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White Cargo
Cat Catledge is a happy man. A self made multi millionaire at 50, he has a loving wife and a beautiful teenaged daughter. And after years of hard work, he is taking his family on the ultimate dream sabbatical: a two year cruise to the South Pacific via the Panama Canal, aboard his custom built forty three foot yacht.
He gets as far as Colombia.
Off that country’s cocaine dusted shores, Cat’s bliss – and his dearly loved family – are permanently shattered by an event so unexpected, so savage, and so tragically final that it leaves Cat completely devastated. Consumed by terrible guilt, he returns home alone, a broken man. Investigations by both the Colombian authorities and the U.S. State Department prove fruitless.
Then, late one night, Cat is awakened by the telephone and, from far away, over a static filled line, an achingly familiar voice utters a single, electrifying word.
Driven by a mixture of hope and anguish, Cat slips back into South America on a desperate search for the daughter he cannot bring himself to believe is dead – a search that will take him down the corridors of cocaine financed palaces. Aided by an Australian ex convict, a beautiful television journalist and a man known to him only as “Jim”, Cat follows a trail of blood and graft, white powder and white slavery, and discovers in himself an unsuspected capacity for ruthlessness and cunning, and – even more surprising – a rekindled capacity for love.
He gets as far as Colombia.
Off that country’s cocaine dusted shores, Cat’s bliss – and his dearly loved family – are permanently shattered by an event so unexpected, so savage, and so tragically final that it leaves Cat completely devastated. Consumed by terrible guilt, he returns home alone, a broken man. Investigations by both the Colombian authorities and the U.S. State Department prove fruitless.
Then, late one night, Cat is awakened by the telephone and, from far away, over a static filled line, an achingly familiar voice utters a single, electrifying word.
Driven by a mixture of hope and anguish, Cat slips back into South America on a desperate search for the daughter he cannot bring himself to believe is dead – a search that will take him down the corridors of cocaine financed palaces. Aided by an Australian ex convict, a beautiful television journalist and a man known to him only as “Jim”, Cat follows a trail of blood and graft, white powder and white slavery, and discovers in himself an unsuspected capacity for ruthlessness and cunning, and – even more surprising – a rekindled capacity for love.
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
687 people are currently reading
1472 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
413 books3,233 followersStuart Woods was an American novelist best known for Chiefs and his long-running Stone Barrington series. A Georgia native, he initially pursued a career in advertising before relocating to England and Ireland, where he developed a passion for sailing. His love for the sport led him to write his first published work, Blue Water, Green Skipper, about his experiences in a transatlantic yacht race.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
September 15, 2012
Engrossing - pulled me right in
There are two Stuart Woods out there, at least in my mind. There's the early Stuart Woods that wrote great books like Chiefs and there's the Stone Barrister-writing Stuart Woods that just writes a formula plot, mails it in and collects a check.
In White Cargo , a wealthy American, Wendell Catledge, is yachting off of the coast of Colombia when he is attacked by pirates and his wife and daughter are kidnapped and end up in the underworld of the narco-traffickers. Catledge goes underground to find his family in Colombia.
White Cargo is definitely an early Stuart Woods book! I found myself pulled into this plot and I just had to know what happened next, despite the fact that the violence and sexual exploitation was a bit too extreme for my tastes. The ending was fairly hokey but the overall strength of the rest of the book more than makes up for that.
See all of my reviews for Stuart Woods books here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
There are two Stuart Woods out there, at least in my mind. There's the early Stuart Woods that wrote great books like Chiefs and there's the Stone Barrister-writing Stuart Woods that just writes a formula plot, mails it in and collects a check.
In White Cargo , a wealthy American, Wendell Catledge, is yachting off of the coast of Colombia when he is attacked by pirates and his wife and daughter are kidnapped and end up in the underworld of the narco-traffickers. Catledge goes underground to find his family in Colombia.
White Cargo is definitely an early Stuart Woods book! I found myself pulled into this plot and I just had to know what happened next, despite the fact that the violence and sexual exploitation was a bit too extreme for my tastes. The ending was fairly hokey but the overall strength of the rest of the book more than makes up for that.
See all of my reviews for Stuart Woods books here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
September 7, 2019
Another great early work by Stuart Woods!
Cat Catledge leaves to sail around the world with his wife and daughter, having sold his tech company for millions of dollars. What was supposed to be the time of their lives ends abruptly in savage murders when they are boarded by actual pirates. Cat’s wife and daughter are killed, while Cat is left for dead but survives. He is struggling to pull his life back together when he is woken late one night by a phone call from a woman who sounds like his daughter. The majority of the book is Cat’s attempt to navigate the international drug world—and the infamous dealer known as The Anaconda—to find out if his daughter is alive.
One of the things that make this book so great is the pacing. It is masterful. The tension builds quickly, and has you on the edge of your seat—but makes use of small bits of humor to release tension and keeps the climax from occurring too soon. It is gripping. It’s not a book where you have to read 100 pages before you really get into it.
The storyline is the other excellent part. A good writer can take a ho-hum event and make it interesting, here we have a great story to start with. The plot is superb and there are several twists that keep you from predicting what’s going to happen. There were parts where I literally thought, WHOA! I did NOT see that coming!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers, and also if you’re looking for a book for someone who maybe doesn’t read a lot or who wants to read more—the book grabs you and doesn’t let you go until the end!
Cat Catledge leaves to sail around the world with his wife and daughter, having sold his tech company for millions of dollars. What was supposed to be the time of their lives ends abruptly in savage murders when they are boarded by actual pirates. Cat’s wife and daughter are killed, while Cat is left for dead but survives. He is struggling to pull his life back together when he is woken late one night by a phone call from a woman who sounds like his daughter. The majority of the book is Cat’s attempt to navigate the international drug world—and the infamous dealer known as The Anaconda—to find out if his daughter is alive.
One of the things that make this book so great is the pacing. It is masterful. The tension builds quickly, and has you on the edge of your seat—but makes use of small bits of humor to release tension and keeps the climax from occurring too soon. It is gripping. It’s not a book where you have to read 100 pages before you really get into it.
The storyline is the other excellent part. A good writer can take a ho-hum event and make it interesting, here we have a great story to start with. The plot is superb and there are several twists that keep you from predicting what’s going to happen. There were parts where I literally thought, WHOA! I did NOT see that coming!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers, and also if you’re looking for a book for someone who maybe doesn’t read a lot or who wants to read more—the book grabs you and doesn’t let you go until the end!
September 29, 2015
This is the first Stuart Woods book I've read. I have to say... I am a big fan of his writing!! Great story line and an easy read.
Cat Catledge's story is one of loss and revenge. I felt as though I were traveling through Columbia with him as he sought out the pirates who took his life and family from him. I won't give too much away because a lot happens just in the first few chapters, but this is a great book filled with action and adventure. I couldn't get enough! I will be reading more by Woods very soon!
Cat Catledge's story is one of loss and revenge. I felt as though I were traveling through Columbia with him as he sought out the pirates who took his life and family from him. I won't give too much away because a lot happens just in the first few chapters, but this is a great book filled with action and adventure. I couldn't get enough! I will be reading more by Woods very soon!
March 18, 2016
Wow! I read this in one sitting. Fantastic book. Some plot holes, but otherwise great. Cat a billionaire, is left for dead on his yacht, and his daughter and wife murdered or so he thinks. Later when he gets a phone call that one of them is alive, he does everything in his power to rescue her.
Plot is pretty fast, intense, have you flipping pages. I have to say, he spent a lot of time researching this book and it shows. Its a book that has this realism attached to it as it details the Columbian mafia, politics and drug dealers. I still feel conflicted in his picking one child to save the other. The book does well and given its a time from before when all the camera tech came up, Cat's task was easy. The characters no doubt all well done and even the villain, a smart one, Harvard MBA to boot.
Plot is pretty fast, intense, have you flipping pages. I have to say, he spent a lot of time researching this book and it shows. Its a book that has this realism attached to it as it details the Columbian mafia, politics and drug dealers. I still feel conflicted in his picking one child to save the other. The book does well and given its a time from before when all the camera tech came up, Cat's task was easy. The characters no doubt all well done and even the villain, a smart one, Harvard MBA to boot.
April 25, 2018
When an rich, over weight, middle aged, computer geek goes for a sail around the world, but decides to stop in Columbia, things go horribly wrong. Pirates board his ship and rape and kill his wife and daughter. Leaving him dead to sink with the ship. But he survives. And for months he is heart broken. So he exercises, and learns to fly. Just to stay busy. Has an argument with his estranged son and then gets a call in the middle of the night. Daddy, is all he hears. But that's enough for him to petition the states department. And when they don't move fast enough he decides he'll go to Columbia to get her. From drug dealers. In the 80's. So yea. I can usually suspend reality to enjoy some good fiction, but this one...
June 10, 2012
The novel depends on an unlikely string of coincidences and deus ex machinas (is that how you'd pluralize that? Dei ex machina?) for momentum, and is pretty poorly written (for instance, the author has a few crutch words and phrases that he falls back on repeatedly, which is distraction to the reader). It was tough to suspend disbelief long enough to get through this one; I probably wouldn't even recommend it for junk beach reading.
May 31, 2014
Great book!
April 24, 2021
I read this book years ago before I got the good a reads app. Very good.
August 21, 2024
Classic Stuart with some horrifying twists.
March 5, 2013
OK, so they thought they killed Cat. A shotgun blast to the chest and sinking of his boat should have done that. Oops, he survived. Two years later his daughter, presumed dead, called him. Um, by the end of the story we learn that she is in a fugue state, only speaks Spanish and can't talk much to anybody. But she remembered his phone number and called him. Go figure.
The ending of this book is just awful. Unlikely, badly assembled, improbable, and what the hell was Dell doing anywhere? Take it from someone who has spent 25 years working with addicts, he would not have made it to Colombia. He would not have been able to buy his own lunch let alone buy into an international deal.
Too jagged to make it as a good read. Entertaining, though. Oh, and he would not have thrown the wedding ring into the sea when he was looking for his kid. Just out of character for a grieving man who suddenly has hope. Get laid, yes, throw away ring, no. And where can I get a new Rolex for $2500? Not at my jewelery store.
The ending of this book is just awful. Unlikely, badly assembled, improbable, and what the hell was Dell doing anywhere? Take it from someone who has spent 25 years working with addicts, he would not have made it to Colombia. He would not have been able to buy his own lunch let alone buy into an international deal.
Too jagged to make it as a good read. Entertaining, though. Oh, and he would not have thrown the wedding ring into the sea when he was looking for his kid. Just out of character for a grieving man who suddenly has hope. Get laid, yes, throw away ring, no. And where can I get a new Rolex for $2500? Not at my jewelery store.
December 18, 2016
First of all, I tend to rate books on my reaction to the book. I prefer mysteries, action-adventure, thrillers, and what I consider to be well-written books. I read a lot of books and I am a quick reader.
So it will come as a surprise that I have rated White Cargo as a 5 star. Surprising because I have read at least 20 books written by Stuart Woods, mostly Stone Barrington stories, mostly rated 3 stars with a few rated 2 stars with appropriate explanation.
White Cargo is a stand-alone book published in 2012. Having read so many Stuart Woods books I was prepared for it to be okay, maybe even good. Solid plot, solid and interesting characters, and everything hung together.
I routinely have a problem with books and suspension of disbelief. From beginning to end the book held together and kept me reading to the point that sometimes I had to stop because I was overloaded.
So if you like action-adventures, thrillers, military thrillers, or just mysteries, pick this one up if you find it on someone's bookshelves.
So it will come as a surprise that I have rated White Cargo as a 5 star. Surprising because I have read at least 20 books written by Stuart Woods, mostly Stone Barrington stories, mostly rated 3 stars with a few rated 2 stars with appropriate explanation.
White Cargo is a stand-alone book published in 2012. Having read so many Stuart Woods books I was prepared for it to be okay, maybe even good. Solid plot, solid and interesting characters, and everything hung together.
I routinely have a problem with books and suspension of disbelief. From beginning to end the book held together and kept me reading to the point that sometimes I had to stop because I was overloaded.
So if you like action-adventures, thrillers, military thrillers, or just mysteries, pick this one up if you find it on someone's bookshelves.
May 15, 2017
I started and abandoned this book within 40 pages. The language from the father in the first 40 pages as it related to his daughter was very disturbing to me. In just 40 pages we have the father speaking about his daughter:
"She seemed to be wearing only a t-shirt; the girl rarely bothered with underwear, and it made Cat nervous"
"She had slipped a t-shirt over the bikini, but it wasn't long enough. Her creamy buns protruded from the bottom."
"She was still not fully aware of the effect her bun-revealing shorts and tiny bikinis had on the opposite sex, not excluding himself." <--BARF
I couldn't, in good conscience, keep reading this book. Fiction or not, I want absolutely nothing to do with a main character who seems so obsessed with his child's sexuality. Complete FAIL.
"She seemed to be wearing only a t-shirt; the girl rarely bothered with underwear, and it made Cat nervous"
"She had slipped a t-shirt over the bikini, but it wasn't long enough. Her creamy buns protruded from the bottom."
"She was still not fully aware of the effect her bun-revealing shorts and tiny bikinis had on the opposite sex, not excluding himself." <--BARF
I couldn't, in good conscience, keep reading this book. Fiction or not, I want absolutely nothing to do with a main character who seems so obsessed with his child's sexuality. Complete FAIL.
February 14, 2017
What a phenomenal story! This was my first experience with Stuart Woods. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. It was one of the best suspense stories I have read in a long time. Make sure to set aside time, as it is one of those books you can't put down until you finish it!
It has been a few years since I read it, and I still remember how impressed I was with the way Mr. Woods weaved this story and pulled the reader into it as if you were really there, experiencing all of Cat's emotions.
Wishing you all Happy Reading!!
It has been a few years since I read it, and I still remember how impressed I was with the way Mr. Woods weaved this story and pulled the reader into it as if you were really there, experiencing all of Cat's emotions.
Wishing you all Happy Reading!!
September 2, 2012
This was a good book.. I think I enjoy Woods earlier writings much more than I do his current Barrington novels.. This book had pirates, drug dealers, bad son, very bad people, armies, a jungle, and much more that made very fun to read and very interesting.. I highly recommend this book.. I am glad that it was republished and that I noticed it on the shelf..
September 25, 2015
This was GREAT ... action packed, suspenseful and fun.
I recommend it
The author writes great and the characters are believable and my kinda people.
Give it a try ..... I fell asleep reading it on my kindle the other night and dreamed of the jungles of South America and saving the day
Keep reading .. especially stuff like this!
Greg
I recommend it
The author writes great and the characters are believable and my kinda people.
Give it a try ..... I fell asleep reading it on my kindle the other night and dreamed of the jungles of South America and saving the day
Keep reading .. especially stuff like this!
Greg
January 5, 2018
I made it to 45% and I gave up. It isn’t horrible, but it didn’t captivate me at all. I didn’t like the way Cat (father) looked at his daughter “she never wears underwear” and “familiar boobs” when he is searching for her. It’s just weird. The characters aren’t endearing and I formed no attachments to them. I got bored very quickly.
July 25, 2011
Interesting, engrossing book about the drug trade in Colombia. Stuart Woods is well known for his series novels--Stone Barrington, Ed Eagle, Holly Barker, etc. But this one is a stand-alone novel. It is one of his earlier works. I really enjoyed reading it.
September 16, 2012
I read this book around 1977 and I remember I could not put it down. I read the book in one sitting and read until 4:00am. I couldn't stop talking about it to people. It was an exciting and intriging book with lots of adventure. This book I highly recommend.
June 10, 2015
This was my first Stuart Woods novel. Easy read, fast paced, thriller. Although the story line was great and the excitement starts from the first chapter to the last, it's not a heavy stick with you story.
September 21, 2008
Good old book. Never give up- follow your instincts
November 3, 2024
I enjoyed this book even the second time through.
June 23, 2015
I you like Stuart Woods other books you are going to love this one. I think this is a amazing book it has everything that could happen to one of use and that is a scary thought.
December 15, 2015
Read this a long time ago. Long before Goodreads. And wanted to add it to my "Read" collection. Best I recall -- Loved it!
October 13, 2019
I got a bit bogged down with all the airplane flying descriptions in the book.
January 31, 2023
I really enjoyed this book.
I was on the edge of my seat.
I was on the edge of my seat.
December 18, 2023
I had contemplated reading (or listening) to this novel for a few years. I have read a couple of other Stuart Woods novels, which I like, but I was worried that this novel would not hold up given that it was written in 1988. Sometimes, the 1980s feels so recent, until you realize that cell phones didn't exist outside of briefcases, and there was no internet. This wasn't a problem, and the novel held up very well.
The story was written well, paced well, and kept the reader interested and invested throughout. I thought that things were a bit contrived at places, as I knew full well who would happen to show-up at the big meeting in the Amazon. Regardless, I enjoyed the book, and was not disappointed in the least bit.
I have always felt that the ending is the most important part of any story. A mediocre book can be elevated by just the right ending. A very good book can become great with the right conclusion to a story. My favorite part of reading, or listening to an audiobook, is that feeling of complete satisfaction when the final words wrap up the story. Most often, that perfect ending occurs with just a few mere words or sentences, and does not require an extra chapter or an epilogue. Here (no spoiler), Mr. Woods brought in a bit player from the story, to give the reader his perspective on how the story concluded. That brief glimpse into his satisfaction was enough to elevate the story, in my mind. I contemplated five stars with just those few extra sentences. Sometimes, the most powerful things sneak up on you and leave you with an emotional impression that you never even saw coming. The story went from good to great with that ending. Also, it was the perfect example of "show, don't tell" in writing. We all realized how important he was to the story, how impactful his motivation was to the benefit that was reaped, and we learn the all too important lesson that even when things seem hopeless, life can provide you an amazing reward.
The story was written well, paced well, and kept the reader interested and invested throughout. I thought that things were a bit contrived at places, as I knew full well who would happen to show-up at the big meeting in the Amazon. Regardless, I enjoyed the book, and was not disappointed in the least bit.
I have always felt that the ending is the most important part of any story. A mediocre book can be elevated by just the right ending. A very good book can become great with the right conclusion to a story. My favorite part of reading, or listening to an audiobook, is that feeling of complete satisfaction when the final words wrap up the story. Most often, that perfect ending occurs with just a few mere words or sentences, and does not require an extra chapter or an epilogue. Here (no spoiler), Mr. Woods brought in a bit player from the story, to give the reader his perspective on how the story concluded. That brief glimpse into his satisfaction was enough to elevate the story, in my mind. I contemplated five stars with just those few extra sentences. Sometimes, the most powerful things sneak up on you and leave you with an emotional impression that you never even saw coming. The story went from good to great with that ending. Also, it was the perfect example of "show, don't tell" in writing. We all realized how important he was to the story, how impactful his motivation was to the benefit that was reaped, and we learn the all too important lesson that even when things seem hopeless, life can provide you an amazing reward.
June 27, 2019
White Cargo
Fantastic! This is another book by Stuart Woods, one of his first books actually, and it’s fantastic. Cat, his wife and daughter, are on the trip of a lifetime, a trip Cat’s always wanted to take with his family. It’ll be a two year sailing trip, but who cares, you only live once. The family stops in Columbia, for repairs. They no sooner dock, than some possessions start disappearing, and Cat has to admit, to himself, this stop hadn’t been a good idea. This stop was going to cost him a lot, more than he ever dreamt possible. When leaving port, Cat decides to take aboard a young man he trusts. On the second day out, Cat realizes his error. His family is gone, gone forever. And it’s a horrific memory he’ll never forget; he’ll never be able to stop visualizing it. In an attempt to get on with his life, a life he knows will be torture, without his family, Cat returns home. He’s just starting to, sort of, accept his new life, when he receives a call. The call gets Cat moving, moving to try and find the person who called, a person he is still having trouble believing is dead. And this trip is to enact revenge, a revenge that only a totally distraught family member can act on so vehemently. Watch out, bad guys; Cat’s on his way and, find you, he will. And, when he does, well, it won’t be a day you’ll soon forget. Readers, you’ll love this book. I’ve read all of Stuart Woods’ books, and I believe it’s one of his best stories. It’s full of mystery and intrigue. It’s so fast paced, I’m not not going to give any more of the storyline away. Find a comfortable, and quiet place to read, a place you won’t be disturbed, and enjoy.
Fantastic! This is another book by Stuart Woods, one of his first books actually, and it’s fantastic. Cat, his wife and daughter, are on the trip of a lifetime, a trip Cat’s always wanted to take with his family. It’ll be a two year sailing trip, but who cares, you only live once. The family stops in Columbia, for repairs. They no sooner dock, than some possessions start disappearing, and Cat has to admit, to himself, this stop hadn’t been a good idea. This stop was going to cost him a lot, more than he ever dreamt possible. When leaving port, Cat decides to take aboard a young man he trusts. On the second day out, Cat realizes his error. His family is gone, gone forever. And it’s a horrific memory he’ll never forget; he’ll never be able to stop visualizing it. In an attempt to get on with his life, a life he knows will be torture, without his family, Cat returns home. He’s just starting to, sort of, accept his new life, when he receives a call. The call gets Cat moving, moving to try and find the person who called, a person he is still having trouble believing is dead. And this trip is to enact revenge, a revenge that only a totally distraught family member can act on so vehemently. Watch out, bad guys; Cat’s on his way and, find you, he will. And, when he does, well, it won’t be a day you’ll soon forget. Readers, you’ll love this book. I’ve read all of Stuart Woods’ books, and I believe it’s one of his best stories. It’s full of mystery and intrigue. It’s so fast paced, I’m not not going to give any more of the storyline away. Find a comfortable, and quiet place to read, a place you won’t be disturbed, and enjoy.
July 10, 2019
This 1988 thriller from prolific author Stuart Woods is nestled among his early Will Lee novels and shortly predates his long running Stone Barrington series. Millionaire businessman Cat Catledge is shot and left for dead when his sailboat is hijacked by pirates. Recovering consciousness just before the boat sinks, he sees his wife's body and what he assumes to be the nude, disfigured body of his daughter. When he later gets a fragmentary phone call from his daughter, he drops everything to rescue her. Somehow, he is connected with a CIA agent who puts him in touch with an Aussie smuggler who will help him for a price. The CIA agent has also traced the call he received to a hotel in Colombia that leads him to a druglord and provides him with an introduction to the US Embassy in Bogota where the CIA station chief is a fellow Marine from his post ROTC days. Some stretches of logic bring him to a rousing finale. A quick read after a slow start.
Successful businessman Cat Catledge's charmed life comes adrift from its moorings when his wife and daughter are murdered in a boat off the coast of Colombia. The numbness he experiences in the wake of the tragedy is broken by a phone call revealing that his daughter is alive and in terrible danger. Cat goes off on a desperate search in which he is helped by an Australian soldier-of-fortune, a beautiful journalist, and, later, as his quest leads to the stronghold of a Colombian drug lord, by his long-estranged son.
Successful businessman Cat Catledge's charmed life comes adrift from its moorings when his wife and daughter are murdered in a boat off the coast of Colombia. The numbness he experiences in the wake of the tragedy is broken by a phone call revealing that his daughter is alive and in terrible danger. Cat goes off on a desperate search in which he is helped by an Australian soldier-of-fortune, a beautiful journalist, and, later, as his quest leads to the stronghold of a Colombian drug lord, by his long-estranged son.
July 4, 2019
A very early book by Stuart Woods. He was still learning to write in this one. It's the story of a man who takes his family on a long sailing vacation and gets captured by pirates, who turn out to be minions of a major drug dealer from Colombia. His wife and daughter are killed and his boat is destroyed, but he is rescued and eventually recovers his health. He then receives a phone call apparently from his daughter, who may not have died in the incident after all. He then sets off on a mission to discover what actually happened and rescue his daughter, if indeed she is still alive. He joins up with various people who help him along the way as the body count increases and he chases the villains around Colombia. This goes on until he finally manages to resolve it, but the plot is labored as is the writing. Fortunately Woods learned from this and other earlier efforts to become the writer he is today.
Read
August 20, 2025I bought it for 10 cents at a budget bookstore. Expectations were incredibly tempered, and I'd say they were met.
Middle of the road 80's thriller. The writer loves planes obviously, there's more detail and thought put into the flying sections than anything else. I looked into it, turns out he did love planes. Would fly his own around the country to book signings and events.
It's got a solid motivation for our protagonist Cat Catledge, and gets tense towards the end.
There's no crazy twists, and it's an American in the 80's take on what the inside of the drug trade looked like. It was certainly influenced and I'm sure in some part contributed to the cloud of fear surrounding drugs at the time.
Can't recommend it, but I don't regret reading it. Adds some depth to my bookshelf, much more depth than these 309 pages contained. 2.6/5.
Middle of the road 80's thriller. The writer loves planes obviously, there's more detail and thought put into the flying sections than anything else. I looked into it, turns out he did love planes. Would fly his own around the country to book signings and events.
It's got a solid motivation for our protagonist Cat Catledge, and gets tense towards the end.
There's no crazy twists, and it's an American in the 80's take on what the inside of the drug trade looked like. It was certainly influenced and I'm sure in some part contributed to the cloud of fear surrounding drugs at the time.
Can't recommend it, but I don't regret reading it. Adds some depth to my bookshelf, much more depth than these 309 pages contained. 2.6/5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews