Christine Kling, Wrecker's Key

Wrecker's Key

Christine Kling

Ballantine, Feb 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 034547905X

Though it is only three years since she inherited her late father's tugboat, Seychelle "Sey" Sullivan struggles to keep the business afloat as the insurance is a fortune and her unscrupulous competitors use modern technology and amoral tactics to beat her to the job. Now Sey also deals with a lawsuit.

Currently she is leaving her Fort Lauderdale base to help a friend in Key West. Nestor Frias is the captain of wealthy Ted Berger's yacht that needs towing to a repair dock. However, Nestor dies in what looks like a tragic accident except his pregnant wife Catalina believes he was murdered. Sey also has doubts as her late friend told her someone did something to the GPS, which fits nicely into her wondering how Ocean Towing always gets to the stranded vessels even before the Coast Guard arrives. Furthermore, she ponders whether the owner Neville Pinder is somehow causing the beaching of yachts onto reefs and perhaps Nestor found the proof though Sey also thinks the concept is foolish. That is until someone starts stalking her.

This is an interesting nautical whodunit starring a beleaguered (just ask her dog) tugboat Annie struggling to keep her business sailing against rivals with much more capital, better equipment, and no scruples. The storyline is action-packed, especially at sea where Sey has her legs anchored. Readers who appreciate a deep suspense thriller will want to join Sey on and off the Florida coast as she soon finds staying alive has become her prime issue.

Harriet Klausner