Death Roll

A sailing inspired thriller that moves along and holds attention well. Though so implausible at times (miraculous sleuthing through high security, improbable escapes from all but predetermined peril, physical altercations that seem so easily to go in favor of the protagonist) that it is almost silly, it is not out of line with what is to be expected for the genre. There is detailed accounting of sailing racing tactics—definitely this will hold the attention of the initiated. For the non-sailors, it will go right over their heads, but they will be carried along by the intensity and energy of these accounts. There is fleeting but consistent texturing of the settings, visual and sensory that give traction and engaging context that prevent this book from following the arc from hand to trash bin of so many more mystery/thrillers that are just too flimsy and apathetically contrived. If you like sailing and want a light read with some momentum, it might not disappoint.