If you love books based on the Florida Keys, a new novel by author Eric Douglas is set for official release this week.
Douglas’ latest thriller, “The 3rd Key: Sharks in the Water,” includes ancient history, modern intrigue, treasure hunters and mysterious religious orders set against the backdrop of Key Largo, in the Florida Keys, both above and below the water.
The book’s hero, Mike Scott, is an international photojournalist with a love for scuba diving and the ocean. His travels often lead him to stories around the world. Earlier books in the Mike Scott series have taken him to Grand Cayman, southern California, Italy, North Carolina and Cuba, Mexico, and Curacao. Every novel takes readers to the location and gives them a look inside the local history, culture and scenery, as well as brings them along for an exciting story.
In the latest book, sharks are attacking divers in the Florida Keys and Mike Scott barely survives the first incident. With the sharks especially aggressive, attacking in groups and not retreating, it’s almost like someone is controlling them. The discovery that a narco sub full of drugs sank nearby is one explanation, but that doesn’t explain why all the activity is focused around the Christ of the Abyss statue in Key Largo and not the sub itself.
Douglas spent his childhood Sunday nights watching “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” and grew up to become a diver, and then a dive instructor, meeting his goals and pursuing a life of adventure and travel.
On “The 3rd Key,” Douglas says:
“Mike Scott has been all over the world for adventures, but I wanted him to be closer to home for this story. The history of the Christ of the Abyss statue in Key Largo has always interested me so I wanted to tie in an alternate reality behind the creation and sinking of that statue into this story.
“I’m actually a big fan of sharks and love to see them in the water. They are beautiful, elegant creatures. I am hopeful that one of the takeaways from this story is that sharks are not mindless killing machines and the only reason they would act like that is if man is behind it.”
The novel is available in softcover and Kindle formats. For more info, check out Douglas’ website at booksbyeric.com.
