***
After one spy novel and another about alcoholism, Jaws author Benchley returns to the sea with a straight up thriller about a seasoned fisherman coerced into helping a couple of crazies (one a scientist, the other a grieving and obsessive dad) bent on killing the giant squid that has taken up residence in the fished-out waters off Bermuda, where people are rapidly slipping down the food chain. No romantic subplots of note, no children either, just old-fashioned adventure, comfortably set in Benchley's wheelhouse, and anchored by his knowledge of boating, the sea, and ocean life. Solid escapist fare. Adapted for TV in 1996 as The Beast, starring William Petersen.
After one spy novel and another about alcoholism, Jaws author Benchley returns to the sea with a straight up thriller about a seasoned fisherman coerced into helping a couple of crazies (one a scientist, the other a grieving and obsessive dad) bent on killing the giant squid that has taken up residence in the fished-out waters off Bermuda, where people are rapidly slipping down the food chain. No romantic subplots of note, no children either, just old-fashioned adventure, comfortably set in Benchley's wheelhouse, and anchored by his knowledge of boating, the sea, and ocean life. Solid escapist fare. Adapted for TV in 1996 as The Beast, starring William Petersen.
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