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Dead Reckoning
A young woman investigator goes undercover aboard a small US Navy ship to find out why its crewmembers are disappearing one by one. Not knowing whom she can trust, Janelle "Spurs" Sperling encounters high seas, drugs, sexism, homophobia, love and murder aboard a ship of horrors before discovering the real danger. She is thrown into non-stop, life-threatening situations as she uncovers startling clues while teaming up with both friend and foe to stop an unthinkable terrorist plot to kill thousands of Americans. She soon discovers that the ones wearing the white hats aren't always the good guys as memories of a traumatic childhood event comes back to slap her in the face and reveal that she is an unwitting pawn in a deadly game between the US government, ruthless terrorists and her own family. She has but one choice. The only way to stop a catastrophe of enormous proportions is going to be--Suicide! All hands, stand by for heavy rolls! We're coming about and heading into the storm.
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First published January 1, 2001
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About the author
Gordon A. Kessler
20 books10 followersI am a fulltime thriller novelist, living in the Kansas City metro area with my golden retriever, Jazzy Brass. I’ve taught novel-writing for several community colleges, worked over twenty years for the BNSF Railway, and I am a former US Marine Recon Scout, Super Squad team leader, parachutist, marksmanship coach and troop handler. I enjoys SCUBA, sailing, snow skiing and being with my kids and grandkids.
My first novel, Jezebel, landed a contract with a large publisher back in 1992. But nearly three years later, on the week they were supposed to make a 10,000-book print run, the publisher went bankrupt.
Since then, I’ve contracted with a couple of big name New York agents, have turned down a small publishing contract, had a verbal deal fall through before the written contract was made, and have had numerous manuscripts passed around the tables at the big NYC publishing houses. A senior editor from one of the largest publishers in the world has even emailed me asking “what are you working on, now?”
With the connections I’ve made, you’d think I’d stick with traditional publishing, wouldn’t you? I’m not that smart! Besides, I’m having a blast writing eBook thrillers—more fun than I’ve ever had in my life.
I currently have three thriller novels in both paper and eBook: Jezebel, Dead Reckoning and Brainstorm. All three of these are between 110,000 and 125,000 words long–typical, big thriller books.
My latest men’s action adventure novels are a part of ”The E Z Knight Reports” series. These books are a departure from the big thriller books I’ve focused on in the past. They consist of episodic yet standalone stories in the 50,000 word range with a number of recurring characters. They’re fast, fun reads; gritty, sexy, irreverent and sometimes humorous–with a modern-day, ramped up “The Rockford Files”/”Magnum PI” feel. But they’re also poignant looks at the darker side of life, crime and the human condition.
I’ve also published two short story eBooks: a humorous piece called “Toothpick for Two” and a nostalgic romance called “Jack Knight” (unrelated to the E Z Knight series). Please check them out.
Aside from my fiction, I’ve written a book specifically for novelists, Novel Writing Made Simple. It’s a great primer for beginners and an excellent refresher for the experienced wordsmith.
I am a founder and current president of the Kansas Writers Association, a sixteen-year-old organization of some very special people. Last year, I started a group to help support independent authors called the Indie Writers Alliance—another group of great people.
Life is great!
My first novel, Jezebel, landed a contract with a large publisher back in 1992. But nearly three years later, on the week they were supposed to make a 10,000-book print run, the publisher went bankrupt.
Since then, I’ve contracted with a couple of big name New York agents, have turned down a small publishing contract, had a verbal deal fall through before the written contract was made, and have had numerous manuscripts passed around the tables at the big NYC publishing houses. A senior editor from one of the largest publishers in the world has even emailed me asking “what are you working on, now?”
With the connections I’ve made, you’d think I’d stick with traditional publishing, wouldn’t you? I’m not that smart! Besides, I’m having a blast writing eBook thrillers—more fun than I’ve ever had in my life.
I currently have three thriller novels in both paper and eBook: Jezebel, Dead Reckoning and Brainstorm. All three of these are between 110,000 and 125,000 words long–typical, big thriller books.
My latest men’s action adventure novels are a part of ”The E Z Knight Reports” series. These books are a departure from the big thriller books I’ve focused on in the past. They consist of episodic yet standalone stories in the 50,000 word range with a number of recurring characters. They’re fast, fun reads; gritty, sexy, irreverent and sometimes humorous–with a modern-day, ramped up “The Rockford Files”/”Magnum PI” feel. But they’re also poignant looks at the darker side of life, crime and the human condition.
I’ve also published two short story eBooks: a humorous piece called “Toothpick for Two” and a nostalgic romance called “Jack Knight” (unrelated to the E Z Knight series). Please check them out.
Aside from my fiction, I’ve written a book specifically for novelists, Novel Writing Made Simple. It’s a great primer for beginners and an excellent refresher for the experienced wordsmith.
I am a founder and current president of the Kansas Writers Association, a sixteen-year-old organization of some very special people. Last year, I started a group to help support independent authors called the Indie Writers Alliance—another group of great people.
Life is great!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 1, 2012
This was a great book, it had a lot of twists and turns in it, right up to the end of the book, this is my kind of book, lots of intrest and intrigue..
One of the best reads I have read for a long time..
One of the best reads I have read for a long time..
May 25, 2014
Since she's an admiral's daughter and was once a Navy cadet, a female NCIS agent is put undercover on a ship to find out what happened to a dead crewman. She's supposed to be one of several women assigned for the first time to the ship. However, the other women's orders are delayed and she's by herself.
When it turns out other sailors have strangely gone AWOL, she begins to suspect a conspiracy among the crew members. Even the one person she's supposed to be able to trust, might not be what he seems.
Anyone who likes adventures on the sea and NCIS tales will enjoy this.
When it turns out other sailors have strangely gone AWOL, she begins to suspect a conspiracy among the crew members. Even the one person she's supposed to be able to trust, might not be what he seems.
Anyone who likes adventures on the sea and NCIS tales will enjoy this.
October 31, 2013
A well-written action mystery. The protagonist Janelle Sperling or "Spurs" is a kicked-ass woman trying to solve the enigma of the death and disappearance of the U.S navy on board USS Atchison. Somehow, there's a drug involvement with the higher rank navy officer on board the frigate Atchison that causes the higher ranking officer to sent agent Spurs as undercover Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent to catch the culprit.
September 16, 2011
Good naval story with strong female lead character.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews