American police diver and underwater investigator, Hannah Sampson has left the USA to work in the British Virgin Islands. While her hopes of an island paradise and tropical waters are met she finds that crime remains as murky and unpleasant as on the mainland. In this 3rd adventure Hannah is woken by an explosion on the neighbouring boat to hers and has to rescue her unconscious friend, Elyse Henry, from that burning boat. She is convinced that someone has deliberately targeted Elyse but her investigation is difficult since Elyse remains unconscious in hospital. The only approach for Hannah is to investigate Elyse’s activities in the days before her death - these concern environmental matters.
The story bowls along very smoothly with plenty of action in and on the water. The background of the Islands and their inhabitants is shown well and the characters are an interesting mix. Hannah is a tough cookie who is not phased by criticism or opposition but who has her weaknesses and avoids seeming superhuman. Her life on her boat, her sea voyages and her trips to the islands are all well described for a landlubber to appreciate. Kathy Brandt is an able writer.
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Jennifer S. Palmer
Kathy Brandt has written 2 previous books about Hannah - Swimming with the Dead (2003) and Dark Water Dive (2004) and a 4th book, Under Pressure has just been published.