Vanished at Sea

by Tina Dirmann

It was supposed to be blue skies and smooth sailing for Thomas and Jackie Hawks. A retired probation officer and a stay-at-home mom, they were looking forward to entering the next phase of their golden years. Their plan: To sell their home--a 55-foot, $435,000 yacht--and start a new life on land...and spend as much time with their grandchildren as possible. The Hawks were thrilled when a young man named Skylar Deleon wanted to buy the boat for himself, his wife, and their two kids. Little did Thomas and Jackie know that this unemployed, former childhood actor and dishonorably discharged Marine had another devious plan in mind: To lure the couple out to sea, force them to sign away their life savings, throw them overboard, and leave them

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2008

Reviews

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was hard to put down. It's a haunting case (a group of ne'er-do-wells steal a yacht and brutally murder the owners), and the author knows how to tell a story. The book was published before all the trials had ended, so you'll have to look online for the denouement.

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad. Author Tina Dirmann did an excellent job with this book, managing to give us a good feel for both the victims and the perpetrators, with just enough about the cops and prosecutor to be interesting.

One of the best true crime accounts I've read in a while. Tight, sharp, and well written.

[Sadie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks on their beloved boat was heartbreaking. I read this book before Caitlin Rother’s came out. Rother’s book is better and includes an update. This book was written before the case went to trial. Talk about being rushed.

[Lorraine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like the way this book was written it was not interesting. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a sad story for the family. RIP Tom and Jackie

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the murders of Thomas and Jackie Hawkins, a couple who were selling their yacht. A buyer came to view the yacht, murdering the couple and making off with credit cards and other items belonging to the couple. The investigation is outlined clearly in this book. For those interested, this case was featured on the shows Snapped, Dateline, and 20/20.

[J.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting "true crime" book about a retired couple who were killed by a young man and several accomplices for money. Mainly, the killer figured the couple must have quite a bankroll because they were selling a large, 55-foot yacht they had called home for a few years. Fortunately, the killer was caught and tried for the murder.

The book is very well-written, at times almost seeming fictitious because the author put herself in the mindset of not only the killers but also the victims, projecting onto them possible thoughts and actions in their final hours which she couldn't have known. It was an interesting device to make the reader more sympathetic toward the victims, and to try to explain the killers' motives behind the murders.

My only complaint is that the book was published in 2008, when the killers were still on trial, so though the reader learns one of the killers is sentenced to life in prison, the fate of the ringleader and his accomplices is not known. For those interested in the sentencing, click here.

Also, I should point out that the subtitle for this book is misleading. Though the killer, Skylar Deleon, had a non-speaking role on two episodes of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV show, by no stretch of the imagination would that classify him as a "child TV actor."

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

well written, well researched true crime. quick read for a nice literary palate cleanser. it was decent enough, but didn't provide much that hadn't already been shown on Investigation Discovery. Also, sometimes it is good for true crime to be written after all parties have been tried, sentenced and begun an appeals stage. This book felt like it was rushed at the end, and ended rather abruptly. perhaps this was to jump the gun and be the first author to publish a tell all book, but it really seemed to have little cooperation from the defendants or their families... therefore not really a tell all. interesting and decent none-the-less, i just like a bit more from my true crime books.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the format of this book. The opening pages that describe the murders are terrifying. It draws you in to the story almost immediately and then you want to keep reading to make sure that justice is done. I am only giving it three stars because I do feel like the story started to drag in the last 50 pages and it's a short book so that really shouldn't happen. And also, it ends so abruptly. I see that it was published the same year that the arrests (or court hearings) took place, but the fact that it ends without knowing whether they are convicted was kind of a disappointment. I had to google it! Not that this is the author's fault, but it's still annoying.

[seattleamanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me! It read like a Friday night dateline special but with some really shocking twists and turns. It kept me turning the pages of this small-enough-to-fit-in-my-purse real life mystery. I read it in a day and a half and that says a lot...such a guilty pleasure.

[Joseph Naus · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a down and dirty read about a horrible crime committed by people that it's hard to view any other way than friggin' pure evil.

dirmann is a former news writer, and her writing is sparse and clean. it's a page turner. pretty short.

[Amy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story and very heart wrenching. It makes you wonder how people like this actually exist in this world.

[Carol King · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK true crime, average, quick read. It's hard to imagine the couple disappeared from Newport Beach, such a gorgeous place I've been to many times. Sad.

[Kristyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome detailed account of this Orange County crime. I work in the law enforcement field and was familiar with this case. Enjoyed the book although the crime was so heinous.

[Patrick Bergin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book (now in ebook form) to anyone who is interested in a story that you won't forget. Nicely written, too.

[Tyler Nals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing, intriguing, and real.

[Misty Dellinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Couldn't put it down. I felt horrible for Tom and Jackie, I couldn't imagine goingn through what they went through, and all because someone wanted what they had.

[Ruth Packett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this after catching part of this true crime story on Dateline. It’s well written and tells the story in a way that seems almost fictional but sticking to facts.

[Doingitwritenow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

Wow. What a cold and heartless evil bunch of demons. I feel awful saying I couldn't put the book down based on that. How horrific. I'm glad justice was served

[Cheryl Licata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Money was all important to Skylar and Jennifer Deleon. Money had to come quickly and no one should stand in their way of getting it. This true crime story tells of a couple, Jackie and Thomas Hawk, who thought they were selling their 55 foot yacht to Skylar and Jennifer. They learned differently but it was too late. Lying and scheming were Skylar's forte and people believed him...at least for a while. This book is a good reminder that "crime doesn't pay."

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story, 'Vanished at Sea' is about the interesting criminal case of a cold-blooded couple involved in the murder of another couple of pensioners. The photos are a welcome touch and the case itself is excellently detailed by the author, Tina Dirmann.

[Vicki NewMath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult to put down, and the details make you cringe and almost cry.

[Mollee Lemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It always had me on my toes and wanted to read more and never wanting to put it down.