Cross Current

Rating:
Summary: Socially-conscious mystery
Review: This is an exciting and moving story, well written, with a social conscious. Christine Kling knows her Florida, knows her boats, and knows how to build a story to a satisfying climax. Her research and knowledge of the plight of Haitian immigrants tells a horror story of the shameful way this country treats desperate children and it should be required reading for members of Congress. But don't let the social message fool you--this is one great read and one great thriller/mystery. You do not have to be a fan of Florida thrillers to enjoy this book-and to appreciate the message in the mystery. Her descriptive passages are excellent-so much it makes me want to explore the east coast of Florida with a new eye-and a good boat captain. Maybe her BJ is available?

Rating:
Summary: terrific suspense thriller
Review: While waiting to tug a boat filled with Haitian refugees, Seychelle notices another vessel out in the gulf and takes her ship the Garda there. She finds a young dehydrated girl named Solange with a dead woman. She rescues the girl and tugs the boat containing the deceased to the dock. Seychelle immediately forms a bond with the Haitian refugee, who says that her father lives in the United States. Seychelle intends to find him so that Solange will not be deported.

There has been a recent increase in the smuggling of Haitians into America. Seychelle believes that Solange and the dead woman were on a boat that capsized with fifty Haitians aboard. Solange is not safe as thugs try to kidnap her although neither Seychelle nor she can determine why. Those Haitians that survive have been sold into slavery making it even more difficult for Seychelle to gain their trust so that she can locate Solange's father. Kidnappers abduct Seychelle and Solange taking them to Bimini where they meet the smugglers' mastermind. The criminal tosses Seychelle overboard expecting her to die while he carries out his plansfor Solange.

Christine King is a very visual writer who makes the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast come alive to readers. The heroine breaks laws to keep Solange safe from a monster, who sees the child as merchandise. There is a lot of action in CROSS CURRENT, but it is the characters who turn this novel into a superb thriller as Solange is at the mercy of adults with only Seychelle apparently caring what happens to her. Ms. King is a rising queen in the suspense genre.

Harriet Klausner