Deadly Detail

July 25, 2005
A retired pilot, Porter writes gracefully about flying in Alaska in his soaring debut, evoking its breathtaking beauty and the joy of traveling across the state in a small plane. Unfortunately, the book becomes ungainly once his bush pilot hero, Alex Price, hits the ground, with more descriptions of food than character development. Alex, a partner in a charter business, flies several customers from Bethel to Fairbanks, where he has a rendezvous with his pal Stan, who works for a cargo company. Soon after Stan tells Alex that he's being followed, after possibly overhearing a muted conversation at work, Stan's truck explodes with him at the wheel. When Alex rushes to report the tragedy to Stan's Athabascan wife, Angie, professional hit men attack them. From that point on, Alex and Angie flee unknown pursuers and try to figure out what Stan overheard, whom he overheard and why it's worth murder. Porter explains everything clearly, avoiding lectures. The fast pacing and gorgeous scenery hook the reader from the beginning, but beware of some cardboard characters. Agent, Pia Hoffman at Sunshine Literary Agents.

September 1, 2005
Alaskan charter pilot Alex Price plans to meet longtime friends Stan and Angie in Fairbanks. Stan has urgent news for Alex -something about overhearing dangerous talk at the airport -but their meeting ends abruptly when Stan's vehicle blows up. Someone tries to kill Alex and Angie, too, but they escape by boat down the river. Lots of running, pursuing, flying, eating, and drinking ensue as they try to figure out who's after them and why -perhaps that shifty guy at the wannabe governor's side? Adventurous action, then, and a plot with political overtones aim this first novel at larger collections. Porter is moving to Arizona in 2006.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.