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Book Review: A diving thriller trilogy by J. F. Kirwan
I love to read a good book onboard a flight to a diving destination, or as we relax at the end of the diving day whilst sat on the top deck of a liveaboard or enjoying the final bits of sunshine on the beach. And with all the travelling I do, I get through a huge number of books, and so, I was delighted to meet Barry Kirwan on a recent liveaboard trip to Egypt. We were sat in the lounge of Emperor Asmaa and he was typing away on his laptop, or at least that was what he was trying to do, but I kept interrupting him. I finally asked what he was up to, and he said he was writing a book, and that he had already published a trilogy of thrillers that featured scuba diving. I was intrigued and wanted to know more…
As soon as I got home, I ordered all three and downloaded them onto my Kindle app on the iPad. I love a “real” paperback book, but the trilogy is only available as ebooks, so I would have to make do. The trilogy: 66 Meters, 37 Hours and 88° North revolve around a strong central female character called Nadia Laksheva, a Russian who gets caught up in saving the world, whilst trying to save her sister. The main characters, Nadia and Jake (Ex-MI6 intelligence analyst) are both divers, and each adventure sees them diving somewhere in the world, sometimes in exotic locations, and sometimes less so!
The pace of the books is perfect and, to use a cliché, they are real page-turners. I found myself staying up far too late each night, just to see how their latest escapade turns out. They are edge-of-your-seat thrillers with a hint of old-school James Bond style espionage intertwined. The stories are well-told, and as Barry is an experienced diver, the dives are beautifully described and, as far as I know, technically correct too. Each book grabbed my attention right from the very first page and held me to the very end.
My only criticism of the trilogy is the somewhat stereotypical portrayal of sharks as mindless killing machines. I understand that these books are thrillers and meant to be tense and exciting but as our two lead characters are both experienced divers, their fear of sharks did not ring true to me. But then I am particularly sensitive to this issue.
Each of the three books was a compelling read. They had great plots that will appeal to divers, as well as anyone that loves a good thriller. Aside from our two lead characters, a host of well-rounded supporting cast members are there to keep you wondering who exactly are the goodies and who are the baddies and how will it all turn out… Well, I don’t want to give the story away, so you will just have to read them yourselves.
Take them on your next diving holiday, although you may end up skipping a dive or two, as you get fully immersed in the world of Nadia Laksheva!
For more information about the author click here: www.jfkirwan.com.
The books can be bought here: www.amazon.co.uk/J.F.-Kirwan/e/B01KWTDN7U.
A head-to-toe camouflage look that focuses on style and comfort
Designed to provide an unforgettable diving experience, the DYNAMICNORD SE series wetsuits offer everything you need. They feature a unique camouflage design and protect you while offering optimum freedom of movement and keeping you warm.
Sometimes, divers just want a special look. In this case, the camouflage wetsuits from DYNAMICNORD are the perfect choice. Made from extremely robust, abrasion-resistant limestone neoprene, the SE-C wetsuits are built to last. Nevertheless, the neoprene is also soft and stretchy to offer all divers a high degree of comfort.
The SE series suits are optimally sealed thanks to their back zipper with flap and their design allows you to easily close and open them by yourself. They also have reinforced shoulders and knees to protect high-wear areas and extend the life of your neoprene suit.
The SE camouflage series suits are available in neoprene thicknesses of 3 and 5mm.
To complete the camouflage look, DYNAMICNORD also offers matching essentials, such as the MC-15 two-lens mask and SC-10 snorkel. They both feature a blue camouflage design, as well as the AF-70 freediving fins, which are available in a matching shade of blue. A head-to-toe camouflage look that focuses on style and comfort.
The SE series suits in camouflage look are now available from DYNAMICNORD retailers and in the online shop.
SE-31-C/SE-32-C: 3mm Men/Women – recommended retail price: £183
SE-51-C/SE-52-C: 3mm Men/Women – recommended retail price: £238
Size Men: S-3XL incl. ML
Size Women: S-2XL
Mares in the U.S.A. has announced an exclusive limited-time offer designed to keep divers safe and well-equipped underwater this summer dive season.
From June 15 through August 1, 2025, customers who purchase select Mares regulators will receive a free octopus—no extra costs, just added value.
Whether you’re upgrading your setup or gearing up for your next dive adventure, this promotion is the perfect opportunity to get premium Mares performance at a reduced cost.
Eligible regulators include:
- ATLAS 62X
- EPIC ADJ 82X
- ATLAS ADJ 62X TBP
- SXS 62X
- DUAL 15X
- ULTRA ADJ 82X
- DUAL ADJ 62X
- DUAL ADJ 62X – 75th Anniversary Edition
Choose from one of the following octos—free with your eligible regulator purchase:
- DUAL
- DUAL ADJ
- LOOP
- SXS
- ULTRA
- ULTRA ADJ
This promotion is available only at participating Mares dealers and while supplies last. It is not valid for purchases made through Mares.com.
Don’t spend another summer with outdated gear. Visit your nearest Mares dive center and take advantage of this incredible offer today!
To find a participating dealer near you, click here – https://www.mares.com/en_US/partner-locator.
About Mares
Founded in 1949 by Ludovico Mares in Rapallo, Italy, Mares is a worldwide leader in manufacturing innovative, high-performance scuba diving, snorkeling, and freediving equipment. From recreational divers to advanced technical enthusiasts, Mares is dedicated to enhancing the underwater experience through cutting-edge technology, comfort, and safety. Mares is a member of the HEAD Sports Group.
Find out more about Mares products at www.mares.com.
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