Six months out of high school and just days after finishing Marine boot camp, Jesse McDermitt is finally ready to unwind and have a little fun when he goes home on leave.
But everything Jesse remembers—his friends, his family, the sparkling beaches and familiar waters of the Caloosahatchee River and Pine Island Sound, even his faithful Lab, Molly, have all changed.
Only when he reunites with a boot camp buddy to explore the reefs of the Florida Keys and the oddly relaxing shallows of the backcountry does Jesse finally understand that it was he, himself, who had changed.
The two young men, enjoying life in paradise while on boot camp leave, soon find out that there are still pirates in those tropical waters. Only their galleons and corsairs have been replaced with offshore racing boats and motorcycles.
I'm a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and now, a full time novelist. Between those careers, I've also worked as a deckhand, commercial fisherman, divemaster, taxi driver, construction manager, and truck driver. I live in the Sea Islands, near Beaufort, SC, with my wife and youngest daughter. We also have three grown children, five grand children, three dogs and a whole flock of parakeets. I grew up in Melbourne, FL and have also lived in the Florida Keys and Cozumel, MX.
How many spinoffs does Jesse McDermitt have? Is the series really that successful?
This recounts his adventures as a young man. He joins the Marines, and comes home on leave, where he gets involved with stopping a pot growing scheme. These days you can just go to the store.
Not bad, but not really necessary. If Stinnett gets some dough, more power to him.
Jesse truly discovers himself in his first time away from home alone at Parris Island and then in Marathon. He meets someone who will become not only a great friend but also a brother. I have read this entire series and am glad Wayne has given us a glimpse of how Jesse developed. I look forward to reading Bad Blood to further see that development. If you haven't done so, please read this series. I have learned so much from these books. I grew up boating on Lake Erie and smaller OH and PA lakes but the ocean is a whole different thing and Wayne's books have taught me so much. Not only about boating and boats, the military, fighting good and evil and people. Though fiction I know these people exist behind the curtain, keeping us safe from events we can only imagine. I think you can see I really enjoy these books and following Jesse's life. And I know you will too.
This was so fun to read! Thank you, Wayne, for introducing young Jesse and Rusty to us. I've read all of the Jesse books and anxiously await the next one. Now I have two to look forward to, plus Charity. I too am a long time Parrothead and was so sad when he passed. His music and memories of times shared with friends listening to him and going to his shows are some of the best memories of my life. We even decided to honor him when we got a new car a week or so after he passed so if you see a license plate that says JB 9123, you'll know it's one of your's and Jimmy's biggest fans.
What I enjoyed most about this story is Jesse's process of becoming a Marine. Many factors went into making him the man he is becoming and an awful lot of those factors have to do with the Marines, following in his dad's and grandfather's footsteps, and the discipline and code of honor that tells him how to live his life.
This is contrasted with another Marine who joined up, essentially, for the money and benefits. He doesn't intend to be in the Marines forever and has a pretty good idea about what he wants to do with his life. That includes settling down in the place where he grew up and where he feels safe.
It is an interesting contrast between the two and pretty amazing to see how they become loyal to each other through the process.
The book is well-written and does a very good job of representing what it is like to join the military. My husband was in the Army, not the Marines, but there are enough similarities that let me affirm the authenticity of this story.
I also thoroughly enjoyed reading the introduction to a series that is not at all like the books I usually read. I love reading adventure stories, thrillers, mysteries, spy novels, etc., but with this one getting set up from the beginning of Jesse's Marine career and seeing the initial transformation gives me a new perspective on this type of novel.
this was a free book on Chirp and I overpaid. The book was written in2023, but set in 1978, because the author's dated views of morality, women, and people in general only fit in a 50 year old world. One character was introduced in the maybe the third chapter but did not reappear for twenty chapters. The hero was dated even for 1978. Characters were stereotypical, without any real personality or depth. And at the end, this ever so moral marine chose to act outside the law, taking justice in his own hands, and doing illegal things, but that is okay, they were for the greater good. And totally screwing up a prosecutor's case, possibly even getting the bad guy a dismissal. Yep, great idiot.
Think I first downloaded this one from Kindle Unlimited membership based on my niece & her interesting times living & working in the Fla Keys. Just found the audio companion this week. I might be hooked.
With 3 in this series [prequels basically] and last not coming out until April 2025, I think I will dive into the long series that begins after Jesse retires from the marines according to the author's afterward. [I love ending a year with the start of a long new series to take me into the doldroms of January. [Extra dull this Jan 2025 in the US.]
What is it about Wayne, not content with writing a very successful Jesse McDermitt novels with another few very good off suits he then takes the reader right back to the start of his career with the Marines and intertwines the story with all that you enjoy reading this type of genre and in my book it encapsulates everything that I love with Wayne. Even if you haven't read any of his books, this will surely whet your appetite. Can't wait for the next book.
