Where Intrigue, Justice, and Second Chances Sail Together
From its modest beginnings in 1949, when postwar publishers gathered in Frankfurt to rebuild and share new ideas, the Frankfurter Buchmesse has grown into the world’s most important international book fair. Over the decades, it has transformed from a regional gathering of German publishers into a global platform where stories are launched, partnerships are forged, and the future of publishing is shaped. That journey of steady growth, vision, and innovation is what makes the fair so influential today.
Now celebrating its 77th year, the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 is set to host more than 7,500 exhibitors from across the globe. It offers far more than book displays: visitors can explore groundbreaking titles, attend insightful discussions with leading authors and thinkers, witness the latest in publishing technology, and discover how books continue to evolve across media and cultures. It’s not just a fair — it’s a creative crossroads where tradition meets tomorrow.
The Imagination Peoples the Air
Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025
Adding to the excitement, the Philippines takes center stage as the Guest of Honour for 2025, presenting the theme “The Imagination Peoples the Air” — a powerful nod to the nation’s storytelling spirit inspired by José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. With over a hundred Filipino authors, artists, and events bringing the country’s rich literary heritage and contemporary voices to Frankfurt, this year’s fair celebrates not only books but also the vibrant diversity of global storytelling.
Amid this grand celebration of creativity and imagination, Kravitz & Sons proudly presents The Boat Detective by Ronald R. Higgins — a gripping tale that sails between mystery, justice, and redemption.
When the Sea Keeps Secrets
In The Boat Detective, readers meet Colton James, a New York City policeman whose life takes an unexpected turn. After inheriting a sizeable trust fund, he leaves the force and starts anew in Los Angeles as a private investigator — living aboard his sleek 42-foot yacht, The Who Done It. His peaceful days on the marina are soon interrupted by Gloria Campbell, a desperate widow haunted by her husband’s mysterious death on Flight 93 during 9/11.
But what starts as a routine case quickly unravels into a dangerous web of lies, gang ties, and revenge stretching from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. As Colton digs deeper, the glamorous marinas and glittering skylines give way to shadows and secrets that test not only his courage but his moral code. With the instincts of a cop and the heart of a believer in second chances, Colton James becomes the kind of detective who doesn’t just solve crimes — he redeems the broken stories left behind.
Higgins crafts a story rich in suspense and emotion, where every clue pulls the reader further into a sea of danger and discovery. The Boat Detective captures the spirit of classic noir with the freshness of modern storytelling, proving that sometimes the hardest mysteries to solve lie within ourselves.
A Storyteller Born from the Stage and Screen
Ronald R. Higgins brings an authentic voice to his crime novels — shaped by a life filled with drama, discipline, and creativity. Born in Johnson City, Tennessee, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Higgins spent thirty years in Los Angeles pursuing an acting career before turning full-time to writing. With over sixty stage plays, three films, and one television soap to his name, he understands what makes stories come alive: timing, tension, and truth.
Since beginning his writing career in 1981, Higgins has written a collection of riveting detective novels, including Picture Them Dead, Unknown Evil, and Maggie, I Love You. His writing style is cinematic — blending crisp dialogue, vivid imagery, and realistic pacing that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Now retired and living in Hampton, Tennessee, he continues to channel his creative energy into stories that mirror his passion for mystery, human connection, and moral clarity.
Why It Belongs on the Global Stage
At the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025, The Boat Detective stands as a timeless reminder of storytelling’s power to bridge cultures and emotions. Its themes of resilience, justice, and compassion resonate universally — reflecting the fair’s celebration of diversity and imagination.
Higgins’s work goes beyond mere mystery; it’s about redemption, empathy, and courage in the face of chaos. In a world still learning to heal from loss, The Boat Detective offers hope — that even after tragedy, purpose and goodness can resurface.
