Lynn H. Blackburn believes in the power of stories—especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She continues her Dive Team Investigations series with In Too Deep (Revell), ramping up the romantic tension and action-packed suspense with when an investigation puts family loyalties to the test. In this interview, the author explains her inspiration for the book, the research behind the criminal investigation, and what intrigues her about dive team investigations…
What was your inspiration for In Too Deep?
When I first developed this story, I knew I wanted it to have a human trafficking angle and I wanted Adam’s family to be mixed up in it. But it was a very vague idea and I didn’t know how it would come together.
Then I heard about the labor trafficking happening in my own city and how the Carolinas have a high number of people living in slavery right in front of us and we don’t realize it. I can still remember the moment I knew this was the kind of trafficking the characters would be dealing with. It shook me in a way no other story I’ve written has.
What type of research was required for writing your book?
I interviewed a white-collar crimes investigator and a computer forensics expert, both of whom gave me valuable insights into Adam’s and Sabrina’s characters. We talked about what they love about their jobs, what’s challenging about their jobs, and what a day-in-the-life looks like for them.
I’m also fortunate to know a homicide investigator who graciously answers my procedural questions and a master underwater criminal investigator who helps me get the diving scenes right. I also spent a lot of time researching human trafficking—specifically labor trafficking in the Carolinas. It was the most difficult research I’ve ever done.
What intrigued you most when writing about dive team investigations?
The thing that is both the most intriguing and the most terrifying to me is how often the divers have little to no visibility. They are floating just above the bottom of a lake and searching with their hands. It takes a very special person to have the courage to do something like that.
Do you have a favorite character in your book?
The hero and heroine always get my love and devotion, of course. But after that, I’m very partial to the EMTs who, unfortunately for the main characters, get a lot of action in this novel! I think Clark and Dorothy might each have an interesting story. And Adam’s parents, Art and Abby, were a lot of fun to get to know.
What do you hope readers gain from reading In Too Deep?
I always want my writing to encourage people in their faith—to help them remember that God is faithful and good. But with In Too Deep, I also hope readers come away with a new understanding of the very real issue of human trafficking in our country and seek out ways they can help in their own communities.
Visit Lynn H. Blackburns author page here:
https://www.familyfiction.com/authors/lynn-h-blackburn
In Too Deep
Dive Team Investigations #2
Lynn H. Blackburn
Revell
Discover more of Lynn H. Blackburn’s books here:
https://www.familyfiction.com/authors/lynn-h-blackburn/books