WHALES' ANGELS: A husband and wife battle whalers in a seagoing adventure of international intrigue and murder

Paul J. Mila

Format ISBN Price   Paperback (6x9) 9781425939373 $ 13.40

Newlyweds Terry Hunter and ex-NYPD detective Joe Manetta are busy running their Cozumel dive operation and starting a family. But a chance encounter with a female diver from Holland leads them on a globetrotting adventure. While diving with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic, they learn a rogue sea captain is illegally hunting whales and killing activists attempting to stop the hunt.

But far more dangerous for the whales is a conspiracy led by Japan, Iceland, Finland and Norway, to overturn the International Whaling Commission’s whaling ban at the Commission’s upcoming meeting in Iceland. Terry and Joe travel to Iceland offering their assistance to save the whales and solve a cover-up reaching the highest levels of government. Their involvement entangles them in a dangerous world of international politics, intrigue, and murder, where fate has a surprise in store for them.

 

Reviews for Whales' Angels:

"In this sequel to Dangerous Waters, Paul Mila has crafted another exciting adventure-mystery featuring Terry Hunter and Joe Manetta. Like Tony Hillerman, Mila skillfully combines an intricate mystery plot with engaging characters and insights from a different culture, allowing his readers to experience the world from a novel perspective: that of the whales and dolphins who inhabit three-quarters of our planet. Don’t miss this one!"

     Judith Hemenway, author of The Universe Next Door.

 

“A solid plot, intriguing characters and a realistic depiction of scuba diving and marine creatures are the hallmarks of Paul Mila’s second novel featuring Terry Hunter and Joe Manetta. This time out, Joe and Terry get involved with activists (“Angels”) attempting to prevent a rogue sea captain from harpooning of whales in the chilly waters off Iceland. Trying to save a whale, one of the Angels ends up dead — but was it really an accident? The resolution of the mystery will keep readers —divers and non divers alike — on the edge of their seats.”
Bonnie J. Cardone, former editor of Skin Diver Magazine, author of Shipwrecks of Southern California and Fireside Diver, and member of the Women Divers’ Hall of Fame.

Paul J. Mila retired after a successful career in corporate life, and now devotes his time to writing, scuba diving and underwater photography. In pursuing a writing career, he has followed the advice of writers who said to write about what you know and like. Consequently, he has incorporated the ocean and diving as the core of his writing. This is his second novel.

Paul has photographed and dived with Caribbean reef sharks in the Bahamas, humpback whales in the Dominican Republic, and an amazing variety of sea life in Cozumel, Bonaire, Antigua and Hawaii. 

His underwater pictures are featured on diving web sites and are used in his novels to give non-diving readers a glimpse into the beauty of our undersea world.

He and his family reside in Carle Place, New York, a small town on Long Island. 

Ulf Swenson maneuvered the Arctic Wind through sleet and rolling ocean swells as he followed a large finback whale. Finally, he was in position for the kill, when his first mate interrupted him. “You must take this call, Captain.”

“Damn it! Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“I’m sorry, Captain, but it’s urgent, from the capital.”

“Give me the goddamn phone,” he snarled, grabbing the receiver from the mate. “Swenson here!” He listened for a minute, while watching the harpooner aim for a shot. “Fire the cannon! What the hell’s wrong with you?” he shouted to the gunner, while listening to the angry tirade coming through the phone. “So, what the hell do I care if Andresson got his ass reamed at a meeting?” he said to the caller. After listening for several minutes he slammed the receiver down in disgust. “Political assholes,” he hissed. “Gudmund, I have the ship in perfect position! What’s the problem out there?”

“I can’t shoot, Captain,” replied his harpooner.  “A Zodiac is in the way.”

Swenson looked ahead and saw Lara Schalken’s long blonde hair blowing in the salt spray. She was expertly piloting the Zodiac, keeping herself and two fellow crewmembers between the deadly harpoon gun and the whale, essentially acting as human shields. On the back of her orange slicker, Swenson recognized a familiar emblem he hated: an angel holding a shield, riding on a whale’s back. After weaving between the Arctic Wind and the targeted whale for twenty minutes, Lara and the crew aboard the Zodiac worried that the harpooner would recklessly fire his weapon in frustration. Finally, they watched, relieved, as the Arctic Wind broke off the chase. Swenson turned the rudder sharply to port, glaring at the Zodiac’s crew as they whooped and cheered. Lara looked back over her shoulder and saw Swenson watching her. She smiled, defiantly thrusting her fist high in triumph. No whale would be killed this day. Watching the action through his binoculars from a mile away, Jan Shalken slammed his fist on the helm in a burst of emotion. “Way to go, Lara!” he shouted.

“We’ll see what happens next time we meet,” muttered Swenson.