DIVISIBLE MAN - NINE LIVES LOST

“A smart, diverting tale of an audacious aviator with an extraordinary ability.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“A pilot uses his invisibility and floating power to investigate an assault, disappearances, and UFO fanatics in this ninth installment of a thriller series.

“The boss of Wisconsin flight instructor and air charter pilot Will Stewart needs a favor. It’s no trouble for Will, especially since it gets him out of a dinner with his parents-in-law. All he’s doing is flying to a Montana ranch to look in on Tammy Day; her brother was an officer in Vietnam with Will’s boss and went missing in action. But things quickly escalate when, at the ranch, Will spots strangers chasing a man and pushing him off a cliff. This is where Will’s ability proves advantageous—he turns invisible and subverts gravity, utilizing handheld propulsion devices to control his floating. Will saves the victim, Wally Vandenlock, midplunge. The pilot learns that Wally had been searching for his aunt, who’s now apparently missing along with Tammy and others. The ranch has lately hosted what some locals call a cult, a group of “UFO devotees looking for signs from above.” Investigating further, Will realizes someone who’s part of this group has ties to an autistic boy he met just two weeks ago. Eight-year-old Boyd made his way to Will’s property all on his own. Boyd may be able to help track down the people who’ve vanished, and Will isn’t about to depart since the goons who nearly killed Wally are still out there. These vicious men show they’re more than capable of murder, raising the stakes for Will, whose amateur sleuthing takes him to Colorado and Iowa as well.

“Seaborne’s latest series entry packs a good deal of mystery. Everything Will stumbles on, it seems, dredges up more questions, from photographs at Tammy’s ranch to the law firm he drops by. But Will and his cop wife, Andy, also face obstacles at home in Essex County. Shockingly, the American president, after surviving a sniper attack, somehow implied that Andy was the would-be assassin. Now, Essex locals, wanting Andy kicked off the police force, picket the couple’s lawn. All this shady stuff in Montana and unrest in Wisconsin make for a tense narrative, as Will confronts armed baddies and both he and Andy narrowly evade gunshots. The author certainly doesn’t embellish Will’s supernatural ability; it’s simply one of the hero’s myriad skills. The talent has its flaws, too, as Will would like to fly—and tries to without relying on his devices. Regardless, it’s fun to watch him adapt; he can secretly listen to others’ conversations while invisible, so long as he’s indoors or in an outside place where he can anchor himself. Will’s periodic sarcasm is welcome, as it’s good-natured and never overwhelming. While the rest of the cast, particularly ever resilient Andy, shines, the best moments feature Will and Boyd’s entertaining banter. Will, for example, tends to call the boy “kiddo,” leaving Boyd no other choice than to remind him repeatedly what his name is. Following the story’s memorable denouement, a lengthy epilogue adds a surprising element to this installment.

“A smart, diverting tale of an audacious aviator with an extraordinary ability.” — Kirkus Reviews