Dead Reckoning

Dark Waters, Book 3

By: Bruno Miller

Narrated by: Andrew Tell

A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival series

Navigating through one storm builds courage for the next. Spencer and his faithful Labrador Retriever, Finn, continue their quest to reach his girlfriend, Kate, in Stuart, Florida, before she becomes another casualty of the chaos caused by the EMPs that have crippled the eastern seaboard and possibly the country.

Leaving Marathon, Florida, in lawless turmoil behind them, Spencer, and his newly minted crew, consisting of Rob, Natalie, and their daughter Maya, soon realize the open ocean is no safe haven. With the potential for danger lurking behind every wave and conditions rivaling those found on shore, Spencer and the others are forced to fight for their survival on the high seas.

As time runs out for Kate in Stuart, Spencer must overcome the odds that threaten to break his resolve and test his skills as a Coast Guard veteran in a race against the clock where he finds himself the de facto captain of the recently commandeered Black Bird. Success requires more than just a steady hand—it demands a crew bound by trust and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make it through.

Brutal storms, murderous pirates and desperate travelers fleeing the EMP ravaged coast, who seem more than willing to abandon all vestiges of civility, are only the beginnings of the challenges they will face together as a team. Can Spencer find a way to navigate the dangers ahead, bring his crew together, and reach Kate before it's too late?

©2024 Bruno Miller (P)2025 Bruno Miller

Still Listening

So good I just can't stop listening to find out what calamity will happen next

The main character…oof

Enduring Spencer, the excessively whiny protagonist, feels like sandpaper eroding my patience. As someone with a touch of OCD, I usually feel compelled to finish what I start, even if it’s unenjoyable, but this might be an exception. I find myself wishing the author would write Spencer out of the story entirely.
While listening, Spencer’s constant complaints grate on my nerves. I’m about 20 minutes into the third book and had forgotten how insufferably self-absorbed he is. He spends roughly 50% of his time second-guessing himself, 40% dwelling on improbable scenarios he doesn’t even try to address—just whines about—and only 10% on meaningful thought.
The author attempts to introduce secondary characters, but their lack of depth reduces them to mere shallow foils, underdeveloped outlines of what could have been. The book, with Spencer at its core, is a challenging listen. But what do I know?