THE PORT FEE: A Storm Ketchum Adventure

by Garrett Dennis

"ENGAGING AND QUIRKY MYSTERY, HISTORY, AND ADVENTURE!"

5-STAR RED CITY REVIEW
Underwater, everybody can hear you scream, but they can't tell where you are...

Ketch is at it again in the magical Outer Banks of North Carolina, in this new adventure from the author of PORT STARBIRD and PORT OF REFUGE.

It's a picture-perfect summer afternoon on a pristine beach near a ghost seaport on an uninhabited island. What could go wrong? But things do, when two bodies wash ashore and Ketch stumbles upon clues that lead to the sunken treasure of an old-time buccaneer off Portsmouth Island. Ketch isn't the only one who has an interest in the treasure, and it exposes both him and his adversaries to unexpected obligations and consequences. It seems everyone has to pay the port fee...

Good guys and bad guys, boating and diving, a dash of romance, and a mysterious otherworldly presence all come together in THE PORT FEE, Ketch's most challenging adventure to date.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

371 pages, ebook

Published June 1, 2016

Reviews

[Lana Kortchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the other books in the series and loved them, so I was really looking forward to reading the Port Fee and catching up with Ketch, especially when I learnt that this story is about pirates and treasure, something I've been fascinated with since I was a child.

This book didn't disappoint. It was beautifully written, well researched, hard to put down, contained an important environmental message and a lot of local history of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The place itself felt like a character in its own right, with lots of fascinating detail. And what an adventure!

As I was reading, I became attached to the characters that were so realistic, relatable and complex, they seemed to leap off the page. I loved the main character's relationship with his dog, Jack, the most. The dogs, Jack and Chuck, played an important role in the story and I enjoyed reading about them.

Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys well written mysteries and adventure.

[Kathryn Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have vacationed in the beautiful Outer Banks, N. C. area and I got this book, which takes place there, to reconnect with it. I gave 5 stars for the story, which is about finding sunken treasure and what happens to the characters who find it. Ketch and his family and friends seem to do a marvelous job proving that money can't buy happiness. The author Garrett Dennis, used to live there and brings a lot of the area's history to life, which I appreciated. And there is an otherworldly element to it that is both spooky and humorous. I got the audiobook version, narrated by Ward Paxton, whose casual style fits the book nicely. I loved the voice he does for the fishing boat captain,. And he does a good hoi toider accent. There is an environmental message, which I liked because it gives hope that the area will remain unspoiled.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the audiobook for this in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the story. The narrator had a laid-back voice, fitting the scenario of the story. Set on an island off North Carolina (I believe), it's a story about buried treasure and intrigue, with a bit of supernatural added to it.

Storm Ketchum, his family and some friends are wandering around the island when the kids discover a couple of dead bodies and pirate gold.  This intrigues Ketch and his girlfriend, Carrie, and they decide to go looking for pirate treasure off the coast of the island.  But the bad guys also want the gold and will stop at nothing to keep if for themselves.  

This is a slow moving story, fitting the idea of island life.  There are some references to early books in the series (this is the third title) that help somewhat with knowing the characters, but sometimes not.  I'm of two minds about author's recapping previous series' information.  It can be really irritating if the reader has read all the books, but helpful if they haven't.  I found that there wasn't necessarily all the information needed to keep me a little confused about some information.  However, I enjoyed the story and plan on reading the other two books.  

The characters were colourful, there was some misdirection (at least to me, see comment above) as to who the bad guy was, and some tense moments.  I won't give away the ending, listen or read for yourself.  

[Curly's Ramblings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderfully detailed mystery adventure in North Carloina's Outer Banks. Ketch and the rag tag crew take the reader/listener on a wild ride involving a mystery about a pirate's treasure. The storyline, plot, and character development were all very well done. The story can be read/listened to alone but I'd suggest starting with the first book for all of the back history. The narrator did a fantastic job!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are well written with unique personalities. The plot moved at a good pace with lots of suspense. The trivia that was added about the area and history, I found very interesting. I really enjoyed this book and I'll check out the early books by this author.

[Angelique McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written!

Loved this 3rd novel! I hope there is another book soon on the shelves. The characters are believable and like family!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the Storm Ketchum series. It takes place in the Outer Banks, NC.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setting of this book immediately as well loving the character of Storm Ketchum. However, it, or should I say he, did seem to go on about the environment enough that it began to seem like edifying. It was only Ketch teaching his friends and family about the importance of preserving the environment and nobody needs to know more about this than me. However, I did think it slowed things down a bit, in a few places.

