Sad Wind From The Sea

by Harry Patterson, Jack Higgins

Mark Hagen's streak of bad luck left him broke, despondent, and barely able to eke out a living smuggling guns in Macao. But things begin to look up when Hagen gets a lead on a bounty of gold, lying untouched at the bottom of a lagoon in the marshes of southern China.

Unfortunately for Hagen, he's not the only one after the sunken treasure, and the race to the gold quickly escalates into a bloody struggle for survival on the treacherous waters of the South China Sea.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Adventure, Action, Ebooks

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

One of the many pseudonyms used by Henry Patterson. See Jack Higgins for more complete information.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read by Jack Higgins written under his pen name, Harry Patterson. A down and borderline out smuggler, WW2 vet, adventurer, and fast boat owner becomes entangled with an attempt to recover a quarter million in gold hidden in the marshlands of southern china. Unfortunately the Chinese also want the gold. Danger, romance, greed and noble motives collide.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved Jack Higgins books for many years, now and I have read virtually all of them. So it was a refreshing surprise to find 'Sad Wind From The Sea', a Higgins book that I had NOT read before.
It's a typical Jack Higgins storyline. Tough lead male character falls in love with beautiful woman and vows to help her, no matter what the cost to him personally.
It helps that, in this case, that there's a substantial amount of gold bullion to be liberated from the bottom of a reed-choked swamp in Macao. Mark Hagen gets involved in the retrieval of this gold and decides to take a big cut for himself, giving only a small amount to Rose, the story's love interest.
After several clashes with a Russian and several Chinese Communists that work for Kossoff, and having problems with his associates, Hagen eventually gets what he wants.
This is Jack Higgins at his best. He hit the ground running and never forgot how to weave really good stories about unforgettable characters. Once a reader picks up a Jack Higgins novel, they will be reluctant to put it down until they've finished the book.

[Brian Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 1960s thriller. Well worth the time and honestly more enjoyable to me than his recent work.

[Carl Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner

This is the 58th Higgins book I have read. It did not disappoint. I don't know how Jack does it but every book is intriguing.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like a series and makes you want to yearn for more Mark Hagan adventures. A former naval officer who has fought for the British and then his native American Navy, Hagan is now located at Macao and running arms. When he accidentally stumbles onto information that a quarter million dollars in gold is sunk aboard a boat in a marsh inside Red China waters he makes plans to salvage the gold from under the nose of others who want it and betray the girl who knows the location of the treasure that was destined to be delivered to a charity. Good story, but a battle from the start to the finish to protect the girl and the treasure.

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad Wind From The Sea . Jack higgins

Jack Higgins first novel. Harry Patterson , which is his real name was used this time. Later he adopted the name Jack higgins. As expected this is an explosive read, riddled with action in a way only Higgins has mastered! Captain Hagen, has one last plan to go from rags to riches. A double cross. But in the end, his true character surfaces. He can't do it. Stupendous read! Enjoyed immensely!

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Patterson is not Harry Patterson he is Jack Higgins.
This seems to be his debut novel.
It is not as the title may suggest to some about depressed flatulence coming from a large body of salt water.
Nope nothing so exciting that would possibly be more memorable, who wouldn't want to read about that?
Anyway this is an average, largely forgettable thriller type book from a geezer learning his craft.
It was OK, maybe I need to write the other story!

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of the Jack Higgins archives comes this story written (from the sounds of it) a long time ago. While the story line contains the usual Higgins intrigue and action, (I found) the central character unlikable rogue who sprayed about more than a little male chauvinistic attitude. But then again, it could have simple been the testosterone...

DD@Phila

[Ronald Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very first book published by Harry Patterson (whose pseudonym is Jack Higgins). Protagonist meets a young lady and finds out about a stash of sunken gold bars. He agrees to help her retrieve them but does not reveal that he has other plans for them and also has to deal with someone else who also wants them very much. Suspenseful book overall

[Ted Barringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As many of already said, this is his first published book, he got better. Whoever Open Road is, has decided to publish all of his old books including this one. Until Open Road made these available, i never thought I'd get the chance to read the first 5 books by Jack Higgins. I have all 5 now, so on to book #2!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Author, excellent story

Reminiscent of a 1960s era film, could easily see this a vehicle for Kirk Douglas, and others of that era. Quaint and quite fun for the easily envisioned scenes, characters, and location. Enjoyed immensely, thank you!

[John W Tice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad Wind from the Sea - Higgins

I have read many of Higgins books and enjoyed them all. He has great characters and gives descriptive information regarding location and situations. I recommend all of Jack Higgins novels.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sept 2018. Book on tape. This is a "stand alone" Mark Magen story set in the Far East. Lots of mercenaries on both sides. Ethics seem to be not run very deep.

[Thomas E Bercher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bit Different

Not the usual Higgins book but a blazing good adventure story with several nice twists. Higgins gives his characters depth and interest.

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same old same old. I think this is about the 4 or 5th book that has the same story-line and sequences.

[Mark Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting ptmtw

Good story. Believable characters. Interesting that parts of the story are recycled with just small changes in The keys of hell, which I've only just finished.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

1959 stand-alone thriller.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

[Thomas Brazeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book!!!

It'd a Jack Higgins book of course it's a great book. He always comes through with a good story!! Get it.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was quite the page turner and a great easy read between books. This was my first Jack Higgins book I've read and I definitely will read more of his work.

[Dr. Trevor B. Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENJOYABLE

The book is good and the last half is excellent, but not one of his best, but who’s complaining, one will by the time they are finished say, worth the read.

[Gail Sipes · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was interesting and fast paced. I’ve always enjoyed reading Mr Higgins books, especially the Sean Dillion series.

[The Villan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read and very enjoyable. Found it on Abebooks along with some other early Higgins/Patterson novels. Better than his most recent work

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave this book just two stars. Why? Because it is pretty much identical to the one I just finished, "The Khufra Run". There are some differences but basically the same...
A large amount of gold is at the bottom of a marshy lagoon in southern China (not Spain) in a sunken boat instead of a plane. Here again the protagonist, Mark Hagen, has ideas of his own about what to do with the treasure. The young girl (sound familiar?) wanted to take the money to a relief organization (not rebuild a hospital) in Saigon. The adventure unfolds.
Now this book has a copyright date of 1959 by Jack Higgins. It is not as well written as "The Khufra Run" and is much shorter. I figure Higgins was rereading some of his earlier works and decided he could do a better job with this one. I guess it became like a rough draft for the later book.
I still enjoyed it.

[Shashank Sm · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very thrilling and has a lot of action as well as adventurous story of a captain who fights for gold and a girl against people who have money and power.this book alsoconveys that how cruel people become for money.this novel was one of the most fascinating works by jack higgins.people who love thrill and action should read this book.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to believe this was Jack Higgins' first published book. Everything about this work states "established author". The story takes place in late 1950s Macao, China. The protagonist seeks a treasure that went down in a boat at sea. Standard Higgins fare that is well done, but not at all exceptional.

[Louann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Higgins scores again!

Higgins scores again!

Damsel in distress...our hero comes to the rescue but will he cheat her out of her gold?
Time will tell.
Jack Higgins tells the tale just right.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Higgins' first published novel. Even here the formula is already established. Light reading, but enjoyable.

[Scott Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read but enjoyable enough.

[Al Menaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Typical Jack Higgins novel, written in the 50s. Well paced, fast moving.