Imagine awaking on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. You realize you are alone, where is your new husband? You've been married only hours and he's gone. You do what you should. You go for help. Instead, you are now accused of something unimaginable. You become the criminal. This is the opening Lauren E. Rico gives the reader in After the Ocean.
Emilia and Paul, married a very short time, are on the honeymoon cruise when he disappears. She is then thrown into a maze of confusion and sorrow. Her only hope is a Puerto Rican detective, Miguel, that really has no jurisdiction in international waters making the situation increasingly suspicious. Why has he been called in to a situation typically handled by the FBI? It doesn't take long for the reasons to become apparent and swift decisions have to be made before someone else becomes a victim.
Paul comes from a wealthy and powerful family. In the families mind, Emilia simply isn't worthy of him. This realization starts a 30 year mystery that will bring forward the ugliness of family disputes, the harm of secrets, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the undying power of love.
Rico tells the story through multiple key characters, each having a solid base the reader can relate to and understand. Even though there are several voices, each voice has its own personality that can be followed with ease. The timeline is over 30 years so the chapters go back and forth. The flow of the story allows for the transitions in time. In fact, these transitions are necessary to make the story as interesting as it is.
I would recommend Lauren E. Rico's After the Ocean to readers that enjoy mystery/thriller. It is also a good story for readers that enjoy family dramas that can work out even when horrible events plague the past.
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