FADE TO BLACK

by Tony Gibbs ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 2, 1997

Nobody appreciates Wilbur Andreas. He's got the talent and the stock of paintings (also not appreciated); all he needs is an angle. For instance, muses his agent Jock Feverel, he'd be a sensation if he were a newly-blinded guest on the Making Things Right TV show, sobbing manfully about the paintings be could never add to or touch up again. While Jock is plotting with Wilbur's ex, a lovesick ophthalmologist, and miscellaneous hangers-on around the Santa Barbara harbor--one of whom, inevitably, will end up in Davy Jones's locker--to fake an accident that'll leave Wilbur conveniently blind, there's more trouble brewing. Acting Harbormaster Neal Donahue (Shot in the Dark, 1996) has been ordered to evict crazy preacher Erling Halvorsen and his children from their floating tenement, the Prophet Jonah, but Neal's bosom buddy, Coast Guard Lt. Tory Lennox, has come to Halvorsen's defense with all flags flying, opening a rift between herself and Neal and fueling a dangerous gleam in Halvorsen's eye. By the time the TV folks come sniffing after Jock's bait, it's a toss-up who's going to be the most dangerous: Jock's menacing new self-appointed silent partner in the painting scare; loony Halvorsen, who seems bent on reenacting the sacrifice of Isaac; or Rebecca Jardine, the eager, athletic assistant producer of Making Things Right, whose presence can only make things worse. A lightweight tale, built for speed, that ought to come packaged with a beach blanket. Gibbs saves his trademark sailing scenes for last, but they're well worth the wait.

Pub Date: July 2, 1997

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Mysterious

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1997

Categories: FICTION