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Sometimes, crazy people do crazy things. When local Matlacha artist Jean Oglesby confides in Ellie that her son may be in a spot of trouble, Ellie is sent down a winding trail that leads her into unexpected waters. And when an old friend pays Ellie a surprise visit she's forced to reconsider hard possibilities about TEAM 99. Through it all she begins to wonder if the truth is even out there at all. But sometimes, good people do crazy things too. _________________ Bitter Tide picks up where Shallow Breeze left off. This is the third of a four-book story arc that resolves at the end of book four. If you are only entering the series now with Bitter Tide, it is recommended (by author and reader alike) that you begin first with Broken Stern in order to enjoy the fullest spectrum of the characters and the overall plot. Books 5 and onward will all be standalone.

354 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2018

977 people are currently reading
57 people want to read

About the author

Jack Hardin

22 books49 followers
Jack Hardin currently lives in Arlington, TX, with his stunning wife and five kids. He grew up in an Army family and spent half his childhood living in Germany, traveling all over Europe prior to the fall of the Iron Curtain. At nine years old he walked through Checkpoint Charlie and into East Berlin just one year before the Berlin Wall came down. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo, is proficient with bo staff and nunchucks, and has taught women's self-defense.

Those alone do not make him awesome, but it all sounds really cool.

You’ll find Jack’s books to be in the same vein as Wayne Stinnett, Dawn Lee McKenna, and Randy Wayne White. In other words...dig in...you’re about to be seriously entertained.

Jack is driven by grace, the bedrock of his Christian faith. Shoot him an email and let him know what you think of his books. Or to give him your opinion of the moon landing, or whether or not you think it's a sin to squeeze the toothpaste tube from the middle.

jack@jackhardinauthor.com

Books 1-4 in the Pine Island Coast Suspense Series form one larger story arc, with everything tied up in Book 4. Books 5+ will all be standalone installments.

Connect with him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/JackHardinAu...

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Community Reviews

5 stars
404 (57%)
4 stars
237 (33%)
3 stars
57 (8%)
2 stars
6 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Don Rich.
Author 32 books72 followers
July 5, 2018
The BEST book in the series so far! I've been telling friends for over a month that Jack Hardin is the most exciting new author that I've seen this year. This book and his ranking proves I'm right! Ellie and friends pack a real literary wallop,and they'll keep you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter through the last. If you don't read another book this summer, you owe it to yourself to read this one!

In full disclosure, though we didn't know each other, Jack and I shared a couple of emails after I had posted reviews of his first two books. I was honored when he asked me to read and comment on the Bertram scene prior to publishing, because of my familiarity with that brand and model, and I was happy to do so. He provided only that scene and blocked out the names, so my full read wasn't spoiled. Thanks for that, Jack! Congratulations on another page turning great read!

Merged review:

The BEST book in the series so far! I've been telling friends for over a month that Jack Hardin is the most exciting new author that I've seen this year. This book and his Amazon ranking proves I'm right! Ellie and friends pack a real literary wallop,and they'll keep you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter through the last. If you don't read another book this summer, you owe it to yourself to read this one!

In full disclosure, though we didn't know each other, Jack and I shared a couple of emails after I had posted reviews of his first two books. I was honored when he asked me to read and comment on the Bertram scene prior to publishing, because of my familiarity with that brand and model, and I was happy to do so. He provided only that scene and blocked out the names, so my full read wasn't spoiled. Thanks for that, Jack! Congratulations on another page turning great read!
464 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2018
Greatest yet

Wow as predicted this is, a great series with lots of twists and turns Kellie once again is leaps and bounds ahead of all major better beware..Great story and fantastic can hardly wait for the next one
Profile Image for Garey Merchant.
18 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2018
Write faster, Jack.

Hard book to put down. Interesting story and locale. Can’t wait for the next book. Keep up the good work.
Profile Image for Jim A.
1,267 reviews82 followers
August 7, 2018
Third in the series. These really do need to be read in order, as it's a continuing story.

This one ends going off in another direction, elimination of Ellie's old CIA Group 99, one by one. That is the cliffhanger for this edition. Clues in Book Two as to the identity of 'Ringo', the drug lord, are confirmed.

Hardin might be dragging this story out too long. Too many side stories. He does tie them into the main story, but they don't really add anything to the overall plot.
1,396 reviews13 followers
October 2, 2018
Ellie does another magnificent job with her very distinguished abilities and the right to see that justice is served once again! This is one of the fastest moving series I have had the opportunity to enjoy. There is never a dull moment throughout the entire series and this book fills in a lot of unanswered questions. Fast moving, but nothing is left out.

Mr. Harden has created another five star masterpiece and every episode is definitely a thrilling adventure. This is one of the most interesting series I have had the opportunity to follow, and I am more than apprehensive throughout the entire process of far-reaching action.
The characters selected certainly are impressive in their assignments and the author apparently did his research before penning his first word. Too, storylines are perfectly defined to the a room at hand. I am normally a western adventure reader, but this espionage action certainly whets my appetite too.
I definitely recommend this series to anyone loving unbelievable ongoing excitement, as these stories will definitely curl your toes. There is never a dull minute from beginning to end, and the ongoing mysterious escapades kept me riveted to my chair until the final word! Don't miss this series, or the loss will be overwhelming!😂
Profile Image for Olivia.
128 reviews6 followers
February 11, 2021
5 stars all around

Thrilling, exhilarating, entertaining, transportive - this series has it all, and book number 3 does not disappoint. Jack Hardin gives us so many gifts: A well-developed, badass heroine; a well-developed, badass villian; a crazy plot twist; lots of action; a cast of colorful background characters; and one of my favorite settings, the gulf coast of southwest Florida.

When I read this series I'm transported from my home in the gloomy Pacifc NW to the deck of a Cobia 350 CC... Gentle seas, the scent of salt and sunscreen in the air, cold beer in the cooler, and a fish biting on the end of my line.

And then ever so slightly, I adjust my Vortex Diamondback for windage and elevation, slowly exhale, hold my breath, and squeeze the trigger on my Steyr SSG 69. Ridding the world of one more bad guy before sailing off into the fuschia sunset....
127 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2023
This third book in the Pine Island Mysteries continues the saga of Ellie O’Connor as she and her DEA team track drug smugglers operating on Florida’s west coast. Just Ellie and her partner Mark sift old paperwork and with tips from a friend’s son, find the compound of of a den of smugglers. The interagency raid is fairly successful, until the compound blows up, killing their captives. Her boss is forced to fire Ellie for political reasons, so she goes hunting for the two who escaped the compound through a tunnel. Her skills lead her to prey and she brings him in. Meanwhile, we find out the identity of head honcho Ringo. Ellie is also paid a visit by an old colleague who has some unsettling news, leading Ellie back to investigate her old Team 99 unit … in the next book.
22 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2018
I don't care for cliff hangers...

It was a good story as far as it went. Interesting characters, suspenseful plot....it just didn't finish. At least not in this addition. Had I known I was going to be left wondering I probably wouldn't have started. Sorry, Jack...I like your work just not the finish.
23 reviews
March 11, 2019
Super fast

This part of the series was super fast and exciting. I had the free time and it went start t finish like any good page turner. Waiting on the next installment. This Ellie O'Conner is a great character, both a well trained operative and compassionate loving family member.
Profile Image for Louise Pass.
283 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2018
big storm

Well written, complex plot, with several long term story lines for the whole series, interwoven with the plot for each book. Major theme seems to be involved with secrets.
4 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2018
Great read.

I have read the first three Ellie O’Conner books and an about to download the fourth. After that I may be able to get some rest. These books are well written and hard to put down.
218 reviews
November 28, 2018
Enjoyable read

Still captures this reader's interest in the main characters search for justice and truth. There are some couple of editing mistakes that need attention. Pagev154 and 246.
3 reviews
March 15, 2019
Totally shocking to me!!

An unbelievable twist occurred in the waning chapters of this book which left my jaw in an almost permanently dropped position. Anxious to read Vacant Shore (book #4 in the series) to find where it all terminates.
Thanks Jack Hardin!!
Profile Image for Bill Elliott.
44 reviews
June 15, 2021
Bitter Tide

3rd book of the 4 book story. I really enjoy this writer’s style. I’m starting book four in…5…4…3…2…1 seconds. Write on Jack. Did you see what I did there. Ha, I kill me.
11 reviews
July 31, 2018
Great Writing

I’m loving this series. The characters are well developed and interesting. There’s suspense, but it doesn’t drag on. Looking forward to book #4!
Profile Image for Jody Patanjo.
294 reviews2 followers
August 27, 2018
Losing steam

I was excited to start this book but found myself counting pages. The writing is good but I found this book a little long winded.
Profile Image for Bill.
64 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2018
Another excellent entry in the series with a few surprises.
48 reviews
October 9, 2018
Better than the first two

Ready action packed. Can't stop now. Have to read the next one. Hope it's on sale. I'm cheap.
Enjoy this.
Profile Image for Prasanna.
178 reviews
November 16, 2018
This series is turning out to be more exciting than i expected. Next book will be the final showdown and looking forward to it.
2 reviews
January 9, 2019
Excellent series of books.

Well written, hard to put down.
I will look for this author every time I go to Amazon.
Thank you.
2 reviews
February 15, 2019
Dick’s books

Very good I have enjoyed the series and am looking forward to the next #4. This book did throw a good twist into the heart of the story line.
999 reviews23 followers
March 17, 2019
Bitter tide

Great series of stories and this one ranks as best so far. Outstanding interplay between the characters and a real surprise toward the end of this one.
314 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2020
Wow

Really a big surprise ending. Can't wait to get the next in the series. Know it will be harder to put down than this one was.
421 reviews56 followers
March 8, 2021
Hurting Elle

The author keeps you guessing which mystery will appear then you get another one. You want to keep on reading because you see the edge of more information.
559 reviews6 followers
July 3, 2021
And the twists and turns just keep on
coming. Looking forward to #4 and when
this case wraps up 5 and 6 individual cases.
12 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2018
Excellent read

Fantastic book ! It is full of different characters, of which the reader knows not the true meaning nor allegiance. Keeps you on yeh edge of you mental seat!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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