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Billy Knight Thrillers #2
Red Tide
From the New York Times–bestselling author of the Dexter novels: “A game of cat and mouse that builds to an utterly terrifying climax on the high seas” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
Ex-cop Billy Knight wants to ride out Key West’s slow season with the occasional fishing charter and the frequent beer. But when he discovers a dead body floating in the gulf, Billy gets drawn into a deadly plot of dark superstition and profound evil.
Along with his gun-happy friend Nicky, and Anna, a resilient and mysterious survivor of her own horrors, Billy sets out to right the wrongs the police won’t—putting himself in mortal peril along the way.
“This is a thriller of the highest order.” —Booklist (starred review)
Ex-cop Billy Knight wants to ride out Key West’s slow season with the occasional fishing charter and the frequent beer. But when he discovers a dead body floating in the gulf, Billy gets drawn into a deadly plot of dark superstition and profound evil.
Along with his gun-happy friend Nicky, and Anna, a resilient and mysterious survivor of her own horrors, Billy sets out to right the wrongs the police won’t—putting himself in mortal peril along the way.
“This is a thriller of the highest order.” —Booklist (starred review)
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2015
145 people are currently reading
892 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lindsay
80 books4,323 followersJeff Lindsay lives in Florida with his wife, author Hilary Hemingway, daughter of Leicester Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's brother.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 14, 2015
A strong 3 star rating for this new novel by the author of the Dexter books Jeff Lindsay.
This book is the 2nd book in the Billy Knight series and not having read the 1st book didn't spoil my enjoyment one bit. This book is fairly light and was a welcome change to some of the deeper novels I have read lately. Written in a similar style to the Dexter books there is more than a hint of humour and plenty of wise cracks to keep this book light while maintaining the thriller genre.
Billy Knight is an ex cop who gets involved in a murder investigation that the Police have no interest in. Aided by his friend Nicky and a love interest Anna he goes about trying to unravel the mystery on the high seas.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Diversion books for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
This book is the 2nd book in the Billy Knight series and not having read the 1st book didn't spoil my enjoyment one bit. This book is fairly light and was a welcome change to some of the deeper novels I have read lately. Written in a similar style to the Dexter books there is more than a hint of humour and plenty of wise cracks to keep this book light while maintaining the thriller genre.
Billy Knight is an ex cop who gets involved in a murder investigation that the Police have no interest in. Aided by his friend Nicky and a love interest Anna he goes about trying to unravel the mystery on the high seas.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Diversion books for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
November 20, 2015
Jeff Lindsay once again brings his readers to Miami, this time not with Dexter rather with Billy Knight, but no worries – the body count is still high. Billy is an ex-cop who wants nothing more than to be on his boat chartering tourists out fishing. When he’s not doing that he is trying to keep things together with his girlfriend (she leaves) or he hangs out in bars (ends up in jail). Life’s not so great. On a trip picking up and delivering a boat for a friend he and his friend Nicky are enjoying the ocean when Nicky decides to do some target practice shooting coconuts out of the water. One of the coconuts turns out to be a human head. It looks like another Haitian refugee has not made it safely to American soil. “Happens all the time,” say the police and Billy tends to agree with them. But Nicky feels a responsibility to this corpse he took a pot shot at.
Enter Anna, a refugee herself, albeit from Eastern Europe. Billy immediately falls for her and wouldn’t you know it – because of her own history – she agrees with Nicky; someone has to look into what turns out to be a series of “tragic drownings” involving Haitian refugees. Reluctantly, Billy agrees to look into it. With the help of The Deacon, Billy’s contact on the police force the three take the reader along on an adventure on the high seas hunting down a Haitian Voodoo Bocor who’s best talent seems to be making Haitians disappear from his boat – after taking their money.
This is the second book in the Billy Knight series and it read fine as a stand-alone novel. I didn’t feel I missed anything by not having read the first book. Admittedly there were a few intriguing snippets here and there, but were they compelling enough to entice me to pick up the first installment? Not sure.
I liked the setting in this book, I liked the characters – especially Nicky because he is quite unique, the action was intense because it took place in the closed confines of a ship sailing from Haiti to Miami and there were a few voodoo tidbits thrown in here and there. Yet overall the story was lacking originality. It felt almost a little formulaic if one compared it to the Dexter books … changed a couple of names and circumstances yet I could have taken the two books pulled character names from one, easily placed an equals sign to a character from the other. I can’t rave about the book but would still mention it to action/thriller fans without feeling too guilty.
* I received this ebook at no charge from Diversion Books via
Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
Enter Anna, a refugee herself, albeit from Eastern Europe. Billy immediately falls for her and wouldn’t you know it – because of her own history – she agrees with Nicky; someone has to look into what turns out to be a series of “tragic drownings” involving Haitian refugees. Reluctantly, Billy agrees to look into it. With the help of The Deacon, Billy’s contact on the police force the three take the reader along on an adventure on the high seas hunting down a Haitian Voodoo Bocor who’s best talent seems to be making Haitians disappear from his boat – after taking their money.
This is the second book in the Billy Knight series and it read fine as a stand-alone novel. I didn’t feel I missed anything by not having read the first book. Admittedly there were a few intriguing snippets here and there, but were they compelling enough to entice me to pick up the first installment? Not sure.
I liked the setting in this book, I liked the characters – especially Nicky because he is quite unique, the action was intense because it took place in the closed confines of a ship sailing from Haiti to Miami and there were a few voodoo tidbits thrown in here and there. Yet overall the story was lacking originality. It felt almost a little formulaic if one compared it to the Dexter books … changed a couple of names and circumstances yet I could have taken the two books pulled character names from one, easily placed an equals sign to a character from the other. I can’t rave about the book but would still mention it to action/thriller fans without feeling too guilty.
