It was fascinating to read a story set at sea which is written by an author who lives the lifestyle. The question of exactly who all the bad guys were lasted until the end with a few surprises. ( )

I was pulled into this read and hooked after just the first several pages. "Troubled Sea" is the first book that I've read from Jinx Schwartz and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She is a wonderful storyteller with a great wit and sense of humor. Her female characters are spunky and strong willed women and sometimes their comments made me laugh out loud. Hetta and her husband are from Texas and cruise the Sea of Cortez until their money runs out. They are professional cruisers, known by the local populous, understand how the weather affects the sea, and enjoy friendships up and down the Mexican coastline.

Their terrifying adventure begins when they witness a drug deal gone bad on the high seas. From that point on, they become the hunted and desperately try to evade their pursuers. Who could they trust? Who can help? Finally, when they seek the help of a Coast Guard Captain, whose boat and crew are moored at one of the seaside towns, U.S. and Mexican authorities launch investigations to nab the drug traffickers. They get a tip and the various agencies set a trap. Hetta and her husband are caught in the middle. Who will survive! Will good prosper over evil?

I highly recommend this book to all! It's a great story!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel ( )

Troubled Sea by Jinx Schwartz
“…he stood with his feet spread wide for balance, knees flexed to absorb the shock of the boat… “
And so begins this wildly entertaining suspense novel, as the first chapter opens with a Mexican boy trying to navigate his open panga while battling heavy wind in the Sea of Cortez. But he’ll soon be tested to his limits of endurance when his drug-running bosses decide to delete him like so much excess baggage.
Enter Jenks and Hetta Jenkins aboard their trawler “Hi Jinx” as they come upon what they think is the deserted panga . As they consider if they should be good Samaritans and tow the little boat into harbor, their boat suddenly takes fire from a helicopter intent on destroying nosy Americans as well as the small panga.
Their escape from the bad guys, unfortunately, is only the beginning to their troubles. Lucky for them both the American and Mexican Governments get involved, but just when the reader thinks it will all be fine, it gets worse for the Jenkins’s.
I was hooked from the first page until the exciting, and I mean—can’t put down, exciting—conclusion to this rollicking thrill ride. I loved Hetta and her husband Jenks. I found their trust in each other, and Hetta’s humor, even in the worst circumstances, helped keep a balance to the mounting tension as they worked with government agencies to bring these drug dealers to justice.
As someone who has cruised and written about the Sea Of Cortez, I can attest to the validity of the stories about Mexico, the government, and the people, both Mexican and foreigners, who live and work around the ever beautiful Sea Of Cortez.

RP Dahlke, Author: A Dangerous Harbor ( )