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Seychelle Sullivan #3
Bitter End
In her acclaimed novels of suspense, Christine Kling gives readers good reason to believe that if Travis McGee and Kinsey Millhone had ever hooked up, their child would have grown up to be Seychelle a beautiful, savvy heroine with a knack for steering her salvage tugboat into South Floridaâ s most troubled waters. In Seychelleâ s new caper, she may just be in over her head when murder and corruption come bobbing to the surface.
Since kindergarten, Seychelle and her best friend, Molly, had been as close as sisters. Molly even dated Seychelleâ s brother. But it all ended suddenly when Nick Pontus, a slick, older, up-and-coming entrepreneur, came along. A smitten Molly quit school, married her new beau, and never spoke to Seychelle again. After thirteen years, it still stings.
Seychelle didnâ t see the sniper who picked Nick off at the helm of his yacht, but she knows that there are plenty of people in South Florida who wanted to see the gambling-boat tycoon the Russian mobsters looking for a piece of his casino action, the Indian gamers who resent his competition, and the ecological activists fighting his plans to develop Fort Lauderdaleâ s waterfront. But itâ s Molly whom the cops zero in on. And despite her bitter feelings and against her better judgment, when her back-from-the-blue friend asks for help, Seychelle canâ t just weigh anchor and cruise. Sheâ s got to dive in.
What she finds is a money-skimming scam aboard Nickâ s flagship gambling boat, Nickâ s new trophy wife turned merry rich widow, and Nick and Mollyâ s teenage son, a scared kid with a big secret . . . and a killer on his
trail. Protecting the boy, proving Mollyâ s innocence, and navigating between squalls of gunfire add up to a tall order as salvage jobs go. But like any good captain, Seychelle will never abandon ship. Even if it means risking her life.
From the Hardcover edition.
Since kindergarten, Seychelle and her best friend, Molly, had been as close as sisters. Molly even dated Seychelleâ s brother. But it all ended suddenly when Nick Pontus, a slick, older, up-and-coming entrepreneur, came along. A smitten Molly quit school, married her new beau, and never spoke to Seychelle again. After thirteen years, it still stings.
Seychelle didnâ t see the sniper who picked Nick off at the helm of his yacht, but she knows that there are plenty of people in South Florida who wanted to see the gambling-boat tycoon the Russian mobsters looking for a piece of his casino action, the Indian gamers who resent his competition, and the ecological activists fighting his plans to develop Fort Lauderdaleâ s waterfront. But itâ s Molly whom the cops zero in on. And despite her bitter feelings and against her better judgment, when her back-from-the-blue friend asks for help, Seychelle canâ t just weigh anchor and cruise. Sheâ s got to dive in.
What she finds is a money-skimming scam aboard Nickâ s flagship gambling boat, Nickâ s new trophy wife turned merry rich widow, and Nick and Mollyâ s teenage son, a scared kid with a big secret . . . and a killer on his
trail. Protecting the boy, proving Mollyâ s innocence, and navigating between squalls of gunfire add up to a tall order as salvage jobs go. But like any good captain, Seychelle will never abandon ship. Even if it means risking her life.
From the Hardcover edition.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
258 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Christine Kling
29 books221 followersI have spent more than forty years enjoying “simply messing about with boats”―as Rat said to Mole in The Wind in the Willows. I've been a boat wife, mother and captain of my own boat. I've had articles and stories published in many publications including Cruising World, Sailing!, and The Tiller and the Pen, Gulfstream Magazine and Miami Noir. My first four novels are in a series about Florida female tugboat captain, Seychelle Sullivan.
As a techie person, I am intrigued by the fast changes occurring in the publishing industry and I'm trying my hand at self-publishing. I self-published CIRCLE OF BONES, a big international thriller set in the Caribbean, and SEA BITCH, a small collection of four short stories. Thomas & Mercer then offered me a 3-book contract for a re-issue of BONES, as well as the next two books in that trilogy. The new edition debuted on Feb. 19, 2013. The second book in what I now call the Shipwreck Adventures series is called DRAGON'S TRIANGLE, and the third book in the series, KNIGHT'S CROSS was released in 2015.
Today, my husband Wayne and I, along with Barney, the Yorkshire Terror and Ruby, the Wonder Dog, are living a nomadic life as we design and build our next boat.
As a techie person, I am intrigued by the fast changes occurring in the publishing industry and I'm trying my hand at self-publishing. I self-published CIRCLE OF BONES, a big international thriller set in the Caribbean, and SEA BITCH, a small collection of four short stories. Thomas & Mercer then offered me a 3-book contract for a re-issue of BONES, as well as the next two books in that trilogy. The new edition debuted on Feb. 19, 2013. The second book in what I now call the Shipwreck Adventures series is called DRAGON'S TRIANGLE, and the third book in the series, KNIGHT'S CROSS was released in 2015.
Today, my husband Wayne and I, along with Barney, the Yorkshire Terror and Ruby, the Wonder Dog, are living a nomadic life as we design and build our next boat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 28, 2019
Another pleasant surprise
A real change of pace reading from my usual naval action and mystery reading. This is just described as a pleasant read.
A real change of pace reading from my usual naval action and mystery reading. This is just described as a pleasant read.
July 24, 2018
Bitter End? ... or New Beginning
Ms. Kling has penned another best seller. Seychelle Sullivan's adventures once again lead her into trouble. She was minding her own business, sailing her salvage boat when an ordinary day turned to tragedy when she witnesses a murder.
The events that followed brought her face to face with a piece of her past full of pain. As usual, she gets in over her head as she deals with doubts in her love life and trying to save an old friendship, to say nothing of the group of mobsters in a world of gambling and vice in order to find a killer and save a young boy.
Action and adventure on the sea, murder plots, mysterious happenings and general mayhem keep the reader turning pages and losing sleep.
Ms. Kling has penned another best seller. Seychelle Sullivan's adventures once again lead her into trouble. She was minding her own business, sailing her salvage boat when an ordinary day turned to tragedy when she witnesses a murder.
The events that followed brought her face to face with a piece of her past full of pain. As usual, she gets in over her head as she deals with doubts in her love life and trying to save an old friendship, to say nothing of the group of mobsters in a world of gambling and vice in order to find a killer and save a young boy.
Action and adventure on the sea, murder plots, mysterious happenings and general mayhem keep the reader turning pages and losing sleep.
August 25, 2017
Christine Kling writes about life in Florida's coastal area with the knowing eye of one who's spent her life on or by the sea. And, most importantly she knows how to tell a good tale. There aren't many characters like Seyshelle Sullivan, a female tug boat operator who manages to get herself into hot water time and again because of a big heart, an unyeilding curiosity and fierce sense of right and wrong. I'm working my way through the 5 books Kling has written featuring Seychelle. 3 down, 2 to go.
November 30, 2018
Compelling
I'm truly happy that I started reading this series by Christine Kling. After reading the second book, Cross Currents, I started reading a library book, but even though the library book was interesting I felt compelled to read another Christine Kling book.
Bitter End started out with a "bang," literally . It built up a full head of steam with a couple of surprises at the end.
I'm truly happy that I started reading this series by Christine Kling. After reading the second book, Cross Currents, I started reading a library book, but even though the library book was interesting I felt compelled to read another Christine Kling book.
Bitter End started out with a "bang," literally . It built up a full head of steam with a couple of surprises at the end.
June 13, 2022
Great book
I read this book, and enjoyed the adventure. This author, Christine Kling has a great knowledge of
Boats of all kinds and the Sea , Sailiing adventures, salvage of wrecks and most everything pertaining
To boats. She definitely knows how to tell a story. If you like books of boating adventures you'll love
Her books. Christine Kling will become your favorite adventure author.
I read this book, and enjoyed the adventure. This author, Christine Kling has a great knowledge of
Boats of all kinds and the Sea , Sailiing adventures, salvage of wrecks and most everything pertaining
To boats. She definitely knows how to tell a story. If you like books of boating adventures you'll love
Her books. Christine Kling will become your favorite adventure author.
March 2, 2022
Excellent entertaining
A will written mystery in south Florida. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is complicated and confusing with lots of misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys will written mysteries. Enjoy reading 2019
A will written mystery in south Florida. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is complicated and confusing with lots of misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys will written mysteries. Enjoy reading 2019
January 5, 2023
An Exciting Read!! Bitter End: A Seychelles Sullivan novel #3
Christine KLING knows how to write and exciting novel. I enjoyed reading this late every night and just now finished it at 215am. The twists and turns kept me going. I would think I knew who “Done IT” and then she would surprise me with another villain! I Highly recommend this book.