I wasn't sure how I would like to read about Jesse at a young age. He was always the retired Marine with years of knowledge and experience under his belt. I shouldn't have wondered at all because I was immune caught up in the story. It rang so true from the beginning and continued throughout. You really find out what made Jesse into the man he became. As always, Wayne Stinnett doesn't disappoint. I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter of young Jesse's life plus the older version!
I hesitated reading this book because I could not get my head wrapped around Jesse as a child. So here I am happy as a clam that I started this book a few nights ago and savored each word line and chapter and could not wait until my next quiet evening to once again witness young Jesse as he grows into the amazing man I have come to know so many books ago. Thank you Mr. Stinnett for all the wonderful hours you have given me as I turn the pages anticipating the next adventure!
I am so very impressed. I've read all of the Jesse and Charity books and now, 10 years later, you're writing about the early years. There must be some serious note-taking to remember things you only made mention of in the other books and expound on those stories in a way that makes total sense and brings back the subject about which you were "hinting". Good on you, Wayne Stinnett. I never wanted to be a writer, but I am an avid reader so these are very important things. Keep up the good work. I'm moving on to the next book as we speak 😉
I love the Jesse McDermitt books, so I really enjoyed this one. It tells about Jesse's early years and fills in some of the details about how he became the man he did. It also explains how and where his love of the water and what used to be wild Florida originated. As someone who grew up in Florida before it became over developed and paved over, I can really appreciate how Jesse feels. The Caribbean Adventures series is an older Jesse, but I highly recommend it and this series also. Wayne Stinnett and Jesse McDermitt are a very readable, adventurous pair.
I thoroughly enjoyed this continuing adventure of Jesse McDermitt with the 'look back' at his youth and development. Showing how and from whom he got his knowledge and sense of right and wrong explains, to some degree, his maturity at such a young age. I really look forward to looking back more into Jesse's past and development. Thanks for the continuing great effort!
I sure do enjoy Jesse’s adventures and this was a good way to tell us more about his life’s story. We can now imagine how his early life ties in with his future. Mr Stinnett has created a wonderful hero with Jesse. Now he can come up with more early stories that will keep tying in with the rest of his life. What a good idea. Any story with Jesse as the main character is fun to read.
I really liked the telling of Jesse becoming a Marine and a man. Having read all the previous stories, it gives a sense of direction that got Jesse started in the later stories. Keep it up. For those of us that have gone off to basic, regardless of branch, we will see some similarities and it will dig up many memories. Thanks, Wayne and come visit the upstate
Wayne - thank you for writing this wonderful story about the beginnings to all the JM novels. More knowledge about the groundwork helps in understanding the characters. Parts brought tears to my eyes. Such a heartwarming story. If only everyone could have the morals of these two young men, what a wonderful world it would be!
It was nice reading about his beginnings since I think I've read every single one with him mostly trying to retire and have a normal family life,,,until you broadside us with the next book. Love your books Wayne! Could you just write a little faster? 😂 Wish I could shake your hand one day!
I think the concept "do the right thing" was stated about 20 different ways in this book. Other than that, this was a pretty good story. I think the portrayal of Jesse as a young man fit reasonably well. However, at least for me, the portrayal of Rusty just didn't fit what I would have imagined.
I have wondered about Jesse's beginnings, now I know!
Alright Wayne, you've hooked me again. I remember watching my youngest son when he graduated at PI. His time let me visualize, Jesse and Rusty on the grinder. Now that you've started this ball rolling, please give us glimpses, with more of Jesse's experiences that created the character you write about!
It was nice to visit the past and I’m glad to have a Jesse that isn’t involved in a worldwide spy conglomerate once again! Thanks Wayne! BTW, Skylar Rizzi (Sky Rizzi) lol
It seems that Jesse has been an avenging force ever since he “graduated” from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. And eventually I’m sure that we will get the full story of the “long shot” in Mogadishu
I enjoyed going back into Jesse's past, meeting people who would appear in his later series and watching him form his moral code that would guide him as an adult.
It was kind of fun to get more insight into Jesse's younger years and early friendship with Rusty. Also tells how he found his love for the Keys. Looking forward for a sequel!
I enjoyed getting the background/backstory for the Jessie McDermitt series, of which I have read 26 books (yes, got caught in the ebb and flow). Looking forward to the next installment.
I absolutely love the books going back in time so we learn a little more about the characters. It's seems to put everything in perspective. Great job and looking forward to the next book in this series.
A good Story nur Not quote Up to Mr. Stinnett's normal.
This Story read more Like a TV Script. IT Just did Not feel Like a Jessie McDermit novel. More Like a Ghost writer did IT. Just my Feelings, Not to make anyone upset. I still enjoyed the read.
As I’ve been reading the main series, I had wondered about the two, Rusty & Jesse. Now I feel I’ve come full circle to the real Jesse and I see him better. Good story, thanks
Got to read all 27 in the series before these 2. It was great to understand how these guys got to know each other as really young men. This was a fun read and you never disappoint in your stories.
This was a very early introduction of how he ended up living with his grandparents, the friends he made and how he got through his training, holiday, and taking out a pot dealer in the time of it being illegal.