What do you think?
Waterfront #1
Out of the Cold Dark Sea
Alone on a pier in the predawn rain, Martha Whitaker waits in vain for her mentor and long-trusted friend, Hewitt Wilcox. Fear had laced his last message. Hours later, when his empty van is hoisted from the frigid waters of Puget Sound, Martha sets off to find the truth of what happened to him--and to clear her own name. Resourceful, strong, and steeled by inner wounds, she’s joined by a crusading journalist, who believes Hewitt’s disappearance may reveal ugly secrets about a chapter of American history that some would prefer be forgotten. Together they’re drawn into a sinister world of forgery, murder, and betrayal. Martha is forced to confront her own dark past, where violence provided primal justice. The latest installment of the Waterfront Mystery series featuring Martha Whitaker continues in "Within A Shadowed Forest."
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 15, 2019
Loved it. More later. . .
This is the "more later." I was drawn into this book from opening scene where the heroine Martha Whitaker is waiting on a dock in the rain, pre-dawn, for her old friend and mentor Hewitt Wilcox. He never shows up, and that sets in motion a fast-paced mystery that involves much more than his disappearance. I liked Martha, even though she is one of those so not-like-me women who seem to have developed superpowers while I was busy doing I-don't-know-what. Probably reading a book. Jeffrey Briggs is an excellent storyteller, who brings not only his characters and their relationships to life, but also the settings of Seattle and the Puget Sound. I look forward to the next installment of Seattle Waterfront Mystery series.
This is the "more later." I was drawn into this book from opening scene where the heroine Martha Whitaker is waiting on a dock in the rain, pre-dawn, for her old friend and mentor Hewitt Wilcox. He never shows up, and that sets in motion a fast-paced mystery that involves much more than his disappearance. I liked Martha, even though she is one of those so not-like-me women who seem to have developed superpowers while I was busy doing I-don't-know-what. Probably reading a book. Jeffrey Briggs is an excellent storyteller, who brings not only his characters and their relationships to life, but also the settings of Seattle and the Puget Sound. I look forward to the next installment of Seattle Waterfront Mystery series.
January 2, 2020
Jeffery D. Briggs is a writer I'll be watching for. His debut novel just got better and better, the more I read. He creates a convincing lead character and puts her through even more 'hells' on earth than she's already been through. His plot is clever with just enough convolutions to keep me intrigued with trepidatious about what was coming around the corner next. Briggs truly shines when he's talking about 'place' and the impact it can have on a story. Having been a resident of the Seattle area for decades, I delighted in the respect he showed for our bit of heaven on earth--especially some of the not so heavenly spots! Briggs has won himself a fan, and I look forward to the next installment in Martha Whittaker's tale.
I purchased this book at a book-signing.
I purchased this book at a book-signing.
April 28, 2020
4.5 stars
I am so excited that this book landed in my kindle. I found out about it from Nextdoor (a website/app that connects neighbors for those that have not jumped down that rabbit hole yet.) This book brought together so many of my loves: a Seattle setting, mystery/suspense books, a local author, and the big surprise was my religion featured front and center. The author found his perfect reader!
Early on there was what I thought was a typical cameo from the Mormon missionaries, but soon The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints became a central plot point. I was slightly nervous at first, but the author was fair and mostly accurate in his use of the church. I have always wanted to read a book with a possible fictional Mormon type of Mafia and here it was.
The protagonist was likable and reminded me of Lisabeth Slander from, "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo," which helped the action clipped along nicely. The ending had a fantastic twist. I was really happy about the conclusion as a reader and a member of the LDS church.
This book is a gem. I feel happy to have such a terrific author in my back or front yard. (I'm not which direction his house is from mine.) I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
For more sensitive readers there were a couple of f-words, and some violence. I do not think any of these should dissuade anyone from reading this one.
I am so excited that this book landed in my kindle. I found out about it from Nextdoor (a website/app that connects neighbors for those that have not jumped down that rabbit hole yet.) This book brought together so many of my loves: a Seattle setting, mystery/suspense books, a local author, and the big surprise was my religion featured front and center. The author found his perfect reader!