Christine KLING knows how to write and exciting novel. I enjoyed reading this late every night and just now finished it at 215am. The twists and turns kept me going. I would think I knew who “Done IT” and then she would surprise me with another villain! I Highly recommend this book.
December 15, 2022
Seychelle and lots of action
So action packed and hard to put down. Every time I read one of these books I feel connected to Seychelle. I am tired when I get to the end. It’s like I go through everything with her. Keep writing and I will keep reading.
So action packed and hard to put down. Every time I read one of these books I feel connected to Seychelle. I am tired when I get to the end. It’s like I go through everything with her. Keep writing and I will keep reading.
January 24, 2017
A most excellent 5 star read! I love everything about this series, the characters good and bad, not real fond of Molly though.... I love that its set in Florida on the water.
July 23, 2017
Great story, love this series
September 23, 2018
Another great read
This book is full of twists and turns until the final page. Very engaging!
A must read for any person .
This book is full of twists and turns until the final page. Very engaging!
A must read for any person .
October 17, 2018
Good
I liked the story. Pretty good pace, interesting characters and a unsolved murder make for an entertaining story. Can't wait for the next book.
I liked the story. Pretty good pace, interesting characters and a unsolved murder make for an entertaining story. Can't wait for the next book.
March 18, 2019
Enjoyed the book tremendously. Author keeps ya on your toes!
May 12, 2019
Bitter end
This was a very good read. Quite enjoyable. It captured my interest with a strong female who wasn’t afraid to get what she wanted.
This was a very good read. Quite enjoyable. It captured my interest with a strong female who wasn’t afraid to get what she wanted.
July 2, 2022
Was a little harder than usual to get into, but the ending was absolutely amazing!!
July 22, 2022
wonderful
I love this series. Touching, mysterious, great characters, some sexy ones too, relationships… a book that’s entertaining but makes you think.
I love this series. Touching, mysterious, great characters, some sexy ones too, relationships… a book that’s entertaining but makes you think.
February 28, 2023
Great plot twists
Good character surprises, plot twists and amazing survival events. A most resourceful damsel in distress. Tougher than the bad guys expect.
Good character surprises, plot twists and amazing survival events. A most resourceful damsel in distress. Tougher than the bad guys expect.
March 8, 2023
All the seashell Sullivan books had great stories!
September 1, 2012
I had never come across Christine Kling or her books until just the other day when I followed a link to "Bitter End", saw that the author was a sailor/writer and bought her book on spec.
I read the book in just a couple of long reading-stints, and it was time well spent. It was a light read: by which I mean I slipped into the key character's POV, and stayed there quite happily throughout her adventure. Ms. Kling has a professional and transparent style: she stays within the standard thriller format so there was no huge surprises, but her story-telling kept the pace and tension on, and her place descriptions are terrific. As a sailor myself, I was delighted by the lucid and well-realized details that the author wove into her situations that reflected understanding and first-hand experience of what it is like on the water, but it is not necessary to be a boating person to enjoy this story.
Overall, "Bitter End" is an entertaining, undemanding read by a talented writer. I'm looking forward to reading more.
I read the book in just a couple of long reading-stints, and it was time well spent. It was a light read: by which I mean I slipped into the key character's POV, and stayed there quite happily throughout her adventure. Ms. Kling has a professional and transparent style: she stays within the standard thriller format so there was no huge surprises, but her story-telling kept the pace and tension on, and her place descriptions are terrific. As a sailor myself, I was delighted by the lucid and well-realized details that the author wove into her situations that reflected understanding and first-hand experience of what it is like on the water, but it is not necessary to be a boating person to enjoy this story.
Overall, "Bitter End" is an entertaining, undemanding read by a talented writer. I'm looking forward to reading more.
August 3, 2011
It was good to visit South Florida and Seychelle Sullivan again (Cross Current, Surface Tension) The setting and the action are engaging and I do really like the characters. Seychelle and her brothers, Pitcairn and Madagascar were named after islands, a sure sign of a family who loves the water. Seychelle is a tugboat captain in Ft Lauderdale and is a strong female character. I highly recommend the series.. 9 of 10
September 15, 2013
This book shows a step up from the first two books in the series.
