The Sail

by Landon Beach

As a picturesque and perfect summer arrives in Michigan, a father and son prepare to sail around Lake Superior, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. It is a trip three years in the making and filled with planned stops for wreck diving, camping, and hiking. The water is deep, the wind is just right, and the sunsets are sublime. If there was ever a place for Robin and Tristian Norris to "get away from it all," the remote Superior coastline is it.

But when their anchor fouls, Robin not only uncovers a lost hoard of valuable gems but also discovers a mysterious stowaway aboard their boat. Who is she? And what is she running from?

What started as a paradisiacal trip quickly turns into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, and the trio is forced to battle high-tech pirates who'd do anything to reclaim their prize...in a nightmare that tests not only the trio's bond, but their will to survive.

Grab a life jacket and find something or someone to hold on to, it's time to go sailing.


"Action, intrigue, and high stakes drama -- just what you want from a thriller. Toss in a little lust and greed, and it's the perfect mix for a classic, on-the-run adventure." - Steve Berry, New York Times and #1 Internationally Bestselling Author


"Hoist The Sail for an enrapturing voyage across Lake Superior that thrills, enlightens, and keeps the pages flying to the very end." - Dirk Cussler, New York Times Bestselling Author


"The Sail is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of action and some welcome wisdom too. Read it." - Thomas Perry, New York Times Bestselling Author


"This book has it all. Landon Beach combines the emotional and heartwarming journey between father and son with a taut, tense thriller set in the hauntingly beautiful waters of Lake Superior. Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water..." - Robin Burcell, New York Times Bestselling Author


"The Sail is exactly the kind of adrenaline-fueled page-turning fun that you'd expect from an author named Landon Beach. This book earns my highest compliment...I wish I'd written it." - Jeff Edwards, bestselling author of Steel Wind and The Damocles Agenda


"The Sail is both touching, poignant and suspenseful. Not everyone can touch your heart and also keep it beating like a drum...The end is a great surprise, and beyond moving--I was a bit overwhelmed, and that is really what I expect from a novel. Thrilling, chilling and rewarding." - Peter Greene, award-winning author of The Adventures of Jonathan Moore series


"Having read Landon's first book, The Wreck, I had to read this new one. The author develops both characters and plot in a way that systematically unfolds and draws the reader in. Most of what I read is set in tropical climes, so reading a sailing adventure set in the Great Lakes was new for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!" - Wayne Stinnett, Author of the Jesse McDermitt Caribbean Adventure Series


"The last sixty relentless, action-packed pages will nail readers to their chairs...This deeply satisfying family drama and breathless thriller is an impressive achievement." - Tom Powers, Michigan in Books Blog

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2019

About the author

Landon was born and raised in Michigan but now lives in the Sunshine State with his wife, two children, and their golden retriever. He previously served as a Naval Officer and was an educator for fifteen years before becoming a full-time writer. Find out more at landonbeachbooks.com.

Reviews

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seamlessly combines the tension and suspense of the action thriller with a powerfully rendered father-son relationship that heightens the emotional stakes. Landon Beach brings a deep knowledge of sailing to life with narrative flair that puts you at the helm with the wind in your hair staring down a boatload of ruthless killers off the port bow. Highly recommended!

[Dave Wickenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dying of prostate cancer, Robin Norris plans a sailing trip around Lake Superior with his son, Tristian, in an attempt to pass on his wisdom and patch up their relationship. When their anchor runs afoul of the north coast, it pulls them into a deadly fight for survival with a vicious crime lord.

This is an exciting story, but also a heartbreaking tale of a father and his son and the fragility of life. High suspense fills this book, and danger lies both above and beneath the waves. This is one of three Lake Superior stories, and I’ll be watching for the other two.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After thoroughly enjoying The Wreck, Beach's first novel, I had high expectations for The Sail. To his credit, Beach smashed them to smitherines. This book knocked me over.

Because of The Wreck, I looked forward to another thrilling and educated nautical adventure; however, I was pleasantly surprised to learn Beach is more versatile than an average beach-novelist. His exploration of the father-son relationship with the protagonist, Robin, and his son, Trist, commanded my attention and, frankly, caused me to reflect on my own merits as a father. As Robin faces his mortality and endeavors to impart his wisdom and strengths to his son, I found myself questioning how much care I regularly take to be a father my children can be proud of. While I was reading some of the journal entries Robin composes for his son, I actually hid from my wife so she wouldn't see me get emotional. His story is moving. If Robin was sitting in my living room at the time, he probably would have told me to toughen the **** up, but I was excited to have a book that explored with such grace and insight what I believe to be the most important and precious role we all play: being a parent.

Please don't interpret my praise for the relational elements in his book as an indication that Beach has some soft, weepy discussion of adulthood. This book and the boys in it still kick ass. Underwater combat, wreck-diving, double-barrel shotguns, submersible grenades, teeth-rattling storms, drunk seaplane pilots, drug deals, abduction, spearguns - this book has the stuff to make you thump. I recommend this book to all boat captains, Navy Seals, and bare-knuckle boxers. Without jest, I also believe that anyone who appreciates nautical precision and the guts it takes to head towards a place as remote and dangerous as the far banks of Lake Superior, with only the gear you can pack into a small sailboat, will respect the grit in Beach's book.

I'm already waiting on the next one, Mr. Beach. In the meantime, to prepare for it, I'll be lifting weights five times a week, composing my children a monthly journal, and urging my wife to get pregnant again.

[Brian's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent With A Great Ending

The Sail was the book I didn’t know I needed until I started it. I haven’t been in a funk reading per se, a lot of the books I’ve read recently have been great, but this just had something that I was looking for (that I didn’t even know til I started it). The Sail is the second book from Landon Beach that I’ve read, and it will not be my last. He teamed up again with legendary narrator Scott Brick to produce a great audiobook.

The Sail was such a deep story. On the surface it looks like a story of a teenager and his dad going out on a long sailing trip together – but under the surface it was a book about dying, second chances, and trying to teach someone even after you’re gone. It’s about love and loss. It was definitely hard to read since I’ve gone through losing someone close to me both when they knew their time was limited and when they didn’t.

The back and forth of the narrative in this was interesting and I knew there was a reason that Beach was bouncing us to these other characters, I just wasn’t sure how it was going to mesh together in the end. And without spoiling it, it was a surprise and an intense finish. The last part of this book was an absolute sprint and some of the best action I’ve read in a long time.

Overall, another great story from Landon Beach and this definitely sets him up as one of my favorite new authors.

[Dan Banana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts kinda slow and picks up immensely, enjoyed but not immensely.

[Jacques Hollands · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was perhaps a tad critical of Landon Beach's debut Novel, The Wreck. I felt it moved a bit too slow with everything happening in the last 5% of the book. I did, however, express my understanding that it was his first book and that his writing may become a bit "tighter" as he writes more.

So I read his second book, The Sail. As was expected, it was better, and the story flowed easier. The writing also became more "edgy". More profanity was introduced, and some scenes were a bit more descriptive when it came to violence and sexual innuendo. I don't condone this, and this is not the reason why I think his writing improved. The editing of the book just felt better with the pacing spot on.

I loved the story of how a dad and his son went on an adventure trip and faced some seemingly insurmountable odds. Their relationship was wonderfully depicted without any exhaustive use of cliches. A great story with a realistic and satisfying ending.

[Chuck Karas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landon Beach does several things nicely in The Sail. The relationship of main character, Robin Norris, and his son, Tristian is one of the best. Just about any parent can relate to the good and bad days Robin experiences wth his teenage son. There is also a feeling of presence in the water adventures of the father and son and the invitation of nostalgia for many of us fathers, we we look back on special times with our sons.

The plot is gripping and the circumstances of Robin's life compelling. In all, a nice flight of imagination that has the reader wondering how he or she might survive such adventure. There were moments where it was a little unbelievable but all in all a good suspenseful read.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series (so far 2 of 4) is great fun! All loosely connected by location in the Great Lakes. The first one, The Wreck, was about sunken treasure. This one has a bit of sunken treasure but is more focused on bad guys who run stolen jewels across the country, including through Lake Superior where they had a plane go down with a large cache. Enter Robin and his son Trist who are embarking on an extended sailing trip around Lake Superior to try and repair their relationship before Robin succumbs to cancer. The two groups run head-on into each other and the fight is on. Great action and I'm learning a lot about the Great Lakes as a bonus.

Audio by Scott Brick who is my all-time favorite narrator, that that doesn't suck either.

Off to download the 3rd in the series from my Audible account!

[Bookstash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler Notes

The Sail by Landon Beach (2/19)
(C N/A) [3-13-23]

Audible: Scott Brick

This was a difficult book to listen too. There are a lot of time jumps and characters to keep up with.

Tags:

Robin and Tristian Norris

Father - Son

LaVonna (wife and mother) - She was a Junior when she met Robin (a Freshman) at college and they married when she got pregnant. Didn’t love her then but loves her now.

Robin is a Nurse
Pancreatic Cancer - Terminal Cancer

Tristian (16) is a high school senior

Great Lakes Saga - Prequel to The Wreck

Prologue 1975

August 1985 - Evangeline Bertram (30) taken - Richard, her husband murdered.

Present Day 1995

Smuggling - Stolen Jewels - $20 Million
Crime Boss - Piracy - Pirates
Captured Women- Sex Slaves
Underwater Combat - Wreck Diving

Evangeline aka Madame (30 - 40)
Jill St. John (23) - Law Student

Exciting in the end. Robin saves his son and the two women but dies from his wounds. Tristian and his uncle retrieve a large cache of the jewels and Tristian keeps them for the future. Uncle told him his Dad had paid for them with his life.m

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this isn’t my typical book. It was more adventure than thriller to me, so I read slower given this. It grew on me, and I’m pleased I read it- but it felt really abrupt. So much backstory then ACTION. Like this would have made a great movie- less so a book. I did learn a significant amount about shipwrecks on Lake Superior and I enjoyed that!

[Lee M Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in a series of books by Landon Beach centered around the small town on the shore of Lake Superior. There are some very minor ties to the first book in the series, The Wreck. The ties are so minor that this could be read as a standalone book and the reader would not miss anything from the first book.

As others have opined, this book pleasantly combines it all. It combines the emotional and encouraging journey between father and son with a taut, tense thriller, and some sage advice and wisdom for all who take a chance to read, The Sail.

Again, Scott Brick as always in my opinion does a very good job of narrator for this style of book. This book style is where his narrative pace and vocal characterizations shine. Perhaps that is because I am used to him with the Clive Cussler style books. Even at 150% speed his diction is clear and the dialogue is easily distinguished by the unique character speaking.

[Kaye Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of Landon Beach's books set in the Great Lakes. The Sail was such a deep story. It looks like it will be a simple story of a teenager and his dad going out on a long sailing trip together, but under the surface, it was a book about facing a limited future, dying before one's time, second chances, and trying to teach someone even after you’re gone. It’s about love and loss. I had to keep the tissues handy while reading this one.

BLURB: As a picturesque and perfect summer arrives in Michigan, a father and son prepare to sail around Lake Superior, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. It is a trip three years in the making and filled with planned stops for wreck diving, camping, and hiking. The water is deep, the wind is just right, and the sunsets are sublime. If there was ever a place for Robin and Tristian Norris to "get away from it all," the remote Superior coastline is it.

But when their anchor fouls, Robin not only uncovers a lost hoard of valuable gems but also discovers a mysterious stowaway aboard their boat. Who is she? And what is she running from?

What started as a paradisiacal trip quickly turns into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, and the trio is forced to battle high-tech pirates who'd do anything to reclaim their prize...in a nightmare that tests not only the trio's bond, but their will to survive.

Grab a life jacket and find something or someone to hold on to, it's time to go sailing.

[Kevin Furr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd of the Great Lakes Saga series. Like the first it's a standalone, unconnected to the first novel (The Wreck) aside from one or two common background characters in the same Great Lakes town. A short novel and a decent thriller, though with a slow start.

Robin is a thirty-something family man and nurse. As revealed early on, he has a terminal illness, but hasn't yet broken the news to his teenage son. So he plans a father-and-son sailing trip (hence "The Sail"), during which he'll break the news. The first chunk of the story is pretty slow, with a lot of navel-gazing and philosophizing about Robin's mortality and relationship with his son, and family backstory.

That story arc is interspersed with the actions of some rich antagonist engaged in criminal activity, and hints of some sort of nefarious plan to do something. The reader can assume that the two story arcs will intersect, especially since our criminal has a compound and a yacht on the Great Lakes. So that's where the thriller portion of the novel commences. For an action-thriller, turns out the action-thriller part only constitutes about 15% of the story.

The best part of this series is that it's available as an audiobook read by Scott Brick, which is the only reason I've been drawn to the series.

[Heidi | Paper Safari Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on Hoopla it is the first in the Great Lakes Saga by Landon Beach. It can also be found in paperback for free with kindle unlimited.

What starts out as a last fishing trip to bond father and son before the dad succumbs to cancer turns into kidnapping and uncovering deadly secrets. As father and son take a summer trip to bond over dives and the rigging of a refurbished sailboat they find themselves uncovering treasure and stumbling on a kidnapping and a crazy rich man who prefers his women young and unwilling.

This is a good story. We see the son Tristian grow from a boy to a man during this trip and really start to understand his father and see him in a different light. We also see Robin changing, from a careful family man to one who has nothing left to lose.

The story line about the crazy rich guy is disturbing and probably happens more than we care to think about. His current "wife" knows she is being replaced and hopes to free her and save her from a similar fate but is also torn by the years of brainwashing. Sometimes she was more of a hinderance than a help.

Very good book, great narrator and well developed characters. I really enjoyed this book.

[Jeff Tice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kick off your flip flops and enjoy a swashbuckling adventure once again anchored in the idyllic setting of Landon Beach’s Hampstead Michigan and the Great Lakes environs. In this prequel to The Wreck, Beach scratches the surface of small-town life for a glimpse of some not so idyllic undercurrents, while simultaneously delving into the heartwarming struggle of a father’s angst in facing a shortened timeline to build a meaningful relationship with his teenage son. Add a dangerous weave of despicable characters creating page turning anticipation of the mayhem to come and you’ve got a fun read that is touching, sexy, and full of excitement with a dash of interesting Great Lakes history. Your day at the beach with Beach will be better with this tale open on your towel. Note: Even though The Sail is technically a prequel to The Wreck – each book stands on its own and no particular reading order is required.

[Peter Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it a lot! The Sail is a great anytime-read. Landon Beach’s writing is fast-paced, with deep character development and great action with plot twists and more. That’s a hard thing to do in this current genre of formula thrillers. The Sail is both touching, poignant and suspenseful. Not everyone can touch your heart and also keep it beating like a drum.

I found myself identifying with the father-son issues and the reluctant hero theme. As a dying father and teen-aged son take one last summer sail around Lake Superior, they stumble on a kidnapping and a depraved villain who is a deviant of the worst kind. While many of us would turn away, his heroes act, because they know that any time spent in captivity is just unbearable. The end is a great surprise, and beyond moving – I was a bit overwhelmed, and that is really what I expect from a novel. Thrilling, chilling and rewarding, I will read all Mr. Beach’s work. No wonder he was a finalist in the Adventure Writers Competition!

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bonding Trip Thriller

This was another fantastic thriller from author Landon Beach. I have read the other three books and this completes the set for now until his new book drops next year in 2022. This is his second book and it steps things up from the first book The Wreck. A terminally ill man takes his teenage son on a sailing trip to reconnect and repair a damaged relationship. They get more than they bargain for. One of the hallmarks of Mr. Beach's books is the attention to characterization. We get to know and care about the people involved. A talented author, his characters feel real, like you have had a peek into their lives. You know you are invested in the story when you want to yell at the son for a dumb decision and then at dad for being overbearing sometimes. The villains are vile and the twists I didn't see coming. Scott Brick does his usual masterful narration, perfectly bringing the story alive. I look forward to his next book. A heartfelt thrill ride.

[beach lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, another excellent nail-biting novel by Landon Beach!
The family relationships, the dark world of drugs, and the seedy characters are intertwined in this thriller, taking place on Lake Superior. The twists and turns and surprises kept me reading well into the night. I could clearly see the characters and settings because of the author’s clear and crisp descriptions.
Robin’s race against time to develop a closer relationship with his son, Tristan, is a reminder of what’s important in life. This is more than just a father and son sailing adventure…it is a journey of bonding, renewal, and survival.
Landon Beach hits it out of the park with this latest suspenseful novel. He is masterful as he grabs our attention, keeps us on the edge of our seats, and weaves it all expertly together from beginning to end. Not only was this a great read, but could really be a great movie!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sail is a novel of adventure and drama between a rather young father and his teenage/high school senior son while sailing Lake Superior. As with Beach’s first novel, family dynamics guide the story in an emotional, realistic and amusing way. What could happen on Lake Superior? You’d be surprised.
Piracy, sex slaves, drugs, and more. These elements are explored enough to keep the story flowing well and maintain both the father/son relationship and suspenseful adventure. You will appreciate the ending as the author brings the details to a close.
Make the time to read this suspense story set in Michigan. I believe the characters and sailing aspect will appeal to all readers but suggest fathers and young adults give it a try.

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father and son prepare to sail around Lake Superior.
They have been preparing the trip for 3 years and plan to do some wreck diving, camping and hiking.
They are off to a good start but the anchor gets stuck on something on the bottom.
Robin and his son, Trist dive down to see what it is stuck on and find a plane wreck.
Inside the wreck is a bag of stolen gems.
Later that night while Robin is sleeping on deck he hears someone walking around and gets out his rifle.
Who is she? Where did she come from?
Trouble follows since now they are being chased by thugs in a high powered boat.
Now they are in for a run for their lives and the game becomes deadly.
Great new author. Look forward to more from him.

[Kevin M · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to Landon Beach’s novels, this is a great introduction! If you liked The Wreck, his second book delivers on the same high level of character development, excitement, and imagery from the Great Lakes. This is a great father and son relationship/adventure story that sucked me in quickly and kept me turning the pages. The Sail brings back great memories from Lake Superior… captivating shorelines and crisp water that seems to always keep a hint of danger hiding somewhere in its cold depths. The Sail builds on that backdrop to create an adventure with great lessons on passing down values and traditions that are too often forgotten.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book that I’ve read by Landon Beach and it did not disappoint! In The SAIL, I appreciate the how the characters are developed, the mystery that has shades of romance and action, and the way that nature plays such a role in how the story unfolds. Beach masterfully weaves together storylines and as a reader, he had me rooting for the special relationship between a father and his son while simultaneously had me on the edge of my seat needing to know if the Madame character would get her revenge. If you want a fun a read where you can take some time to escape from your daily routine, this is the book for you.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deeper story than a father-son sailing trip around the Great Lakes. No spoilers, but it's revealed early on the father is dying of pancreatic cancer, and he's writing a journal to his son on this trip. Their relaxing sailing adventure takes an unexpected, dangerous turn with a twist ending you don't see coming.

I especially enjoy Michigan authors and stories set in Michigan (because I live there), and this book series and author are at the top of my list. I believe you will not be disappointed. I also refer you to the many great reviews written on Goodreads by others to further pique your interest.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story

Beach pens a great story in The Sail. I read Beach's other story, The Wreck, and was anxious to read this one as well. I enjoy how Beach puts together a story. I like the ensemble of characters and how they interact with each other. The father and son duo of Robin and Tristan certainly add character, depth and humor to the story, as it unravels. The story is unpredictable, filled with thrilling action, and this reader enjoyed this story very much. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Carrie Geiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment of Landon Beach’s Great Lakes thrillers does not disappoint! The Sail has all the makings of a page turner – adventure, familial conflict, murder, intrigue, and greed. For this reader, the thread of attempts at father-son bonding amid complexities of illness and teenage rebellion hit close to home and added a depth of feeling that will appeal to all readers, even those not often tempted by a nautical exploit. The Sail leaves the reader satisfied while also anticipating the next episode. ~Ready Reader

[Christina Mandrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Lots of twists and turns, keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. The author does a great job of describing the scenery, and what is happening, making it so easy to visualize and feel like you really are in tune with the characters. My husband and I read it together, and we both really enjoyed it, taking time to pause and discuss what we thought was going to happen as we went. It was so fun when we would end up shocked! Perfect fun, leisurely reading. Can't wait for the next book!

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thriller set in the great lake area of the United States. A plane goes down with mysterious cargo, adding to the many other wrecks below the surface of Lake Superior. A father and son make arrangements to take their boat out and make their way around the lake, they are locals and it isn't something they are not familiar with. The owner of the cargo finds the location, but not before the father and son stumble across it on one of their many dives. Thrills, twists and turns follow within the pages of the book. Suspenseful read with plenty of well written writing to get you through.

[Julie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read The Wreck last year, I liked it so much I started following Landon Beach on Facebook. So when I saw that his second book - The Sail - was out, I knew I’d be purchasing it. Just like Beach’s first book, I devoured The Sail. The story features a father who is looking to reconnect with his teenage son. They plan a trip around Lake Superior with a sailboat that the two refurbished. Once dad and son are on the water, though, trouble starts a-brewin’. Beach again delivers one heck of an adventure. Grab onto your life vest because The Sail will give you a bumpy ride right 'til the very end.

[Lucille C. Giddings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns abound as father and son try to reconnect. They set sail on an adventure to navigate Lake Superior. What they encounter is nothing but suspenseful and so very dangerous .
Landon Beach is brilliant in his knowledge of the history of the Great Lakes as The Lakes reveal themselves in each of Mr Beach’s books.
Put “The Sail” and his first book, “The Wreck” on your summer reading list or buy them both now.

[Heisenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landon Beach has done it again with his exciting and suspenseful read, The Sail! This book, much like a sailboat on one of Michigan's Great Lakes, takes many fun and surprising twists and turns. Everything from the characters to the setting and the plot keep the reader engaged, entertained and on the edge of their seat! The Sail takes the reader on quite the adventure and is an action-packed page turner! Do yourself a favor and dig into this book! You will not be disappointed!