Customer Reviews

Barracuda

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

and you might never scuba dive again...at least not shortly after you finish Mike Monahan's frightening piece of literature.

In Monahan's thriller `Barracuda' New York homicide detective Mick O'Shaughnessy jets to the Bikini Atoll to recover from a gun shot which almost ended his live prematurely. Looking forward to a quiet couple of weeks diving the Atoll's majestic underwater world and relaxing at a beautiful and brand new scuba diving resort, Micko - as his friends call him - quickly encounters evidence of a money laundering ring he can not ignore for long.

Internal feuds between rivaling resorts and a bunch of blood thirsty members of the Red Mafyia and the Japanese Yakuza, who are willing to do anything to keep their mob business `in business', are just the beginning of Micko's problems.

When people start to disappear and divers get killed mysteriously, Micko's own life is once again on the line, this time threatened by a huge fish; a mutant Barracuda - the ultimate predator which seems to be unstoppable. Or is he?

Barracuda is more than just a thriller. It is the product of Mike Monahan's extensive research on the after effects of atomic testing done by the U.S. government in the Marshall Islands some fifty years ago. The environmental catastrophe and human dilemmas inflicted by these tests are food for an outstanding plot.

Monahan is blessed with the great ability to weave his research and his own job experience as a cop, into a thrilling ride - or dive - which is hard to put down until read to the very last page.

Personally, I would have enjoyed the story just as much with less research material but I can appreciate the heart Monahan has put into his book. His sense of carefully explaining the technicalities of scuba diving without sounding technical is additional proof, that Mike Monahan has found his calling as the composer of this great, four star, adventurous thriller.

Rebecca Lerwill, author of Relocating Mia

I'm quite impressed how Mike was able to utilize his background as a detective, diver and traveller to weave this interesting tale.

He did a great job bringing all the story lines together, while keeping the action moving. A fun, quick read. I highly recommend 'Barrucuda', but I don't think I'll be vacationing in Bikini Atoll anytime soon :)

This was a very exciting book. It had it all!

You have the Monster, the injured cop on vacation, the mafia, a sexy Russian spy, and a grand opening of an expensive resort and casino in the Bikini Isles. What more could you ask for if you're looking for excitement?

In my opinion, this book is well researched, well written and great entertainment. The writer seems to be well acquainted with police procedure and scuba diving. I loved it and will look for more by this author.

What a fun page turner! Hated to put it down. From "She" in the beginning to "It" in the end Barracuda had me glued. Looking forwad to more travels with Micko.

This book has it all. NYPD, Tropical Island, Scuba Diving, FBI, Trouble in Paradise and more diving. At times I felt like I was in the water diving. If you are a diver this book is great to take on your next trip. I can not wait for Barracuda II.

Exciting a great blend or fact and fiction. Had trouble putting this book down.

Main character Micko, an NYPD detective, goes on vacation. A monster barracuda that kills sharks for sport turns Micko's holiday into one wild adventure. It doesn't help that two sets of warring criminals are trying to kill each other as well as anyone who gets in their way. Fast-paced with lots of action and realistic diving scenes. This is a fun read.

FROM START TO FINISH, THIS NOVEL IS FAST PACED AND TELLS A GREAT STORY.

MICKO IS YOUR TYPICAL NEW YORK COP WHO JUST HAPPENS TO LIKE SCUBA DIVING AND ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL DEVELOPED. THE AUTHOR HAS A GREAT KNOWLEDGE OF THE WATER AS WELL AS THE HISTORY OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS. CAN'T WAIT FOR BARRACUDA II

Wow! what more could you ask for in a novel......intrigue, sex, and fish .... add in an assortment of interesting characters and you have the next great American novel!

I bought this book after reading the other reviews because it looked to have some realistic scuba action. Mr. Monahan did not disappoint me. Most of the dive info was right on. I could be real picky on a few things that only someone who has been involved in any type of tech diving would notice but I'll allow some literary license in the interest of a good story, which this definitely was. Some parts of the writing style and dialogue did show a little inexperience but I'm confident his next book will be a little smoother. All in all, worth buying and reading if you like a good mystery mixed in with your scuba diving adventure novel.