The Practical Navigator

by Chris Crowley

Perfect for fans of Scott Turow and John Lescroart, The Practical Navigator is a smart, fast-moving legal thriller where everyone’s motives—and desires—are in question.

Membership in the Great Arcadia, an exclusive East Coast yacht club, is pretty much limited to the rich and powerful in 1980s business, finance, and politics. But the sexually charged murder of Greek billionaire George Minot during their annual regatta off the coast of Maine opens a door into a secret world of addictive sexuality and excess beneath the starched sheets of the East Coast establishment.

Tim Bigelow is looking forward to spending a week at sea with the magical Cassie Sears, who has suddenly appeared in his life. He’s also there to celebrate his older brother, Harry—the retiring commodore of the Great Arcadia who’s on course for a major role in the White House. That prospect slips away when Minot is murdered and details start to come out, including the alarming fact that Minot saw himself as a latter-day embodiment of the Minotaur—the half-man, half-bull creature who lurked in the Labyrinth beneath the ancient city of Knossos in one of the oldest myths in the Western canon.

From the decks of the world’s finest yachts to the beds and boardrooms of some of the most powerful people in America to an electrifying courtroom trial in a dying coastal town, The Practical Navigator steers a course through its own labyrinth...a whirlpool of obsessive sexuality, murder, and despair.

Genres: Fiction

Audible Audio

First published March 15, 2021

Reviews

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read murder mysteries but I enjoyed this one, especially as it was written by a friend of mine's law partner and she made a few very brief appearances in the book. Lots of twists and turns and legalize and nautical references which interested me, as well as some deeper philosophizing at the end. Not predictable and relatively suspenseful.

[Sunhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ticked a lot of my boxes: Boston-centric, sailing, lots of illicit sex, strong characters conflicting, mysterious and unexplained undercurrents leading at last to a satisfying denouement ....all recounted by a steady, sensible voice. Too sad that this is the only novel from the otherwise prolific Crowley. Probably makes more money off the Next Year series, but c'mon! with a talent like this? Kept me enthralled, and yet at the end I was content to let the people go.

[Donna]

This novel will appeal to Chris Crowley fans, who will recognize his intimate, first person, classic yet casual style from his excellent nonfiction work. As sordid as it is clever, this twisty murder mystery kept me turning pages through all the yacht races, criminal trials, and wild nights of this inbred global community, where even the good guys are bad.

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars might be a tad much but I'm rounding up because I enjoyed this mystery immensely. Great characters, vivid scene, surprises to the end... Loved it.

[Travis Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ordered this book by accident when I meant to get one by the same title last June. I put it down once I realized it and finally picked it up again over the Holidays.

I’m torn b/c it’s not a terrible novel but…after learning more it feels like a vanity project from an author who otherwise seems to have been a very privileged youth that grew into a very successful attorney - both of which, I assume, were used as background for this work.

The timing of events seemed strange in that what the protagonist would seemingly do in a matter of days what might take others weeks or months. You were left wondering what happened to many characters after they were disappeared. The sex - and there is a lot of sex - seemed more imaginative than realistic. The non-sexual interactions also seemed odd.

There are worse novels but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this one.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes some careful navigation to get through this story as the author sets several traps in the waters off the coast of Maine. The story revolves around brothers Harry and Tim, but many more characters, plots and sub-plots are added. Murder and suicide are major components, but the decadence of the upper crust is key. I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[William Howle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by someone who had purchased it as a gift for someone into sailing, he thought it was an instructional guide on navigating. When he discovered it was fiction he had no use for it. It is a book about a murder, suicide, and sex. It is well written with a lot of twists and turns. It took me a long time to read as I was traveling and had more things of interest other than this book.

[Thomas Lennek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I won this on Goodreads and am glad I did. I normally wouldn't pick a book about lawyers and courtroom drama , those topics bore me beyond tears. This is different. Great plot, superior characters, hard to put down. If you like mysteries , money and thrillers give this a whirl. It's different in a good way!

[Jean-Luc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and highly entertaining legal thriller
Mr. Crowley's twisted plot and perfectly drawned characters turned this smart story into an unputdownable read. To be enjoyed without moderation!

Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a compelling start and continues at a good pace. With some nice twists and humor, it also includes intelligent writing. If this garners enough attention, it should sell well. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the review copy!!

[Amanda Craven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this one, but I had a tough time getting into it and staying invested. The premise of the book was good - wealthy, scandal, and murder should make a fabulous combination. I just kept feeling as though I was skimming a lot rather than truly enjoying the story.

[Penny]

There is something about the narrator’s voice in this story that I like very much, but all of this characters were in the same voice, which I suppose I can accept since the story was told from one perspective.

[Linda Vondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry’s nightmare

I am not sure about this book, with all of the sex and peoples lives. I am still thinking about how twisted everyone was, and now think could this be really real? Or just a dream?

[diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Interesting twist and turns make this reflective read entertaining. The descriptions of the locals and characters are insightful. Chris is a talented story writer!