About
William Manchee is an attorney by trade and practices law in Dallas with his son Jim. Originally from southern California, he lives now in Plano, Texas with his wife Janet of some 41 years. Manchee discovered his passion for writing late in life at age forty-eight and has vowed to write a novel every year for the rest of his life. So far he is on schedule as Tarizon: Conquest Earth is his seventeenth published novel. He is the author of the nine volume Stan Turner Mystery series inspired by many actual cases from his past. His other works include Death Pact, Plastic Gods, and a nonfiction book called Yes, We're Open, Defending the Small Business Under Siege which has been published in eight foreign countries as well as the United States.
Description
<p>When Jessica Bryant pesters her wealthy parents to allow her to have a dog as a pet, the answer is a resounding "No"; but they soon come to regret their decision when thier home is broken into one evening whilst they are out and their daughter kidnapped and held for ransom. The kidnappers, in the form of four seedy and incompetent characters wearing Disneyland-type masks, take her hostage and keep her incarcerated in a place from which there appears to be no escape. However, they reckon without the resourcefulness of our heroine, and the courage of a wonderful stray dog who comes to her aid and whom she names 'Murdo'. And so begins an exciting and humurous accounting of the couples' adventures together as they consistently foil and outwit the abductors whilst on the run together.<br /> This is a lovely story of the friendship between a girl and a dog, bringing out themes of responsibility, camaraderie, redemption, salvation and self-sacrifice. It includes some wonderful dialogue sequences as Jessica teaches her new four-legged friend how to communicate with her, with additional delightful conversations between the animals when a rabbit and a sparrow join forces with them in an effort to outwit the kidnappers and restore Jessica safely back to her parents' home. </p>
Reviews
<font face="Tahoma"><font color="#cccccc" size="2">Not long after OCS candidate Stan Turner arrives to begin his Marine Corps career he is horrified to find himself both a prime suspect in a horrific murder and a resident in the Quantico brig. The fact that Stan's fingerprints are all over the murder weapon used to do away with his drill sergeant does look bad, really bad, for the recent college student. <br /><br />Turner is married, the parent of one child and soon to be father of the child Rebekah is carrying. Rebekah's ever present jealousy clouds her thinking when the best hope for proving Stan's innocence is provided by an attractive journalist and a libidinous nurse who finds Stan every bit attractive as does his wife. Rebekah has stomped home before either the baby is born or the murder trial Stan must undergo is completed. Turner has always wanted to be an attorney, his joining the Marine Corps comes as much of surprise to him as it does to others. Little does he realize that the fellow he befriends upon his arrival at Quantico has a hidden secret. <br /><br />In this introductory volume to the Stan Turner series, Writer Manchee weaves a fast paced, tightly wound narrative filled with intrigue, deception and circumstance which are not always as they seem. UNDAUNTED, A STAN TURNER MYSTERY proves Manchee's understanding of the justice system; not a wholly surprising situation for this successful Dallas attorney. This novel has it all. Love, duplicitous murder, a serial killer, The Corps, suicide, and a bigoted white supremacist all race the reader through the pages of this gripping work.<br /><br />Writer Manchee always weaves an excellent account. Stan Turner is a 'common folk' stumble over his own feet at times type hero. just the kind of hero most of us feel most comfortable knowing. UNDAUNTED sets the groundwork for the novels to follow. We meet Stan and Rebekah, get to know them and find them likeable despite their little imperfections. In this first in the series Stan manages to evade the gallows, complete his bar exams and remain married to Rebekah. None of this is done without some wear and tear on our hero.<br /><br />Watch for red herrings. You may find yourself caught by surprise with the ending! Delightful read, highly recommended.</font><br /><br />Molly Martin Reviews</font>