Diamond Reef (Chase Gordon #1)

Former Marine Chase Gordon wants nothing more than a simple life—tending bar part-time, living aboard his 40-foot sailboat, and island-hopping through the Florida Keys and the Caribbean. But when the young wife of an old Marine buddy arrives in South Florida desperate to find her missing husband, Chase can’t turn his back.

What begins as a favor drags him into the violent underworld of drug cartels, DEA stings, and dangerous smugglers operating between Miami and the Bahamas. Caught in a deadly stand-off between one of South Florida’s most ruthless traffickers and federal agents, Chase discovers his friend may be tangled in something far worse than he imagined.

Now Chase must rely on his Marine instincts, his wits, and his sailing skills to survive—and to uncover whether his brother-in-arms can be saved.

Diamond Reef delivers nonstop action, suspense, and nautical adventure in the spirit of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee and modern Caribbean thrillers.

Diamond Reef is a gripping nautical action thriller perfect for fans of Travis McGee, Clive Cussler, and Jack Reacher at sea. Set against the vivid backdrop of South Florida, the Keys, and the Bahamas, it blends high-stakes suspense with the salt-sprayed freedom of sailing life. Expect DEA agents, ruthless drug cartels, missing persons, and a reluctant ex-Marine hero who can’t walk away from a friend in trouble. At its core, this story is about loyalty, survival, and danger on the open water. This is not a cozy mystery or a quiet romance—it’s a hard-charging, sun-soaked adventure where betrayal lurks in every harbor.