The Shallow Sea [Hardcover]

Neil Ruzic (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1992

An American altruist's attempts to build a self-sufficient island in the Bahamas is continuously thwarted by Third World racist bureaucracy. Critically compared with Joseph Conrad and Paul Theroux, Neil Ruzic writes with imagination and authenticity. (Fell Publishing)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Science journalist and novelist Ruzic ( Where the Winds Sleep ) draws on events from his own life to create a hefty adventure thriller about the `` fin de siecle Narco-Wars'' replete with natural, physical and emotional disasters. Biophysicist Grant North establishes an ``Island for Science'' in the Bahamas in order to develop a seaweed-shrimp farm, desalination projects and pharmaceuticals. He encounters government opposition to his obtaining necessary permits after the Bahamian Defense Force destroys one of his boats and slaughters its entire crew: unbeknownst to North, the crew was smuggling cocaine--and his teenage daughter may even have been on board. The prime minister, his daughter, his deputy, the president of the Bahamian senate and several of North's closest friends become fatally embroiled in bribery and modern-day piracy. Ruzic's encyclopedic knowledge of science, engineering and technology, combined with his interests in the moon, chess and scuba diving, sometimes overwhelms the reader. On the whole, however, he provides a solid read that closes with a heart-stopping assault on the PM's mansion during a gutsy and ingenious revenge plot, devised even as North suffers from dengue fever. 25,000 first printing; author tour.

Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 536 pages
• Publisher: St Clair Pr; First Edition edition (September 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963235702
• ISBN-13: 978-0963235701
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,551,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!, August 12, 1998

By 

Fiveco Sinclair ([e-mail]) (Middleton, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shallow Sea (Hardcover)

This book has it all: non-stop action to keep your heart pounding, a likeable hero who won't give in to corrupt authority, tropical island locations and characters, an unexpected romantic twist, and just enough science to make you think.

Grant North is frustrated by the Bahamians when he attempts to develop an island as an incubator for technical projects that would help the area. His best friend dies, his daughter is missing, and the island is ravaged. North's ultimate reaction is both terrible and swift.

The sea may be shallow but it's certainly not calm. Its broad expanses, wild storms, and evil denizens drive the story. But the island and the man who built it bring the book to its violent conclusion.

I doubt that this author will ever be welcome in the Bahamas again.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Shallow Sea is a thoughtful action packed thriller., August 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Shallow Sea (Hardcover)

The Shallow Sea is an excellent novel, fast paced, loaded with surprises and full of realistic action. Grant North, the leading character, moves easily from a benevolent scientific philanthropist to a tough single minded worrior searching for his kidnapped daughter. He and his trusty girlfriend lead the reader through an exciting chase through some of the seedier elements of the rich and beautiful Bahamas--drugs, violence and crooked politicians--in pursuit of the bad guys.

The character development is extremely well done expecially Grant North, who is very like Clancy's Jack Ryan. Both are well educated and intellectual, but beneath that exterior are men with a strong sense of purpose and integrity, and the strength to punish those who wrong them or theirs. No matter how rich or well placed the villian is, crossing North comes with a very high price tag as the reader will soon find out.

I really enjoyed this book and look for more from Ruzic.

5.0 out of 5 stars Harrison Ford should do this one!!!, July 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Shallow Sea (Hardcover)

I picture Harrison Ford as the alturistic man of science Grant North, who is pushed by corruption and circumstance to the very limits of his physical and mental capabilities. The Shallow Sea has all of the ingredients of a great action thriller: set on a pristine tropical island threatened by drug smugglers and an impossibly corrupt bureaucracy, the hero Grant North uses his intellect and innovative technology to fight for his daughter Coby and the island he loves. Vivid discriptions and intriguing details permeate the senses, letting the reader live vicariously through Grant North in his tropical paradise with problems. "Nothing in this country is as it seems" said Rolle, North's incongruous best friend. Author Neil Ruzic skillfully guides the reader through this tropical country that he loves and knows so well. I can hardly wait for the sequel!!