Thunder Island

Key West #2

by Meryl Sawyer

A Miami search and rescue expert and the ex–Navy SEAL she once loved reunite in Key West, plunging into a maze of secrets, lies, and cold-blooded murder
 
Jennifer Whitmore is the last person Kyle Parker expects to see in his counterterrorism seminar. Fifteen years ago, she was the love of his life. Now a respected member of Miami’s K-9 search and rescue unit, Jennifer is working undercover on an antiterrorism task force. She’s crazy about her partner, Sadie, a droopy-eyed bloodhound. She’s also engaged to another man. But when Jennifer and Kyle join forces to rescue a missing child, their passion reignites.
 
But someone doesn’t want the lovers to reconnect. When murder rocks the island and Jennifer becomes the prime suspect, Kyle must clear her name before violence claims another victim. Their search for the truth will drive them into a labyrinth of secrets and lies that has its twisted roots in Thunder Bay, an exclusive resort with a dark history.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. The use of similes was so terrible (comparing the sounds of a helicopter to a pteradactyl, as an example) that I thought I was reading a translation of a book to English. I would have been far more lenient in my score in that case. The characters were one dimensional and ridiculous. The romantic male lead had every bad boy cliche going -- motorcycle - check, hair in need of a cut - check, devil may care attitude - check. This could have been written by a high school student.

[Jen Parenti · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5⭐️ this book has a lot of flaws but I was just in Key West a few weeks ago and so I loved Thunder Island's setting! Especially when I recognized a street or location that was referenced. However, this book has many detail flaws such as the dog...Sadie must be a basset hound, not a bloodhound. She is described as having a low-slung belly that almost touches the ground. Her short height is mentioned meant times. Bloodhounds are very large and this detail drove me crazy! And the misogyny of so many of the characters, even Kyle!!! It seems decades older than the late 90s when this was written. The plot went on and on...I think the book could've ended before the murder, but it was a fun read!
I was going to give this book two stars, but the ending got me and made me cry. So I added a half star for my personal rating but I'm rounding down on GR. 😂

[Anne Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Meryl Sawyer book and not knowing what to expect I came away feeling that I will definitely look for more books. I had the audio book which was done with a very good narrator and I found the characters to be a good mix of strong and interesting with a heavy dose of quirky. Behind the main story was a lot of heart wrenching reality which added to the overall appeal. Worth reading.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thunder Island by Meryl Sawyer

This was a good story.

The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.

A WOMAN ACCUSED...
K-9 Search and Rescue expert, Jennifer Whitmore has done everything she can to forget Kyle Parker. But when she goes to Key West for a training seminar on anti-terrorism, the last person she expects to see as her instructor is Kyle. Despite the attraction that is still there, Jennifer is determined not to let Kyle break her heart again.

A MAN TORN...
Kyle can't believe this fiercely independent woman is the same Jennifer from his past-and the girl he once loved. Time has changed them both, transforming them from naïve teenagers to adults, and their desire for each other is more intense than ever. But when Kyle discovers Jennifer is involved with another man, his pride keeps him from revealing his true feelings.

AN EXPLOSIVE DESIRE...
In the wake of a powerful storm that rocks the island, Jennifer and Kyle succumb to the passion between them. But the aftermath of their desire leads to murder—and Jennifer is the prime suspect in a crime that has its twisted roots in Thunder Island's maze of shocking secrets and dangerous lies...

[Xenos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, oh man! Meryl Sawyer sure has a way of grabbing you by the throat and not letting go! In this fast-moving page-turner, childhood friends/lovers Jennifer Whitmore and Kyle Parker find themselves face-to-face after years of separation...and the spark is still there, even though the past threatens to keep them apart forever. MS flawlessly combines romance, intrigue, passion and murder in a slick story with complex characters, shocking secrets and lethal lies. What more can I say? Ms. Sawyer had me from page one. Four-and-a-half stars!

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars