DIVISIBLE MAN - THE SIXTH PAWN
Named an Editor’s Pick by BookLife from Publishers Weekly: “A book of outstanding quality.”
In this novel, the second in a series, a pilot who can float invisibly helps his police-sergeant wife investigate a violent wedding robbery. Married couple Will Stewart and Andrea “Andy” Taylor Stewart aren’t movers and shakers. He’s an air charter pilot for Essex County Air Services in Wisconsin, on temporary suspension until the accident that injured him and wrecked his plane is fully investigated. She’s a police sergeant in Essex County, Wisconsin. Nevertheless, they’re attending a society wedding filled with billionaires because Andy belongs to a book club with the bride, kindergarten teacher (and Sen. Bob Stone’s daughter) Sandra, who’s marrying Todd Jameson, a political up-and-comer close to the governor. The fancy wedding ends in tragedy when masked gunmen burst in, stealing cash gifts and terrorizing the crowd with gunshots—one fatally wounds the bride’s father. Since his accident, for still-unexplained reasons, Will can make himself disappear, which renders him immune to gravity. He floats like an astronaut in space, but he lacks propulsion and is limited by the need for a tether, though he’s been trying to perfect a more reliable propulsion method for “the other thing,” as he dubs his ability. During the robbery, Will uses the other thing to get closer to the bad guys as they escape, and he learns a few details. The one in charge, for example, has a neo-Nazi tattoo on his hand. This clue helps lead Andy to a rural hideout for white supremacists, but signs point to a larger, more sinister political conspiracy. With Sandra now in danger, Andy, Will, and fellow pilot Cassidy Evelyn “Pidge” Page, 22, mount a daring rescue that will test Pidge’s aviation skills to the utmost. But the real behind-the-scenes player remains untouchable thanks to wealth and power—unless Will can bring off a bold and cunning plan.
Kirkus Reviews:
“Seaborne (Divisible Man, 2018), a former flight instructor and charter pilot, once again gives readers a crisply written thriller. Even minor observations are sharp: A mid-century motel, for example, looks “like a row of shoe boxes, glued together side by side.” Self-powered flight is a potent fantasy, and Seaborne explores its joys and difficulties engagingly. Will’s narrative voice is amusing, intelligent, and humane; he draws readers in with his wit, appreciation for his wife, and his flight-drunk joy. The dialogue throughout is snappy and does a fine job of revealing character, as, for example, when Earl Jackson, Will’s crusty but heart-of-gold boss, tells Sandra “Your dad and I never fight. I enlighten. He chooses not to be enlightened.” Action, too, illuminates character; for example, a dangerous flying maneuver shows Pidge’s badass, death-defying skill and bravery. Seaborne chooses his villains well, with timely links to torn-from-the-headlines issues like for-profit prisons. The book’s several action set pieces are well orchestrated and exciting, with big emotional payoffs. The ending is surprising and offers deep satisfaction, while also suggesting a new, intriguing direction for Will to use his abilities. Readers will be impatient for the novel’s planned sequel. Even more entertaining than its predecessor—a great read.”
Booklife:
“The second installment in Seaborne’s epic Divisible Man series keeps up the fast-paced action of the first book, offering a thrilling sequence of twists, turns, and high-flying action…Seaborne weaves together a crisp, intricate narrative with an engaging, likable couple at the heart of the action…Will and Andy’s easy banter and chemistry lightens the conspiracy plot line and never gets tiring, even energizing the narrative in the instances when the plot details get technical…”
Readers’ Favorites
A Five Star Review — “Seaborne…hooked me from the first page to the last. It was fast-paced and action-packed, and the action never stopped. This page-turner had me on the edge of my seat…a nail-biting book…difficult to put down. The conclusion was unexpected and deeply satisfying.”
Readers:
“Divisible Man The Sixth Pawn opens with a bang and continues to move as fast as you can turn the pages. Our hero continues to hone his new ‘gift’ with elements of surprise, wit,and humor. The partnership between Will and Andy grow beyond marital love as they become partners in crime-solving. Seaborne is developing a set of characters akin to the Indiana Jones series, with a nail-biting, on-the-edge-of-your-seat pace that doesn't stop until the very end. My favorite character is Pidge, who breaks the suspense with moments of laughing out loud. I can't wait for volume 3. Best series I've read since Harry Potter!”
“Book 2 has all the action, adventure and thrills of the first book. Will and Andrea make a great team.”
“Great sequel! Fast pace continues, and hope surfaces that the self involved "villains" of the world will get their just desserts.”
“Even better than the first! Lots of surprises. The last chapters and the first chapter of book three (a bonus!) make you crave more. Appreciate the really strong and complex female character. About time.”
“I loved this second volume in the Divisible Man series every bit as much as the first. Instead of relying on the ‘plug in a new crime’ approach, Seaborne focuses on developing his ensemble of core characters -- and his protagonist's gradual figuring out of what the heck is happening to him. His inner mystery is every bit as compelling as the crimes, conflicts and narrow escapes that propel this fast-past story. The Sixth Pawn stands on its own as a fine novel, yet also bridges the wonder of the first installment with the anticipation of more to be revealed (I hope!) in the third. Hurry up, Howard!