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Devil's Harbor: A Novel
With heart-stopping thrills, a Walter White–esque villain, and a fascinating hero, Alex Gilly's Devil's Harbor is a thriller unlike any you have read before
Nick Finn and his partner and brother-in-law, Diego Jimenez, are used to rough water. As Marine Interdiction Agents for Customs and Border Protection, the two hunt drug smugglers, human traffickers, and other criminals who hide in the vastness of the waters surrounding southern California.
One night, Finn and Diego track a phantom boat off the Los Angeles coast, but it disappears before they can intercept it. They find a dead body in its wake, ravaged by sharks. Their investigation into the floater stalls when Finn is accused of using excessive force following the death of a suspected drug smuggler.
Then Diego is murdered—and Finn is the number-one suspect. As he races to find the real killer and save his marriage, Finn is forced to partner with Linda Blake, the desperate captain of the Pacific Belle and mother of Lucy, a very sick little girl, to attempt the one thing he has devoted his life to stopping.
In order to clear his name and save a child's life, Finn must smuggle narcotics by sea into the United States…and avoid the net that his CBP colleagues have cast for him.
Nick Finn and his partner and brother-in-law, Diego Jimenez, are used to rough water. As Marine Interdiction Agents for Customs and Border Protection, the two hunt drug smugglers, human traffickers, and other criminals who hide in the vastness of the waters surrounding southern California.
One night, Finn and Diego track a phantom boat off the Los Angeles coast, but it disappears before they can intercept it. They find a dead body in its wake, ravaged by sharks. Their investigation into the floater stalls when Finn is accused of using excessive force following the death of a suspected drug smuggler.
Then Diego is murdered—and Finn is the number-one suspect. As he races to find the real killer and save his marriage, Finn is forced to partner with Linda Blake, the desperate captain of the Pacific Belle and mother of Lucy, a very sick little girl, to attempt the one thing he has devoted his life to stopping.
In order to clear his name and save a child's life, Finn must smuggle narcotics by sea into the United States…and avoid the net that his CBP colleagues have cast for him.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2015
7 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 3, 2015
Devil's Harbor
By
Alex Gilly
What it's all about...
Finn and his brother in law Diego are customs and border agents who patrol the waters near Southern California...they are rough and tough and gritty. Finn is married to Diego's sister...an attorney...and everybody gets along and life seems reasonably good. Oh...Finn has alcohol issues, too, but he is not drinking and dealing with them...sort of. One night Finn shoots a drug lord and gets in big trouble and a few days later they find a shark eaten half body of a kid...no less...a wannabe gangbanger...in the ocean...and big big big trouble begins for everyone. Whew! And it gets even worse...but I can't tell you because I do not wish to spoil this gripping thriller for any potential reader! But it's very bad and very sad for Finn and his wife. Then add a mystery woman, tattoos, sharks and a missing kidney...no wonder Finn is drinking again!
My thoughts after reading this book...
So...what I can tell you is that this is an amazing nail biting fast paced well written thriller. If this is the kind of book you love and are tired of more familiar thriller writers...I say give this book a chance...you won't be sorry!
What I loved best...
I always love the most dysfunctional one and in this book it was ruggedly handsome Finn...he had so much going against him in this book...I worried that he might never find his way out of these shadows.
What potential readers might want to know...
I would say that this book is a most perfect vacation book...whether you are hopping onto a plane or just lounging at the pool or beach or lake...this book will carry you away!
By
Alex Gilly
What it's all about...
Finn and his brother in law Diego are customs and border agents who patrol the waters near Southern California...they are rough and tough and gritty. Finn is married to Diego's sister...an attorney...and everybody gets along and life seems reasonably good. Oh...Finn has alcohol issues, too, but he is not drinking and dealing with them...sort of. One night Finn shoots a drug lord and gets in big trouble and a few days later they find a shark eaten half body of a kid...no less...a wannabe gangbanger...in the ocean...and big big big trouble begins for everyone. Whew! And it gets even worse...but I can't tell you because I do not wish to spoil this gripping thriller for any potential reader! But it's very bad and very sad for Finn and his wife. Then add a mystery woman, tattoos, sharks and a missing kidney...no wonder Finn is drinking again!
My thoughts after reading this book...
So...what I can tell you is that this is an amazing nail biting fast paced well written thriller. If this is the kind of book you love and are tired of more familiar thriller writers...I say give this book a chance...you won't be sorry!
What I loved best...
I always love the most dysfunctional one and in this book it was ruggedly handsome Finn...he had so much going against him in this book...I worried that he might never find his way out of these shadows.
What potential readers might want to know...
I would say that this book is a most perfect vacation book...whether you are hopping onto a plane or just lounging at the pool or beach or lake...this book will carry you away!
June 6, 2020
Surprise ending
June 23, 2021
I usually jump in the pacific ocean when i get roofied.
I cant believe this book was published.
I cant believe this book was published.
August 23, 2015
Author Alex Gilly introduces us to a government dick from a bureau we’re probably not familiar with. In “Devil’s Harbor,” Gilly’s first novel, Marine Interdiction Agent for Customs and Border Protection, Nick Finn, and his partner and brother-in-law, Diego Jimenez, hunt drug smugglers, human traffickers, and other assorted bad guys in the expansive waters surrounding Los Angeles. And make no mistake; Finn is just as tough and callous as any investigator you’ve ever met. He is also a hopeless drunk, as so many of these guys tend to be. It makes one wonder how all the miraculous physical activity these sorts engage in can be effectively performed in a soggy haze.
Gilly has also thought up about as convoluted story as you’ve ever read, full of twists and turns and wrinkles that must have kept his mind churning endlessly as he tried to get his story on paper. You know what? He did a good job at keeping it all together, as implausible as the events are.
Agent kills a bad guy in a suspicious boat off Two Harbors on Catalina Island. His partner witnesses the whole encounter, including the shots fired at them before the Agent snuffs out the rat. Dirty dealings arise in both the world of drug smuggling, human misery, bureaucratic officialdom, and nefarious family relationships leading to partner getting murdered, wife getting teed at Agent’s inability to control his bad habits, wrongful accusations, heinous acts in both the United States and Mexico, beatings, stormy seas, boat chases, and the unfurling of bad actors from seeming righteous individuals. There’s a lot to sift through but the author is a reliable guide and the journey is not all that difficult.
I enjoyed this story and predict that you will also. Remember that it’s entertainment and don’t get too caught up in seemingly inconceivable circumstances. The important thing is that Gilly managed to get it all together and sandwiched between two covers.
July 24, 2017
A so-so mystery/detective type story. Lots of twists and turns, but not all that hard to figure out. Amazing that the protagonist can even work with his constant alcoholic buzz, or that he can single handedly come out on top. Good premise, just didn't buy into the hero.
May 13, 2017
It was a decent debut, but it didn't wow me. The characters were somewhat believable and the plot was OK. Beyond that, I really don't have too much to say about this one.
December 1, 2018
Enjoyable read and a great first novel for Alex Gilly! What’s the next adventure for Nick Finn?
February 17, 2019
The main character is not very respectable, macho brawn-over-brains type, and his wife is a left-wing, California, no borders lawyer fighting for illegals.
Closed this one after 1/4 way through.
Closed this one after 1/4 way through.
October 17, 2019
For me not really enjoying crime/thriller books, I found my self engrossed with this book. This book open my eyes and mind. It was a great read.
August 19, 2024
A great story
June 2, 2015
Author Alex Gilly's debut fiction work, "Devil's Harbor", is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you turning the pages until you read it all the way through. Once you start reading, you'll be hooked by the perfectly imperfect protagonist and the compelling storyline. As a Marine Interdiction Agent for Customs and Border Protection, Nick Finn patrols the ocean waters off Southern California, hunting the human predators who prey upon the weaknesses and addictions of their fellow man. His partner is Diego Jimenez, the younger brother of Finn's wife, Mona. A violent encounter with a phantom boat, skulking through the night waters with its lights out, will forever change the lives of Finn and those around him. When Finn is investigated for using excessive force, Mona, a lawyer, acts for his defense. Then the unthinkable happens--Diego is murdered, and Finn becomes the prime suspect. As his troubles intensify, his recurring struggle with alcohol resurfaces--a lingering inheritance from an alcoholic father. Desperate to clear his name, save his marriage, and hold onto his life and sanity, Finn becomes involved with dangerously warped schemers who have a twisted, evil agenda all their own. Finn has served his country both in wartime and stateside. He is a good man who has made some bad choices. Is it too late to save himself, or can he pull off one more mission--the mission of a lifetime? Author Alex Gilly is also a translator, and I will say this as a reader and a film fan: "Devil's Harbor" will translate into a terrific action-adventure film with a lead character whose flaws are outshone by his inherent heroism.
Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine
Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine
June 18, 2015
In "Devil's Harbor," we learn of Nick Finn, a Marine Interdiction Agent for Customs and Border Protection.
Nick and his partner (who is Nick's brother-in-law) Diego Jimenez track a phantom boat off the Los Angeles coast. However the boat disappears before they can reach it. However, they do come across a floater that had lost parts of the floater's body to sharks.
Not long after the above events, they see a suspicious boat that refuses their order to stop. When they catch the boat, a gunfight erupts and Nick kills the shooter in self defense.
Things begin going badly for Nick after this shooting, Nick's wife, Mona, a top notch attorney asks Nick to see a counselor about the shooting but he refuses and takes solace in alcohol. Mona helps him in the beginning but can't reason with him about the alcohol so moves out of the house.
As people begin doubting Nick, drinking becomes his crutch. When another person close to him is killed, Nick has a mountain of guilt and decides to continue searching for the killer by himself.
He looks into the boat that had been connected to the floater. The captain is Linda Blake. Through circumstances, Nick is forced to work with Linda and they travel to Mexico where Linda adds another element to the story.
There are many twists to the plot and it becomes a cat and mouse story with mounting suspense.
The last segment of the story is powerful but there were too many villains and Nick's spiritual awakening was long in coming.
Powerful conclusion.
Nick and his partner (who is Nick's brother-in-law) Diego Jimenez track a phantom boat off the Los Angeles coast. However the boat disappears before they can reach it. However, they do come across a floater that had lost parts of the floater's body to sharks.
Not long after the above events, they see a suspicious boat that refuses their order to stop. When they catch the boat, a gunfight erupts and Nick kills the shooter in self defense.
Things begin going badly for Nick after this shooting, Nick's wife, Mona, a top notch attorney asks Nick to see a counselor about the shooting but he refuses and takes solace in alcohol. Mona helps him in the beginning but can't reason with him about the alcohol so moves out of the house.
As people begin doubting Nick, drinking becomes his crutch. When another person close to him is killed, Nick has a mountain of guilt and decides to continue searching for the killer by himself.
He looks into the boat that had been connected to the floater. The captain is Linda Blake. Through circumstances, Nick is forced to work with Linda and they travel to Mexico where Linda adds another element to the story.
There are many twists to the plot and it becomes a cat and mouse story with mounting suspense.
The last segment of the story is powerful but there were too many villains and Nick's spiritual awakening was long in coming.
Powerful conclusion.
Read
April 22, 2015Dangerous liaisons on Catalina Island
Nick Finn is a Marine Interdiction Agent for CBP (Customs and Border Protection) along with his brother-in-law Diego. They get to drive around in fast boats, looking for drug and human smugglers in the waters around Catalina Island in southern California.
One night they come upon a boat driving without lights, a chase ensues, and Nick shoots the driver of the boat - who shot at him first. And that is the start of many terrible events in Nick's life over a short period of time.
This is a book that literally caught my interest from the first page and held it through close to 300 pages until the last words on the last page. No lagging parts, no filler - just jam packed action that was great fun to read.
Drugs, sharks (both marine and human), disappearing immigrants, fast boats, phantom boats, bad choices and even worse choices...all rolled together in DEVIL'S HARBOR.
If you like your tales with a masterful storyline and unique characters, try this marine thriller.
NOTE: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Nick Finn is a Marine Interdiction Agent for CBP (Customs and Border Protection) along with his brother-in-law Diego. They get to drive around in fast boats, looking for drug and human smugglers in the waters around Catalina Island in southern California.
One night they come upon a boat driving without lights, a chase ensues, and Nick shoots the driver of the boat - who shot at him first. And that is the start of many terrible events in Nick's life over a short period of time.
This is a book that literally caught my interest from the first page and held it through close to 300 pages until the last words on the last page. No lagging parts, no filler - just jam packed action that was great fun to read.
Drugs, sharks (both marine and human), disappearing immigrants, fast boats, phantom boats, bad choices and even worse choices...all rolled together in DEVIL'S HARBOR.
If you like your tales with a masterful storyline and unique characters, try this marine thriller.
NOTE: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 22, 2016
Decent plot about a Border Security officer, Nick Finn, and his brother-in-law, Diego, who patrol the area off Santa Catalina Island in California for illegal activity. They come upon a vessel with lights off. When they get closer and attempt to contact it, they are fired upon and in the resulting gunfight, a person is killed on the other boat. They later come across a legless body floating in the sea. Nick finds himself in trouble with the Custom and Border Patrol agency they work for. The CBP is looking at him for murder. Soon Diego is killed, Nick starts drinking again, and his wife leaves him. A drug runner is involved and Nick is called upon to save a child. Mexico is a hotbed of nefarious activity. A lot of water chases and action. Good first effort.
August 3, 2015
A GoodReads GiveAway
The best book I've read in August! This is a jim-dandy thriller ... with boats. And there are plenty of plot twists to keep you off guard. I wish I didn't have to wait to read another Nick Finn yarn.
The best book I've read in August! This is a jim-dandy thriller ... with boats. And there are plenty of plot twists to keep you off guard. I wish I didn't have to wait to read another Nick Finn yarn.
June 27, 2015
Best action thriller I read this year.
December 13, 2015
excellent first novel--tense action, intense mc, intricate plot.
December 30, 2015
Very slow start, but like an action movie with lots of twists and turns.
May 26, 2016
2.5 stars. So-so. I disliked the protagonist, so it was hard to enjoy this.
June 16, 2015
Good suspense, good plot, good character development...looking forward to more about Finn and Mona.
Read
November 26, 2017super good! His first novel and it is a "doozy"
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews