A Bridge of Magpies

by Geoffrey Jenkins

U-boat off the Diamond Coast ... The U - boat veered. This was the moment I'd been waitng for. I dived. The icy water was a terrible shock. I went down, down, down. Then the U - boat's black shadow came between me and the surface, the hulk trailing weed and rust. As I kicked myself upwards my hands touched something smooth and round, with a small propeller sticking out from it. I shot to the surface, gasping from fear and lack of air. Denny was coming towards me in the Gaok. I yelled, "keep away! There's a half fired torpedo under her..."

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Action

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 1974

Reviews

[George Siehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nicely written adventure story set in the Cold War era. Former British navy captain Straun Weddell left the service and was running a small sailing ship ferrying cargoes including archeological relics unearthed on a Mediterranean island. He drinks too much and finds female companionship as he can. He is summoned home to South Africa with news that his mother is seriously ill. Upon his return he finds himself recruited by his old boss to undertake stewardship of a reputed archeological find on a guano covered island off the South West Africa coast. What follows is an unusual story line beginning in World War II featuring sunken ships and current international intrigue. High adventure, murders, and an interesting cast of characters. These include a young woman, Jutta Walsh, seeking to find out about her unknown Naval father; an Asian consumed with carrying out a family responsibility for a mystical book; and a Russian ship full of terrorist types.

South African author Geoffrey Jenkins creates tension, romance, and episodes of sailing in dangerous, storm filled waters. The book makes an exciting read set in an unusual location and featuring a romance that evolves under life threatening conditions. A recommended read.