Linda Greenlaw

Linda Greenlaw is an American author and commercial fishing boat captain, notable for being one of the few women in the profession. She gained widespread recognition after being mentioned in Sebastian Junger's 1997 book "The Perfect Storm" as captain of the Hannah Boden, sister ship to the ill-fated Andrea Gail. Her writing career began with the 1999 bestseller "The Hungry Ocean," a non-fiction account of her experiences as a commercial fisher. She has since authored multiple books including both non-fiction works about fishing and a mystery series set in Maine's fishing communities. Before becoming an author, Greenlaw spent 17 years as a commercial fisherman and worked as captain on a swordfish boat. She holds the distinction of being the only female swordfishing boat captain on the East Coast of the United States during that time. Beyond her maritime career and writing, Greenlaw has served as a motivational speaker and has been featured in documentaries about commercial fishing. She continues to fish commercially while residing on Isle au Haut, Maine, where she also works as a lobster boat captain.

Readers appreciate Greenlaw's authentic portrayal of commercial fishing life and her clear, detailed writing style. Many note her ability to explain technical maritime concepts to general audiences without losing the intensity of life at sea. What readers liked: - Direct, honest narrative voice - Accurate depiction of fishing industry culture - Balance of technical detail with personal stories - Strong sense of place in Maine settings What readers disliked: - Some find the technical fishing details excessive - Later mystery novels received criticism for predictable plots - Several readers note repetitive descriptions across books Ratings across platforms: - "The Hungry Ocean" (Goodreads: 3.9/5 from 3,800+ ratings) - "The Lobster Chronicles" (Amazon: 4.4/5 from 200+ reviews) - "Slipknot" (Goodreads: 3.5/5 from 1,200+ ratings) One reader noted: "She writes about fishing the way someone who truly loves it would - with respect for the ocean and deep knowledge of the craft." Another commented: "Too much technical jargon made parts feel like a fishing manual rather than a memoir."

The Hungry Ocean (1999) A detailed account of a 30-day swordfishing expedition aboard the Hannah Boden in the Grand Banks.

The Lobster Chronicles (2002) Chronicles the author's experiences as a lobster boat captain on Isle au Haut, Maine.

All Fishermen Are Liars (2004) Collection of fishing stories and adventures from the author's career at sea.

Seaworthy (2010) Documents the author's return to swordfishing after a 10-year hiatus and the challenges faced during a difficult voyage.

Lifesaving Lessons (2013) Memoir describing the author's experience becoming the legal guardian of a troubled teenager.

Slipknot (2007) Marine investigator Jane Bunker investigates a suspicious death in a small Maine fishing town.

Fisherman's Bend (2008) Jane Bunker pursues a case involving a missing marine inspector and illegal activities on the Maine coast.

Shiver Hitch (2017) Jane Bunker investigates a suspicious house fire and death on a remote Maine island.

Bimini Twist (2018) Jane Bunker searches for a missing recreational sailor while uncovering a complex web of crimes.

Sebastian Junger writes about maritime disasters and dangerous professions, including "The Perfect Storm" which featured Greenlaw. His focus on commercial fishing, survival at sea, and non-fiction adventure parallels Greenlaw's work.

Mark Kurlansky produces books about fishing, maritime history, and the fishing industry's impact on civilization. His books "Cod" and "The Big Oyster" share Greenlaw's insight into commercial fishing culture and seafaring traditions.

William McCloskey documented the Alaskan fishing industry through both fiction and non-fiction works. His "Highliners" series depicts the commercial fishing experience through characters who face the same challenges Greenlaw describes in her memoirs.

Peter Matthiessen wrote about commercial fishing and maritime culture through direct experience on fishing boats. His work "Men's Lives" chronicles the Long Island fishing community with the same attention to detail and insider perspective that characterizes Greenlaw's writing.

John McPhee writes narrative non-fiction about people working in nature-based professions. His book "Looking for a Ship" follows merchant marine operations with the same focus on technical detail and human experience found in Greenlaw's work.