Haunted by inner demons, Josh Thurlow returns home to Killakeet Island to command a small Coast Guard patrol boat manned by a colorful crew of locals. Dominating the glorious beauty of the little island is the majestic Killakeet Lighthouse, kept for generations by the Thurlow family. Its presence is a continuous reminder to Josh of the mysterious loss of his baby brother at sea seventeen years before, a tragedy for which he was blamed. But Josh is convinced that his brother might still be alive and begins searching for him even after German U-boats arrive and soak the beaches with blood.

Josh's quest puts him in the path of Otto Krebs-the most audacious of the U-boat commanders and a deadly enemy who may also hold the answers Josh is seeking. But when he meets Dosie Crossan, a young woman fighting her own war against the invaders, Josh must decide whether to risk all on a love that could destroy him or redeem him...

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 42 reviews)

The Keepers Son

You don't find to many books out there about the Coast Guard Service,and the actual roles that they did during WWI/WWII. Thank you to all the Men and Women Past and Present that serve in our USCG.
August 25, 2008

Hickam takes on fiction

Very good first fiction for Hickam of Rocket Boy fame. He has an ear for dialogue and not-overdone description. One key plot twist was telegraphed too early, but Hickam wove the story around it so well that it didn't kill it.

The story is based on a fictional Outer Banks island and the life that centers around its lighthouse and the fishermen who live there.

This is the first of a series, followed up by The Ambassador's Son (Josh Thurlow Series #2)
May 11, 2008

Desperate WWII Naval Action Off the Outer Banks

The horrendous sneak attack on Pearl Harbor focused American attention on the Pacific and the threat of German submarine attack on merchant shipping off the Atlantic coast was not appreciated. Homer Hickam writes a great story of a small Coast Guard unit based on Killakeet Island who man an 84-foot patrol boat in an attempt to forestall the U-boat aces as they destroy freighters and tankers shortly after the U.S. enters the war. Hickam describes the crew jarring transition from rescue work and fishing to desperate action against a ruthless and lethal enemy. He also includes a description of the mounted beach patrol, when cowboys along with their horses, were recruited to plug the patrol gap.

This is a entertaining story based on one of the more unique episodes in the vast conflict.

January 22, 2008

Compelling, stirring, very funny...the perfect novel

I really cant understand how anyone cannot LOVE this book...you either are coldhearted, unemotional or well i wont say anymore...If you love romance, humor, war, animals, quirkiness and life affirming themes than this is the perfect book for you...I encourage everyone to read this book...:)
December 01, 2007

lighthouse keeper's son

This was a well written suspenseful book with a touch of American history to make it even more interesting.
November 17, 2007

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

The Ambassador's Son (Josh Thurlow Novels)
by Homer Hickam

The Far Reaches (Josh Thurlow Series #1)
by Homer Hickam

Torpedo Junction: U-Boat War Off America's East Coast, 1942 (Bluejacket Books)
by Homer Hickam

Red Helmet
by Homer Hickam

Rocket Boys (The Coalwood Series #1)
by Homer Hickam