaries (Jayne Ann Krentz) and futuristics (Jayne Castle). There is also an internal trilogy of books the Looking Glass Trilogy of which this is the first book in the trilogy. The Looking Glass Trilogy concerns mechanical inventions that can be used as paranormal weapons including a mirror. I have loved the character of Fallon since he was introduced. He is surly and brilliant and antisocial. His talent separate him from others not only because he sees the world differently than other people but because people do not understand him and thus it is difficult for him to build good relationships. Isabella is a woman who have lived off the grid for her whole life because she has a family of conspiracy theorists who keep many secrets. Her life, however, is good preparation for a man such as Fallon. Next to her family, Fallon feels normal and thus the two make a good pair. Isabella is also social and she builds a connection with others for Fallon. Fallon and Isabella are unusual characters but are a great pair. They balance one another and have a very engaging relationship. I also really like the townspeople of Scargill Cove who represent the west coast post hippie culture. The action in this story of quick and compelling. Krentz writes in a straightforward clean manner with short chapters where the action of the story is always moving forward. There are multiple layers of plot that keep the reader guessing about the outcome. My only complaint is that there is a clear setup for another contemporary story that has not been written. That leaves the story somewhat unfinished with me. I keep hoping that Krentz will write a sequel and we will get to see more of Fallon and Isabella.

Although this is part of a series, Krentz always writes a book that will stand alone. You will enjoy this book if you like paranormal mysteries. We finally get to know Fallon Jones of J&J Agency in depth. Isabella Valdez has ended up in Scargill Cove, a small secluded town in northern California. She was framed for stealing and selling paranormal items that could be used as weapons, and had been told by her grandmother that if ever she was in a dangerous situation she couldn't handle, to go to Fallon Jones! Both Fallon and Isabella have powerful, different, paranormal strengths. The people in Scargill welcome her and take her in. She goes to work for Fallon as an office manager, but she wants to take a job declaring that an old house is not haunted. He says that J&J does not do that kind of work, but lets her go. (A broker was having a hard time selling the house.) With good reason - it wasn't haunted, but a murderer was using it to entice victims in. When she sensed something wrong, she called Fallon who came to her and got her out. A paranormal looking glass item had been involved. The broker was infuriated, and refused to pay! The people in Scargill have had a secret for several years. When they hear what Isabella encountered at the house, they decide that Fallon and Isabella should know about it, and let them see what they have been guarding. Fallon is still concerned about Nightshade, a group producing a drug which enhances a person's power and had hoped to take over and control the Arcane Society. Although the head of Nightshade had been killed, the lower rings were fighting each other and now there are several separate groups to be handled. Many in the Arcane Society feel that Nightshade can never recover and money shouldn't be spent on fighting it. Fallon disagrees. The story goes on from there with a lot of action. I enjoyed it very much.

It doesn't matter if she is writing as Jayne Castle, Stephanie James, Amanda Quick, or Jayne Ann Krentz, you will not be disappointed. I have been a fan since the first book I read. Always a good story, strong leading lady and a hero who is interesting to say the least. Best of all, for me, a sense of humor about life and themselves.

I really liked this book. I didn't feel like it was slow, or did too much "talking/telling/lecturing." I'm a bit of a geek, so perhaps I'm a relaxed reader regarding non-technical material, but I thought this book was really a good relaxing read. It kind of reminded me of Hidden Talents a bit because the female lead, Isabella, was so different from "normal" society and yet she managed to make a difference in several people's lives: including saving at least two from pretty certain death. I also thought it was realistic regarding how long it look for her and Fallon to get intimate. Two people with serious trust issues and tons of secrets aren't going to fall into a relationship overnight; no matter how attracted they are to one anther. Isabella is very interesting as a main character and it certainly takes a special woman to put up with Fallon and all his idiosyncrasies. The town itself is a character in this novel too, which adds a layer of fun. Like I said - don't know what all the negative reviews are about. Good book in my opinion.

I have loved the Arcane Society,since I first discovered Amanda Quick. It didn't take me long to discover her alter-egos, Jayne Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle. I love them all. Jayne Ann Krentz writes with imagination and heart, one can almost believe that she has first hand knowledge of the paranormal worlds she builds. In Too Deep is fabulous and brought us into Fallon Jones' World. He has been a secondary character in other books. I am glad that Fallon met a strong woman who understands him. I give this book 5 stars and recommend the other two books in the series,too. ~Rita L. Smith ritalsmith.com

This is a very full story, and Ms. Ketntz brings it to a satisfying conclusion. Isabella is on the run and the only safe place for her is in Scargill Cove. Fallon is one that seeks solitude due to his talent, until he meets Isabella. There are about 6 different side stories that happen, and are all brought into one in a most excellent way. I was hoping there'd be more on the "present" time line with the Arcane Society, but it appears that's not the case. Maybe in another series we might get a conclusion to some of the loose ends that are floating around. All in all, this is one of my favorites to read. And I know I will reread this series again.

Just started listen and hate getting out of my vehicle because I want to listen to more

Love this one, a really good read ( In Too Deep) will have to try and find the next one in this series

Always enjoy her books

I love all her books and she's most definitely one of my favourite authors. I loved the story and it flowed well - fast paced and exciting, and with excellent side characters. The only reason it lost half a star for me was that I felt it didn't really go 'deep' enough into Fallon (and his relationship with Isabella) for me to feel like I really got to know and understand him. I've always loved his character and have been waiting for 'his' story, but when I finished the book I was left with the feeling that there was still a lot more to find out about him.

I enjoyed this book and did not guess the killer. Wonderful characters. Love scenes are not too explicit yet express the feelings between the individuals.