Deep Blue Saloon: A Novel

The hypnotic beauty of Caribbean coral reefs meets the affluence and excess of the Mexican mafia in Deep Blue Saloon. Branch Curry, a reluctant hired gun, must choose between allegiance to his crime family and the bond he's forged with a group of ocean environmentalists. The psychedelic escapism he finds in his dangerously deep diving could kill him — or it could help him find the answer to his dilemma. Branch's cover is divemaster on Chinchamos Island, but his real identity is hit man for Omar Luna, the island's crime boss. When Omar comes to odds with the dive community over development of a cruise ship pier that will destroy mangroves and coral reefs, Branch must make a choice between his real job and his cover job — again. To numb the conflict, he heads down into his Deep Blue Saloon, that place beneath the clear Caribbean waters where he can soak up the color and anesthetic splendor of nitrogen narcosis — a place to forget his troubles until he has enough money stashed to get back to the simple life. But the simple life is elusive. His sexy girlfriend Valerie has other ambitions for him, as do dive shop owner Victor, and aspiring eco-terrorist Rojo. They all see in Branch's fearlessness a means to their own ends. When his wild past catches up with him, and when he's betrayed by his mob family, Branch must make a choice without breaking his own honor.