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FADE TO BLACK
Tony Gibbs
Mysterious, Jul 1997, $23.00, 256 pp.
0-89296-602-5
Nothing like conflict between government agencies over jurisdiction. Acting Santa Barbara harbormaster Neal Donahue has
been told to evict Erling Halvorsen and his brood from the marina because the so called minister of God's boat is an eyesore.
However, to his chagrin, Neal's beloved Coast Guard Lieutenant Tory Lennox interferes by defending Erling's right to remain
where he is and than helping the man move. The violent Erling thinks that Tory's assistance is more than just a friendly gesture.
Before Neal and Tory can deal with their conflict and the appearance of Erling into their relationship, a talented local painter,
Wilbur Andreas is blinded while working at the marina. To Neal and Tory, the alleged accident seems deliberate. As they
investigate what happened to Wilbur, they begin to uncover a scam to make money off of the now disabled artist. Even as they
look for clues to the painter's case, the pair is in danger from the lunatic minister.
Though the tale is fast paced, most readers will quickly fade from this lightweight mystery. That is too bad because readers who
stick around will enjoy the camaraderie of Neal and Tory (even in conflict) and the brilliantly described sailing scenes that are
written in the second half of the tale that truly bring alive the beautiful Santa Barbara area. FADE TO BLACK is not a one day
read; instead it is a fun novel read while sun bathing over a long weekend.
Harriet Klausner
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