Subduction: A Scott Tanner Thriller

by Larry LaVoie

Three hundred years ago a massive subduction earthquake struck off the Oregon Coast. The Cascadia Subduction Zone extends approximately sixty miles off shore for six-hundred miles along the entire length of Washington and Oregon. The massive tsunami extended a mile inland along the entire coastline of Oregon and Washington and traveled 7,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean inundating the coastline of Japan. Indian villages along Washington and Oregon beaches were destroyed, leaving in the wake of the tsunami, ghost forests which remain to this day.Treasure hunter, Scott Tanner is trying to solve a mystery of a shipwreck off the coast of Oregon. In fact, he has discovered a ship and a submarine in the same debris field, suggesting the two wrecks are linked together, but how? Making the mystery even more perplexing, Scott’s research suggests the submarine may be a German U-boat, not known to operate in the pacific during the war. Unless there is treasure aboard, David Stafford, Scott’s wealthy partner is not interested in the historical significance of the find and Scott must convince him, some treasure cannot be measured in monetary worth, if he wants to continue the mission.The discovery sends Scott and his partner on a wild chase to unravel the mystery dating back to the final days of World War II, but their attempts to answer their questions are threatened by the precarious location of the find, deep in the Pacific near the Cascadia Subduction Zone. As Scott and David try to unravel the mystery of the intertwined wrecks, they become aware that the discovery could change history, but as the earth starts to move, it could also cost them their lives.In the meantime, Scott’s wife, Romance Fiction writer Patricia Westland, is researching a new book with an oceanographer as the love interest for her main character. An interview with local marine scientists reveals a subduction earthquake, and the resulting tsunami could put their lives at risk and destroy the ocean front home Scott had built.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2019

Reviews

[James Crawford]

This novel is about a major event but in a limited area rather than an Earth-wide apocalypse. This one concerns a subduction earthquake that can trigger a major tsunami. A Nazi sub is found sunk in the Pacific Ocean where it's not supposed to be and a sunken merchant ship is nearlby.

There's a possibility that the Nazi's might have had a weapon that could destroy the entire West Coast of the U.S. There's also some possible gold involved, money one person feel is due from her ancestors, a stolen boat, murder and an earthquake.

The book was kind of disappointing. It seemed to me two ideas that were both good by themselves (a Nazi plot to destroy the coastline of the United States and an idea about a major tsunami doing pretty much the same) were put together even though either one by itself would have been adequate. The characters also didn't really engage my interest that much.

[Anna McCormack]

Thrilling and scary

Another adventure of the Scott-and-David treasure-hunting team, using state-of-the-art underwater tech. The novel is based on the certainty (sooner or later) of a major subduction, earthquake and tsunami event along the Washington–Oregon coast. Throw in a World War II mystery, millions in gold, a storm at sea, unquiet volcanics, piracy and murder, and here are all the ingredients of a suspenseful thriller. The text could do with less badinage between the main characters as the plot develops, but in its scene-by-scene structure it reads like a film script—very visual and action-packed.

[Aaron]

Good read

I wish it would have focused more on the disaster than criminals trying to steal gold. I couldn't believe how the characters were portrayed as so gullible and easy to take advantage of. I don't think it's beneficial for humans to be so trusting and believing that others won't take advantage...

[Louis Baggett]

Beware the Tide

Awesome read from beginning to end. Enough excitement and science to maintain interest. Keep up the good work. Educational and entertaining.

[Karry]

A really good read that takes place on the Oregon coast and is a combination of thievery and geology. It may not sound like it goes together but Lavoie has done a good job of combining the two subjects together without it being too absurd. I enjoyed the story not only because of the location, I'm an Oregonian, but also because I would not have guessed the ending. I think readers would enjoy the book even though it is quite a ride, and I would recommend it. I can't say it's as high literature, but it's a fun ride.