Act Normal [Hardcover]

William Manchee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008

Stan is recruited by the CIA for its ultra top secret Tarizon Repopulation project. His first assignment is to defend a woman accused of murdering her children and alien husband. The alien husband, however, is not from Mexico but Tarizon, a planet in another solar system. Stan must not only prove his client innocent but also make sure nobody finds out the government is allowing aliens to live and propagate on Earth. While Stan is busy with his CIA project, Paula is asked to defend the accused in the arson-murder of a prominent scientist and his family. While a bitter feud between neighbors over a barking dog and a chain link fence appears to be the motive for the crime, Paula discovers several others who have benefitted from Chester Brown's death. In the midst of the two murder investigations Stan is lured into a dangerous relationship with an alien woman assigned to keep an eye on him. He soon learns the women of Tarizon are much more dangerous than those on Earth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a fascinating science fiction legal thriller...." Five Stars. Overcrowding on a planet caused some of the inhabitants to colonize two orbs, Earth and Tarizon. A terrible ecological disaster on Tarizon forced the people to erect and live inside domed cities while women had a difficult time becoming pregnant. The governments of Tarizon and that of the earth s United States signed a treaty allowing a citizen of the former to marry an earthling, have children with them, and after a few years on earth return to their Tarizon with the children leaving behind an abandoned bewildered spouse to explain to her family what happened. Lawyer Stan Turner s son is on Tarizon as a means of controlling the former and having him do what his CIA handlers demand. At present they want Stan to get an acquittal for Charlotte Wenzel whose husband and sons disappeared. Their father was from Tarizon and there is no hard evidence. That changes when the police find the body of one of her children. When the beam bringing him to the ship failed, he fell back to earth. Besides that case, Stan is also working to make sure his friend Ben Stover isn t convicted for money laundering due to the manifestations of a vindictive son-in-law who embezzled from their firm. At the same time Stan s partner Paula is trying to get an innocent man cleared of the murder of Chester Brown and his family. --- This is a fascinating science fiction legal thriller in which the government trades children for advanced technologies. The story is told throughout the book in between believable legal strategy amidst the three cases. The CIA and the American government come across as avaricious turncoats as they manipulate people for personal gain. William Manchee goes into incredible depth with the trials and the missing alien and his half-breed children so that the audience is immersed in a legal procedural in a world somewhat similar to ours, but with a radical ET difference. ACT NORMAL will appeal to science fiction and mystery fans obviously especially those who appreciate the joining of the two genres. --Harriett Klausner Reviews

A highly developed original. Hard hitting fast paced dialogue is filled with compelling nuances...Manchee has managed another great environment filled with forceful characters, dilemma and gaffes... 5 Stars." --Molly Martin, Midwest Book Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

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 40 years. Manchee first discovered his passion for writing in 1995 when he wrote Twice Tempted. He vowed then to write a novel every year for the rest of his life. So far he is on schedule as Act Normal, Volume 8 of the Stan Turner Mystery Series is his twelve published novel. In his last two novels, Cactus Island and Act Normal, Manchee has created a unique genre legal science fiction. Currently he is working on the first of a science fiction trilogy called Tarizon: The Liberator.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: Top Publications, Ltd. (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929976542
• ISBN-13: 978-1929976546
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,709,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm originally from Ventura, California where I grew up during the 50s and 60s. My wife Janet and I were married while I was attending UCLA and she was attending nursing school. We immediately started having children and had three boys and a girl by the time I graduated from SMU Law School. With four young children we decided to stay in Dallas, where we had family and friends, rather than returning to California. I started law practice in the late 70's and today practice consumer law with my son, Jim. About twelve years ago I took on a famous romance author as a client and, after working with her for a while, I started wondering if I could write a novel myself. Eventually I gave it a shot and found I really enjoyed the writing process. After that it only took a few generous reviews of my first novel and I was hooked. My current novel, Tarizon: Civil War is my fourteenth and my goal is to continue to write a novel a year for the rest of my life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A book with twists and turns..., August 31, 2007

By 

Reader Views "Reviews, by readers, for readers" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ACT Normal: A Stan Turner Mystery (Stan Turner Mysteries) (Paperback)

Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (8/07)


"Act Normal," by William Manchee, starts out with: "....there was nothing normal in my life anymore, not since my son Peter had been abducted by aliens from a planet called Tarizon." Normally, I would have put the book down then; however, the reviews were good, so I read on. I am glad that I did so.

Stan is a lawyer who does not specialize. He has a partner, Paula. Paula's husband, Bart, begins to work with Paula after his job with the district attorney ends. Stan and Paula end up trying an embezzlement case and two murder cases.

Stan has to work with the CIA in order to keep his son Peter alive on Tarizon. The Tarizonian leaders give Stan an alien partner. She is tall, blonde, and thin. I picture Heidi Klum. There is definitely sexual tension between the two of them. Is sex inevitable? Is her anatomy the same as a human? You have to read the book to discover that for yourself.

Though the Tarizonians are involved in this plot, this is not a science-fiction novel. This is a courtroom drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is much more relaxing to read than a John Grisham novel, but it is just as exciting.

Anyone who loves a great battle between lawyers will love this story. Manchee has other novels that I am excited to start reading, such as "Yes, We're Open." "Act Normal" is a book of twists and turns that is a relaxing read. I recommend it.

Received book free of charge

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Edge of your seat by William Manchee, June 20, 2011

By 

Christine Tuttle "chrissy" (Dunellen, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Act Normal (Hardcover)

Another fantastic, action packed Stan Turner adventure! There are so many different edge of your seat stories taking place in this novel. It is amazing how far this author has come since the very first Stan Turner story I read. Kudos Mr Manchee! Looking forward to HEARING, "Tarizon: The Liberator Volume 1"