Through Waters Deep

Sundin (A Distant Melody), exhibiting her usual flair for 1940s history and setting, will delight WWII buffs with this Waves of Freedom series opener. Boston hums with tension in the early part of 1941, as America unofficially supports%E2%80%94but hasn't joined%E2%80%94the Allied war effort. The destroyer USS Atwood, with young, friendly Ensign Jim Avery aboard, escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic, protecting them from German U-boats. Between missions, Jim spends time with his old high school friend, Mary Stirling, who serves quietly and effectively as a Navy Yard secretary. When she stumbles upon evidence of sabotage on the Atwood, Mary enlists Jim's help in discovering the saboteur. Her subdued ways aid her subtle sleuthing, which uncovers an alarming number of suspects. As the danger grows, so do Jim and Mary's feelings for one another, but circumstances work against their relationship becoming deeper. Both Jim and Mary navigate physical danger and emotional turmoil in their quest to defend their country and protect each other. Agent: Rachel Kent, Books & Such Literary Management. (Aug.)