Part of Doc Ford, book 19
First published 2012
Doc Ford planned a quiet underwater reconnaissance mission near a private Florida island. The marine biologist wanted to examine a Russian black marketeer's yacht during a reception, using the cover of darkness and his eccentric friend Tomlinson as distraction. When Ford surfaces from his dive, the peaceful evening has transformed into a nightmare. Environmental extremists have seized control of the island and taken everyone hostage. The militants threaten to execute one captive every hour until midnight, when they plan to kill all remaining prisoners. Electronic jammers block all communication with the mainland. Ford remains undetected, but the armed group will discover him soon. He becomes the only person who can prevent a massacre. The clock counts down as Ford must use his military training and intimate knowledge of Florida waters to outmaneuver the extremists. Cut off from outside help, he faces overwhelming odds to save innocent lives before the midnight deadline arrives.
Genres: adventure, suspense, mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: against-the-clock, lone-hero, race-against-time
Setting: Florida, Russia
Period: Midnight
315 pages · Hardcover · Putnam Adult
Content warnings: violence