Osprey Reef

by Victoria McKernan

While diving off Osprey Reef, Chicago, the daughter of a Norwegian sea captain and a Trinidadian woman, and her Haitian assistant, Umbi, have their boat stolen, a crime that embroils Chicago with a federal agent, danger, and murder

250 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1990

About the author

Victoria McKernan started traveling at the age of eighteen and spent many years working her way around the world, hitchhiking and sailing. She graduated in 1982 from George Washington University with a BA in theatre. Since learning to scuba-dive on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, she has worked as a scuba instructor, underwater model, and divemaster on several ships. She lives in Washington D.C. with a dog, two cats, and a boa constrictor.

She has written four mystery/thrillers for adults, all of which feature underwater adventure. Her most recent adult novel, THE MOSQUITO WAR (under the name of V.A. MacAlister - Tor, 2001), deals with international conspiracies to control a cure for malaria that comes from an underwater plant.

The award-winning book, SHACKLETON’S STOWAWAY (Knopf, 2005), is her first young adult novel. Knopf will publish THE DEVIL’S PAINTBOX, her next young adult novel, in Spring 2009.

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the banter between the characters, the story got a bit convoluted in the end and was a little confusing with the multiple POV but it was entertaining

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the detail surrounding the equipment and skills of the main characters. That information was in-depth but read easily, as though a friend was explaining the situation. I also enjoyed the distinctness of each character. Chicago was my favorite but Alex was a close second.

As far as the story, I liked it but thought it was a bit confusing in some spots. For instance, I'm not really sure what happened to the police captain. And the first real melee was a bit confusing too. But, I really liked the last underwater scene. I thought that was described really well and it was really exciting!

Overall, I liked the book and I look forward to reading the next two books in this series.