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Voyage To Crusoe
VOYAGE TO CRUSOE, is the spellbinding story of Cliff Demont, whose comfortable, suburban middle-class life is falling apart. On a blustery day in November of 1986, he quits the architectural firm where he has worked for the last fourteen years to fulfill his dream of opening his own office. But when he arrives home early to tell his wife the news, he finds her in bed with a stranger. End of job and end of marriage, all on the same day. Suddenly adrift and living out of his suitcase, Cliff finds refuge aboard the Staghound, a sixty-four-foot sailboat moored to a dock in a rundown marina in LA. That’s where the strange voyage to Crusoe begins.Must read! 5 out of 5 stars for a there and back again tale of modern swashbuckling on the high seas. It really is rare to find an independently published debut novel of such compelling quality.-- Charles Gull Reedsy.com4 out of 5…Most of the story takes place aboard the rugged Staghound, a sailing vessel whose secrets Cliff makes it his mission to learn and conquer. Lengthy descriptions of the boat, and copious use of sailing jargon, result in a spirit of authenticity and a strong atmosphere, while the book’s glossary and sketches of the boat are helpful for imparting general understanding.--Eileen Gonzales Clarion ReviewsA divorced man gets pulled into a wild adventure on a sailboat in the Pacific in Beiley’s debut novel set in the 1980s. A slow-starting but ultimately exciting adventure with unexpected twists.Our GET IT!-- KIRKUS REVIEWS
- GenresFiction
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2021
376 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 21, 2021
“Voyage to Crusoe” is an adventure on the high seas. Cliff Demont is an architect and an avid surfer; this is his emotional journey. When his job and marriage both crumble, he connects with a friend who is readying his boat for a sailing journey filled with surfing undiscovered waves and indescribable adventure. Cliff soon discovers there is another aspect to the trip; there is a mission that must happen first, a concealed cargo to be delivered off the coast of Chile.
The characters are complex with fully developed personalities, relationships, and past traumas that shape their futures. However, the sailboat, “Staghound” is a principal character; it is the story, fully equipped for every possibility. It is organized and maintained, solid and seaworthy, ready for anything. Staghound travels on the surface of the water, isolated and alone, using the sun to find the way. It is a lonely ship on a pristine, beautiful, and empty sea, sometimes poetic, and calming, while at other times frightening beyond comprehension. There few if any options when things go wrong on the isolated high seas. Pursuits are very different; gun fights in the middle of the ocean have multiple consequences, and bullet holes in a boat cause big problems.
Beiley creates a story full of danger, adventure, and death. Malicious humans can be a threat to survival, but the weather and the sea itself are much more of a threat. The pace is frantic; the action intense. It is a literary rollercoaster ride; the plot is slow and measured as the readers leave the station; events accelerate slowly and evenly up the track. At the top, there is a short continuation of the plot and then there are sudden drops with frantic twists, turns, and dives, more acceleration and another frantic plunge. Just when readers are out of breath, there is gradual and careful slowing with gentle turns until readers return to the station, the calm, the quiet, the peaceful, the satisfying end.
“Voyage to Crusoe” uses authentic descriptions and terminology. I am not at all familiar with sailing terms, but that did not prevent me from enjoying this breathtaking journey on the ocean. There is a convenient glossary of nautical terms in the back that I briefly read before I started the book. However, the plot was so intense that I did not take the time to refer to it during the book. The context of the action filled in everything I needed to be terrified. Thanks to Leif Beiley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this spellbinding book. I highly recommend it.
The characters are complex with fully developed personalities, relationships, and past traumas that shape their futures. However, the sailboat, “Staghound” is a principal character; it is the story, fully equipped for every possibility. It is organized and maintained, solid and seaworthy, ready for anything. Staghound travels on the surface of the water, isolated and alone, using the sun to find the way. It is a lonely ship on a pristine, beautiful, and empty sea, sometimes poetic, and calming, while at other times frightening beyond comprehension. There few if any options when things go wrong on the isolated high seas. Pursuits are very different; gun fights in the middle of the ocean have multiple consequences, and bullet holes in a boat cause big problems.
Beiley creates a story full of danger, adventure, and death. Malicious humans can be a threat to survival, but the weather and the sea itself are much more of a threat. The pace is frantic; the action intense. It is a literary rollercoaster ride; the plot is slow and measured as the readers leave the station; events accelerate slowly and evenly up the track. At the top, there is a short continuation of the plot and then there are sudden drops with frantic twists, turns, and dives, more acceleration and another frantic plunge. Just when readers are out of breath, there is gradual and careful slowing with gentle turns until readers return to the station, the calm, the quiet, the peaceful, the satisfying end.
“Voyage to Crusoe” uses authentic descriptions and terminology. I am not at all familiar with sailing terms, but that did not prevent me from enjoying this breathtaking journey on the ocean. There is a convenient glossary of nautical terms in the back that I briefly read before I started the book. However, the plot was so intense that I did not take the time to refer to it during the book. The context of the action filled in everything I needed to be terrified. Thanks to Leif Beiley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this spellbinding book. I highly recommend it.
June 11, 2022
I'm not much into reading thrillers, but throw in a sailboat, an ocean voyage and lots of nautical terms then I'm on board. The author is a sailboat designer and builder. This is his first novel. A well done and exciting story.
The story is filled with nautical adventure, suspense, gun smuggling, shootouts at sea, murder and romance. The crew of three men and a woman are likable characters. Not so much for the bad guys. Most of the action and suspense takes place aboard a well-equipped 64 foot sloop from California to an island off the coast of Chile and back. This is all during the late 1980's before the advances of satellite navigation.
This book reminded me of the contemporary seafaring thrillers by Bernard Cornwell. Such as "Stormchild", "Crackdown" and "Scoundrel" which I also enjoyed and recommend.
The story is filled with nautical adventure, suspense, gun smuggling, shootouts at sea, murder and romance. The crew of three men and a woman are likable characters. Not so much for the bad guys. Most of the action and suspense takes place aboard a well-equipped 64 foot sloop from California to an island off the coast of Chile and back. This is all during the late 1980's before the advances of satellite navigation.
This book reminded me of the contemporary seafaring thrillers by Bernard Cornwell. Such as "Stormchild", "Crackdown" and "Scoundrel" which I also enjoyed and recommend.
June 16, 2021
Most enjoyable
A great read, nautically inspired, that I enjoyed from beginning to end. If you are a boater, past or present, even the better. My experience was with a power boat that was limited and travel that did not include great distances. I am in awe of the skill and knowledge that is required to sail a vessel such as the one in this novel under the conditions as described. I was and still am hoping for for a sequel.
A great read, nautically inspired, that I enjoyed from beginning to end. If you are a boater, past or present, even the better. My experience was with a power boat that was limited and travel that did not include great distances. I am in awe of the skill and knowledge that is required to sail a vessel such as the one in this novel under the conditions as described. I was and still am hoping for for a sequel.
December 19, 2022
This tells the tale of a thrilling adventure sailing on the high seas. Cliff leaves his job as his wife leaves him for another man, and decides to figure out his life on a sailboat with 3 other people. Cliff finds adventure, mayhem, love, strength, courage and heartbreak…all aboard a sailboat.
The author was very technical in his sailing descriptions and vocabulary. I enjoyed this aspect of his writing and appreciated his lengthy glossary of sailing terms and architectural drawings of the boats.
The author was very technical in his sailing descriptions and vocabulary. I enjoyed this aspect of his writing and appreciated his lengthy glossary of sailing terms and architectural drawings of the boats.
February 21, 2021
I wasn’t expecting that this book would be such a spell binder. The story of Cliff and Lena and Mike and Jon had a good amount of suspense and adventure—in fact it was hard to stop reading each day and i hated to finish the book. It is also heart-warming. I look forward to the next one Leif writes! 5 stars
August 21, 2021
Well written, could not put it down
It's evident the author has an imeninent knowledge of boats , boat building, boat navigation and to top it off loves to find and enjoy surfing the perfect wave. Throw in a damsel in need, corrupt foreign cartels, harrowing escapes , and you end up with a story that's hard to put down...thanks
It's evident the author has an imeninent knowledge of boats , boat building, boat navigation and to top it off loves to find and enjoy surfing the perfect wave. Throw in a damsel in need, corrupt foreign cartels, harrowing escapes , and you end up with a story that's hard to put down...thanks
March 28, 2023
Unusual
A lesson in how to make the unbelievable, believable. Interesting to say the least. And a good way to spend a few leisure hours. A bit of adventure for those who like adventure. A bit of love for those who prefer such.
A lesson in how to make the unbelievable, believable. Interesting to say the least. And a good way to spend a few leisure hours. A bit of adventure for those who like adventure. A bit of love for those who prefer such.
May 12, 2022
Sailing the sea
This is one of the best books I have read. The description of everything that happened one the cruise from Los Angeles harbor to beyond the equator and back was described perfectly. A very exciting trip.
This is one of the best books I have read. The description of everything that happened one the cruise from Los Angeles harbor to beyond the equator and back was described perfectly. A very exciting trip.
June 8, 2022
Never judge a book by its cover ... never truer
Excellent tale of adventure, catastrophe, persistence and love
Excellent tale of adventure, catastrophe, persistence and love
February 14, 2021
Wonderful adventure about sailing, romance and drama. The main character is strong and the scenes are described in accurate detail. Historically correct and fun to travel with the crew through their ups and downs. I hope for a sequel!
February 5, 2021
A page turner and excellent escape!
This book ticks all the boxes for me when it comes to a fun, feel good, smart adventure. We have a likable hero without an ego, local SoCal color, a sailing odyssey, international intrigue, a political time frame, and good, sharp prose. And, oh yeah, a bit of love and squalor. Written to take both sailors and non sailors out to sea, it's a lesson in navigation, weather, yacht design, sail handling, and life on the ocean. I can't wait to see what's awaiting Cliff Demont on his next adventure!
This book ticks all the boxes for me when it comes to a fun, feel good, smart adventure. We have a likable hero without an ego, local SoCal color, a sailing odyssey, international intrigue, a political time frame, and good, sharp prose. And, oh yeah, a bit of love and squalor. Written to take both sailors and non sailors out to sea, it's a lesson in navigation, weather, yacht design, sail handling, and life on the ocean. I can't wait to see what's awaiting Cliff Demont on his next adventure!
August 8, 2024
Sail into exciting Adventure
Beiley weaves detailed realistic sailing technique,ocean based conflict, bad guys,beautiful oceanic description, geograhphic and oceanic detail, and creates a page turning adventure you won’t or can’t put down. I rate all books I read but seldom write a review. As a Navy commander, retired, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Though I never sail-boated, Leif touched on
many actions that the surface Navy demands. Wrapping all this around a physical/ weather driven adventure, the result is a minute by minute twist and turn . I highly recommend the book and would give it 10 stars if I had a choice.kudos, Leif!
Beiley weaves detailed realistic sailing technique,ocean based conflict, bad guys,beautiful oceanic description, geograhphic and oceanic detail, and creates a page turning adventure you won’t or can’t put down. I rate all books I read but seldom write a review. As a Navy commander, retired, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Though I never sail-boated, Leif touched on
many actions that the surface Navy demands. Wrapping all this around a physical/ weather driven adventure, the result is a minute by minute twist and turn . I highly recommend the book and would give it 10 stars if I had a choice.kudos, Leif!