In my review of the second book in the series, Cross Current, I commented, "...this series now has some potential and I look forward to reading the next entry."
Kling didn't disappoint. In addition to trying to solve the murder of her former best friend's ex husband, Seychelle has some unexpected twists regarding her family to deal with. I suspected one twist Kling laid on us but not another one.
Kling also had Seychelle battle her way out of jams she got into here instead of have others bail her out - something I cited as a weakness in the previous book.
Any time a series gets better with each book, the author has a winner on his or her hands.
Kling has a winner here.
In my review of the second book in the series, Cross Current, I commented, "...this series now has some potential and I look forward to reading the next entry."
Kling didn't disappoint. In addition to trying to solve the murder of her former best friend's ex husband, Seychelle has some unexpected twists regarding her family to deal with. I suspected one twist Kling laid on us but not another one.
Kling also had Seychelle battle her way out of jams she got into here instead of have others bail her out - something I cited as a weakness in the previous book.
Any time a series gets better with each book, the author has a winner on his or her hands.
Kling has a winner here.
September 26, 2013
nook book So, I see that this book is the third in a series about Seychelle Sullivan, former lifeguard, and now salvage operator. One will probably do it for me. At the beginning of this 600 page book, she sees the husband of her former childhood friend get shot and killed. The rest of the book is concerned with finding his killer, and protecting Molly and her son Zale from the clutching Mrs. Second Wife. There are some of those fortunate coincidences revealed. Seychelle and Zale have quite the little sail in a storm on a plastic boat. Perhaps if I sailed, I would have enjoyed it more.
June 23, 2012
The author seems to be improving in book three but still makes the villains and the secrets too obvious. Book four isn't out on Kindle yet and I don't know if I will read it if and when it does become available. I'm not invested enough with the main character to proceed but the ensemble of characters could make for a great read if the author figures out their importance. Ms. Kling has failed to capture the continuation of character subplots throughout the series.
May 7, 2015
#3 in the Seychelle Sullivan series. Seychelle captains and has a 1/3 interest in a tugboat in Southern Florida.
Seychelle Sullivan witnesses the murder of the ex-husband of her childhood best friend. The murder and the suspicion it throws on her estranged friend bring them together again. Seychelle promises to care for the friend's son while his mother is in jail awaiting indictment for the murder of his father. Brother Pit and boyfriend B.J. help.
Seychelle Sullivan witnesses the murder of the ex-husband of her childhood best friend. The murder and the suspicion it throws on her estranged friend bring them together again. Seychelle promises to care for the friend's son while his mother is in jail awaiting indictment for the murder of his father. Brother Pit and boyfriend B.J. help.
February 3, 2011
Christine Kling has created one of my favorite new characters in years. Anyone who has spent time on the water should read this series. She nails what life on a boat and in Ft Lauderdale is really about. Once you open the cover you will not be able to put it down and will rush to read the rest of the series.
September 14, 2012
This is the third in a series featuring a woman tugboat captain based in Fort Lauderdale. I got this one for free from the author via a Yahoo cruising group I belong to, but the earlier books are available from Amazon for only $3.99 each. If they don't show up at the library pretty soon, I might even (gulp) buy them.
January 11, 2016
Christine did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoy reading the Seychelle series when I'm in Ft. Lauderdale. I can see in my mind every location in the story. I like the twists and turns in the plots and the strength of the main character Seychelle.
January 13, 2017
The best so far
I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this third one gripped me from the first page. Difficult to put down. In addition to a rousing story, I appreciated the accuracy and detail in the descriptions of all aspects of boats and sailing.
I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this third one gripped me from the first page. Difficult to put down. In addition to a rousing story, I appreciated the accuracy and detail in the descriptions of all aspects of boats and sailing.
June 14, 2020
Anther interesting Seychelle investigation.
Best friend Molly's ex husband is murdered and Sey and Molly reunite after 12 years of estrangement.
Best friend Molly's ex husband is murdered and Sey and Molly reunite after 12 years of estrangement.
April 25, 2012
Good new series. Read on my Kindle
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews