Looted: A Jesse McDermitt Novel

Jesse McDermitt Caribbean Adventure #31

by Wayne Stinnett

In his 31st novel in the Jesse McDermitt Caribbean Adventure saga, Stinnett once more unites old characters with new, while mixing cutting-edge technology with history in a tale of untold wealth, greed, and conflict.

The once pristine waters of Everglades National Park are being looted once more. Invasive pythons have taken over as the top predator. Water levels have dropped to an all-time low to maintain the agricultural industry. And a rusting hulk has been lying undiscovered for eighty years. Until Billy Rainwater stumbled upon it.

After several years, mountains of paperwork, and a healthy dose of South Florida “good ol’ boy” palm-greasing, Billy and his two closest friends, Jesse McDermitt and Rusty Thurman, have begun the tedious recovery of the U-320, a World War II Nazi submarine, which had been driven deep into the Glades by a great hurricane.

A fortune in Nazi gold is at stake, and the trio of long-time friends and adventure seekers don’t know they’re sitting on it until it’s almost too late. At the same time, but on a different front, evil stalks a middle schooler and Jesse has to find a way to bring the man to the kind of justice Jesse's known for.

Can the wealth of a great city be recovered and returned? Or will it sink into the muck along with the instruments of war which brought it? The stakes rise exponentially as lives are threatened, and the tranquil waters of South Florida once more erupt into chaotic violence.

Genres: Adventure

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2025

About the author

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.

You can like me on Facebook, to get updates at https://www.facebook.com/WayneStinnet...

Reviews

[George Rawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Wayne has done it again. I had some problems following the story line through the first three chapters. I started over twice and was still lost until I really stopped and read the start of each chapter and the light came on. Didn't really know the time lines.

I highly recommend you spend the time and read all Wayne's writing. He has the same traits that I like in my reading making me feel like I'm not just reading but he puts me right there watching the story unfold..

[Amy E. Tirpaeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's incomplete

Its frustrating. The first 85% of the book is about the submarine. Then a completely new storyline starts without any connection other than the character. Why do I have to buy another book to have the first story finished.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

not his best

Lots of fill unrelated to plot. seems the author is running out of ideas. Reads like 4 short stories mashed together.

[Janis Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappoints!

I have read EVERY Jessie book, started about 2017 and binged on those already out there. It is difficult to wait for the next 'episode'. The bonds that the characters have, the exquisite way Wayne tells the story, at times bring a tear. There is so much goodness in this group of friends and their goal to make wrongs right. One wishes that this could be the norm but society is mostly disappointing. Something i really enjoy in Wayne's Jessie is how it started and how he changed through the years and grows older with time. I read a lot of the Tropical Authors and this aging of characters and writers is sometimes so sad. I want them to go on indefinitely, but that's not reality. Some of my favorite authors have died, some key characters have died off. Life changes and with good storytelling authors, the same. Wayne, good health to you and your wife and I look forward to Cursed in the spring.

[Lucille Bifano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been with the Jesse books since 2013!

I have read them all, I'm happy to say. The books are filled with well researched facts, but are hugely entertaining. Jesse has overcome many obstacles, lost his faith in himself, but came back stronger and more resilient. This book was fast reading and I can't wait for the next book to get into the sunken ship story. Looking forward to the next adventure!

[Glenn Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Read from Wayne!!

I don't remember when I first found Jesse but it's been awhile. My books read each year on my kindle is in the 200-300+ range. Last year it was just under 1 book per day. The Jesse McDermott series is one of my favorites if not the most. Love the story lines that let you participate emotionally and almost visually. Will be waiting impatiently for the next installment. Very!!!

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Storey

I read Wayne's first book in 2013 which was great, I had been looking for an author , that could hold my
Attention thru the entire book which he did. I have been reading since I was 5 years old, I've always enjoyed stories where I felt I was right there with the characters , my time in key west was great conch train
Tour guide, Hemingway house tour guide, There's a lot of tropical authors out there but Wayne is still the Best !!!!
Cheers
Carl Loveless

[Xpilot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching

I have read most of Mr. Stinnett’s books. I have read all of the Caribbean Adventure Series. This one is not about the bad guys and the good guys, though they are there. And it is not about the gold, though it is there. It is about a scum that took advantage of children and did despicable things and Jesse and company seeing that he got his do. There are fewer things worse (if any) in this life worse than abusing a child.

