Skid
Rene Gutteridge
WaterBrook, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781400071593

Atlantica Flight 1945 is flying from Atlanta to Amsterdam. The pilot is infamous CJ Brewster-Yarley who was the last person to land a jet safely in water, the Bermuda triangle; the other pilot is First Officer Danny McSweeney, who struggles with the break up of a long time relationship; First Officer James Lawrence is the non-scheduled to fly emergency pilot. On board is emotional impaired Anna Sue and her companion Chucky the pig; FBI Agent Dee Tasler and her prisoner Leendert Rojkaard are being taken to the Netherlands for diamond theft; recently dumped Lucy Meredith who lives by Oprah advice; her ex Jeff the rat and his new girlfriend; musician Jake Van Der Mark who is returning stolen diamonds to the grandma he never met; and Hank Hazard hired by the airlines to test the service of the crew like fifty-five years old flight attendant Gigi. Finally besides the rest of the other Slam and Clicks (flight attendants) and passengers, Federal Aircraft Inspector (ACI) Miles Smilt is there to inspect the pilots for safety violations.

However ACI Smilt is actually Perry Watts planning to steal the diamonds that Jake has with him. This will be a flight like none before as a woman dies, the jewel thief fears the grandson will kill him, and no one is flying the plane thanks to Perry. However, led by Hank's quiet faith those on board Atlantica Flight 1945 may be frightened but pray God is their pilot.

This is an exciting often amusing flight across the Atlantic as incidents seem to keep on coming as if Murphy piloted the jet Each member of the ensemble cast is unique with enough of a personality to make them distinctive and seem real. The inspirational elements are for the most kept in the background except for Hank's explanation of his belief system to atheist Lucy whose God is Oprah and his offer of prayer to the elderly woman whose mom apparently died on the flight. Fans will appreciate SKID as Rene Gutteridge pilots readers on an exhilarating airplane ride.

Harriet Klausner