* I received this ebook at no charge from Diversion Books via
Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
November 12, 2015
Billy’s looking for a relaxing off-season in the charter fishing business. Helping a friend move some sail boats, he’s dragged into a murder mystery. Nicky, along for the ride and some beers, is doing some practice shooting with his new gun. What he mistakes for a coconut floating in the distance turns out to be a dead Haitian man.
When local police shrug it off as another drowned refugee, Nicky, like a dog with a bone, worries Billy into digging into the case. It’s more than a dead body. It’s mass murder, and Nicky puts his faith in Billy to dig out the truth, make the lazy officials get involved.
What neither counted on was going up against a bocor, one who delves in dark voodoo magic and zombies.
There’s a lot worse things than drowning on the high seas.
It’s fun to be back with Billy and Nicky. Billy is a bit of an introvert, wanting to be left alone. Nicky, on the other hand, is the comic relief. He’s always operating his enthusiasm at one hundred percent.
Billy is working through a break up with his girlfriend and exploring a new romance with a mysterious girl, Anna, who has her own demons to overcome.
Nicky is his usual wacky self, until the discovery of the body. Now he’s full on rabid, worrying Billy until he agrees to look into the problem.
It’s never a dull moment in Key West.
I enjoy the setting for this series. Living on the Gulf Coast, it feels familiar. The humidity and sudden storms. The lackadaisical attitude and lifestyle of the tropics. And especially the dress code, shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. I always dread winter when I have to wear layers and put shoes and socks on.
The plot is familiar too. Living so close to the area, the plight of the Haitian refugees is often aired on our local news. I have no doubt what happens in this book happens in real life. Just like the illegal border crossings from Mexico to the US, the coyotes do some similar atrocities.
The fact this can and does happen in real life makes the connection to the story stronger, more engaging. It makes you think, feel the outrage, and empathize with the characters.
This is another thrilling chapter in the series. One I recommend to all thriller fans.
I received this book for my honest review.
When local police shrug it off as another drowned refugee, Nicky, like a dog with a bone, worries Billy into digging into the case. It’s more than a dead body. It’s mass murder, and Nicky puts his faith in Billy to dig out the truth, make the lazy officials get involved.
What neither counted on was going up against a bocor, one who delves in dark voodoo magic and zombies.
There’s a lot worse things than drowning on the high seas.
It’s fun to be back with Billy and Nicky. Billy is a bit of an introvert, wanting to be left alone. Nicky, on the other hand, is the comic relief. He’s always operating his enthusiasm at one hundred percent.
Billy is working through a break up with his girlfriend and exploring a new romance with a mysterious girl, Anna, who has her own demons to overcome.
Nicky is his usual wacky self, until the discovery of the body. Now he’s full on rabid, worrying Billy until he agrees to look into the problem.
It’s never a dull moment in Key West.
I enjoy the setting for this series. Living on the Gulf Coast, it feels familiar. The humidity and sudden storms. The lackadaisical attitude and lifestyle of the tropics. And especially the dress code, shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. I always dread winter when I have to wear layers and put shoes and socks on.
The plot is familiar too. Living so close to the area, the plight of the Haitian refugees is often aired on our local news. I have no doubt what happens in this book happens in real life. Just like the illegal border crossings from Mexico to the US, the coyotes do some similar atrocities.
The fact this can and does happen in real life makes the connection to the story stronger, more engaging. It makes you think, feel the outrage, and empathize with the characters.
This is another thrilling chapter in the series. One I recommend to all thriller fans.
I received this book for my honest review.
September 7, 2018
Red Tide by Jeff Lindsay
My second consecutive Billy Knight 'thriller' by Jeff Lindsay, and I must confess that it was a thrill to read/listen to the last pages of this, again, boring ‘thriller’. If anything it was less interesting than Billy Knight #1.
I would suggest googling the definition of thriller before Billy Knight #3 or any other so called 'thriller' is published. Better still read some of Jennifer Hillier's books, or even Dawn Girl by Leslie Wolfe. I enjoyed Dawn Girl so much that I have several more of Wolfe’s novels to read.
Finally as an Australian reader (and reviewer) may I suggest that taking a swipe at Australia and anything Australian (or any other nationality, for that matter) is not the way to win friends and influence people: especially when it happens in each of Billy Knight’s books.
“Your name’s Billy, not Silly” said Aussie character Nicky who always seemed a have a few Kangaroos loose in the top paddock. Lindsay then proceeded with a lengthy description of Australian rhyming slang. Lindsay concludes this must be because we name our towns/places with names such as Kalgoorlie (Western Australia), Woolloomooloo and Wollongong (New South Wales). Sure there are many place names which are taken directly or are derivatives of Native Australian local languages/dialects. In both Billy Knight 1 & 2, Lindsay is happy to take the mickey out of Nicky
I would suggest he have a bopeep in his own backyard before taking the micky out of anyone again. At least get the research right. Click, or copy and paste this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
to find a list of Native American Place names which have direct links to, or origins from either Native American, Mexican, Polynesian or Athabaskan languages.
Blimey! If this bloke had got off his Khyber Pass and bothered to take a Captain Cook on the world wide web, or even get on the old Dog an' Bone and asked someone who might know, he would have quickly learned, maybe, that Aussie rhymin' slang and our unusual place names have little in common. Why? Coz one is local, the other originates in the Mother Country with a few Down Under twists. With better research this could a bin a ripsnorter of read. Instead it’s a Barry Crocker!
Only ONE star from this reader and no more Billy Knight thrillers for me.
