Outer Banks Mystery

People who visit North Carolina's Outer Banks for vacation think they are in Paradise. The sun, the sand, the ocean make for an  idyllic vacation. But life is hard for the year-round residents trying to make ends meet when the tourist season is finished. In Port Starbird by Garrett Dennis, we meet retired scientist Storm Ketchum. With a name like Storm Ketchum, his parents must have wanted him to be a hardboiled detective, ala Sm Spade, but he is a man of science.

In Avon, North Carolina, Ketch is desperately trying to save his house from being a victim of eminent domain. Local developer Bob Ingram has offered to purchase his house, but Ketch keeps resisting in the hopes that the deal for the other development will fall through. In his mind he fantasizes about finding some dirt on Ingram, especially because his past two wives died under mysterious circumstances. Ketch's pal Captain Don who owns the Kinnakeet Boatyard is also in the line of sight for Ingram.

While Ketch is browsing for evidence against Ingram, he notices some unusual activity concerning oil drums and dumping in the ocean. He and his friend Kari, owner of Sea Dog Scuba Center, use their diving skills to discover some disquieting findings.

Although there was much nautical description in the book, I enjoyed Port Starbird for several reasons: the lead character is not your typical male lead and he is an interesting, inventive character. Secondly I have been to the Outer Banks in the general area where the book takes place, so reading the descriptions was like revisiting the area.

I look forward to other books in the series. For more books by Garrett Dennis, click here.