September 8, 2021
Really enjoyed this book; creative plot, highly realistic, fast paced, and well edited. I particularly liked the main character Cliff, and his coming of age and discovery of self despite the fact that he was already an adult. I was a professional captain for over twenty years and I'm reasonably certain that all or many parts of the voyage and challenges described by Leif did in fact happen to him over the course of his life. He's a natural and gifted storyteller and I highly recommend the book.
September 1, 2021
A believeable well written book
This book was enjoyable to read I could place myself in the story . It was easy to follow and understand . It was a good read. The downside was the language. It adds nothing to the story and in my mind it detracts from it. It is totally unnecessary.
This book was enjoyable to read I could place myself in the story . It was easy to follow and understand . It was a good read. The downside was the language. It adds nothing to the story and in my mind it detracts from it. It is totally unnecessary.
October 28, 2021
Best sailing story in awhile
Most sailing stories are who done its or secret agent type stories with very little about actual sailing. This has a good plot but doesn't sacrifice the sailing. Even a sailing terms glossary for those who need it. I also liked that he went back in time. Well written story. I hope to read more from him.
Most sailing stories are who done its or secret agent type stories with very little about actual sailing. This has a good plot but doesn't sacrifice the sailing. Even a sailing terms glossary for those who need it. I also liked that he went back in time. Well written story. I hope to read more from him.
January 8, 2022
Awesome Adventure
I'm not sure what first caught my attention... But I think it was the question, How does a guy go from losing his job and wife in the same day, to sailing to South America. What a great story!!! It held my interest from the first page until the last. I will definitely have to look into other books by the author.
I'm not sure what first caught my attention... But I think it was the question, How does a guy go from losing his job and wife in the same day, to sailing to South America. What a great story!!! It held my interest from the first page until the last. I will definitely have to look into other books by the author.
February 5, 2022
Surprising!
I was browsing for another book to read and seeing this book nestled among nothing but sci-fi books,I naturally assumed it was a sci-fi novel. The description of it even gave hints that something sci-fi or fantasy would happen but it never did.This is a perfectly good ,enjoyable,read but it's not what I expected.
I was browsing for another book to read and seeing this book nestled among nothing but sci-fi books,I naturally assumed it was a sci-fi novel. The description of it even gave hints that something sci-fi or fantasy would happen but it never did.This is a perfectly good ,enjoyable,read but it's not what I expected.
January 5, 2022
Great sea story
Very credible and adventurous modern day sailing yarn complete with romance, pirates, storms, doldrums & treasure. All accurate sea story except the celestial navigation sequences are quite inaccurate - but only an old salt would so notice.
Very credible and adventurous modern day sailing yarn complete with romance, pirates, storms, doldrums & treasure. All accurate sea story except the celestial navigation sequences are quite inaccurate - but only an old salt would so notice.
February 7, 2022
This is one book you don't want to put down.
Excellent story. Characters are believable and realistic. Just enough details for every scene.
I'm no sailor but could follow along with this action most of the time.
I sure hope there are sequels coming soon!!
Excellent story. Characters are believable and realistic. Just enough details for every scene.
I'm no sailor but could follow along with this action most of the time.
I sure hope there are sequels coming soon!!
February 10, 2022
Original and fast paced
Good story,shame the author tries to white wash communists, but in spite of that, it is very entertaining and worth a read for anyone who loves sailboats and a good sea story.
Good story,shame the author tries to white wash communists, but in spite of that, it is very entertaining and worth a read for anyone who loves sailboats and a good sea story.
February 16, 2022
Authentic sailing tale
A well written novel, by a author who knows blue water sailing. It had a interesting cast, a great plot and best of all it was hard to put down. I enjoyed this novel very much.
A well written novel, by a author who knows blue water sailing. It had a interesting cast, a great plot and best of all it was hard to put down. I enjoyed this novel very much.
February 25, 2023
Good read!
Liked the sailing detail,integrity of characters, historical setting. Read this in a day recuperating from shoulder joint replacement procedure. Made me want to go sailing!
Liked the sailing detail,integrity of characters, historical setting. Read this in a day recuperating from shoulder joint replacement procedure. Made me want to go sailing!
August 10, 2021
Marvelous!
Well explained, good writing. Sorta a coming of age story, but he was already grown up. I liked it and will probably re-read it in the future.
Well explained, good writing. Sorta a coming of age story, but he was already grown up. I liked it and will probably re-read it in the future.
August 30, 2021
Read it!!
A wonderful read. One of the best I've read on quite a while. I think I've found another talented author to follow.
A wonderful read. One of the best I've read on quite a while. I think I've found another talented author to follow.
October 2, 2021
Very good
I enjoyed this book very much. I liked the accurate nautical terminology. I also liked the rationale approach to problem solving.
I enjoyed this book very much. I liked the accurate nautical terminology. I also liked the rationale approach to problem solving.
February 21, 2022
An Enjoyable Read
This book kept my interest and was an enjoyable read. It was a entertaining story while sitting by the fire on a cold winter's night.
This book kept my interest and was an enjoyable read. It was a entertaining story while sitting by the fire on a cold winter's night.
October 4, 2024
awesome
I always wanted to sell forever on my own sailboat, it’s sail !!!, Siri! How is 36 foot sloop and S2, but 2008 recession was my house lost? Bunch of lost my boat lost my mind to my wife because she loves sailing also. Well, I’m gonna turn 71 soon I sure hope I can sell again before I die. I have a 20 footer but I would like to buy 25 foot, trail able, sailboat. I’m thinking may be a cape Dory 25D or a, Bayfield 25 . There are other, boats that I could look at.
Sincerely,
Operation specialist first class surface warfare United States Navy retired John Kevin OBrien, Palm Coast Florida, USA🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️🇺🇸🎃🎃🇺🇸☠️🇺🇸
I always wanted to sell forever on my own sailboat, it’s sail !!!, Siri! How is 36 foot sloop and S2, but 2008 recession was my house lost? Bunch of lost my boat lost my mind to my wife because she loves sailing also. Well, I’m gonna turn 71 soon I sure hope I can sell again before I die. I have a 20 footer but I would like to buy 25 foot, trail able, sailboat. I’m thinking may be a cape Dory 25D or a, Bayfield 25 . There are other, boats that I could look at.
Sincerely,
Operation specialist first class surface warfare United States Navy retired John Kevin OBrien, Palm Coast Florida, USA🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️🇺🇸🎃🎃🇺🇸☠️🇺🇸
February 16, 2025
Pretty good debut
The plot line was interesting if not a tad bit predictable. The action and the sailing description was very good and gripping. The build up of characters could have been better especially for the supporting roles which had very brief backgrounds considering their involvement. For a debut novel it was pretty good in the language and flow. Excellent first effort
The plot line was interesting if not a tad bit predictable. The action and the sailing description was very good and gripping. The build up of characters could have been better especially for the supporting roles which had very brief backgrounds considering their involvement. For a debut novel it was pretty good in the language and flow. Excellent first effort
November 8, 2022
Completely enjoyed this book. Well written with a great plot beginning to end. Love being on the water and have owned power boats and gone on many cruises. Have always wanted to be on a sailboat for a period of time and this gives a good feel for what it would be like to sail for extended time frames. Fun story, quick read with great twists.
February 1, 2024
Great read even for land lovers
Leif Bailey takes his readers on an eye opening adventure centered on the ocean and intrigue. For me, a person with very little knowledge of sailing, I felt as though he held my hand as I was able to grasp the voyage of his colorful characters. So happy this book found me for it is a must read for those who enjoy adventure stories
Leif Bailey takes his readers on an eye opening adventure centered on the ocean and intrigue. For me, a person with very little knowledge of sailing, I felt as though he held my hand as I was able to grasp the voyage of his colorful characters. So happy this book found me for it is a must read for those who enjoy adventure stories
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews