Blood of the Albatross

by Ridley Pearson

An innocent Seattle sailor is pulled into a dangerous web of espionage in this thriller that “is almost impossible to put the book down” (The Oregonian).   In this “enthralling” thriller by the New York Times–bestselling author, Jay Becker, an overworked, underpaid musician, is trying to earn some extra cash by giving sailing lessons on Puget Sound (The San Diego Union-Tribune). When a mysterious woman named Marlene hires him for what appears to be a simple expedition, he has no idea that he will be drawn into a plot that involves the CIA, the FBI, and a kaleidoscope of spy, counterspy; cross, double-cross—with the lives of himself, the woman he loves, and his best friend hanging in the balance . . .   “Pearson skillfully spins this thriller with sense-of-place, breakneck pace, and economically drawn, believable characters.” —Library Journal

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Ridley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.

Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, the roller-coaster ride towards the end saved the book for me. Told from multiple POVs, I knew that the disparate threads of storylines would converge at one point but admit I was confused about the "how" for much of the novel. Roy K. is an FBI agent in the Seattle area stuck in the archives section of the office. A recovering alcoholic with a failed marriage, he is eager to move and do something a little more exciting. He jumps at the chance to be part of a clandestine operation that is kept secret even from his current colleagues. Little does he know how tangled the web is & how much jeopardy he is about to step into. The two other "good guy" characters are Jay & Marlene. Both are being used by a cruel liaison for a dealer in secrets and arms. One knows it, the other does not. Some of the story stretches credulity. especially with Jay, a musician at night and a sailing teacher during the day.

I kept putting this book down as it did not reel me in the way most espionage thrillers do. I did root for Roy the most as he got sucked into the game and let some of his demons back into his life. I wanted him to survive and find his way back to an improving life path.

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so pleased to have passed the day reading this! What an exciting, well-written thriller!

Three individuals are looking for something to free themselves from the life they find themselves in: Roy Kepella, ex-drinker, failed husband and father, but now someone out to prove himself a good FBI agent; Jay Becker, an excellent Seattle musician and song writer, but who needs a day job to make ends meet; and Marlene Johanningmeir, German engineer, forced into working for a spy to keep her father out of jail. Gradually, their interests bring them together as unknowing dupes of a notorious industrial spy who is after the plans for a new laser developed by the United States. Unaware of how dangerous the situation is, they all soon find themselves snared in a life and death struggle beyond their understanding, each possessing a piece of the story which makes them a liability to the espionage organization blackmailing them. The dangers grow exponentially as the assignment nears completion, as do the lies, and finally each one is fighting to literally keep from being killed.

Treason and murder propel the action taking place primarily in Seattle, Washington, moving from Shilshole Bay to Salt Spring Island in Canada, involving the CIA, the FBI and even the Mounties, but the mystery and mayhem remain unsolved until unexpectedly love develops between Marlene and Jay - and they derail everyone's plans.

[Ralph Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story, a little unlikely, but fun nevertheless....

A bit on the far-fetched side, but we'll written, & smartly paced, with a cast that actually pulls it enough toward believability to rescue the overall tale. Yeah, that's pretty much the deal, for this book. I almost put it down once or twice, early on, but my curiosity kept pulling me back into it. Ridley Pearson is a really good author, especially at character development and that saved this book for me. 4 stars seems about right! Good job

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the comments on the jacket compares Pearson's style to Ludlum. In this case, i have to agree. All the reasons I find Ludlum tedious apply here, heavy handed bad guys, poor dialog, the perfect love. The story wasn't bad and Pearson wrote about what he knew, the music scene and sailing.

[Carole Hardinge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book to try a new author and it was called an action packed thriller. I didn’t find it to be that action packed although it had its moments. I did like the characters, especially Jay and Jocko, who were unsuspectingly in way over their heads in an international secret stealing plot. I might try reading a more recent book by Pearson, possibly the Walt Fleming series.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat disjointed spy story told from the views of several different characters. This often interfered with the flow of the novel. This was only the second novel written by Pearson and he has since become a much better writer. Still if you like spy/mystery novels you might enjoy this.

[Hugh B. REPLOGLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well crafted subtly to espionage

The character development is sound and there is no”super” character to solve all problems. The conflicts are realistic and truly “double-edged”.

[Kevin A Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of misspellings

This is an old book. Good story. Some gaps but very entertaining. I recommend it as an easy summer read.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. Lots of threads and he tied them up nicely at the end. I can tell this is one of his earlier books. His writing gets better.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I have read another book by Ridley Pearson, and am rather sure that I won't choose one again. This was one of those okay books. The setting is Washington state, where we will be travelling next week. The characters are somewaht sympathetic. I kept wanting to tell Jay Becker the young musician not to have anything to do with the German femme fatale, Marlene, but he wouldn't have listened. The book starts out with two character's stories--Jay and Roy Kensella and they intertwine at some point.

[Jonna Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is always extra fun to read a story set in ones home town, with familiar restaurants and car chases through known streets. I enjoyed this book, but it felt a little formulaic and maybe better on film. I actually think the movie version would be an excellent popcorn movie. That said, there were some quite satisfying passages that left me with a sense of having experienced something new, and the main character was very likable.

[Fred]

1993

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like Pearson's novels, enjoyed the sailing and Seattle setting. But this book was quite full of violence.

[Barbara B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just okay. I normally like his books, but this was a fast read and not that great. Fairly predictable ending.

[Al Stoess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. Fantasy. Hard to believe.

[Mandy Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

espionage from the 1990s outdated and not my Favorite kind of book but it was ok

[Ron Judenberg]

to-read

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this one a 3.5. I have read some other books by the author and found this one to be less interesting.