With a walloping beginning in which Stone is almost killed by two thugs, “Swimming to Catalina” then picks up where “Dead in the Water” ended and moves along to a dashing finish. In this narrative Woods does some things that don’t really add up with the situation he has created. For instance Stone, who many think is dead does not keep a low profile and he even takes some time out for some very graphic sexual activity with a woman who could run back to some other characters and reveal that he is not dead. Even so, “Swimming to Catalina” is exciting with great writing and fascinating characters that move the tale along.
Swimming to Catalina
Stuart Woods
Harper Fiction
10 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022
www.harpercollins.com , 978-0-06-171193, $9.99, www.amzon.com