The Book: Eye of the Hunter

The Author: George Lockie

The Story: The ability to kill without thought or remorse was bred into Rory from a very young age. Forced to live all alone by bigotry and ignorance he was isolated from society of the day with only his grandmother as support. He was born into the world with a German father and a Scottish mother just after the First World War. His father’s subsequent death meant he was forced to raise himself in a wild place high in the Scottish mountains. It was just before the outbreak of the 2^nd World War that he came in contact with other male company as troops were sent into the mountains for training. Attracted to their discipline and comradeship Rory was drawn into their world. He gained their respect and trust and felt for the first time in his life needed.

Once the conflict was over however he had felt lost. He had been unable to return to his former life and eventually decided to enlist. With his raw talents for survival including killing without regret and with his physical attributes far above the norm, he rose quickly into a person to be respected in this new life.  Forming a close association with another recruit, they slowly became noted as something different and soon promoted.

This bond grew through years of service with the SAS and close encounters with enemy forces in many parts of the world. It was extremely valuable deep in enemy controlled jungle and fighting as a small team harassing much larger forces in the post war struggles in Burma. Only when he was tested to the limit in frightening circumstances, which resulted in the death of his friend, did Rory crack. He was pitched against horrendous physical odds to survive alone in a cruel jungle, which brought him to the edge of death.

It was the unexpected reappearance of the dreaded enemy leader who was to blame for Rory’s tragic killing of his friend that snapped him back to reality determined to seek revenge. The stalking and planning the Russian’s execution brings Rory back to earth.

About the Author: Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1941. Married in 1964. I have two children Darren 46 and Vanessa 40. Served six years in the British Army in The Parachute Regiment serving mainly in Cyprus, Germany, Libya, Ireland and Greece. Migrated to Australia in 1965. Travelled extensively through business from 1981/2003 My first novel “Eye of The Hunter” a military story begins in 1920’s with the depression and through WW1 to 1950.

The second novel “Chameleon” is a strong criminal novel with MI5 involvement. My third, just in the initial stages, is another military novel. All novels are linked by a common major character Rory Glassen, a ruthless dedicated soldier with extraordinary senses and physical attributes gleaned from his childhood upbringing in the Wilds of Scotland. Lockie has been writing for the last six years and the words he puts on paper are based a lot on previous episodes of his life.

The Book: Dead Man’s Hand

The Author: Luke Murphy

The Story: What happens when the deck is stacked against you…

From NFL rising-star prospect to wanted fugitive, Calvin Watters is a sadistic African-American Las Vegas debt-collector framed by a murderer who, like the Vegas Police, finds him to be the perfect fall-guy.

…and the cards don’t fall your way?

When the brutal slaying of a prominent casino owner is followed by the murder of a well-known bookie, Detective Dale Dayton is thrown into the middle of a highly political case and leads the largest homicide investigation in Vegas in the last twelve years.

What if you’re dealt a Dead Man’s Hand?

Against his superiors and better judgment, Dayton is willing to give Calvin one last chance. To redeem himself, Calvin must prove his innocence by finding the real killer, while avoiding the LVMPD, as well as protect the woman he loves from a professional assassin hired to silence them.

Review by Trax23: If you like James Patterson’s books, then you’ll love Luke Murphy’s Dead Man’s Hand! The writing style of Murphy is similar to Patterson, but that’s where the comparison ends. Murphy has his own unique take on things, and that kept the book fresh all the way to the end.

The action started from the first page, and never let up. Your mind will always be racing ahead trying to figure out what will happen next. If you’re looking for a good book to read, you won’t be disappointed with Dead Man’s Hand.

A word of caution to potential readers though…do not start this book if you have things you need to get done! This is a book that you’ll want to read from cover to cover without putting it down. I recommend this book to everyone!!

Review by roland cote jr.: The main character in the book could be anyone and everyone. It’s a story of a man that did the best he could with what he had. Knew he had some moral issues but dealt with them in a manner that he could live and abide with. There are many issues brought up, race, trust, love, and fortitude that can be applied to anyone’s lives and the author delves into each one of them in a manner to explain them and thoughtfully tells how the character finds ways to either resove them or live with them.

I also like the interplay with the other characters in the book and that there weren’t so many characters in the story that it takes half the book to build their character. It got right down to the action right out of the gate, raised dust down the road and he came out a winner by crossing the line far ahead of the competition! Do yourself a favor and sit down to read this book with nothing in the way till the end.