Undercurrent

In Undercurrent, a crime fiction novel, Jack Franco, a combat decorated veteran drowns under somewhat suspicious circumstances. Undercurrent is set in a sleepy harbor town in northwest Washington. It all begins when Paul Bannon, former Army buddy of Jack is fired unexpectedly and decides he needs a break from the fast paced life of Los Angeles. He heads up to Little Bay Harbor to check on Jack who has gone radio silent for the past year. As he spends time with Jack he begins to understand the self-inflicted and tragic world that Jack has created for himself. Paul is determined to help Jack but becomes conflicted when he finds himself falling in love with Jack's wife, Swan. To Paul, Swan's world seems tragic as well. There is a subtle but constant tension among the Franco family and their close friends.

Paul is a soldier. And he is a problem solver. He has killed before and wonders if he can do it again albeit under very different circumstances. He carefully plans a boating adventure with Jack and Swan. A series of fast paced events result in Jack's drowning. The drowning is initially ruled accidental but when more evidence begins to surface, Paul is indicted for second degree murder. In a turn of events it seems that Paul's indictment may have been premature.

Central to the plot is Jack's wife Swan. She runs the family owned bakery with Jack's aging mother Millicent. Swan is manipulative. She is trapped in a cycle of endless boredom and a loveless marriage. She dreams of a life filled with freedom and excitement. She sees no possibility of escaping her situation until Paul appears and stays longer than he planned. Their affair marks the beginning of a treacherous path of deceit and death.