As I kept reading it grabbed my interest and held it right to the end. Hunting for sunken ships and treasure is always an exciting story and this one didn’t disappoint. This group of characters and their interaction also made the story. They were believable and picturable, some salty, some sweet. Sorry, couldn’t resist the “old sea captain” talk.

This is Book 3 of a series called “A Storm Ketchum Adventure”. While there were a few background items that you had to surmise, I see no reason that this book can’t be read as a stand-alone. I also most surely see no reason not to read it and the rest of the series.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again luck turns against Storm Ketchum as his children find bodies on the beach and a great adventure ensues. A couple of new women hit on Ketch, but he remains faithful to his partner, Kari, who loins him as the discovery leads to a search for the wreckage of a pirate ship. Most of the characters are returning from the previous stories, but this is easily read as a stand alone book. When Kari is injured by an underwater blast, the story grows more serious as she is left in a coma and Ketch feels the need for revenge on those who injured her. The story has excitement, suspense, and a colorful introduction to the outer banks and the competing interests in them This one definitely got my heart pounding had some very emotional twist at the end The moral is: Obey the Sea Hag.

[Holly Lenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Port Fee is an island and ocean adventure with hidden treasure, pirates, a ghost, scuba diving, and more. It’s an entertaining story, although there is a point when the hero’s actions, while justified, cease to be heroic.

I would consider this book suitable for most audiences. Contains violence and mild sexual situations- probably PG-13 if it was a movie.

The narrator of the audiobook does a good job and suits the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Dennis Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading stories about pirates and buried treasure, GAAAR! The author has a quirky writing style that takes time to feel right. A few readers thought it was boring in spots but I disagree, that action flowed just fine. The characters were well fleshed out. Garrett used an easy on the eye font and I liked the cover. Storm Ketchum, good name choice. As an editor, I could not give PORT FEE five stars because the paragraph structure was often screwed up. Two characters cannot speak in the same paragraph. But I would read others by him.

[Quanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding two dead divers at the shore leads to treasure, a brush with death, and a ghost. Researching the cause of the divers demise "Ketch" discovers a Nazi submarine filled with gold bars and a pirate ship filled with gold coins. The ghost of the legendary Sea Hag warns him off, but he doesn't listen. After rogue treasure hunters attempt to kill Ketch and his crew and kidnap his grandson, he seeks revenge. I was gifted this from the author.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first I have listened to or read. I was given an audible copy and am not required to give a positive review.

The story takes place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. His family discovers treasure and dead bodies. They are not the only ones who want the treasure.

This story proves that money can't buy happiness. The story progresses in a laid-back fashion, fitting the stereotype of the area.

I think I would have benefitted from reading the previous books first.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure is right! Storm has a lot of personal baggage that comes into play, but the biggest problems in the story arise from deep concern for the local environment, the greed of treasure divers, and also the problem of sand theft (which is part of a global problem). Lots of very interesting characters and a fair amount of proselytizing about politics and ignorant people, but all that makes the book more interesting and relevant. Loved it!
Ward Paxton is VERY well suited to the material.

[Bob Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Dennis once again weaves a tale of suspense. Storm 'Ketch' Ketchum is once more donning his mystery cap to see what is going on. Along for the ride is his ever growing list of friends. But when his girlfriend lies in a coma from his investigation and his grandson is kidnapped by meddling, there is no good that can gome of this.
My review is based on the Audible copy of the book. Contains small violence so not recommended for preteens and below.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book especially since the story is based in the Outer Banks and the treasure hunting. Garrett brings a lot of the history of this area alive. I read a Christmas story by this author and have been reading through the list of his books. I love his style of writing.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book not realizing it was 3rd in the series until a bit into the book, it could be read almost as a stand alone book. I thought the storyline was a little boring in spots but despite that it was good. I think overall this book would be appealing to a wide variety of readers.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Port Fee (Storm Ketchum Adventures Book 3) is my tenth read from author Garrett Dennis. I've been buying Garrett Dennis books as far back as July of 2014 and this is the best of them all. Now that I've read all the Storm Ketchum books I'll be looking to read more when they come out I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Port Fee
: Garrett Dennis

This is the third book in this series, but the first one I've listened to. In this book we get mystery, suspense, romance, history, and science lessons. There is a lot of acronyms that felt like alphabet soup to my ears. Some things were over detailed while other things were just glossed over.




The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Ward Paxton.


“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”