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New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Tuesday, February 1, 2005

Fiction Review

BETRAYED: Murder in the Bahamas
by Robert Terwilliger
ISBN-10: 0976557800
Review by Heather Froeschl

Pirates still cruise the seas looking for easy money but they no longer bear the symbol of their trade as warning to other vessels. The average pirate today might also be your lawyer or your mechanic. In the islands there is no telling who might be out for a fast buck. If it means taking it out the average tourist's pocket, then that is what will happen.

"Betrayed" is a story of one family's encounter with island pirates and the tale of how those pirates came to be what they are. It isn't a pretty story but it is much more realistic than the postcard image the travel industry would have us envision. This work of fiction has some very real elements of life to it.

From the perspective of Chico the reader learns about the drug industry and the means people will go to, to make money. It is a kill or be killed world he lives in and he shows no remorse for his actions. On the side, he arranges for boat engines to make their way to new owners and for the deep waters to fill up with stolen hulls. A number of bodies also find their way to watery graves through the course of a day's work. Then one day, Chico's men make a mistake. They steal the boat of Viper, and Viper is mad.

It isn't just a boat the pirates steal but truly a member of Viper's family. He wants the boat back and goes to unusual lengths to find her. What he doesn't realize is that he is stepping up to face the pirate boss, the drug lord, Chico himself. Will Chico survive his own game? Will justice finally be served?

Robert Terwilliger offers a glimpse at the Bahamas that, in general, tourists just don't see. It is a dark side of paradise and unfortunately a very real flaw to the island life. Crime exists, even in a heavenly setting. "Betrayed" is a story of suspense and murder, criminal life and a love for the sea. I found the read to be fast paced save for a sometimes-excessive amount of background information on less than key characters. There are history lessons included that are interesting but could have been left out of the tale. Overall, the book is a step out of the ordinary and entertaining.

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