Ghost River: A Novel

by Jon Coon

Gabe Jones is not like most underwater criminal investigators—he talks to the dead and the dead talk back. In this crime-thrilling suspense novel, Gabe dives into a watery world of crime and corruption as a paranormal experience helps him uncover the grisly truth of his partner’s death. 



After losing his trooper partner Charlie in a recovery dive, Gabe Jones is not prepared for what he discovers when he attempts to investigate the scene of Charlie’s death. In the mirky waters of the Florida panhandle, Gabe questions his partner’s departed spirit and uncovers an underwater graveyard, along with a dire warning that more deaths are coming if he doesn’t stop the killer. In a race against time, the underwater spirits lead him to the incriminating evidence he needs to expose the killer. But when his investigation is discovered, he puts Charlie’s family at risk. Will he have what it takes to outwit his adversaries, save Charlie’s daughter, and expose the killer, all while navigating the tumultuous waves of relationships he finds himself in above water? 

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2020

About the author

Welcome, thanks for dropping into my author page.

Here's a short biography: Now retired, I was an oil field diver, trained in traditional MK-5 Navy dive gear. I specialized in explosives work, mostly with shaped charges, for ten years doing salvage of oil platforms, bridges and ships. I also served as a dive safety officer for NASA, and on academic, archaeological and scientific projects internationally. I completed my dive career as a PADI Course Director and Regional Manager.

I've written three novels, two of which were published in the nineties and are still available. With time to begin writing again, Ghost River, a story about a police diver who uses information he gets from interviewing ghosts to solve crimes, is nearly ready for publication. As we get closer I'll post updates on publication on this site. For those of you who enjoyed the Doc Holiday stories, you're in for a fun ride with Gabriel Jones and his mis-adventures in Ghost River.

Reviews

[Brit Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a science diver and work at a scuba shop. I originally bought this book because diving is a major theme in the novel. I was a little apprehensive about the main character seeing ghosts and the religious undertones—but this book had me hooked. Keeping up with names and families was a bit difficult, I actually had to write out the names and who was connected on a little sheet of paper I used as a bookmark so I wouldn’t get confused. There were some editing errors I spotted in the book, but all in all, I enjoyed this read! I might pick up another of Coon’s novels!

[Dallas Edmiston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

This is the first time I read anything by this this author. It would have been a better story if the protagonist hasn’t relied on a supernatural ability to talks with dead people underwater as a major source of information in his investigations. As a life long scuba instructor myself, I enjoyed the integration of diving in the story, but the supernatural elements were a distraction. If it weren’t for that, I worked have given a higher rating.

[Dee Cash · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Lot to Take In

Ghost River is a pretty good story but a bit difficult for me to keep up with all the players as well as names and initials for equipment and organizations. Gabriel Jones talked to the dead only under water when diving and then saw them off to their eternal home. Some were carried off by angels; others by the hounds of hell. I would have liked a different ending but we can't always have it all.

[William Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an all right read. I found the ghost idea intriguing and the water scenes interesting, and yet the ghosts never cause any issues, except for what people think about the main character because he believes in them. My main disappointment was with the main character's inability to foresee how his actions would cause problems for those around him, or learn from it once they happen. The final confrontation seems contrived.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting action and complex plot, well written without compromising the Christian worldview. Possibly a Calvinist undertow, but not preachy or dogmatic. Characters were full and believable. Even the one situation with the widow ready to move on so quickly was resolved realistically when she took a step back. I recommend this book to anyone looking for action, adventure, suspense, and a touch of romance. Five stars from me.

[Elisabeth Boyles baney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner

This book hooked me and reeled me in. I have never heard of this author until I got an offer for this book for free on my kindle. Jon keeps you involved from start to finish and has you wondering what will happen next. I highly recommend this book and will be looking for more of his books myself

[Jettiep Parrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

The only reason I gave it 4 stars is he left the story hanging at the end. I know that there is probably another book following, but I like things finished.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read . It needed more ghosts!