4 stars****
Michael F Rudder’s first novel brings a breathtaking and exciting story set in the Caribbean, but potentially affecting almost the whole world. He sets small island government off against large world superpowers.
The Barbados government changes its boundaries to extend their fishing facilities at exactly the same time as a new island is discovered, just inside their new territory.
The island has strange energy powers which set the original two super powers, the United States and Russia, and the new highest populations, India and China, wanting to seek and control the new island. The first people on the scene raise the French flag while Trinidad & Tobago want a slice of the action as it’s so close to their borders. The Pope appears to be on holiday there at the same time; he’s busy trying to change the world’s acceptance of sacred views!
The detailed involvement of spies from the assorted countries makes me wonder if Michael doesn’t know more about that subject than he’s prepared to say.
The political bickering takes a step back when two nuclear submarines crash into each other and then onto the island. The whole world needs to work together, under the guidance of Barbados, to solve the impending nuclear disaster.
You can feel Michael’s previous experience as a radio and television presenter and producer come through to present a vivid picture of life in the Caribbean, especially Barbados. This is combined with his political experience to show us the inside working of small government up against the large powers who like to get what they say, but sometimes the tiny islands stand up for themselves. Sometimes the large countries need to listen.
This book should be made into a movie, of that there is no doubt. It would involve as many diverse country locations as most Bond films, but be based around the Caribbean, especially Barbados, one of the most beautiful locations in the world. The action and dialogue is tense and heated. Perhaps he should start writing the screenplay now.
I believe I’ll go and contact the writer and sign up the movie rights options…
Popularity: 6% [?]
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