Mischief's Summer

About the Book

Mischief can mean many things to different people, but author Allen Simmons piles on the drama in a stormy tale of love, deceit, assault and revenge. Protagonist, Jeff Slater, learns soon enough that disaster can happen when he fakes his age in this quirky, fascinating novel. Fifteen-year-old Jeff gets hired as a paid hand on luxury yacht Mischief owned by Clifford and Sybil Hinshaw. The owners assume Jeff is eighteen—he is big and smart for his age and Jeff does not correct their assumption because he wants a job on a big yacht. This unspoken lie leads Jeff into dangerous uncharted waters where evil happens.

Jeff’s omission regarding his age becomes crucial to him, to the Hinshaws and their seventeen-year-old daughter, Holly. Jeff learns that a yacht is an intimate space and he sees and hears things about the owners and their guests that astound his sense of decency. Enter Willow Whitlocke, best friend of Sibyl Hinshaw. Jeff does not see Willow as anyone’s friend—he see something dark and sinister in the woman and in her so-called friendship with Sybil. Holly and Jeff become more than sail-mates as they discover a malevolent scheme of Willow’s to destroy Holly’s mother. As Jeff navigates through nature’s storms and the turbulent milieu of the dysfunctional Hinshaw family, he carries on a secret romance with Holly—a first romance that brings tragedy to him and to others.

Set on New England’s pristine coast during the recovering aftermath of World War II, the story explores the excesses of a super-wealthy family as seen through the eyes of Jeff, the outsider. But many questions haunt Jeff as to what he sees and feels. The answers shock him and delve into the perennial issue of morality. Simmons’ smooth narrative flows with crisp, steady pace. His sailing and storms scenes are taut and brilliantly written. His characters reflect the time—they are edgy, provocative and unpredictable. Mischief’s Summer is a clever, well written tale with a surprising twist, which proves once again a sea dog knows how to spin a good story.

About the Author

A. F. Simmons grew up on Buzzards Bay in New England, graduated from the U. of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida with degrees in Literature and Electrical Engineering. World Traveler, seafarer, years of residence in foreign countries—twelve in Saudi Arabia—before, during and after the Gulf War. It was in Saudi Arabia on his own boat on the Red Sea when he reflected on all his sailing experiences all over the world. He filled a notebook of ideas for stories—both fiction and nonfiction. Mischief’s Summer is his debut novel. He now lives on the Gulf Coast in Texas. Cover Photos by Amanda Barone.