Early on there was what I thought was a typical cameo from the Mormon missionaries, but soon The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints became a central plot point. I was slightly nervous at first, but the author was fair and mostly accurate in his use of the church. I have always wanted to read a book with a possible fictional Mormon type of Mafia and here it was.
The protagonist was likable and reminded me of Lisabeth Slander from, "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo," which helped the action clipped along nicely. The ending had a fantastic twist. I was really happy about the conclusion as a reader and a member of the LDS church.
This book is a gem. I feel happy to have such a terrific author in my back or front yard. (I'm not which direction his house is from mine.) I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
For more sensitive readers there were a couple of f-words, and some violence. I do not think any of these should dissuade anyone from reading this one.
August 24, 2019
I'm not sure whether to call this novel a mystery or a thriller. It's a little bit of both, and the best of both. Plus it's a compulsively good read and a luscious tribute to some of the most iconic places in Seattle. The mystery begins on the first page, as bad-ass lawyer, Martha Whitaker, gets a message to meet her favorite professor from law school on a pier in Ballard. When he doesn't show up and his abandoned car is found in the waters below the pier, she becomes a suspect and determined to find the missing man. The thriller aspect is in the past, with evidence of a Mormon murder squad that someone is willing to kill to suppress. The pace is relentless, and the language vivid and crisp. The book features some classic Seattle locations including a houseboat on Lake Union, Pete's market (friendly neighborhood market with a surprisingly sophisticated wine selection) , a used bookstore (that sounds a lot like the Magus) in the University District and a murder victim found amid the artifacts of the Burke Museum of Natural History. The heroine, Martha Whitaker, has a devastating background of abuse, which explains her deep knowledge of self defense and ability to disable the most determined bad guys. I did not see the twist coming at the end, which is exactly how a twist should work. And it forces Martha to confront the qualities she shares with the villain of the piece, giving her a choice to transform, as every good heroine should.
October 23, 2019
Got to page 15 and an awful simile ("...as rare as finding a first edition Shakespeare folio.") 🙄 The author has already crammed so much of the background in these first pages through the protagonist's thoughts that it reads like a middle schooler's literature project.
And Seattle! You might enjoy the book if you live here or have an affiliation, because so far, in 15 pages, he's covered a lot of ground, bringing up Lakes Union and Washington, the University Bridge, the U district, Little Coney's. He's repeated Puget Sound instead of simply "water" a couple times already. It's like he's trying to set mood and place by dropping names of places familiar only to Seattlites, and by doing so, he's not creating that mood for those unfamiliar with the area.
I don't like not giving a book more of a chance, but the writing is on the wall with this one. Or perhaps I should say: the writing is on the Gum Wall.
And Seattle! You might enjoy the book if you live here or have an affiliation, because so far, in 15 pages, he's covered a lot of ground, bringing up Lakes Union and Washington, the University Bridge, the U district, Little Coney's. He's repeated Puget Sound instead of simply "water" a couple times already. It's like he's trying to set mood and place by dropping names of places familiar only to Seattlites, and by doing so, he's not creating that mood for those unfamiliar with the area.
I don't like not giving a book more of a chance, but the writing is on the wall with this one. Or perhaps I should say: the writing is on the Gum Wall.
December 10, 2019
Out of the Cold Dark Sea is a pulse-pounding thriller that involves everything from an antiquarian book dealer, to assassins, and a heroine who, rather than from the cold sea, seems to emerge from the fiery flames of her tortured past as a fiery phoenix. Set in rain-drenched Seattle, Briggs evokes a detailed imagery of a dark, seaside city where an aged academic has vanished, leaving a trail of clues for Martha, our gritty heroine, to solve. Part vivid action, part historical mystery, & with shocks that were surprising, I recommend this novel for a fast-paced page turner!
February 22, 2020
I enjoyed reading this. As a new resident of Seattle it was interesting to read about the streets I now traverse. It was a rather mindless read but thoroughly entertaining. The end dragged on a bit and the final scene was disappointing. I like surprises usually but I figured this one out before the end and dreaded it. In my opinion there were better ways to end the story. Still I liked the book.
January 28, 2020
A bit far-fetched. Would have benefited from one more pass by an editor.
