Dead Run

Gibbs, former editor of Yachting magazine, knows the boating world and his first novel reflects it. Young Gillian Verdean's great-uncle Dennis dies of a brutal beating on board the ketch Glory. Dennis's pastmainly rum- and gun-runningwas shady at best and it soon becomes clear that some of his associates are after Glory, which apparently holds a treasure, the nature and whereabouts of which were known only to Dennis. Two arms-suppliers to Col. Qadaffi, the slick Visconti and the nasty Hals, vie to wrest the boat from Gillian. Hals even plants ex-mercenary Patrick O'Mara aboard as a spy, a plan that seems destined for success when hunk O'Mara and Gillian fall into bed. Even the beautiful Emerald, ex-girlfriend of Uncle Dennis, a porn star looking for money to set herself up as a madam, has designs on the ketch. Eventually Gillian, O'Mara, Emerald and rum-soaked skipper Barr join forces to fight the Visconti and Hals faction. Most of the action takes place ashore, but the climax, in a storm off Fire Island, is a bang-up one. And although characterization isn't very deep, readers will enjoy the terrific pace. Troll Book Club alternate. (June)