May 9, 2019
Red Tide, from the cover, looked like a typical whodunit murder mystery, which is exactly what I was looking for. But after reading the summary on the back, I realized that it was a much different take on the usual murder mysteries, and I just had to read it. On top of that, Red Tide was written by Jeff Lindsay, who also wrote the Dexter series. All of this was enough to get me to pick it up off the shelf.
Jeff Lindsay’s Red Tide tells the captivating fictional story of Billy Knight, who is a retired policeman living in Key West, Florida. He has a huge temper, and after starting a bar fight his girlfriend Nancy officially leaves him after an off-and-on relationship. This leaves Billy distraught and soon finds himself relying on alcohol and fishing to get him through each day. Soon, though, his life gets very interesting after he and his friend Nicky discover a dead body floating off the coast. They report it, but Nicky wants to find out the source of the killings, after more and more start to show up. This sets them on a long journey, full of undercover investigations, rituals, and eventually a kidnapping. The book is full of twists and turns, and you can never really tell what is going to happen next, which is exactly what a good mystery book is supposed to be like.
As much as Red Tide is a captivating storyline, it doesn’t exactly start out that way. I feel like Jeff Lindsay may have spent way too much time on the background of Billy Knight because the real thrilling stuff doesn’t start until 150 pages into the book. I would’ve preferred if some of the deep characterization was left out because I feel like instead of allowing the reader to connect to the character, it only made the reader roll their eyes and get impatient.
Other than the slow start, Red Tide is truly a mystery masterpiece, and Jeff Lindsay perfectly executes each twist and turn, and makes sure you can never predict the ending. With the unique setting of Key West and Miami, the unique characters of Billy, Nicky, and Anna, and the captivating storyline, this book is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.
Jeff Lindsay’s Red Tide tells the captivating fictional story of Billy Knight, who is a retired policeman living in Key West, Florida. He has a huge temper, and after starting a bar fight his girlfriend Nancy officially leaves him after an off-and-on relationship. This leaves Billy distraught and soon finds himself relying on alcohol and fishing to get him through each day. Soon, though, his life gets very interesting after he and his friend Nicky discover a dead body floating off the coast. They report it, but Nicky wants to find out the source of the killings, after more and more start to show up. This sets them on a long journey, full of undercover investigations, rituals, and eventually a kidnapping. The book is full of twists and turns, and you can never really tell what is going to happen next, which is exactly what a good mystery book is supposed to be like.
As much as Red Tide is a captivating storyline, it doesn’t exactly start out that way. I feel like Jeff Lindsay may have spent way too much time on the background of Billy Knight because the real thrilling stuff doesn’t start until 150 pages into the book. I would’ve preferred if some of the deep characterization was left out because I feel like instead of allowing the reader to connect to the character, it only made the reader roll their eyes and get impatient.
Other than the slow start, Red Tide is truly a mystery masterpiece, and Jeff Lindsay perfectly executes each twist and turn, and makes sure you can never predict the ending. With the unique setting of Key West and Miami, the unique characters of Billy, Nicky, and Anna, and the captivating storyline, this book is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.
December 6, 2023
Lindsay's writing style keeps being one of the strongest aspects of his books. His plotting, Villains and conclusions are all mediocre at best. That's not to say they're terrible but, they could be far stronger.
October 20, 2015
I still miss Dexter, but Billy Knight is growing on me. The quirky characters and the setting kind of remind me of Tim Dorsey's books, kind of.
This book was very entertaining and written in a style that kind of reminded me of Dexter, but it wasn't quite the same. Billy is always just helping out his buddies, thinking it will be just an easy little job, but no it never is. He never intends at the start to put his life on the line, but unfortunately for him, his heart is bigger than his brain. But fortunately for the reader, he is a very likable character who hangs out with some strange people and encounters some even stranger people who make the story just this side of believable.
I found this book to be very entertaining, with several chuckles and several shakes of my head thinking "these guys are idiots". But it's all just a day in the life of Billy Knight. I also loved the setting of Key West. I love that place!
Thanks Diversion Books and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I loved it and would recommend this book to everyone.
This book was very entertaining and written in a style that kind of reminded me of Dexter, but it wasn't quite the same. Billy is always just helping out his buddies, thinking it will be just an easy little job, but no it never is. He never intends at the start to put his life on the line, but unfortunately for him, his heart is bigger than his brain. But fortunately for the reader, he is a very likable character who hangs out with some strange people and encounters some even stranger people who make the story just this side of believable.
I found this book to be very entertaining, with several chuckles and several shakes of my head thinking "these guys are idiots". But it's all just a day in the life of Billy Knight. I also loved the setting of Key West. I love that place!
Thanks Diversion Books and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I loved it and would recommend this book to everyone.
November 21, 2015
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Billy Knight is a fairly typical South Florida sleuth: an ex-cop with a backstory and a boat. The first, and arguably the best of these is Kenneth Robeson's Oscar Sail, but there are many, many of these guys, including Tony Rome and Travis McGee. South Florida is as full of PI's as Marvel Comics's New York is full of superheroes.
After a bar fight and a break-up, Billy hangs out with his typically looney South Florida friends, in this case, a New Age Aussie astrologist, and a Russian ballerina, when he finds a dead Haitian refugee. He investigates, and this leads him to The Black Freighter, a ship that takes refugees out into the ocean and dumps them. The captain, of course, is also a voodoo priest.
It's all pretty exciting, without being too over the top. Not as boat centric as some others of the genre, it still manages to be fairly sea worthy.
Billy Knight is a fairly typical South Florida sleuth: an ex-cop with a backstory and a boat. The first, and arguably the best of these is Kenneth Robeson's Oscar Sail, but there are many, many of these guys, including Tony Rome and Travis McGee. South Florida is as full of PI's as Marvel Comics's New York is full of superheroes.
After a bar fight and a break-up, Billy hangs out with his typically looney South Florida friends, in this case, a New Age Aussie astrologist, and a Russian ballerina, when he finds a dead Haitian refugee. He investigates, and this leads him to The Black Freighter, a ship that takes refugees out into the ocean and dumps them. The captain, of course, is also a voodoo priest.
It's all pretty exciting, without being too over the top. Not as boat centric as some others of the genre, it still manages to be fairly sea worthy.
March 11, 2020
Well I may or may not of said this a few times before, but my favorite genre of books are mystery books. Yet again, to no surprise for me or anyone who has read my past reviews, for this past month I dove into another thriller of a book. I think at this point is just subconscious, or a “when all else fails” strategy for picking out books. Anyways, Red Tide was an absolute thriller for me and I loved it without a doubt.
Billy Knight was once a great Los Angeles cop. Although now well past the prime of his life, he is enjoying his retirement in the beautiful Key West, Florida. As he is relaxing and trying to get over breaking up with his girlfriend, Nancy, he learns from his friend Nicky that he found a body floating in the water. Nicky is a very outgoing and interesting individual, and thought he would be better off trying to get Billy to help him investigate than the police. Billy reluctantly travels to Miami to investigate with Nicky and his new interest of love, Anna. Once there, Billy quickly learns they are looking for a ship along with one man behind what has happened. Throughout this chase Billy is trying to do his detective work along with becoming closer and helping Anna fall in love with him. The tension builds up through the story as the wanted man seems to almost be shadowing Billy doing his investigating until what comes is a freaky and shocking climax that any reader is sure to love.
This was one of the best both overall, and best flowing books I have ever read. Even besides a great build up of the story by the author, he manages to keep suspicion up, not reveal anything major to what is going to happen, and just put a great story together. I really liked the way the story was done with the setting being Billy’s retirement in Florida, then this event almost being like his call back to duty. Another aspect I thought was extremely interesting was the way the villain was almost following the characters through their chase. I thought this was really cool and was definitely what kept me interested and kept the tension high throughout the book.
What I was not such a big fan of in this book was the aspects coming outside of the criminal chase. The way Billy was simultaneously worried also focusing on his relationship with Anna while chasing the criminal I just didn't like too much. I think it was definitely an important part of the story, but for me it took away from the mystery that was to be solved by Billy. Other than that I really did not dislike anything about this story.
I definitely really liked reading this book and I would surely recommend it to most people teenage and older. Even if you don’t have the greatest liking for mystery books this is still a good one. Although it is part of a series and it is not the first book. I would look into the books that come before it to possibly read first, but for me, I loved this book.
Billy Knight was once a great Los Angeles cop. Although now well past the prime of his life, he is enjoying his retirement in the beautiful Key West, Florida. As he is relaxing and trying to get over breaking up with his girlfriend, Nancy, he learns from his friend Nicky that he found a body floating in the water. Nicky is a very outgoing and interesting individual, and thought he would be better off trying to get Billy to help him investigate than the police. Billy reluctantly travels to Miami to investigate with Nicky and his new interest of love, Anna. Once there, Billy quickly learns they are looking for a ship along with one man behind what has happened. Throughout this chase Billy is trying to do his detective work along with becoming closer and helping Anna fall in love with him. The tension builds up through the story as the wanted man seems to almost be shadowing Billy doing his investigating until what comes is a freaky and shocking climax that any reader is sure to love.
This was one of the best both overall, and best flowing books I have ever read. Even besides a great build up of the story by the author, he manages to keep suspicion up, not reveal anything major to what is going to happen, and just put a great story together. I really liked the way the story was done with the setting being Billy’s retirement in Florida, then this event almost being like his call back to duty. Another aspect I thought was extremely interesting was the way the villain was almost following the characters through their chase. I thought this was really cool and was definitely what kept me interested and kept the tension high throughout the book.
What I was not such a big fan of in this book was the aspects coming outside of the criminal chase. The way Billy was simultaneously worried also focusing on his relationship with Anna while chasing the criminal I just didn't like too much. I think it was definitely an important part of the story, but for me it took away from the mystery that was to be solved by Billy. Other than that I really did not dislike anything about this story.
I definitely really liked reading this book and I would surely recommend it to most people teenage and older. Even if you don’t have the greatest liking for mystery books this is still a good one. Although it is part of a series and it is not the first book. I would look into the books that come before it to possibly read first, but for me, I loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
This was much better than the first Billy Knight book by a huge margin. While “Tropical Depression” wasn’t a bad book, it felt a little dry and awkward compared to Lindsay’s other works. With Red Tide, however, he leans more into the writing style he is known for, with the tone feeling a lot more familiar to those who have read the Dexter series.
While it was somewhat annoying to see that Nancy wasn’t in Billy’s life anymore, especially since their breakup largely happened in between Tropical Depression and Red Tide and makes her role in the last book largely pointless, it was clear that Lindsay didn’t like the way her character had been written and wanted to start from scratch with the new character of Anna.
This is a something that is prevalent throughout Red Tide, with the characters getting big overhauls in terms of personality to make them stand out more as well as being given a lot more depth, and the book is much better for it.
While the plot of the book is a bit vague in the first half, it picks up a lot more in the second half of the book feels better executed than it did in the first book, with the style of storytelling being much closer to the Dexter series.
As always, Lindsay’s visual writing style with small bits of relatable humor in a ark situation never fails to keep the reader’s attention, making for a great read overall.
Sadly it seems that this is the last book in the series as it’s been almost eight years since Red Tide was first published and there hasn’t been any sign of a follow up. A real shame considering how much of an improvement this book was on the first one.
While it was somewhat annoying to see that Nancy wasn’t in Billy’s life anymore, especially since their breakup largely happened in between Tropical Depression and Red Tide and makes her role in the last book largely pointless, it was clear that Lindsay didn’t like the way her character had been written and wanted to start from scratch with the new character of Anna.
This is a something that is prevalent throughout Red Tide, with the characters getting big overhauls in terms of personality to make them stand out more as well as being given a lot more depth, and the book is much better for it.
While the plot of the book is a bit vague in the first half, it picks up a lot more in the second half of the book feels better executed than it did in the first book, with the style of storytelling being much closer to the Dexter series.
As always, Lindsay’s visual writing style with small bits of relatable humor in a ark situation never fails to keep the reader’s attention, making for a great read overall.
Sadly it seems that this is the last book in the series as it’s been almost eight years since Red Tide was first published and there hasn’t been any sign of a follow up. A real shame considering how much of an improvement this book was on the first one.
July 24, 2017
This was a tough read for me. I loved all-things-DEXTER and wanted to read Jeff Lindsay's two other books: his Billy Knight series. This book, written 20 years after the first one in the series, is well-written, yes, but doesn't really start until page 140.
And even at that point, it could be titled "MacGyver Meets Lovesick Ex-cop."
The content is heavy, as Billy Knight, who has retired from the Brotherhood for an easier life as a fishing guide, discovers that Haitian refugees are being dumped in the ocean near his Miami home. The book had the makings for an important story, rife with the politics that ensues in a cover-up or a that's-not-my-problem issues.
Also, there wasn't enough of the protagonist in the second story, and so I found myself not caring as much about what happens to Billy or his two (annoying--sorry!) any of sidekicks.
Had I not been a completist, I would've abandoned this book by page 100. But at least now I can say I have read all of Jeff Lindsay's works. So, there's that.
And even at that point, it could be titled "MacGyver Meets Lovesick Ex-cop."
The content is heavy, as Billy Knight, who has retired from the Brotherhood for an easier life as a fishing guide, discovers that Haitian refugees are being dumped in the ocean near his Miami home. The book had the makings for an important story, rife with the politics that ensues in a cover-up or a that's-not-my-problem issues.
Also, there wasn't enough of the protagonist in the second story, and so I found myself not caring as much about what happens to Billy or his two (annoying--sorry!) any of sidekicks.
Had I not been a completist, I would've abandoned this book by page 100. But at least now I can say I have read all of Jeff Lindsay's works. So, there's that.
March 9, 2019
I have not read Tropical Depression, the first book in this series, but Red Tide worked as a stand alone. Former cop Billy Knight's love life has fizzled and things are slow with his job of taking other people fishing. When friend Betty Fleming needs someone to go get her sailboat from Dinner Key in Miami and bring it back to Key West, he agrees. Billy takes his friend, Nicky Cameron along for company. The day before their return, they discover a dead body in the gulf! This discovery causes Nicky to want to do something about what he believes is a Haitian nationals thing. When Billy meets and gets to know Anna Kovacic, she also wants him to do something to stop the killings. This leads to Billy agreeing to do something and putting himself in danger. This mystery is full of twists and turns and dark magic. At 224 pages it can be read in one sitting.
March 4, 2023
This was a fairly dark look into retired office Billy Knight's life after the force. Though he meets a woman who has been through terrible times in her home country is hoping for a better life in America. On a boat trip with a friend, they come across a body in the water. After reporting it to the police, Billy's friend learns that they are assuming it was an illegal imigrant trying to come to the states and are brushing it off. With no leads, they are writing it up as another in a long line of failed crossings. But of course Billy gets dragged into investigating and fighting for his life along with his friend to save the girl and countless others (though, for Billy's part it's mainly about the girl) from heartless smugglers who routinely lead people to their deaths.
September 20, 2017
Billy Knight is a LA cop retired to Key West as a fishing guide. With pressure form his friends he tackles an immigration problem - Haitians are being killed instead of being landed in Miami. Billies instincts tell him something is very wrong but needs to get evidence of what and where. First up Billy has to sort out his personal problems from then on the action starts. Very good story well written and entertaining. It is a story that is bang up to date with the immigration problems around the world. The story illustrates very clearly if this problem is to be solved someone has to take the first step. It may however require more resources than one ex LAPD man, governments worldwide need to take responsibility to get a lasting solution.
January 30, 2020
I enjoyed it, however it was a bit beige for me. The aspects of being a thriller were there but not really explored. It was set up well, but I felt it fell a little short of producing the "utterly terrifying climax on the high seas" as promised on the cover.
November 1, 2020
Bylo to trochu narychlo? Jednoduché? Asi jsem čekala něco jiného, možná víc, ale... Nebyla to nejhorší konua, co jsem přečetla. Tady se toho prostě smotalo až moc dohromady. Bylo toho moc najednou. Netušila jsem, že bych mohla dostat takovou dávku informací na těch pár stránkách.
July 18, 2022
Red Tide
If you like Michael Connelly's Bosch novels, the Billy Knight series is a must read. This book offered more Key West and South Florida similar to James Hall and Paul Levine. A good Florida book.
If you like Michael Connelly's Bosch novels, the Billy Knight series is a must read. This book offered more Key West and South Florida similar to James Hall and Paul Levine. A good Florida book.
February 22, 2024
Fun, but didn't engage me the same way as Tropical Depression. Billy Knight is a worthwhile protagonist, but I don't find him as thrilling as Riley Wolfe or as delightfully dark as Dexter Morgan. If you need some Jeff Lindsay in your life, maybe check those series' out first.
June 26, 2020
Mediocre story with an above average lead character.
July 2, 2020
Excellent Thriller!
As a sequel to Tropical Depression, the ending of this book provides a real life lesson to learn when times are rough! Excellent Read!
As a sequel to Tropical Depression, the ending of this book provides a real life lesson to learn when times are rough! Excellent Read!
April 21, 2022
Did not keep me engaged as the first did. Seemed a lot of dragging on and definitely more romance and character thinking going on.
June 5, 2024
I like anything Jeff Lindsay writes.
October 19, 2025
Plenty of intrigue and character detail to keep the reader interested. A liberal smattering of humour to keep it light. Enjoyed this as an audio book. Expertly read by Jay Snider.
October 27, 2015
Red Tide, the second novel in Jeff Lindsay's Billy Knight Thrillers series, is an intriguing mystery that culminates with an action packed adventure on the high seas.
After his latest relationship hits a rough patch, Billy Knight needs a diversion to take his mind off his romantic troubles. While doing a favor for a friend, Billy and his friend, Nicky Cameron, find a dead body floating in the gulf. When the authorities are unwilling to investigate the death, Nicky convinces Billy to look into the case. Against his better judgment, Billy, along with Nicky and Ukranian immigrant Anna Kovacik, head to Miami in pursuit of the person responsible for luring Haitian refugees to their deaths.
Billy is an ex-LAPD cop who moved to Key West following the tragic murders of his family. He is happy with his new career operating a fishing boat, but with his latest relationship falling apart, he is beginning to feel a little dissatisfied with his life. When he does a little digging into the Haitian refugee situation, he quickly realizes that uncovering leads is going to be next to impossible not to mention incredibly dangerous. He might have been able to tell Nicky no, but after learning the truth about what happened to Anna's family back in the Ukraine, Billy knows he has no choice but to investigate.
Billy gets some much needed background information from a friend in Miami and what he learns is truly staggering. When it becomes obvious Nicky and Anna are not going to let the matter rest, they return to the seedy docks of Miami in hopes of getting a lead about who behind the illegal smuggling operation of Haitian nationals. When his only source of information turns up dead, Billy finds himself in a very tricky situation with the local authorities. By the time the matter is sorted out, he discovers Anna has been kidnapped. Nothing will dissuade him from rescuing her from her captors, and armed with nothing but the name of the ship and its probable destination, Billy calls in a favor and hits the high seas in hot pursuit.
Set in the 1990s, Red Tide is a low tech but high octane mystery. The characters are brilliantly developed with endearing quirks that make them a little unique but quite appealing. Jeff Lindsay's descriptive prose bring the characters and the setting vibrantly to life and the serious overtones of the unfolding storyline are relieved by Billy Knight's wry sense of humor. The mystery is compelling and moves at an even pace until the novel's thrilling conclusion. A great addition to the Billy Knight Thrillers series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.
After his latest relationship hits a rough patch, Billy Knight needs a diversion to take his mind off his romantic troubles. While doing a favor for a friend, Billy and his friend, Nicky Cameron, find a dead body floating in the gulf. When the authorities are unwilling to investigate the death, Nicky convinces Billy to look into the case. Against his better judgment, Billy, along with Nicky and Ukranian immigrant Anna Kovacik, head to Miami in pursuit of the person responsible for luring Haitian refugees to their deaths.
Billy is an ex-LAPD cop who moved to Key West following the tragic murders of his family. He is happy with his new career operating a fishing boat, but with his latest relationship falling apart, he is beginning to feel a little dissatisfied with his life. When he does a little digging into the Haitian refugee situation, he quickly realizes that uncovering leads is going to be next to impossible not to mention incredibly dangerous. He might have been able to tell Nicky no, but after learning the truth about what happened to Anna's family back in the Ukraine, Billy knows he has no choice but to investigate.
Billy gets some much needed background information from a friend in Miami and what he learns is truly staggering. When it becomes obvious Nicky and Anna are not going to let the matter rest, they return to the seedy docks of Miami in hopes of getting a lead about who behind the illegal smuggling operation of Haitian nationals. When his only source of information turns up dead, Billy finds himself in a very tricky situation with the local authorities. By the time the matter is sorted out, he discovers Anna has been kidnapped. Nothing will dissuade him from rescuing her from her captors, and armed with nothing but the name of the ship and its probable destination, Billy calls in a favor and hits the high seas in hot pursuit.
Set in the 1990s, Red Tide is a low tech but high octane mystery. The characters are brilliantly developed with endearing quirks that make them a little unique but quite appealing. Jeff Lindsay's descriptive prose bring the characters and the setting vibrantly to life and the serious overtones of the unfolding storyline are relieved by Billy Knight's wry sense of humor. The mystery is compelling and moves at an even pace until the novel's thrilling conclusion. A great addition to the Billy Knight Thrillers series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.
November 17, 2015
Red Tide by Jeff Lindsay is part of a series, but can stand alone. I have been reading his work, since the Dexter novels.
Jeff Lindsay’s abilities to describe his characters and their surroundings are so vivid and detailed they come to life through his words.
He talks about Key West, the only thing on my bucket list, and makes we want to be there. I would be in heaven in a lean-to on the beach.
Billy and Nancy have a relationship that is on again and off again. Billy’s attitude doesn’t help the situation. He’s starting bar fights and going to jail and that sure isn’t going to win her over.
I love Nicky. He is a friend of Billy’s, a quirky character who believes in astrology and crystals and runs a New Age store. He is a true diehard friend of Billy’s and is there when he needs a two by four upside the head, which is all too often.
Comical writing with wit and snark. The characters are so much fun, I would find myself busting out laughing here and there, looking around to see if anyone thinks I’m crazy.
Water, boats, booze and babes, fishing…and dead bodies?
The trio, Nicky, Anna and Billy are going to solve the mystery of the dead Haitians and black magic.
Jeff creates twisted and flawed characters that had me laughing and cussing, thank God for friends and favors, because Billy was calling them all in.
A dark cozy that had me trying to figure the outcome. One of two ways in my book. I want him to be a hero, but which kind? Who will survive the black magic? The chase for the bocor gets pretty intense and the ending was twisted in a way I thought was great and saw coming, sorta. My only complaint, the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning. Until the kidnapping, I felt no sense of urgency. My expectations are always high when it come to Jeff Lindsay, so maybe that is my fault. I would highly recommend any of his work.
I received an ARC of Red Tide by Jeff Lindsay in return for an honest review.
To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com
Jeff Lindsay’s abilities to describe his characters and their surroundings are so vivid and detailed they come to life through his words.
He talks about Key West, the only thing on my bucket list, and makes we want to be there. I would be in heaven in a lean-to on the beach.
Billy and Nancy have a relationship that is on again and off again. Billy’s attitude doesn’t help the situation. He’s starting bar fights and going to jail and that sure isn’t going to win her over.
I love Nicky. He is a friend of Billy’s, a quirky character who believes in astrology and crystals and runs a New Age store. He is a true diehard friend of Billy’s and is there when he needs a two by four upside the head, which is all too often.
Comical writing with wit and snark. The characters are so much fun, I would find myself busting out laughing here and there, looking around to see if anyone thinks I’m crazy.
Water, boats, booze and babes, fishing…and dead bodies?
The trio, Nicky, Anna and Billy are going to solve the mystery of the dead Haitians and black magic.
Jeff creates twisted and flawed characters that had me laughing and cussing, thank God for friends and favors, because Billy was calling them all in.
A dark cozy that had me trying to figure the outcome. One of two ways in my book. I want him to be a hero, but which kind? Who will survive the black magic? The chase for the bocor gets pretty intense and the ending was twisted in a way I thought was great and saw coming, sorta. My only complaint, the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning. Until the kidnapping, I felt no sense of urgency. My expectations are always high when it come to Jeff Lindsay, so maybe that is my fault. I would highly recommend any of his work.
I received an ARC of Red Tide by Jeff Lindsay in return for an honest review.
To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com
December 6, 2015
RED TIDE by Jeff Lindsay is a book I did not think I would like. If you don’t know, Lindsay is the author of the DEXTER books, the very same books that gave rise to the DEXTER television series. I have read only a few of the books and plan to binge watch the series at some upcoming time, but I haven’t felt the pressing need to gorge on either yet.
And so on to RED TIDE, billed as a sequel to Mr. Lindsay’s first novel, TROPICAL DEPRESSION. Knowing there was a hiatus of many years between the first and second novel in a series was enough to dim my desire to read this outing, but as I had won it through the Goodreads program I felt a certain obligation to immerse myself in this other world.
Captain Billy Knight is a charter skipper in Key West and the season is a slow one. The story starts out the same way, setting out the trappings of the Keys and the people and trying to get the lazy feel of the place and time just right. We are introduced to Billy’s friend Nicky, an Australian transplant and New Age guru of sorts with a hankering for swilling beer.
And we meet Anna, a beautiful street performer with a dark Russian past. She rapidly fills Billy’s vision of joy and happiness.
Soon the action picks up when Billy and Nicky, sailing a friend’s boat from Miami down to the Keys, discover a body floating in the ocean. Nicky urges ex-cop Billy to investigate, Anna jumps in on Nicky’s side and soon the tempo of the book, not to mention the action, surges forward, rapidly becoming a tidal wave.
Any misgivings I had about the story were squashed as I read into the mid-section of the book and had been totally destroyed by the finish. This book was a wonderful introduction to a new/old character and it was a delight to discover Mr. Lindsay is not limited to writing about nice homicidal sociopaths.
And so on to RED TIDE, billed as a sequel to Mr. Lindsay’s first novel, TROPICAL DEPRESSION. Knowing there was a hiatus of many years between the first and second novel in a series was enough to dim my desire to read this outing, but as I had won it through the Goodreads program I felt a certain obligation to immerse myself in this other world.
Captain Billy Knight is a charter skipper in Key West and the season is a slow one. The story starts out the same way, setting out the trappings of the Keys and the people and trying to get the lazy feel of the place and time just right. We are introduced to Billy’s friend Nicky, an Australian transplant and New Age guru of sorts with a hankering for swilling beer.
And we meet Anna, a beautiful street performer with a dark Russian past. She rapidly fills Billy’s vision of joy and happiness.
Soon the action picks up when Billy and Nicky, sailing a friend’s boat from Miami down to the Keys, discover a body floating in the ocean. Nicky urges ex-cop Billy to investigate, Anna jumps in on Nicky’s side and soon the tempo of the book, not to mention the action, surges forward, rapidly becoming a tidal wave.
Any misgivings I had about the story were squashed as I read into the mid-section of the book and had been totally destroyed by the finish. This book was a wonderful introduction to a new/old character and it was a delight to discover Mr. Lindsay is not limited to writing about nice homicidal sociopaths.
November 13, 2015
Billy Knight, ex-LA cop and now charter boat operator, is trying to enjoy his retirement in Key West Florida despite a recent split from his long-time girlfriend. To try to break him out of his post-breakup funk, his Aussie friend, Nick, convinces him a fishing expedition is just the ticket. However, on the trip, they come across a body. When they contact the Coast Guard, they learn this is an all-too-common occurrence – someone is dumping Haitian refugees in the ocean by the hundreds but no one seems interested to do anything and that includes Billy. But Nicky is determined that someone must do something and that Billy should be that someone. He enlists Anna, a beautiful Russian immigrant who has survived horrors of her own, to persuade Billy and soon the trio are on the trail of a ship called the Black Freighter and its captain who is offering to bring refugees from Haiti to the US for a hefty price and is somehow compelling them to leap to their deaths miles from any shore.
Red Tide is the second in the series by author Jeff Lindsay but the first I’ve read. It is told in the first person by Billy who, despite his best efforts, lives up to his surname – he is protective, romantic, chivalrous and kind to small animals and people but with a penchant for a good bar fight which is kind of the modern-day equivalent of jousting. He also has a great sense of self-deprecation and humour which helps to reduce the tension of some very dark scenes. The rest of the cast including Nick, Anna, and the mysterious Deacon are less well-defined but still likeable. This is a well-plotted novel with plenty of action and suspense and, if you’re a fan of Dexter or thrillers in general, this is definitely one for you.
Red Tide is the second in the series by author Jeff Lindsay but the first I’ve read. It is told in the first person by Billy who, despite his best efforts, lives up to his surname – he is protective, romantic, chivalrous and kind to small animals and people but with a penchant for a good bar fight which is kind of the modern-day equivalent of jousting. He also has a great sense of self-deprecation and humour which helps to reduce the tension of some very dark scenes. The rest of the cast including Nick, Anna, and the mysterious Deacon are less well-defined but still likeable. This is a well-plotted novel with plenty of action and suspense and, if you’re a fan of Dexter or thrillers in general, this is definitely one for you.
October 27, 2015
As with all series books, it really is better to read in order to get the best out of character development, backstory and series arcs but the main story is self contained so it could be read as a stand alone.
Poor Billy, all he's trying to do is retire quietly in Key West as a fishing guide but he keeps getting dragged back into exactly the kind of action he chose to leave behind. Bad for Billy but great for us as readers! Uneventful fishing expeditions would not make for as good a book as say action, adventure, murder, intrigue etc etc...
With Nancy exiting stage left, Billy finds himself a new girl, Anna. She is an immigrant who has been through so much personally but still has great strength and that, along with her way of saying exactly what she thinks in her limited English and in a rather "cute" and often very amusing way, makes her a delightful breath of fresh air indeed!
As with the first book, I really do like Billy - he still maintains the balance between irreverent/sarcastic and decent/genuine that we saw in the first book and continues to deliver great banter and some funny one-liners! I especially enjoy the interaction between him and Nicky.
The story does at times sail a tad close to being unrealistic but just manages to rein itself back into just the right side of credible and, as such, turns out to be one heck of a tale.
I found this to be, on the whole, a quick and easy read with a decent storyline played out with interesting characters that kept my attention throughout. So... what's not to like? Two books into the series and I'm already hooked...
I received a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Poor Billy, all he's trying to do is retire quietly in Key West as a fishing guide but he keeps getting dragged back into exactly the kind of action he chose to leave behind. Bad for Billy but great for us as readers! Uneventful fishing expeditions would not make for as good a book as say action, adventure, murder, intrigue etc etc...
With Nancy exiting stage left, Billy finds himself a new girl, Anna. She is an immigrant who has been through so much personally but still has great strength and that, along with her way of saying exactly what she thinks in her limited English and in a rather "cute" and often very amusing way, makes her a delightful breath of fresh air indeed!
As with the first book, I really do like Billy - he still maintains the balance between irreverent/sarcastic and decent/genuine that we saw in the first book and continues to deliver great banter and some funny one-liners! I especially enjoy the interaction between him and Nicky.
The story does at times sail a tad close to being unrealistic but just manages to rein itself back into just the right side of credible and, as such, turns out to be one heck of a tale.
I found this to be, on the whole, a quick and easy read with a decent storyline played out with interesting characters that kept my attention throughout. So... what's not to like? Two books into the series and I'm already hooked...
I received a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 3, 2015
I received this ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This is a quick easy read. Great plot with a scary and dangerous villain.
This is the first Jeff Lindsay book I have read and requested it based on the description but also on the fact that Jeff Lindsay wrote the Dexter series.
I enjoyed reading this book and raced through it quite quickly. It good believeable characters and a really villainous villain. The build with references to voodoo and murder held me in great anticipation for the confrontation. This is where I felt let down a little bit. Yes I enjoyed it but I felt that more could have been done with it. Yes there was a confrontation but it really didn't last long and the scare factor was very low. For me if Voodoo is very scary and I would have liked it to have been more hair raising..
Having said that thoroughly good read.
This is a quick easy read. Great plot with a scary and dangerous villain.
This is the first Jeff Lindsay book I have read and requested it based on the description but also on the fact that Jeff Lindsay wrote the Dexter series.
I enjoyed reading this book and raced through it quite quickly. It good believeable characters and a really villainous villain. The build with references to voodoo and murder held me in great anticipation for the confrontation. This is where I felt let down a little bit. Yes I enjoyed it but I felt that more could have been done with it. Yes there was a confrontation but it really didn't last long and the scare factor was very low. For me if Voodoo is very scary and I would have liked it to have been more hair raising..
Having said that thoroughly good read.
December 15, 2015
This was a fast paced, action packed thriller that I finished in record time. There wasn't a lot of mystery since the author was very open with the plot, however it didn't take away from the story. It was well written, very clever and witty. I liked Nicky, the sidekick character, he gave a great dimension to the story and made our main guy Billy seem softer.
It seems that this book is part of a series about Billy, yet it was written to be read on its own. I didn't feel like I missed any backstory by not reading the first one. I won an advanced copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
It seems that this book is part of a series about Billy, yet it was written to be read on its own. I didn't feel like I missed any backstory by not reading the first one. I won an advanced copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
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