A race against time

When the family’s yacht, the Lazy Susan, is found slowly sinking and drifting out to sea, with no sign of her husband onboard, Lucy Locke’s world begins to unravel. However, when she discovers that her daughter Billie and son Fin may have been with him, it disintegrates completely. Already puzzled as to why Daniel had taken the children, Lucy is horrified to learn that the inflatable life raft is still onboard the yacht, raising the suspicion of foul play.

This dramatic beginning is the opening scenario for Sam Lloyd’s novel, ‘The Rising Tide’, a breath-taking rollercoaster of action that manages to maintain the tension until the final unexpected revelation. After the discovery of the abandoned yacht, the story then follows Lucy’s desperate search to find her missing family, and the police investigation to ascertain whether or not Daniel was responsible for their disappearance.

Although convinced Daniel would never hurt their children, Lucy is still inevitably haunted by nagging doubts. Resolute in her belief they are still alive, she embarks upon a race against time to rescue them. Determined to join the official search, she persuades her ex-husband, Jake, to take her out to sea on his cruiser, Huntsman’s Daughter. Unfortunately, with a ferocious storm now raging and battering the boat, they are soon forced to return to the quay, bruised and empty handed.

At first, when they reach the shore, Lucy is overjoyed to learn from Jake that the rescue team have managed to recover Daniel and the children. Sadly, her joy is cruelly curtailed when she learns Jake was mistaken and that, although Daniel was indeed rescued, her children are still missing. Even when the police arrest Daniel, and he confesses to drowning Billie and Fin, Lucy still refuses to believe it’s true. However, as her relentless search for her children and the truth intensifies, it becomes apparent her present nightmare could well be connected to her wild and reckless past; that maybe one or more of the many people she hurt back then is now looking for revenge.

‘The Rising Tide’ is a technically well-researched story that totally captures the imagination. Full of detailed description, the novel paints a vivid picture of a wild and dangerous sea during a raging storm; an exciting background for an engrossing and intriguing mystery. With its gripping storyline and believable characters, it is thoroughly recommended.