BLOGTOUR, BOOK REVIEW - Emergency Drill by Chris Blackwater

 

                                                                     BOOK SYNOPSIS

Shortlisted for the 2020 Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger award.

Newly qualified offshore medic, Danny Verity, arrives on the Cuillin Alpha oil platform shortly before a storm damages the satellite system, severing the crew's only mode of communication to the mainland.

It isn't long before he is forced to carry out emergency surgery on an injured crewmate, whose accident he suspects was a result of sabotage, when another member of the crew disappears and yet another is attacked.

Then his casualty dies, and a sinister voice claiming to be that of the Pied Piper makes a threatening announcement on the PA system before Danny finds it damaged.

While the North Atlantic sea rages around them, Danny must find and stop the saboteur before anyone else gets hurt. But with no way of calling for help and unable to risk escaping on the lifeboats, it seems the crew are trapped aboard the platform with a killer.

This gripping, atmospheric thriller is voiced entirely from the perspective of Danny Verity, a newly qualified offshore medic who's quest to earn some much needed cash results in him finding himself trapped on a Scottish oil platform with a group of strangers and a very resourceful and devious saboteur/murderer. As mistrust and suspicion creeps its way along the dimly lit corridors and begins to infect the various members of the crew, Danny is compelled to channel his inner detective and try to figure out what the hell is going on, who the killer is and the motive behind their actions. With a fierce storm raging outside,the air within the rig crackling with undercurrents of tension and mutiny and a vicious killer managing to keep one step ahead of their pursuer, Danny finds himself in a desperate race against the clock to find the fugitive before time runs out for the platform and everyone trapped onboard.

I really really liked Danny, I loved his wicked sense of humour and sarcastic comments, I loved how the author had added depth and dimension to his character by giving him various character flaws and a realistic backstory. He wasn't perfect but he was gutsy,intelligent and determined to uncover the truth behind the events that were unfolding aboard the Cuillin Alpha. He started the story a bit of a loner and I loved witnessing the changes in his thoughts and feelings for certain members of the crew as the story unfolded. I also thought that Gemma Gauld was a fantastic character, she was loud and brassy Scottish lass who refused to take any crap from any of the men aboard the platform. The rest of the crew members were a eclectic mix of vivid individuals,some likeable and trustworthy,some not so likeable and prepared to turn on a person quicker than you could flip a switch on one of the many control panels.

The plot included some fascinating and informative information about the inner workings of a oil platform, just enough to give the reader a understanding of the setting but not so much that it caused you to lose interest in the story. There was also some references to the explosion and sinking of the Piper Alpha on the 6th of July 1988 which resulted in the tragic deaths of 165 of the men onboard.

Emergency Drill is a fast paced, action packed, thrill ride that hits the ground (or should that be platform) at top speed from very early in the story. The reader is hardly given a opportunity to draw in a breath as the story rockets through various twists and turns as it works it's way towards the unveiling of the killer's unexpected identity. I would love to watch a movie or tv adaptation of this addictive thriller and if I could, I would award it far more than five stars. A absolutely bloody brilliant debut that's very very highly recommended by little old me.

                                                                       AUTHOR BIO

Chris Blackwater is a chartered engineer from Leeds. He began writing to entertain himself while working away on offshore oil platforms, power stations and shipyards. His career has taken him all over the world to many unusual locations and introduced him to some remarkable characters. His short stories have appeared in a variety of publications and anthologies.

 In recent years Chris has gradually drifted down to the south coast of England where he now spends his spare time kayaking and sailing on the Solent.

PUBLICATION DATE: 18th January 2022

PURCHASE LINK.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emergency-Drill-Chris-Blackwater-ebook/dp/B09KXBZNF8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XBV19YD4C94C&keywords=Emergency+drill&qid=1642981070&s=books&sprefix=emergency+drill%2Cstripbooks%2C226&sr=1-1

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