Hurricane Mabel lies hundreds of miles off the coast of San Fernandez (a thinly-disguised Haiti), and all computer models predict she will pass harmlessly by. But Dr David Wyatt has developed a sixth-sense about hurricanes, and believes she will change course and hit the poverty-stricken country head on, causing thousands of deaths. The US Navy is not convinced, and San Fernandez's brutal dictator Serrurier only cares about crushing the rebels challenging his rule. As the hurricane approaches, the country explodes in civil war as the rebels launch their assault. Cut off from help, Wyatt and his small group of companions now face a nightmare dilemma: stay put and get smashed by the hurricane, or flee and risk getting killed in the fighting.
In many ways, `Wyatt's Hurricane' repeats the formula of Bagley's previous classic `High Citadel': small group of protagonists drawn into an outside conflict, and torn between being caught up in the fighting or risking death due to the harsh environment. And it works just as well as his previous book. The diverse bunch of protagonists (Wyatt, a journalist, a writer, an airline hostess, a middle-aged woman, and a British diplomat) are all well drawn and quite realistic characters. And there are a number of subplots, with several characters becoming separated from the group and being forced to fend for themselves. There is a care and depth to the story and characters which is not always seen in adventure writing.
Fans of Bagley's writing (in particular his early works like `High Citadel' and `The Vivero Letter') will definitely enjoy this. It's also a very good place to start for readers who are new to Bagley. A great adventure book.