Title: Shore Loser
Author: Douglas Danielson
Publisher: Dark Oak Mysteries
ISBN: 978-1610090353
Pages: 230, Paperback/Kindle
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
Captain Jake Mortensen knows his ship! Jake Mortensen is the central character in the water borne thriller Shore Loser by Douglas Danielson. This adventure filled book takes the reader on a trip that spans the open seas and marinas from California to Mexico.Jake Mortensen is twenty five, a bachelor, and fresh out of the United States Navy. He has a wealth of boating experience from sailing with his father and from the Navy which makes him a great candidate obtain a Coast Guard master’s license. His first official job after his Coast Guard certification, is working as a temporary employee of YachtTow in San Diego, Ca where he aids distressed boats and their occupants. It is with the rescue of the Elaine ll, a thirty five foot Bayliner that starts the story off and running.
After the successful rescue of Elaine ll, Jake is offered a job to repo a big sailing yacht named Shore Loser, the money offered is good and Jake is very familiar with the area that the boat is hidden in and being a man that needs money and enjoys sailing he jumps at the chance. Traveling with a small but experienced crew Jake makes his way to Mexico and lands himself and his crew in the middle of a cesspool involving drug running, money laundering and hardened criminals. Once the boat is repossessed Jake and his crew become the targets of some very dangerous men, who want Shore Loser back at any cost. After enduring several attempts on his life and the lives of his crew members, Jake accidently discovers why Shore Loser is so sought after.
Fraught with danger, drug running, money laundering, love, lust, lots of sailing related lingo and a few emotional issues, this book made an engaging read. Mr. Danielson has conjured a cast of intriguing and believable characters that are more than just superficial. Also the sailing lingo is not overwhelmingly used which makes it a better read because the reader is not slowed down by too many sailing terms that are difficult to comprehend. As an interesting side note, the author mentions that the fictional account of Jake’s escapades are interspersed with true accounts of past events that occurred in the America’s Cup race. This book would make a great summer read especially if you enjoy mystery, suspense and lots of boats.
