Terror at Bottle Creek

Terror at Bottle Creek is a fiction novel by author Watt Key.  I would classify the book as action / adventure.  The events in the book happen quickly and will certainly keep you turning the pages!  While the characters and the hurricane are fictional, Watt Key's events take place in real locations that can be found in southern Alabama.  He explains in the "Author's Note" at the end of the novel that he has seen many hurricanes in his time and based the events in this book on the events in his life.  The book is just over 200 pages and has short chapters that keep the action going.

Cort is a high schooler who lives with his dad on a houseboat on the coast of Alabama just outside Mobile.  Cort's dad is a river guide and takes customers out for hunting and fishing excursions on the Mobile and Tensaw Rivers.  Cort's dad also helps manage the docks and boat slips at the Covall's property, where their houseboat is moored.  Mr. Stovall has recently passed away, so Cort and his dad help manage their property and take care of odd jobs around the house for Mrs. Covall and her two girls in exchange for being able to live on the property.  Cort's dad is struggling with the absence of Cort's mom, who has recently left them both and living away from the life of the river and surrounding swamp.  Cort has grown up in these parts, but beginning to question if the river life is meant for him as well. Hurricane Igor, a category 3 hurricane, is heading their direction, so Cort and his dad begin the routine of preparing for the storm by collecting supplies, boarding up windows, and taking care of the boats in the slips.  Cort and his dad have no choice but to stay with the Covalls since their houseboat is too much of a threat in the storm.  A few hours before the storm arrives, Cort's dad heads out for a few final supplies and never returns.  When he does not respond on their two-way radio, Mrs. Covall decides to head out looking for him before things get really bad.  Cort and the Covall girls, Francie and Liza, receive a call from Mrs. Covall that she has found Cort's dad and they are safe, but the road are impassable - meaning the kids will have to ride out the hurricane at the Covall house alone.  They have all the supplies they need and are prepared, but the night does not go as they hoped.  When the night takes a very unexpected turn for the worst, Cort is left to protect the girls in the midst of the storm - from the rain, winds, and destruction of the hurricane, but also from the wild animals of the south Alabama swamps that also seek refuge from the dangers of the storm.

I would certainly recommend this story to both guys and girls alike.  Cort is a kind and relatable young man, who will appeal to readers of all ages.  Watt Key is an Alabama native, so this book is great for Alabama folks used to the busy hurricane seasons and vast wildlife.  I would also recommend this book for readers who enjoyed the I Survived series in elementary school.  This novel has a similar feel to it and is packed with action and unexpected turns.  Watt Key is so descriptive in his telling, you will feel as if you are experiencing the dangers of the hurricane yourself!