THE PIRATES ASKED FOR RANSOM. CHRIS BLACK MADE SURE THEY PAID THE PRICE. En route to the Galapagos Islands for a deep-sea diving trip with a group of international college students under his care, marine biologist Chris Black leaves his research vessel for a single night to enjoy dinner with friends. When he returns, the ship has vanished. With crew and passengers on board. Modern-day pirates hijacked the boat, hoping to collect a lucrative ransom. Amidst the storm of the century, indomitable Chris Black chases the pirates from island to island, ­ fighting back to save the students under his care in a battle royal aboard the pirates' mysterious flagship. In the Chris Black Adventures series, marine biologists armed with knowledge and physical prowess ­fight crime on the open sea and deep under the ocean's surface. Dr. James Lindholm's ­ firsthand experience with the extreme survival conditions of underwater research missions informs all his stories. Look in the back of this book for a book club discussion guide.