October 1, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and storytelling of Jeffrey Briggs’ Out of the Cold Dark Sea. I have to admit upfront that mystery is not a genre that I typically dip into. So, why did I read it? Well, I met Mr. Briggs on Twitter, and after a few positive interactions about writing and kayaking, I decided to check his novels out. I am very pleased I did.
It turns out that Briggs is a very accomplished writer with a strong sense of place in his stories. I loved being transported to the Seattle area and especially Puget Sound. From the very beginning, with his main character standing on the wet, windswept pier in the pre-dawn dark, he allowed me to feel immersed in the environment. I could see it, hear it and smell the sea. His metaphors were fresh and apt; his characters interesting and often surprising. The deceptive story kept me turning the pages trying to get ahead of him. There were many twists and turns, some history and plenty of jeopardies. His main character, Martha Whitaker, is a smart corporate lawyer, tough as ironwood, yet damaged, flawed and vulnerable. She’s a character you can crawl inside of, even though not everything in there is comfortable. One minor criticism I would make is that, once in a while, the mix of current story elements with the various backstories caused me some momentary confusion.
Make no mistake, this is a book for adults and there’s an abundance of trauma, physical action, dark secrets and agony to go around. What makes me so positive about the book is that it is so much more than a whodunit. Briggs deals forthrightly with the human frailty he unveils and provides the reader with many ideas to ponder after the book is complete.
It turns out that Briggs is a very accomplished writer with a strong sense of place in his stories. I loved being transported to the Seattle area and especially Puget Sound. From the very beginning, with his main character standing on the wet, windswept pier in the pre-dawn dark, he allowed me to feel immersed in the environment. I could see it, hear it and smell the sea. His metaphors were fresh and apt; his characters interesting and often surprising. The deceptive story kept me turning the pages trying to get ahead of him. There were many twists and turns, some history and plenty of jeopardies. His main character, Martha Whitaker, is a smart corporate lawyer, tough as ironwood, yet damaged, flawed and vulnerable. She’s a character you can crawl inside of, even though not everything in there is comfortable. One minor criticism I would make is that, once in a while, the mix of current story elements with the various backstories caused me some momentary confusion.
Make no mistake, this is a book for adults and there’s an abundance of trauma, physical action, dark secrets and agony to go around. What makes me so positive about the book is that it is so much more than a whodunit. Briggs deals forthrightly with the human frailty he unveils and provides the reader with many ideas to ponder after the book is complete.
October 19, 2020
Set alongside familiar Seattle settings, this mystery is layered with mysteries to solve, and Martha Whittaker has to navigate the treacherous characters and situations using her own well-honed and over-utilized, awesome martial arts skills and Matrix-like abilities to escape bullets. Still, what would a mystery be without suspense and a kick ass female these days? In a way, hearing her methods to control her mind, which has ample reason to be full of revenge and hatred, helps one start to get into the character and eventually care for her in a "gee, that sucks AGAIN" kind of way.
The desolation of the characters towards the protagonist feels akin to the dystopian Hunger Games or the myriad bad turns afforded Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. There is some safe haven within the true kindness of friends at the local shop, as well as a budding relationship who had a common past with the missing Hewett Wilcox, which keeps it from feeling quite as bleak.
Frankly, the deaths stacked up like so much cordwood, with the best parts of the story the descriptions of the characters and their concerns. This is a solid first effort, and I look forward to seeing Martha develop in the next book.
The desolation of the characters towards the protagonist feels akin to the dystopian Hunger Games or the myriad bad turns afforded Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. There is some safe haven within the true kindness of friends at the local shop, as well as a budding relationship who had a common past with the missing Hewett Wilcox, which keeps it from feeling quite as bleak.
Frankly, the deaths stacked up like so much cordwood, with the best parts of the story the descriptions of the characters and their concerns. This is a solid first effort, and I look forward to seeing Martha develop in the next book.
October 19, 2020
OUT OF THE COLD DARK SEA is a zippy thriller, preposterous, over-the-top, and loaded with thriller tropes and clichés (another day, another shoulder wound), but fun for all that and competent enough to carry a reader through a cross-country plane flight. It feels like an homage in pastiche, combining the travel-heavy historical conspiracy theories of Dan Brown with the breathless high-stakes chase scenes around Seattle of Boyd Morrison and the performative Seattle grittiness of one of J.A. Jance's J.P. Beaumont police procedurals.
Heroine Martha Whitaker — Seattle lawyer, rape survivor, highly trained ass-kicker, love-starved lover — also feels composed of familiar parts, but her flashes of humility and vulnerability help leaven her image as Male-Gaze Kickass Woman #784B. In all, OUT OF THE COLD DARK SEA is an occasionally wobbly but well-crafted debut thriller, and I'm on board with the next entry in what has been announced as a series.
Heroine Martha Whitaker — Seattle lawyer, rape survivor, highly trained ass-kicker, love-starved lover — also feels composed of familiar parts, but her flashes of humility and vulnerability help leaven her image as Male-Gaze Kickass Woman #784B. In all, OUT OF THE COLD DARK SEA is an occasionally wobbly but well-crafted debut thriller, and I'm on board with the next entry in what has been announced as a series.
June 21, 2019
Out of the Cold Dark Sea combines the essentials of a good mystery with plenty of the action and plot twists necessary to create a good read. Beyond that, we are given a believable character development and story arc. Martha Whitaker is a complicated, multi-dimensional, badass that I want as my best friend. She finds herself engulfed in the dangerous secrets of a dead friend while struggling with her own dark secrets. Learning the depths of her friend's hidden past forces her to face what is hidden in her own. The storyline moves quickly; the plot unfolds surprisingly; and the characters are interesting, deep and evolving from page one to the last sentence. This is the first installment of The Waterfront Mysteries set in Seattle, and I am looking forward to Book 2 in this new and exciting series.
July 23, 2019
This book catches your interest within the first few pages. You are immediately invested in the mystery of what happened to cause an elderly man to request a early morning meeting on a lonely pier in Seattle and then not show up. What happened to him? Is he alive or at the bottom of Puget Sound? The protagonist, Martha Whitaker, finds herself at the center of the investigation even though she is the target of violence herself. Since the police seem to think Martha is responsible, she finds that it is up to her to solve the mystery.
The author is very good at tying local places and landmarks into the story, which added another dimension to the book that made it even more fun to read. I am looking forward to the next installation into this series of books.
The author is very good at tying local places and landmarks into the story, which added another dimension to the book that made it even more fun to read. I am looking forward to the next installation into this series of books.
June 8, 2019
LOVED, loved this book! I really enjoy mysteries and read a lot of them. This is an excellent book! It is well written and moved along at a perfect pace, allowing time to really get to know all the characters, not just the main characters. The characters were so real and the story so good, I felt like I was right there in the book following them around. Martha is the lead main character and I liked her...a lot! She is a strong, smart female who draws you in to her life (the good and bad parts). I enjoyed how the plot unfolded and the twists and turns that took place. I can't wait for Jeff's next book.
June 10, 2019
I promise no spoilers, but I had a lot of fun reading this page turner! Out of the Cold Dark Sea caught my interest quickly and kept it throughout, mostly because Martha is such a strong and well written character. As her background is revealed, her independence and focus and self awareness become key to the fast paced situation she finds herself in. Briggs manages to insert many smart literary and musical references that add to the character development, while writing beautiful nature descriptions that turn the Seattle waterfront into an important character itself. I look forward to the next book by Jeffrey Briggs!
June 6, 2019
Jeffrey D Briggs’ first novel in the Seattle waterfront mystery series is truly a good read! The heroine, Martha, is a kick-ass female character who is trying to unravel the suspicious disappearance of a trusted, long time friend. All is not what it seems. There are multiple plot twists, crimes and red herrings along the way. Just when I thought I knew where the author was headed he peeled back another layer and gives us a history lesson along the way. The characters are intelligent and finely crafted and the writing is superb. I can’t wait to read the next book!
February 16, 2020
For a few moments, I thought maybe Out of the Cold Dark Sea was going to be the Mormon version of the Da Vinci Code, but hardly so. It is a gripping mystery with every turn producing a clue that you put in the back of your mind waiting for it to mean something while things you didn’t see as clues later become obvious. The ending, like any good mystery, is not what you expect. Some of the violence may have been a little gratuitous, but otherwise I loved it. My only question is whether Briggs has sold the movie rights yet. Can’t wait.
November 11, 2019
Looking for a gritty mystery? Here’s your book! Martha Whitaker is a tough, smart woman whose good friend has gone missing. The police suspect foul play and that she is the culprit. It’s a good thing that she is smart because the road she has to take to uncover this mystery is a rough and complicated one. It crosses paths with some really rough guys and exquisite puzzles. There are lots of clues and hints. But. Beware. Some will lead you astray. It is full of intelligent, complicated people with issues of their own. They play into the action beautifully.
Set in Seattle, it is dark and damp! Bonus, there are a couple of nice cats!
Set in Seattle, it is dark and damp! Bonus, there are a couple of nice cats!
April 2, 2020
Twists and turns
Talk about a a long road to eternity, this book is it. One great read, surprise on every page , fast and furious, confusing,
special , with unbelievable moves to the past and future.
Death and destruction,flight or fight and you need to be able to swim and drive,shoot, fight and hide.it’s a great book and I look forward to the next from this author
Talk about a a long road to eternity, this book is it. One great read, surprise on every page , fast and furious, confusing,
special , with unbelievable moves to the past and future.
Death and destruction,flight or fight and you need to be able to swim and drive,shoot, fight and hide.it’s a great book and I look forward to the next from this author
April 4, 2022
Out of the Cold Dark Sea is an exciting mystery set in Seattle, featuring Jeffrey Briggs' detailed knowledge of the local waterfront and boat scene. I liked the kickass main character -- it's fun to see a woman martial artist using her skills. I also enjoyed the many descriptions of the local area. The title is perfect to describe the mood of the book.
June 8, 2019
My husband and I give Jeff’s book a 5 star rating: captivating and intriguing. It held our attention from the first chapter all the way to the last page. We highly recommend and can’t wait for the next Seattle Waterfront mystery.
June 23, 2019
Normally, not a reader of fiction, Jeffrey D. Briggs’ “Out of the Cold Dark Sea” may have made me a fan. His unique style and ability to weave a mystery left me wanting to find more of his books to read.
July 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Great character development. What I especially enjoyed was the backdrop of Seattle. Having recently visited there, it was fun to recognize places where the story takes place. I look forward to his next book!
May 3, 2020
Full of Surprises
Outstanding, twisting, riveting plot, particularly for a first published book! Jeffrey Briggs brings it all - wonderfully fleshed out characters, intriguing personalities, and non-stop action. Can't wait for the next one! Going to be a great series.
Outstanding, twisting, riveting plot, particularly for a first published book! Jeffrey Briggs brings it all - wonderfully fleshed out characters, intriguing personalities, and non-stop action. Can't wait for the next one! Going to be a great series.
March 26, 2022
Trust misplaced
Excellent. Piece of work the protagonist never lets you down it was one hit after another. The suspense was never far and the puzzle got harder and harder to solve this one will keep you reading all night .
Excellent. Piece of work the protagonist never lets you down it was one hit after another. The suspense was never far and the puzzle got harder and harder to solve this one will keep you reading all night .
May 3, 2026
Hooked from the beginning. The exact style of author I’ve been looking for. When I read this it was like I could visualize every moment. I felt like I was binge watching the newest mystery show. Will be keeping my eyes on this author.
August 2, 2019
Very enjoyable!
Had me guessing from the start and continued to surprise until the end. A very good story. I hope to hear more from "Martha".
Had me guessing from the start and continued to surprise until the end. A very good story. I hope to hear more from "Martha".
September 29, 2019
Wow! What a roller coaster ride of a book. I read on the bus commuting to and from work, and nearly missed my stop a couple of times, I was so engrossed. Loved it!
January 5, 2020
Good story
The story line was good but at times a bit disjointed from one scene to the next. Nice to have a strong female character.
The story line was good but at times a bit disjointed from one scene to the next. Nice to have a strong female character.
May 15, 2020
Mystery based in Seattle around the waterfront. Mystery, murder, trust, friendship and romance that is a result of working together to find answers about Latter Day Saints.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews