Desperation Reef: A Novel

In this high-stakes thriller by three-time Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker, ("A marvel...hits the high-water mark for crime fiction every time out." —Gregg Hurwitz), a big wave surfer and her sons compete in the same contest that killed her husband many years before.

Jen Stonebreaker hasn't entered into a big-wave surfing competition since witnessing her husband's tragic death twenty-five years ago at the Monsters of the Mavericks. Now, Jen is ready to tackle those same Monsters with her twin sons Casey and Brock, who have become competitive surfers in a perilous sport.

When he’s not riding waves, modeling for surfing magazines, or posting viral content for his many fans, Casey Stonebreaker spends his days helping with the family restaurant — catching fish in the morning and bartending at night. Casey’s love for the ocean and his willingness to expose illegal poachers on his platforms puts him on a collision course with a crime syndicate eager to destroy anyone threatening their business.

Outspoken Brock Stonebreaker couldn’t be more different from his twin. The founder of Breath of Life, a church and rescue mission that assists with natural disasters that no one else will touch, Brock has lived an adventurous and sometimes violent life. Not everyone appreciates the work that Brock's Breath of Life mission accomplishes, and threats to destroy his mission—and his family—swirl around him.

As the big-wave contest draws closer, a huge, late fall swell is headed toward the Pacific coastline. Jen's fears gnaw at her — fear for herself, for her sons, for what this competition will mean for the rest of her life.

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320 pages

Average rating: 7

2 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Pavlinas
Jun 23, 2024
8/10 stars
Catch some waves at the Desperation Reef! This is my very first audiobook from this author. Jen Stonebreaker is preparing to re-enter the big-wave surfing competition that took her husband twenty-five years ago. She is accompanied by her twin sons, Casey and Brock, who are also competitive surfers. Casey faces danger from illegal poachers due to his activism, while Brock faces threats to his church and rescue mission. As the competition approaches, Jen fears for the safety of herself and her sons... Desperation Reef is a promising book with a unique premise that delves into the world of surfing. Despite some cliches and cultural stereotypes, the author's detailed research on the sport is impressive. However, the story falls short due to a romance storyline that some readers may find distracting. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC audiobook. I am leaving review voluntarily.

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