In Derelict: A Divemaster Ricky Mystery by Tracy Grogan, readers learn that before becoming a dive master, Ricky’s gear must be inspected by Malcolm. Ricky must also do an introductory dive with Malcolm and Sasha. Ricky is allowed to use her personal gear, but Malcolm requires his dive masters to be standardized. Malcolm and Sasha test Ricky in all kinds of ways and she passes with flying colors. Sasha does not return after he went diving alone on his day off. Pascal and Ricky receive a text that Sasha rented several camels and did not return them as promised. Everyone is on the lookout for Sasha but since no one knows where he went diving, it is difficult to know where to start looking for him. Pascal, Ricky, and the other staff begin the search where the camels were found in the hope that they can trace Sasha’s steps. Will they be able to find Sasha in time or will it be too late?

Derelict by Tracy Grogan has an exciting plot. The story is full of action and fast-paced. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what to expect next. I was intrigued from the beginning and the story held my attention until the end. I only put the book down when I had to. I just kept turning the pages as I was afraid I would miss something. The characters were authentic and relatable. They could be any of my friends and they were strong throughout the story. Every character’s background was fully described. The events are skillfully portrayed and I felt like part of the diving team. Tracy described the surroundings in such a way that it was easy to see them through her eyes. The ending is mind-blowing. I did not see that coming.

In a small Egyptian town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, we meet Ricky, a dive master who has just started a new job at a local scuba diving center. Among her diving buddies is a quiet, mysterious guy called Sasha. Sasha's passion for diving mainly involves solo diving at night, cruising through the shallow reef until the sun rises. Tourists flock to the center, hoping to spot sharks and other exciting aquatic life since the sea is teeming with adventures at this time of the year. But these happy moments are soon to end! Tourists begin fleeing the coast to avoid an impending conflict between the government and terrorists. During this upheaval, Sasha disappears without a trace. Ricky and her diving friends search extensively along the shore for him but are unsuccessful. After a few days, everyone except Ricky goes about their business, convinced that Sasha is no longer alive. Ricky believes Sasha is still alive and will call or appear one day. Why would Sasha leave his dream job, especially without saying goodbye to his dive buddies? Is his disappearance related to something more sinister than simply leaving his job? Pick up a copy of Derelict: A Divemaster Ricky Mystery by Tracy Grogan to find out.

Tracy Grogan's ability to vividly describe events added to the plot's allure. The scenes captivated my attention and stirred strong feelings, from the octopus's flashing displays of black, blue, and tan colors to the three gigantic turtles lazily grazing on seagrass. I appreciated the role that dialogue played in moving the plot forward. Through these dialogues, the author could bring events to the fore and anticipate others without interfering with the narrative's flow. The story was told in the first person, as seen through Ricky's eyes, which was what I adored most about this book. I believe readers will have a real-time update on each action and subsequent reaction throughout the book because of this component. There was nothing about Derelict that I disliked. It will appeal to anyone ready to be taken off the grid with a compelling plot, lots of exciting action, and intriguing marine and desert adventures.