John B. Robinson The Sapphire Sea

The Sapphire Sea

John B. Robinson

Morrow, Nov 2003, $22.95, 280 pp.

ISBN: 0060527250

New Yorker jewel dealer Lonny Cushman works out of Diego-Suarez, Madagascar so he can avoid his demanding father and elude his estrange wife's lethal lawyers while hoping to make a find that will make him wealthy and enable him to see his daughter. While driving his motorcycle along the King's Reserve, he glances at a flash of blue that could only be from a gem. As he crashes, he observes a local holding a giant sapphire. Lonny has never seen a bigger nor more perfect jewel. He barters for his ticket to American affluence at the cost of a Malagasy spiritual wealth

Lonny plots to smuggle the blue gem out of the country, but he quickly realizes that everyone who covets ownership knows he possesses this sapphire. Military leaders, the police and the deadly tyrant "The First Rooster" will kill him for the jewel. Even a CIA agent tries to gain ownership as Lonny zigzags his way to the sea where the second and third legs of his escapade await him if he actually makes it.

THE SAPPHIRE SEA is an exciting action packed adventure that will hook readers the moment Lonny crashes his bike. The story line moves at a rapid pace, but also provides a deep look at the large island off the east African coast; though clearly not as a travelogue for tourists. Despite the fact that some of the bullet dodging seems comical and turns villains into caricatures, fans will not care. Instead anyone who gains immense pleasure from a rollicking romp will read John B. Robinson's fast-paced terrific tale in one sitting.

Harriet Klausner