[Peter Strauss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not My Favorite

I've always given 4 or 5 star ratings to all the books Mr. Stinnett has written, this one had me wanting more! Although I enjoyed the resurgence and coming together of old characters the storyline was not as engaging, interesting, or exciting as most. Also too much detail and minutiae about boring (to me) technical stuff! Just goes in the "Ya can't please all the people all of the time" column!

[Kip Gochenour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure story with Jessie and his friends. While trying to recover a U-320 German sub from the Everglades, some bad actors are trying to find what they believe is hidden on the sub. Meanwhile his island caretaker is working to help a young student deal with abuse from another bad actor. Things get pretty exciting as they usually do when this crew is in action. Thank you Wayne for another amazing story!

[Judy Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story.

I love this series. I've read every book on my Kindle since the inception and then have to wait for the next book to be written. I'm a woman so occasionally flounder a little in the mechanical or boating detail. However, the books are always great and suitable for either sex.

[Jacqueline Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent adventure!

Great quick read. McDermitt and his cast of warriors have a great adventure treasure hunting on a historical submarine and bringing justice to the worse type of criminal! Well do e Mr Stinnett

[Steve Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Read from Wayne Stinnett

Stinnett has held my undivided attention through thirty-one episodes of Jessie McDermitt. Usually, I get bored with ongoing sagas like this. But not with his Caribbean Adventure Series.
Now I have to wait patiently for number thirty-two.

[Bill Albrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a great read!

I've been reading Wayne's work for a,few years now and have never been disappointed. His story telling is always exceptional! He makes me want to be in Jesse's inner circle!

[Randy B Spackman]

Thanks to you and your staff

I don't recall when I read the first Jesse McDermitt book but I am waiting for the next one to be released. I read all of them. They have everything I like in a book, boats, guns, planes, adventure, treasure and always trying to the right thing.

[Randy Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I have always loved these books and this one is just a good. I recommend all Jesse books to anyone that loves reading sea adventures. One request would be not using the F word. It doesn’t lessen the story by leaving it out.

[Bob Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still keeping it adventurous

Amazing how Jesse can keep his family and friends together after a military career and numerous commercial and intelligence endeavors. Story never gets old and characters from older books blend well with new story line.

[Loy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the latest installment in the Jesse McDermott series

I’ve read them all and enjoyed them. I like this one because everybody was in it.
There wasn’t that much action But the story of the submarine is finally get completed

Very good and very enjoyable

[Glenn Mcwhorter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book as always , great author, other similar authors on this subject can’t hold a candle but sometimes I need to read something while waiting for Mr. Stinnett to finish his next book. Already on pre- order. Love what you write Wayne !

[William Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait for the next book!

Bad guys don’t stand a chance around Jesse. I have read all 31 in this series and can’t wait for the next one every time I finish reading the book in my hand.

[Connie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts as one; ends as another

Two stories in one! But what about the sub and the gold? You cannot leave us hanging here! Please keep the adventures coming, these books just make the sand under my feet feel great!

[J L NICOL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Submarines Are Go

Another fabulous story with plenty of action and it was lovely to get the submarine on its way at last. More to follow in his next book.

[Lesta Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Terrific series

[mark gilligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for 32

Another great book by Wayne. I've enjoyed the first 31, and 2026 is around the corner to 32. Thank you sir.

[bruce eckhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!!

I have read all of the books in the Jesse McDermitt series, this is my favorite. The way both stories were woven together was extremely well done.

[Don Blank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.

[Tom Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story

I’ve read and enjoyed every book in the series. Fantastic characters, compelling plots, and always epic twists along the way.

[Dave Duren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Read them all.

[Mike Beason · Rating 5 out of 5]

The submarine!

The submarine has risen. It's moving from the swamp. And what's in the sub? Who else is interested in the sub? So many questions to be answered.

[Charles Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

What a read. Great writing and the twists and turns are good also. Great way to add a growing problem and shutting it down quickly and effectively.