Competent thriller goes on a little too long. A criminal with an ego the size of Britain and three accomplices rob a movie theater and end up holed up in a lighthouse off the coast with a storm brewing. Despite the claustrophobic situation, Garve still doesn't give a lot of depth to his characters, who, in addition to the four criminals, include three lighthouse keepers. We do learn a lot about lighthouses, however, and the lighthouse emerges as the most interesting character of all.

Things happen, and the reader's interest is held as the situation deteriorates, but the story generates no great suspense, probably because none of the characters is particularly easy to identify with. The elements prove themselves more decisive than any actions the humans take. The last few pages of the book are the best, however, and things end on a rousing high note.

This was my first time reading Garve. He has a distinct lack of style, and his exposition is often a bit clumsy. The story's atmosphere does benefit through the use of a lot of British informal speech that I had to look up in a dictionary. I would not rule out reading another of his books. He isn't the most exciting companion--but he is well mannered. ( )