As a reader, I love the Thunder Bay series! When I searched for comparable books and authors, I found suggestions I agreed with and a few more I’d suggest: Let’s start with some close matches and whether I agree with them or not:
- Dana Stabenow: Known for her Kate Shugak and Liam Campbell series, Stabenow is a quintessential Alaskan author. Her work aligns with Rocky Bay through its deep immersion in Alaskan culture, the commercial fishing industry, and the tension between locals and environmental/regulatory bodies.
Absolutely agree. She writes ‘real Alaska’ the one I live in, know, and love.
- Peter Heller: Author of The River and The Guide, Heller writes high-stakes wilderness survival thrillers. His focus on the unforgiving power of nature and human treachery in isolated settings mirrors Mack’s struggle against the 45-foot rogue wave and Jack’s hijack plot.
I have never read his books (I might, just to see…) but I wouldn’t classify any of the Seiner Series as ‘thriller’. Suspenseful at times, yes. But to me ‘thriller’ means I’m reading on the edge of my seat, like The Bourne series (LOVED that series!) or anything written by Tom Clancy. And, since I have your attention, I’ll just add that The Hunt for Red October is probably one of my favorite movies ever.
- Sebastian Junger: While best known for the non-fiction masterpiece The Perfect Storm, Junger’s detailed exploration of maritime mechanics, the danger of commercial fishing, and rogue waves provides a tonal match for the technical and visceral descriptions of the Stormy C navigating the Gulf of Alaska.
Ha! Max loves the movie, The Perfect Storm! Yes, I think it’s a good match, because it really got into the grit of trying to make a living from the sea. I think it’s a good match.
- C.J. Box: Although primarily set in Wyoming, Box’s Joe Pickett series often centers on the clash between independent outdoorsmen and government regulations (like Fish and Game), as well as the defense of a traditional way of life against encroaching outside pressures.
I keep getting C.J. Box’s books pushed in front of me (Max and I both read Louis L’Amour) because of my reading history. But from what I’ve seen, these stories are more crime (murder? gore?) than I read. I don’t think it’s a good match.
- Stan Jones: An Alaskan author whose Nathan Active mysteries are set in the rugged North. His work captures the geographic isolation and the unique communities found in Alaska.
I loved Stan Jones’s books. Like Dana Stabenow, he’s lived in Alaska for a long time and he writes very well. I have no patience for writers who spend a week at a hotel in Homer and think they know Alaska. Pffhhht. Stan Jones is a great match, in my opinion.
I’m surprised that Clive Cussler didn’t hit as a match. Max and I have read every book he wrote. We have our favorites (I love the Sam and Remi Fargo series; Max likes The Oregon Files best). I really enjoy his mix of personal life with outrageous adventures that take me all over the globe. And, of course, they’re almost all on water somewhere on earth. Big plus there.
Something I deeply admire about Clive is that he gave title credit to other authors. That’s a big deal in a world where big name authors deny having ghostwriters. It ticks me off to find vastly different writing styles under one author name. I study writing too much to be taken in by that bullshit. Clive leant his name and his characters to other writers, who created something Clive’s fans wanted: MORE! I respect that so much and I wish other big-name bestselling authors had the integrity to do the same.
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