Whiskey Gulf

"Whiskey Gulf," by Clyde Ford, is the third of his Charlie Noble suspense series. Ford's vivid and descriptions and attention to detail show his love of sailing and the Washington-British Columbia area known as the Strait of Georgia. Mixing elements of Native American mysticism with international politics and modern naval technology, Ford creates a believable story for Charlie Noble. Charlie is a retired Commander from the US Coast Guard Intelligence. Now a private investigator, he is investigating the disappearance of a couple who boated in the Whiskey Gulf area, which is a firing and testing range for the US and Canadian navies. The couple is not what they seem and Charlie must track down an ex-friend from Bahrain who is an agent of the Islamic Jihad Front that is tracking this couple. He is helped by Raven, ex-navy Seal and now medicine man, to find the couple as a special mission for the U.S. C. G. This is a well-paced and well-written book. Even though it is a series, this is a by itself compete with background. The descriptions of the boats and sailing bring you right in the action, while his words bring out the beauty of the land. It sounded so beautiful I had to Google the areas. Charlie is a likable guy who has had an interesting life. His few close friends all provide good character depth. Action mixed with introspection make this a very good read.

In the waters of Whiskey Gulf in British Columbia, joint naval maneuversby Canada and the United States are going on when the damaged and filling with water sailboat Rebecca Anne enters the exercise zone. The Kinsleys reach the Comax Coast Guard who transfers them to Winchelsea Control before they are cut off and never heard from again. The Kulsham Yacht Club hires former Coast Guard investigator turned maritime private sleuth Charlie Noble to learn what happened to the couple. He goes to the area in Whisky Gulf where the sailboat allegedly landed and finds fiberglass pieces and other evidence that supports the theory the Rebecca Anne blew up. Charlie sees two torpedoes going through the water near him. Charlie later learns they were used as a decoy to show the buying country Baharin that the guidance system still needs work. Intelligence confirms that the Kinsley's (not their real names) are needed to testify against a terrorist in the States while the Canadians hide them to keep them safe until they do. An assassin is coming to kill them; a person Charlie once called friend until he shot his brother and that former pal plans to take out Charlie too for killing his sibling. Action, action, and action to the nth degree makes WHISKEY GULF an absorbing thriller filled with characters who for the most part are hyperbole to insure the action never decelerates. Charlie is retired, but feels duty bound to help destroy a terrorist cell. His partner Raven brings depth to Charlie as he is like a father figure to him. Clyde Ford provides a thriller faster than a speeding Mustang filled with surprising twists and revelations. Harriet Klausner