On the Mediterranean island of Gozo, Gus Harper wants nothing more than quiet days and open waters, with his decorated ex-military dog, Arty.
But one night, Gus hauls in more than fish—a young, half-drowned victim of human trafficking.
The discovery drags Gus back into a world of duty and danger, a world he’d thought he’d left behind.
LOVED IT!
What a cracking read! This book had me hooked. A heady combination of human trafficking, corruption and intrigue, with just a teensy hint of romance, against the backdrop of a small Mediterranean Island. There were some disparate but lovely characters in it that you really warmed to and wanted to protect, but some less savoury one's too (the likes of which you'd like to see have their comeuppance). With every spare moment I had, I was itching to find out what was going to happen next, and was kept right on tenterhooks through to the action packed finale (no spoilers). For me it was a real page turner.
I was stunned that this is PT Leonard's first book - he tells a great story. I can't wait to read the next in the series, especially to find out what happens with the gallant protagonist Gus, and his trusty sidekick Arty.
An Absolutely Must Read 5 Star Book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
Tide of Shadows (Sea Dog, #1) by author P.T. Leonard is a fast paced read, filled with suspense, a compelling narrative with a dramatic ending!
The description of the landscapes, the island and surrounding waters made me feel as if I was actually there while reading the story.
I loved the main characters, especially Gus and his faithful dog Arty! Gus's friends became my friends while reading this story and when something happened to one of his friends I grieved also.
I absolutely loved this story and I think you will too!
An exciting contemporary thriller set on the Mediterranean island of Gozo
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2025
This is an exciting contemporary thriller set on the Mediterranean island of Gozo, Malta’s small sister island which lies between sixty miles south of Sicily and less than 200 miles from the North African coastline. Despite its diminutive size, throughout history Malta has been prized for its strategic position for the control of trade routes, for empire building, and in times of war. Although it has a reputation for corruption, now, in times of peace, Malta is a bustling tourist hotspot that offers a warm welcome to new residents from around the world; Gozo is its quieter counterpart, a haven of towering cliffs and tradition.
And yet, all is not rosy in this rural backwater, as one resident of the western reaches is about to discover. When Gus, a former submariner, and his faithful hound Arty, pull a girl from the sea one night, they disturb the far reaching threads of an international smuggling racket that impacts people from the Middle East to the US, and threatens to drown them all.
Beautifully written with engaging and intriguing characters, this is a warm-hearted novel that’s pacy and exciting without being too gritty. As the lines of politics, business, and crime blur, and the danger builds, the tale twists and turns: who is true to their word and who is a traitor? Whilst fictional, this is a narrative of our times which, despite being a great read, reminds us of the misery wrought by human trafficking, the evils inflicted by the few on their fellow man, and the vast scale of illegal operations that span the globe outside.
If the story was set in grey tenements in a thick-set buildings of North or Eastern European city, it might feel heavy, dark and utterly appropriate. However, set under a cloudless cyan sky with sunlight dancing on a glistening cerulean sea, the shady world of society’s underbelly seems both a starker contrast and a lighter read. The book is infused with a rich sense of place as you roam an island warmed by the summer sun, where age-old golden stone walls snake between remote hamlets and low green hills rise from hidden rocky coves and where traditions are strong. There are fireworks and festas, bobbing boats and colourful kites, and good people who pull together.
And so, with love, hope and a remarkable dog, there’s every chance that things will work out ok in the end!
