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Empty Eye of the Sea by Justin Scott
Mary and her father are trying to save their family tugboat business. Their ageing tugboat is towing a barge to Nova Scotia. They lose the barge contract but learn of an abandoned freighter adrift in the sea. But aboard the freighter is a German fugitive and a priceless collection of paintings.
Paperback
First published April 11, 1994
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About the author
Justin Scott
116 books90 followersAlso writes as Justin Scott, Paul Garrison, J.S. Blazer, and Alexander Cole.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 6, 2022
This is a remarkably well written, well researched and realistic novel for its type. I don't usually read or enjoy the airport bookstore thrillers (remember airports?) as I find them totally unbelievable and often made to an overly familiar recipe, but this one is definitely a cut above.
The story: An ageing New York harbour tug sets off into the winter Atlantic hoping to salvage an abandoned freighter. The weather, breakdowns, accidents and terrorists intervene to make this a super fast moving thriller. The characters are just a little larger than life as befits a thriller but well drawn, well rounded and believable for all that. The situations they find themselves in are believable as they are not exaggerated. The hazards they face are real ones of the sea, the weather and their ageing tug's reliability. The terrorists aren't plotting world domination with doomsday bombs or piranhas crossed with flying fish, just smuggling a more believable handful of (still deadly) shoulder launched rockets. Spoiler warning: The good guys win (aren't you surprised?) but it's a close run thing and not without its costs.
All in all an excellent, enjoyable read. Scott deserves to stand beside - and outsell - authors like Cussler, Brown, Clancy and the rest.
The story: An ageing New York harbour tug sets off into the winter Atlantic hoping to salvage an abandoned freighter. The weather, breakdowns, accidents and terrorists intervene to make this a super fast moving thriller. The characters are just a little larger than life as befits a thriller but well drawn, well rounded and believable for all that. The situations they find themselves in are believable as they are not exaggerated. The hazards they face are real ones of the sea, the weather and their ageing tug's reliability. The terrorists aren't plotting world domination with doomsday bombs or piranhas crossed with flying fish, just smuggling a more believable handful of (still deadly) shoulder launched rockets. Spoiler warning: The good guys win (aren't you surprised?) but it's a close run thing and not without its costs.
All in all an excellent, enjoyable read. Scott deserves to stand beside - and outsell - authors like Cussler, Brown, Clancy and the rest.
February 6, 2022
Decades ago I read Ship Killer. I still have my copy. It is likely a first edition but the worts for wear as I loaned it out a couple of times. When I discovered recently there was more of Scott to read I jumped at the chance. This was the title I chose to start with.
It is an exciting story although I wouldn’t have guessed a story about a tug would hav been so exciting. The weather is certainly a character and the book ends with some loose ends I would guess may show up in sequels. Look forward to more of Scott’s books.
It is an exciting story although I wouldn’t have guessed a story about a tug would hav been so exciting. The weather is certainly a character and the book ends with some loose ends I would guess may show up in sequels. Look forward to more of Scott’s books.
February 21, 2019
A thriller like no other!
I had read ShipKiller a number of years ago, had loved it, so figured another sea novel by Justin Scott was a no-brainer. I was not disappointed. I've never read any genre of novel that held my attention like this one. No matter whether you're a boater or have never been on a boat, this book is a must read!
I had read ShipKiller a number of years ago, had loved it, so figured another sea novel by Justin Scott was a no-brainer. I was not disappointed. I've never read any genre of novel that held my attention like this one. No matter whether you're a boater or have never been on a boat, this book is a must read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews