Years after his wife dies in a mafia hit gone wrong, Garrison Gage finally pieces together a life for himself in the Oregon coastal town of Barnacle Bluffs. Some days the cranky private investigator with the bum knee and the caustic wit could even call himself content. Maybe even happy. But marrying again? Never.
Yet not long after quirky Rita Rodriguez enters the scene, Gage can't imagine life without her. Unfortunately, when dark secrets violently emerge--involving first loves, tragic loss, and, strangest of all, a Spanish galleon that sunk in 1642 loaded with treasure--their relationship enters turbulent waters.
Worse, the same deadly undertow that drags Gage into the darkness also threatens everyone around him. His friends. His enemies. Even the town itself . . .
Scott William Carter’s first novel, The Last Great Getaway of the Water Balloon Boys, was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “touching and impressive debut� and won an Oregon Book Award. Since then, he has published many books and short stories, his fiction spanning a wide variety of genres and styles. His book for younger readers, Wooden Bones, chronicles the untold story of Pinocchio and was singled out for praise by the Junior Library Guild. He is the author of the popular Garrison Gage mystery series set on the Oregon coast, as well as the provocative Myron Vale Investigations, about the private investigator in Portland, Oregon who works for both the living and the dead. He’s also the cartoonist behind the Run of the House comic strip.
If that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, in his “day job� life he works as an Instructional Designer and Digital Production & Publishing Specialist at Western Oregon University, where he manages the Digital Media Center and provides training and expertise to the campus community on a variety of topics, including Web page creation, digital video production, print-on-demand and ebook publishing, and many software applications related to publishing, distribution, and education in all its forms. He also teaches occasional classes for both the English department and the College of Education.
In past lives, he has been an academic technologist, a writing instructor, bookstore owner, the manager of a computer training company, and a ski instructor, though the most important job � and best � he’s ever had is being the father of his two children. He currently lives in Oregon with his wife and two children.
Love this series. A Deep and Deadly Undertow included a character and a relationship with Garrison that I didn't like, hence the two-star rating. I intend to continue following the series. The plot is good, and Garrison Gage is an excellent character.
While I liked this book and reading about Gage again, I don't think it was up to par with the previous books. I thought the mystery/hook pirate ship plot was boring and uninspired. I enjoyed reading about all the characters again, and really liked the character of Rita, but it took a long time to get to anything really interesting (like the last 10%). I do look forward to continuing to read about Gage and will get the next book.
PI Gage is dating Rita (teacher he encountered in his last book). Seems he's getting serious and the book begins with Gage asking her to marry him and being knocked out while doing it. Then it goes back to how their romance started, her military ex & their friends from high school.
While telling their story, Gage's adopted daughter returns from college to run the campaign of his friend Alex's wife Eve for mayor. She informs him that she's changing her major to become a defense attorney and it doesn't go over well. Seems every other book, they are at odds and not speaking.
Meanwhile, Gage gets hints that all was not right with Rita & her friends. Ex-husband Lance & friend Beau were treasure hunters which brings danger to them all. Will Gage's new romance survive & will he solve the case?
He's like a dog with a bone when faced with a puzzle and won't give up but he still hasn't had his gimpy knee fixed!
Garrison Gage is a fascinating character and once again he is involved in a mystery. Couldn’t put the book down. This story take Garrison down a new path, and the story involves possible pirate ships and a lost treasure. The twists and turns leave the reader perplexed with an unexpected ending- that feels unfinished . Or perhaps will be continued in the next novel. All in all a great read.
Wow this book left a huge scar and going forward will be interesting 🤔! It looks like the end of a long chapter Is over but the future is calling and it looks very different. Unlike past books, this book closed the door to a strange and unkind feud between Gage and other characters. This book was difficult to get into but the twist at the end was kinda known. Looking forward to book 8
Disappointed. G-Gage books 1-4 were great! Then #5 was dull and slow. Since #6 was last in series (at that time), I convinced myself to read it. Mistake. Duller and slower. Many months later, #7 is available and I'd forgotten how bad 5 and 6 were. Ugh! #7 is the dullest, and by far the slowest. Was so bored I just skimmed and flipped pages. Same dull plot, different boring characters.
Another good Garrison Gage story. i have read them all and have enjoyed them all. the characters are very different with the Curmudgeonly garrison at the centre and his friends and his difficult daughter to deal with.
The setting is really good and one gets a real feel of the Oregon coast and area.
There is a lot to like about Garrison Gage..but I wish he were more grown up. Maybe get therapy for his anger issues and his need to punch someone that always lands him in jail Pretty good yarn about shipwrecks, treasure, and his ability to alienate those he wants help from His breakup with Rita made no sense
I was so happy to see Carter had a new Garrison Gage book. I am so absorbed by this series. I literally read till it's over. Right through mostly. This most recent book was the same way. A really well done story. Thanks Mr Carter.
Found this very difficult to follow. The author is a wonderful writer but there were times I didn’t know if I was reading a novel or fiction. I preferred Ben porter in false assurances and threat bias with a third coming!
Enough with the shattered knee already. It would be interesting to know how much space has been dedicated to descriptions of issues about the knee over the course of seven books, but I for one, am tired of it. Mabey knee replacement surgery could get equal space?
This is a very good mystery with lots of good twists and turns. As a fan of this series this was not my favorite ending. Just when you think you know where the story is going it takes a turn. This is a good story but a little sad.
love the entire series... i hope it continues... it cant end here... true depiction of the central oregon coast...Gage is the friend you both hate and love
Another novel by this fabulous author. This latest book in the Gage Garrison series is top notch. It keeps you guessing right to the end. I’m looking forward to what happens in Gage’s life next.