A deep dive, to almost thirty metres, thirty miles off the coast of Alabama, USA goes horribly wrong. In strong current, their anchor line – their safe route to the surface and back to the boat – breaks free. Three divers are separated and eventually surface – only to find themselves alone and adrift in the water. Their boat and the skipper are nowhere in sight and their fight for survival, against the odds, starts.

However, Deep Water by Watt Key is not merely about the trials and tribulations facing the divers. The author brings several strands together that make up the story. The main character and narrator is Julie Sims, the twelve year-old heroine, growing up and coping with the divorce of her parents and being torn between them. During the story she grows into a compassionate young woman who displays a level of resolve and resourcefulness that would flatter the most experienced adult diver. The other two main characters, also adrift in the ocean, are Mr Jordan and his son Shane; a domineering father and antagonistic son who “are reckless enough to get themselves into trouble down there” (pp 6-7). Neither of these two characters are likeable.

It is the interplay between Julie and Shane, and their reconciliation that sets this book apart from a mere survival story. I suspect that initially a reader wouldn’t be bothered about the fate of the Jordans.

However, as the story progresses you want Julie and Shane to survive. Skilfully, the author keeps his audience waiting almost to the bitter end before the book reaches a conclusion. You will have to read it to see what happens!

On the back cover of Deep Water, a quotation from the Wall Street Journal describes the book as a “gripping tale of endurance for young readers”. It certainly is – even though I am sure much older readers, even those of my age, will enjoy and appreciate it. Whilst Deep Water may have been directed towards a younger audience it is definitely not restricted to them.

Also, on the back cover, is a quotation from Booklist, the American Library Association’s review publication. It notes that “Readers hungry for an epic tale of gruelling odds will also find lessons in bravery, resourcefulness, and practical survival skills”. As the tale unfolds I suspect readers, like me, will start to consider what they would do, how they would act if put in a similar perilous diving situation. I would like to think I would behave in a similar way – but I’m not sure I would have survived before hypothermia claimed me.

The attention to detail, and simple, logical explanation of vital survival skills, makes this book worthy of reading. Certainly, the story confirms my practise of always carrying a couple of scuba straps and carabiners … line cutter and SMB. What emergency kit do you carry?

• Deep Water (2018)
• By Watt Key
• ISBN 9781250294395
• 264 pages

About Watt Key:

Watt received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham-Southern College, Alabama, USA. He subsequently earned his MBA from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. While working as a computer programmer, he began submitting novels to major publishers.

His debut novel, Alabama Moon, was published in 2006. Watt currently lives with his wife and three children in Mobile, Alabama. Other books written by Watt Key include: Dirt Road Home (2010), Terror at Bottle Creek (2016),  Hide Out (2017)

Further information about Watt Key, and other books he has written, can be obtained from his website www.wattkey.com

Find out more about Professor Fred Lockwood, who is also a published author, at www.fredlockwood.co.uk.