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Thunderfish #1
Thunderfish
In the Coral Sea near Australia, Kira Beaumont has witnessed a crime of Piracy that’s changed her life forever. The 18 year old heir to a giant shipping empire, she now has a dangerous obsession. As newspapers speculate about her disappearance, and tabloid magazines invent gossip about future TV weddings, Captain Kira Beaumont fights a secret crusade a thousand feet under the pacific.
Save refugees attacked on the high seas.
Modern pirates, murderous and well armed.
Secret A reborn combat submarine, bristling with 21st Century technology to fight an ancient evil.
Some legends were meant to come true.
CBC Notable Book of the Year.
Save refugees attacked on the high seas.
Modern pirates, murderous and well armed.
Secret A reborn combat submarine, bristling with 21st Century technology to fight an ancient evil.
Some legends were meant to come true.
CBC Notable Book of the Year.
- GenresYoung AdultAction
First published January 1, 1999
24 people want to read
About the author
Simon Higgins
29 books34 followersSimon Higgins has tried a lot of jobs, having worked as a disc jockey, laboratory assistant, marketing manager and even monster in a side-show ghost train -which he still calls ‘the zenith of his employment history.’ He also spent a decade in law enforcement. As a police officer in the South Australian Police Department, Simon served in several different postings over almost nine years, including two and a half years spent as a prosecutor. During his career he rose to the rank of Senior Constable and earned two commendations, one for initiative in the field, one for quality of prosecution service. Leaving the police force, he became a licensed private investigator, with cases ranging from murders to alleged UFO incidents. Later in life, Simon returned to his first love -writing- and found that his earlier occupations provided inspiration. He spent much of his youth in various martial arts clubs in South Australia, studying initially Ju-Jitsu, then later Shotokan Karate and Kodakan Judo as well as Kendo and Iaido (both traditional sword arts) under Japanese instruction.
Perhaps as a result of his long-term interest in traditional combat arts, Simon has developed an abiding respect for Asian cultures and has visited Japan, China and the Philippines as well as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. He believes that the legitimate Asian martial arts, as taught by those who created them, are not intended to exemplify aggression -the way Hollywood action movies often do- but rather they are meant to be a process of skill building and self development…a physical form of meditation in which the only real competition is against one’s self.
Simon lives in the mountains of northern New South Wales and is proudly a student of Eishin-Ryu Iaido, taught on the Gold Coast in Queensland by Sensei Yasu Watanabe. Eishin Ryu is a 470 year old style of swordsmanship which prizes not only traditional techniques, but also medieval samurai etiquette and courtesy. Its members periodically compete in Iaido’s world titles in Kyoto, Japan, before His Imperial Highness, Prince Munenori Kaya.
In 2007 Simon returned to Japan to train under ‘Kancho’ Glenn Stockwell, Seishinkan Iaido Dojo’s highest ranking instructor, who resides in Japan, and to participate in his first Kyoto ‘Taikai’ (contest). The event is held annually on a mountain top overlooking Kyoto, in a 1200 year old shrine surrounded by a forest of giant bamboo. At the age of 48, competing in the Dangai (beginners) class after less than a year’s training in Seishinkan Iaido Dojo, Simon placed in the top ten, a result he attributes to having ‘brilliant, patient teachers’.
On returning home he also competed in the National Taikai held during the annual Australian Iaido Seminar in Queensland, as the most ‘junior’ member of a three-man Gold Coast team coached by Watanabe Sensei. Judging this contest were three important dignitaries from Japan: 10th Dan Hanshi (Master) Ashosai Fukushima Sensei, 9th Dan Hanshi and Souke (Headmaster and Style Guardian) of Eishin-Ryu Iaido, Ayosai Seimiya Sensei, and 8th Dan Iaido Federation CAO, Kenichiro Ikeda Sensei. In the presence of Stockwell Kancho and these high-ranking Japanese visitors, Simon was both honoured and delighted when the Gold Coast team, led by Nathan Nilsen, won the coveted Team Event gold medals. In 2008 Simon again competed in the Iaido world titles in Japan, this time placing 5th. At an Iaido grading held in 2009 he was awarded the rank of Shodan (Black Belt, First Degree) by masters representing the All Japan Iaido Federation.
