A Jesse McDermitt Novel (Caribbean Adventure Series Book 4)

Remember Star Trek TOS? Every episode there would be a reason for an away team to go somewhere and resolve some issue – whatever it was. Nearly all the time there were Red Shirts – crewmen in red tunics and inevitably one of these red shirted crewmen would die.

Toward the end of this story it was obvious one of the supporting characters was gonna get whacked. Who and how were the only question. We'll let you guess.

Post Tramatic Stress Disorder – PTSD – was mentioned in this story. For those that have never experienced combat, count your lucky stars and give thanks. PTDS is real and it can be terrible. No human should have to suffer like this. If you need a charity, please do your research and choose one that supports PTSD treatment of our wounded warriors.

This is the 3rd novel from this series (and the 4th book including the prequel) that I've read from this author. I've another review of the set of the first three books. If ya want you can see what I had to say about those by clicking on my name and looking for my other reviews.

Overall, I say predictable. Not a bad effort, but it wasn't good enough to keep me up till the wee hours as did parts of books #1 & #2. There I read in bed until after 2am before going to sleep. Not a usual occurrence at all for me. So... this one was predictable. Not bad, but... meh, just OK. Nothing to lose sleep over.

In the first two books there were some situations that slammed my BS detector far into the red as I mentioned that in my previous review. This book? The needle danced near the boundary between green and yellow a lot. A couple of times it bounced nearer the red zone, but did not slam the peg and stay buried. So... most of the scenarios and situations are at least possible. Probable? Again, as a civilian I cannot pass judgement. Perhaps the situations are just an authors wild imagination or... perhaps they have some basis in fact. Again, we'll leave that for you to decide.

If you're a military action aficionado you most likely will not be disappointed and will consider the price paid to be fair value for the level of enjoyment. For me, it was good enough to get me to the next book in the series. I suppose as an author you can't really ask for more than that, that is, your work being good enough to get more of my money for the next book in the series.

Stinnett has become one of my favorites, I have read all books in order and rate them highly, however someone must have told him to put mindless sex in this one. That is the reason for the lower rating.

I enjoyed reading these books, not for a fantastic plot but for the sheer ordinaryness of what life might be like on that coast and among boat people. Stinnett did a good job sharing the joy of it all....along with a few bruises.

As I sit here looking over the questions that best describe this book, I realize that just one word is inaccurate in some of those questions. For example, describe the plot - some twists and full of surprises; the mood - hopeful, suspenseful, thoughtful and a little dark; the characters - developed and complex. To understand why I say this, you have to read the story. Stinnett's books are not easy to write about as almost all of the story or stories is the story, leaving no avenue to cover without giving something away. Also, by the time you finish reading about a new character, you know about 85 to 95% about that character; the rest you will find out in another book, if they live that long. One of the qualities I like about his books, you have no idea what character(s) will show up in another book.

This book did start out slow only because he was giving background info about Jesse and some of his most trusted friends. Once you realize this, at least to me, it was no longer slow. And something told me to start keeping tract of who and what these friends and enemies knew and did and I was right! And I advise you to do this for EVERY ONE OF HIS BOOKS.

That being said, I enjoyed reading this book as I did all of them. After being in the marines for so long, Jesse had mixed feelings about retiring, but knew in his heart it was time. He moves to the Keys and, after being mistaken for a Captain, he decides to buy a boat and charters diving and fishing trips. However, before he can get started, something bad happens that he feels he personally has to take care of. Thus begins the exciting and suspenseful story of Jesse after the marines. That is all you get. Sorry can't and won't give anything away that happened in this story!!

This book took a turn, no, a couple of turns that I did not see coming. It kept me glued to the story to see what was going to happen next. Some of the turns were dark, in a bad but good way?! After you read the book you will agree but disagree with that statement just as I did when I wrote it. Then read the rest of his books in this series as you don't know what is going to happen at the turn of a page. This is my review for all of the books in this series, because everything I said above holds true for all of his stories. ( I will say this, You Will Hate to Love Book 2!!!) And while you wait for the 8th book (or whatever book you may be waiting for after reading this review) start his new series about Charity Styles, first book titled "Merciless Charity." No I will not tell you who she is, but you are going to LOVE this series too!!!!

HAPPY READS

I enjoyed reading these books, not for a fantastic plot but for the sheer ordinaryness of what life might be like on that coast and among boat people. Stinnett did a good job sharing the joy of it all....along with a few bruises.

As I sit here looking over the questions that best describe this book, I realize that just one word is inaccurate in some of those questions. For example, describe the plot - some twists and full of surprises; the mood - hopeful, suspenseful, thoughtful and a little dark; the characters - developed and complex. To understand why I say this, you have to read the story. Stinnett's books are not easy to write about as almost all of the story or stories is the story, leaving no avenue to cover without giving something away. Also, by the time you finish reading about a new character, you know about 85 to 95% about that character; the rest you will find out in another book, if they live that long. One of the qualities I like about his books, you have no idea what character(s) will show up in another book.

This book did start out slow only because he was giving background info about Jesse and some of his most trusted friends. Once you realize this, at least to me, it was no longer slow. And something told me to start keeping tract of who and what these friends and enemies knew and did and I was right! And I advise you to do this for EVERY ONE OF HIS BOOKS.

That being said, I enjoyed reading this book as I did all of them. After being in the marines for so long, Jesse had mixed feelings about retiring, but knew in his heart it was time. He moves to the Keys and, after being mistaken for a Captain, he decides to buy a boat and charters diving and fishing trips. However, before he can get started, something bad happens that he feels he personally has to take care of. Thus begins the exciting and suspenseful story of Jesse after the marines. That is all you get. Sorry can't and won't give anything away that happened in this story!!

This book took a turn, no, a couple of turns that I did not see coming. It kept me glued to the story to see what was going to happen next. Some of the turns were dark, in a bad but good way?! After you read the book you will agree but disagree with that statement just as I did when I wrote it. Then read the rest of his books in this series as you don't know what is going to happen at the turn of a page. This is my review for all of the books in this series, because everything I said above holds true for all of his stories. ( I will say this, You Will Hate to Love Book 2!!!) And while you wait for the 8th book (or whatever book you may be waiting for after reading this review) start his new series about Charity Styles, first book titled "Merciless Charity." No I will not tell you who she is, but you are going to LOVE this series too!!!!

HAPPY READS

This is part of a series. I've thoroughly enjoyed every book and plan to read the whole series. If you love the military and the folks who lay their lives on the line for us every day then you'll enjoy this.

Good mix of action and character development. Likeable characters, interesting storyline, and satisfying romance. Had to go to the maps to get a feel for where I (the action) was taking place. A little heavy on nautical technology, but quite understandable.

This, the fourth book in the series is written far better than his first. The plot was clean, well constructed, involving interesting segments for the plot. The description of the fishing, scenery and locations makes me jealous for not living there! Oh well. Not a top shelf writing but a fun book well worth reading.

I do believe I am hooked on this character (Jesse). This 3rd book in the series is my favourite so far. A great mystery with compassion shown for those in need. This story moved me. Thanks to the author. I have book 4 & 5 already and look forward to the continuing story.

Good mix of action and character development. Likeable characters, interesting storyline, and satisfying romance. Had to go to the maps to get a feel for where I (the action) was taking place. A little heavy on nautical technology, but quite understandable.

This, the fourth book in the series is written far better than his first. The plot was clean, well constructed, involving interesting segments for the plot. The description of the fishing, scenery and locations makes me jealous for not living there! Oh well. Not a top shelf writing but a fun book well worth reading.

I do believe I am hooked on this character (Jesse). This 3rd book in the series is my favourite so far. A great mystery with compassion shown for those in need. This story moved me. Thanks to the author. I have book 4 & 5 already and look forward to the continuing story.

These books are so satisfying on so many levels that once I finished the last one I floundered around and spent a couple of depressing weeks unable to find any book that engaged me. They're set in the Florida Keys so there's that background of tropical water. I've owned two sailboats and lived aboard them and am a certified diver, so that aspect answered a soul-deep love. Then, the hero owns his own island (my ultimate fantasy) and it's a kind of fortress of solitude that eventually morphs into a home and training ground for the warrior group. So, just the background setting of these novels was enough to keep me involved. Then there's the group of warriors, their kinship and loyalty to each other - they're the best of humanity. This particular book involves a wounded warrior and he is portrayed beautifully and with great heart. I was more invested in these characters than any book I can remember reading in this genre. Finally, there's the action/adventure; just excellent action that's based on excellent strategy rather than superior firepower. Great stories involving terrorists, treasure hunts, drug lords - all real elements in that area. Perfect pacing. I think what appealed to me so much is that when the pacing slowed, the gorgeous setting kept the story from flagging - I was still as involved as during the most suspenseful action moments.

McDermitt is a retired 20-year Special Ops veteran who buys a drool-worthy boat and settles in the Florida Keys to try his hand at charter fishing. Events lead him to an alliance (and friendship) with a DHS Special Ops group to counter terrorism in the area. In this instance, a bad higher-up in DHS seeks revenge against the group.

There are a few continuity errors over the course of the books (maybe half a dozen altogether), nothing major, just minor description changes. Also, for real boating people, Stinnett has a desalinization unit on the boat and eventually on the island, but it's actually really bad for you and dangerous to drink desalinized (RO) water unless it's remineralized with calcium and magnesium. That kept bothering me. Those are such minor issues compared to my complete enjoyment that I feel petty bringing them up.

Every book I've tried to read since this one felt like it lacked some essential component. Because these books were just that satisfying and thrilling.