Float the Boat

by Mark S. Ehrlich

It's December 2017 and consultant Nick Harmon is screwed. When he finds his ex-flame murdered the night before a reunion, police suspect he’s the long-hibernating Surf Club Killer. Nick has his own theory that Adnan Sulaiman, the event’s guest-of-honor, copycat-killed her. Backing it up only sinks him deeper into suspicion. But Nick’s unconcerned. Even if he cuts his own throat, he’s going to make Sulaiman pay.Adnan Sulaiman’s latest deal will make real estate history. But the Indonesian billionaire now stands accused of murder. Not by DC police, by a dead woman he never met and a cabal of media loudmouths. The bad news goes global fast. One partner bails, others waiver, and protesters mass at headquarters. He’s in the fight of his life and won’t back down.Detective Steve Caine designates Nick the key suspect and Sulaiman a longshot. But is either man the elusive serial killer? Troubling inconsistencies mount, and unanswered questions dog him. Then a reporter breaks news about crucial evidence. One murderer or two? And if the Surf Club Killer’s in town, when will he carve another wave?

412 pages, Hardcover

Published November 17, 2023

About the author

Award-winning author Mark Ehrlich grew up in New York City and northern New Jersey captivated by the Gemini and Apollo programs, baseball, and football. When he wasn't in school or away at college, he learned the meaning of hard work while mowing lawns, counseling campers, boxing magic tricks, and mixing plastisols. In his twenties, he survived the Peace Corps, then withstood a pressure cooker of a job in a remote Southeast Asian refugee camp before seeing a good deal of the world as a reward. Next came several decades of pursuing value during a corporate career in the shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive industries. The last act, a 24-year stretch with a well-known Japanese car company, included a 5-year stint in Japan.

Now he lives with his family in South Korea. When he's not taking Tango for a walk, he enjoys blogging and writing stories about everyday heroes trying to overcome the disruption to their lives.

Reviews

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Ehrlich has landed his debut crime thriller, Float the Boat. Its intricate plot rests on a “Me-Too” scandal fraught with murder. The winding story, flashing between 1984 and 2017, is full of plot twists. You might think it’s a “whodunit” centered on guessing the identity of the “Surf Club Killer.” But you’ll need to think again. The real story centers on a meeting of wits between Nick Harmon, a former administrator at a Vietnamese refugee camp in Indonesia, and his foe Adnan Sulaiman, a former Indonesian colonel and billionaire seeking to stop Harmon from producing aging evidence that could threaten his real estate empire. An epic battle looms. Ehrlich has displayed significant writing chops with his debut. Look for more from him.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked immediately!!

It’s been years since a book has kept me so glued to the pages. The scandal, the twists and turns. Great read!
Difficult to imagine this was Mr. Erlichs debut!!

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Float the Boat, by Mark S. Ehrlich, is an enthralling crime and mystery novel set in a backdrop of geopolitical complexities. The story centers around Nick Harmon, a former aid worker, who is unexpectedly drawn into a web of conspiracy and deceit following the murder of Melody Fitzgerald, his former colleague and friend. Harmon's quest for justice pits him against formidable foes, including the influential Indonesian billionaire Adnan Sulaiman, who finds himself ensnared in a scandal of global proportions.

Ehrlich crafts a narrative that seamlessly intertwines themes of betrayal, revenge, and the relentless pursuit of truth. The character of Nick Harmon is a study of resilience and moral complexity. Despite the personal risks, his unyielding determination to bring Sulaiman to justice showcases the lengths individuals will go to for retribution. This pursuit is not without its ethical quandaries, adding layers of depth to the narrative. Sulaiman, portrayed as both powerful and troubled, is a character that embodies themes of corruption and the intricate dynamics of power. His portrayal offers a critical look at media sensationalism and its influence on public perception, particularly for those in high positions of authority. Ehrlich's writing is both crisp and vivid, drawing the reader into intense action sequences and tactical maneuvers that mark the novel's progression. His attention to detail in character development and setting immerses the reader in a world as intriguing as it is dangerous.

In Float the Boat, the reader is taken on a journey through a labyrinth of intrigue and suspense, culminating in an explosive and heartrending climax. The mission's aftermath leaves characters, particularly Nick, wrestling with the consequences of their actions, setting the stage for future endeavors and new life directions. Ehrlich's novel is a compelling read for those captivated by espionage, military fiction, and complex narratives woven with action and drama.

[R.C. Vielee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Float The Boat is M. Ehrlich's debut novel, and he delivers. Right out of the gate, the story immediately takes off when the main character Nick, finds the dead body of a female friend from his past who he was meeting up with on their way to a receptions/reunion. The murder looks exactly like one that took place decades ago when he, along with the entire reunion crowd, all worked at a refugee camp. He was a suspect back then, and he is the prime suspect now. But anyone of the event's attendee could just have easily done either murder, including the billionaire hosting the event.
As the story weaves the past and current events together, Nick has his own ideas that differ from the cops. The author teased me along the way as I tried to figure it all out with each new breadcrumb. It all came together for me in the end with an exciting faceoff. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but the ending was very well written. I really enjoyed this book. I got it on a Friday and I couldn't put it down. So here I am Sunday morning writing my review. Five stars all the way.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We proudly announce that FLOAT THE BOAT by Mark S. Ehrlich has been honored with the B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG. This award is a testament to this book's quality and the impact it has had on readers.