Experiencing the Tea Ceremony for the first time in Momoyama Castle, Fushimi, Japan, in 1982. The gentlemen to Simon’s left was from New York, the man to his right from Paris. On the far left, wearing the winged mantle of a high retainer, sits Okada-Sensei, a performance swordsman who also hosted the event. He’s shown briefing the trio of foreigners on the ritual. Oppo
Perhaps as a result of his long-term interest in traditional combat arts, Simon has developed an abiding respect for Asian cultures and has visited Japan, China and the Philippines as well as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. He believes that the legitimate Asian martial arts, as taught by those who created them, are not intended to exemplify aggression -the way Hollywood action movies often do- but rather they are meant to be a process of skill building and self development…a physical form of meditation in which the only real competition is against one’s self.
Simon lives in the mountains of northern New South Wales and is proudly a student of Eishin-Ryu Iaido, taught on the Gold Coast in Queensland by Sensei Yasu Watanabe. Eishin Ryu is a 470 year old style of swordsmanship which prizes not only traditional techniques, but also medieval samurai etiquette and courtesy. Its members periodically compete in Iaido’s world titles in Kyoto, Japan, before His Imperial Highness, Prince Munenori Kaya.
In 2007 Simon returned to Japan to train under ‘Kancho’ Glenn Stockwell, Seishinkan Iaido Dojo’s highest ranking instructor, who resides in Japan, and to participate in his first Kyoto ‘Taikai’ (contest). The event is held annually on a mountain top overlooking Kyoto, in a 1200 year old shrine surrounded by a forest of giant bamboo. At the age of 48, competing in the Dangai (beginners) class after less than a year’s training in Seishinkan Iaido Dojo, Simon placed in the top ten, a result he attributes to having ‘brilliant, patient teachers’.
On returning home he also competed in the National Taikai held during the annual Australian Iaido Seminar in Queensland, as the most ‘junior’ member of a three-man Gold Coast team coached by Watanabe Sensei. Judging this contest were three important dignitaries from Japan: 10th Dan Hanshi (Master) Ashosai Fukushima Sensei, 9th Dan Hanshi and Souke (Headmaster and Style Guardian) of Eishin-Ryu Iaido, Ayosai Seimiya Sensei, and 8th Dan Iaido Federation CAO, Kenichiro Ikeda Sensei. In the presence of Stockwell Kancho and these high-ranking Japanese visitors, Simon was both honoured and delighted when the Gold Coast team, led by Nathan Nilsen, won the coveted Team Event gold medals. In 2008 Simon again competed in the Iaido world titles in Japan, this time placing 5th. At an Iaido grading held in 2009 he was awarded the rank of Shodan (Black Belt, First Degree) by masters representing the All Japan Iaido Federation.
Experiencing the Tea Ceremony for the first time in Momoyama Castle, Fushimi, Japan, in 1982. The gentlemen to Simon’s left was from New York, the man to his right from Paris. On the far left, wearing the winged mantle of a high retainer, sits Okada-Sensei, a performance swordsman who also hosted the event. He’s shown briefing the trio of foreigners on the ritual. Oppo
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 9, 2012
This is another brilliant read by a delightful storyteller.
The story itself is about eighteen-year-old Kira Beaumont, who is heir to giant shipping empire. Her closeted life, with a group of security guards protecting her throughout childhood, held little purpose. Shortly after her fathers’ untimely death, she was the unwilling witness of an act of Piracy on the high seas, which gave her a mission in life.
We are taken on her journey of self-discovery along with her bodyguards, former naval combatants, in a refurbished combat submarine. Kira strives to save the lives of stranded boat people by crippling the pirate ships and alerting the authorities of their position and inability to escape. Her crusade brings perils from the very first dive of the ex-Russian sub through to their discovery and near capture by authorities as criminals.
Simon has added a very polished, slightly R L Stine quality to the book by tantalising the young adult reader with blurbs to his follow up books, Cybercage a Doctor (Id) sequel, and Under No Flag that continues from this book. Again I will pass this on to the YA in my home to read and enjoy. For all those who are intrigued with the possible future of our world Thunderfish gives a glimpse of a vigilante with money, purpose and a desire to make the world a better place.
