Sweetwater

by Jason Heaton

With an American presidential election looming, a decades-old plane crash is once again thrust into the news. Old secrets threaten to expose dangerous truths and underwater archaeologist Julian "Tusker" Tusk finds himself at the center of a mystery with the highest of stakes. With time running out, Tusker is forced to come to terms with not only his own past, but that of his father, in an adventure that spans two generations and hits close to home in more ways than one. With the help of his friends, some old and some new, he races to find the explosive truth, one that lies 200 feet below the surface of Lake Superior. Sweetwater is an old-school thriller that dives in and takes readers straight to the crushing depths. The story bristles with intrigue as it moves from the 1970s to the present, and from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the chilly depths of the greatest of lakes. Don't hold your breath.

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2023

About the author

Jason Heaton has a decade-long history of adventure, travel, wristwatch, and gear writing, and his work has appeared in Outside magazine, Gear Patrol, Men’s Journal, Wired, Australian Geographic, and Hodinkee. The New York Times once called him, “a test pilot for the world’s most illustrious undersea timepieces.” He is also the co-host of the popular podcast, The Grey NATO.

A certified technical diver, Heaton has been underwater all over the world, from the Galapagos to New Zealand to the Caribbean, and since 2015, he has been a member of the prestigious Explorers Club. He lives with his wife, Gishani, and their two cats in Minneapolis.

Reviews

[Duncan McRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read overall. The ending, however, felt abrupt and contrived. I found myself disappointed compared to Depth Charge.

[Grant Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

JH is an absolute baller of a writer. For fans of James Bond books this absolutely slaps. The only downside is that the ending reminds one of the absolute hopelessness that is prevalent in today's world; but, I suppose a great writer has a talent to bring that emotion into play. Great book. Four stars.

[Elbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heaton is 2 for 2. Read both of his novels in a week and couldn’t put either down

[Victor Muniz · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sweetwater” offers an interesting, slightly darker second chapter to the tale of Dr. Julian Tusk; in what feels very much like the middle chapter in an upcoming trilogy (time will tell). However, the book does fall into some well-traveled waters as it veers a little too much into spy-novel clichés with some of its plot points and secondary characters. A fun, worthwhile, adventure read nonetheless.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick, easy read. Undercurrents of Fleming, Cussler and others, it takes a few adventurous turns, and the arc rhymes a bit with current events. I just wish it were a bit longer - at the end it feels like it should keep going, like the first act in a much longer narrative. Either way, good times. Looking forward to the next one!

[Brennen Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and a great sequel. I do feel like there's a little less excitement in this novel than Depth Charge, but it's still absolutely a banger. Whereas the first book gave Indiana Jones as a diver, this book shows us a lot more introspection and brings the action to the U.S.. Once again, the book has me thinking I need to plan a dive trip.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet indeed

Jason has followed up his first release ‘Depth Charge’ with this fast paced adventure I could not put down and read in one sitting . A great story with all the props I like Watches, Whisky and Water . Look forward to a continuation of Tuskers adventures.

[Zach Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very predictable mystery novel about divers in Lake Superior, and very topical for my backpacking trip on the lakes this week. Saw the ending coming a mile away, but I didn’t mind some light reading while outside.

[Jacob Vonloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Heaton can do no wrong. Man is a living legend is any number of ways. Loved it!

[Connor Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a single day sitting on the beach, could not put it down, really fun read.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading….

Well researched and entertaining but sadly adds nothing new to the genre…which is already thick with better authors like Jack Carr and Brad Taylor.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows the growth in Jasons' writting style.
There are some plot points where it is just a stroke of luck, but all in all, a great quick read.

[Deborah Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read of local places

The book is a fast read, perfect for my stay in northern Michigan. Lots of action and mystery.the pacing of the story was good.