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Out of the Cold Dark Sea: A Waterfront Mystery Series With Martha Whitaker Kindle Edition

by Jeffrey D. Briggs (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 126 ratings
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Alone on a pier in the predawn rain, Martha Whitaker waits in vain for her mentor and long-trusted friend, Hewitt Wilcox. Fear had laced his last message. Hours later, when his empty van is hoisted from the frigid waters of Puget Sound, Martha sets off to find the truth of what happened to him--and to clear her own name. Resourceful, strong, and steeled by inner wounds, she’s joined by a crusading journalist, who believes Hewitt’s disappearance may reveal ugly secrets about a chapter of American history that some would prefer be forgotten. Together they’re drawn into a sinister world of forgery, murder, and betrayal. Martha is forced to confront her own dark past, where violence provided primal justice. The latest installment of the Waterfront Mystery series featuring Martha Whitaker continues in "Within A Shadowed Forest."
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Waterfront Mystery
  2. Print length
    269 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    May 15, 2019
  6. File size
    2599 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07PV2CJFJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Water's End Press; 1st edition (May 15, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 15, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2599 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 269 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 126 ratings

About the author

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Jeffrey D. Briggs

Jeffrey D. Briggs

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Writer and journalist Jeffrey D. Briggs has been covering the Seattle waterfront since he moved onto his sailboat over thirty years ago. "Out of the Cold Dark Sea," his debut novel in his Waterfront Mystery series, featuring Martha Whitaker, was published in 2019. "Out of the Cold Dark Sea," has been called “gripping,” “compelling,” and “compulsive and luscious” by critics and readers.

The “fierce, intelligent” Martha Whitaker now returns in a new waterfront mystery, "Within a Shadowed Forest."

Jeffrey has published over 350 articles in regional and national magazines, and covered boating in the Pacific Northwest as a staff writer for 48° North and editor for PNW Pacific Yachting. Publications also include “Confessions Of A Liveaboard,” and “SOUNDWATCH: An Environmental Guide For Boaters.”

A long-time resident of Seattle, Washington, he took a detour in life and moved to Rochester, Minn., where he became a biomedical science writer for Mayo Clinic, and got to preview all his future diseases. He also got to shovel many varieties of snow and experience his first Polar Vortex .

Realizing his mistake when he could no longer see out his office window because of snow drifts, he returned home to the Pacific Northwest in 2017, dropping anchor in Richmond Beach, a beachfront community just north of Seattle. With his wife and dog, he can often be found on the shores of Puget Sound, wondering what secrets lie hidden beneath those cold waters.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
126 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Redlands Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars but Not Without Criticism
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
It’s been a long time since I’ve taken the time to review a book I’ve read but this one was definitely worthy. 5 stars. The story was absolutely captivating and well written. My only gripe is that the author felt, via the story line, the need to throw in his own political leanings. Just a sentence, but still it is there. Such a turn off; almost stopped reading the book right there. In a country where there is so much hate, ugliness and division right now, I do wish artists would not use their artistic platforms to throw their two-cents in. I certainly do not read, listen or watch entertainers to gain insight where they stand. That aside, I highly recommend this book and look forward to book #2.
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Cici
4.0 out of 5 stars Twists and Turns
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021
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An intriguing book club selection chosen for its location, this proved to be full of surprises. The protagonist is tough, smart and complex. It keeps the reader engaged to the unexpected end.
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Robert D Fordice
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down - great read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
Jeffrey D Briggs’ first novel in the Seattle waterfront mystery series is truly a good read! The heroine, Martha, is a kick-ass female character who is trying to unravel the suspicious disappearance of a trusted, long time friend. All is not what it seems. There are multiple plot twists, crimes and red herrings along the way. Just when I thought I knew where the author was headed he peeled back another layer and gives us a history lesson along the way. The characters are intelligent and finely crafted and the writing is superb. I can’t wait to read the next book!
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Diane Flynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
Strong characters and intriguing story. The back story of the Mormons reminds us that prejudice and violence in the name of religion fills our collective history. I’ll be reading the next book!
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Anthony Bahnick
4.0 out of 5 stars well thought out plot and nice descriptions of settings
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
We got this book for our bookclub and we rated it a 4 out of 5. WE don't usually read mysteries as part of the book club but we did enjoy this. We really liked that it was set in Seattle but also enjoyed the historical info that was brought into the plot and the development of the main character.
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Delores Peck (Lella Rae)
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2022
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I truly enjoyed this book - its twisrs, turns and secrets. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Jeffrey Briggs' series. I love a good mystery and this one was everything I wanted!
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K. Mitchell
3.0 out of 5 stars Definite page-turner.
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2019
This mystery was a definite page-turner. Mystery is not even my genre, but I read this for book club and found myself completely engrossed. You will be rooting for this engaging heroine all the way through. As a Seattle native, I can tell you that the setting and details are very accurate and form the perfect backdrop for the story. My only critique is that the head count was a lot higher than it really needed to be. However, I recommend it wholeheartedly--a great summer read.
One person found this helpful
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Martin S Lesher
5.0 out of 5 stars Twists and turns
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
Talk about a a long road to eternity, this book is it. One great read, surprise on every page , fast and furious, confusing,
special , with unbelievable moves to the past and future.
Death and destruction,flight or fight and you need to be able to swim and drive,shoot, fight and hide.it’s a great book and I look forward to the next from this author
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