I for one can't wait for the next Simon Higgins book launch. I'm delighted to congratulate 'our member' on his continuing success. He is an example of what determination, hard work and simply keeping things happening that can make a writer out of an ideas person.
The story itself is about eighteen-year-old Kira Beaumont, who is heir to giant shipping empire. Her closeted life, with a group of security guards protecting her throughout childhood, held little purpose. Shortly after her fathers’ untimely death, she was the unwilling witness of an act of Piracy on the high seas, which gave her a mission in life.
We are taken on her journey of self-discovery along with her bodyguards, former naval combatants, in a refurbished combat submarine. Kira strives to save the lives of stranded boat people by crippling the pirate ships and alerting the authorities of their position and inability to escape. Her crusade brings perils from the very first dive of the ex-Russian sub through to their discovery and near capture by authorities as criminals.
Simon has added a very polished, slightly R L Stine quality to the book by tantalising the young adult reader with blurbs to his follow up books, Cybercage a Doctor (Id) sequel, and Under No Flag that continues from this book. Again I will pass this on to the YA in my home to read and enjoy. For all those who are intrigued with the possible future of our world Thunderfish gives a glimpse of a vigilante with money, purpose and a desire to make the world a better place.
I for one can't wait for the next Simon Higgins book launch. I'm delighted to congratulate 'our member' on his continuing success. He is an example of what determination, hard work and simply keeping things happening that can make a writer out of an ideas person.
June 11, 2025
Not funny I didn't laugh. Your joke is so bad I would have preferred the joke went over my head and you gave up re-telling me the joke. To be honest this is a horrid attempt at trying to get a laugh out of me. Not a chuckle, not a hehe, not even a subtle burst of air out of my esophagus. Science says before you laugh your brain preps your face muscles but I didn't even feel the slightest twitch. 0/10 this joke is so bad I cannot believe anyone legally allowed you to be creative at all. The amount of brain power you must have put into that joke has the potential to power every house on Earth. Get a personality and learn how to make jokes, read a book. I'm not saying this to be funny I genuinely mean it on how this is just bottom barrel embarrassment at comedy. You've single handedly killed humor and every comedic act on the planet. I'm so disappointed that society has failed as a whole in being able to teach you how to be funny. Honestly if I put in all my power and time to try and make your joke funny it would require Einstein himself to build a device to strap me into so I can be connected to the energy of a billion stars to do it, and even then all that joke would get from people is a subtle scuff. You're lucky I still have the slightest of empathy for you after telling that joke otherwise I would have committed every war crime in the book just to prevent you from attempting any humor ever again. We should put that joke in text books so future generations can be wary of becoming such an absolute comedic failure. Im disappointed, hurt, and outright offended that my precious time has been wasted in my brain understanding that joke. In the time that took I was planning on helping kids who have been orphaned, but because of that you've wasted my time explaining the obscene integrity of your terrible attempt at comedy. Now those kids are suffering without meals and there's nobody to blame but you. I hope you're happy with what you have done and I truly hope you can move on and learn from this piss poor attempt
January 25, 2021
This really hit the spot for me.
1990's book about the near future.
Jules Verne references dotted throughout.
Submarines.
Pirates.
Badass girls in charge.
Australian author.
Gadgets.
Computer nerd out of their elements.
Such a good book.
1990's book about the near future.
Jules Verne references dotted throughout.
Submarines.
Pirates.
Badass girls in charge.
Australian author.
Gadgets.
Computer nerd out of their elements.
Such a good book.
July 17, 2024
this book was dog crap its was sooooo boring no one wants to read poop like this go eat your self👨🏿💀🫃🏾 i am just kidding i eat kids hehehe she yeah wonnfe
March 17, 2009
We used to joke at school at how hideous the cover was. The main character was supposed to be so strong and beautiful AND not to mention a captain of a submarine. Hmmmm!
Interestingly enough though she is on the front cover wearing a flap hat and looking um... let's say not so attracive. Funny funny memories.
Interestingly enough though she is on the front cover wearing a flap hat and looking um... let's say not so attracive. Funny funny memories.
April 13, 2010
i had to read this book for english. i wouldnt have chosen to read it. not the sort of book i enjoy reading.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews