August 29th's Book Beginnings and Friday 56

It's a Friday before a long weekend.  And I've almost survived my first week at a new job (only one day to go until I've officially survived)!  Let's celebrate with this week's Book Beginnings and Friday 56.

This week, I've actually been rereading a book from 20 years ago, and I really enjoyed visiting it again.  The review is right here.

Yes, it's a murder mystery and yes, it's set in Death Valley, how appropriate is that?

And here's how it all begins:

A hundred feet off the deck and eighty feet below sea level!  He glanced again at his altimeter to make sure.  Flatline.  He did it!  Now to get out of here before someone read his numbers.

And skipping ahead to page 56, we finds:

Walking through this jam-packed campground behind Hippo made Jack feel like a tugboat follwing an ice breaker.  He simply strolled along in the wide open swath Hippo's bulk cut.

Let the speculation on what it means begin, and enjoy your long weekend if you live here in the states.