Hurricane Force

Tom Cunliffe

BAA Publishing

£9.99

Former merchant seaman Ian Hordle has split from his wife and is sailing his wooden pilot cutter for New Zealand when a semi-submerged container enforces an emergency dash for the Caribbean Island of Rogation. Here he becomes unwillingly embroiled with unscrupulous property developers, money-launderers, corrupt politicians, and eco-trashers. Plus a beautiful, resentful company lawyer working as a yacht hand.

The pace and confidence of Cunliffe’s narrative recalls the vintage thrillers of Sam Llewellyn or Hammond Innes. Its real joy comes from the ingenuity with which our hero uses his deep maritime experience and technical know-how to extricate himself from a succession of appalling situations. Hang out the ‘Gone Sailing’ sign and settle down for an absorbing read.