|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
Being a partner in a successful public relations firm means that Michael Tanner doesn't have much time for himself. Therefore, the 2-week vacation that he's planned with his wife and soulmate, Beth, and her old college friend, Alice, is a respite that he's been looking forward to, especially since they have decided to sail the Inside Passage between Vancouver and Washington state and determine if they want to invest in a boat of their own. It's been an enjoyable journey as they traverse along the shore in the "Queen Anne", dropping into the various inlets and bays. Michael really wants to sail in "big water", so they steer their course for Lesqueti. As they do so, a thick fog rolls in, thick as the proverbial pea soup, and the trio is navigating blindly. Then a strange thing happens. There's a small break in the fog, and they see a 90-foot yacht within 50 yards of their much smaller vessel. Suddenly, the yacht comes through the fog and nearly rams the Queen Anne. Shaken, Michael, Beth and Alice attribute the near miss to an unfortunate error. However, when the yacht returns again and fires a shot, they know they are in danger. Finally, it returns for a third time and smashes into the Queen Anne. Michael falls into unconsciousness; when he revives he is being rescued by the Coast Guard. Beth and Alice are never seen again. There's no clear-cut evidence that supports Michael's story of what happened, and he becomes obsessed with trying to find the strange yacht and bring the murderers to justice. He falls into the pits of depression, abusing alcohol and neglecting his professional duties. Fortunately, his partners at the agency are supportive of him and ask him to take some time to heal and track down the elusive yacht. Michael goes to Mexico where he slowly recovers. He then takes a seasonal job working at a marina, feeling that this may be a place where he might see the yacht. Indeed, he does begin to heal, even to the point of beginning a new relationship, but his quest is not an easy one or one that is quickly resolved. This is Brookins' first book, and he does an excellent job in several areas. He has a deft hand with dialogue, and there are no false notes in terms of the plot, although some of the suspenseful elements were laid on a bit thick. There were several places where the transitioning between the narrative events was weak which made for some confusion as points of view shifted without warning. What is exceptional is his depiction of the unique setting, and he describes adventure on the high seas along with the best of them. Much of the action takes place on the waters of the Inside Passage, and Brookins describes the rigors of sailing exceedingly well without getting overly technical. There are some beautiful descriptive passages. The book comes to a satisfyingly realistic conclusion. A fine first effort which I recommend.
Reviewed by Maddy Van Hertbruggen, June 2003
This book has more than one review. Click here to show all.
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
