Dying Good [Paperback]

Allan George Cole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2004

50 KIDS ARE ABOUT TO DIE: Mac thought he’d seen every human evil. A former Company man, he’d witnessed mass murder and systematic torture. And he’d meted out justice to the perpetrators whenever he had the chance. But now that he was living the idyllic life of a Boca Raton beach bum, he figured that was all behind him. Then his housekeeper’s granddaughter was kidnapped and Mac was plunged into a conspiracy born from the hells, involving an exiled Central American dictator, the Company, and fifty innocent children. By the time he finds out it’s almost too late and Mac must become a one-man army to save the day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (October 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413744222
• ISBN-13: 978-1413744224
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,121,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ALLAN COLE is a best-selling author, screenwriter and former prize-winning newsman. The son of a CIA operative, Cole was raised in Europe and the Far East. For details see Allan's website at www.acole.com. Here's what critics have said about Cole's work: The Sten Series: Landmark science fiction -Publishers Weekly; When The Gods Slept: Page turner of the year - Locus; The Far Kingdoms Series: Glorious... Swashbuckling - Locus; A Reckoning For Kings: Classic war novel - SF Chronicle; Lucky In Cyprus - A haunting, enlightening experience - BookLoons.com; A Cop's Life: Must read by anyone with a badge - Philadelphia Fraternal Order Of Police.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Only the Young Die Good", January 4, 2005

By 

J. Mitchell (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dying Good (Paperback)

I agree Dying Good has the flavor of steamingly authentic Florida color and history, both in setting and in anecdotes of Mac's ancestors and relatives. From beach house to swamps, it sets a nice stage for an edge-of-your-seat mystery and suspense tale (some exciting chases) and some wonderfully evil foils for Mac. I'm also looking forward to the return of Mac and Stormy, who's a feisty heroine in her own right. A fun read!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Praise From Bookloons.com, November 29, 2004

By 

Allan "a. scribe" (Boca Raton, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dying Good (Paperback)

[...]

Although Allan Cole has previously written mysteries for television and movies, Dying Good is his first mystery in book format. Set in Florida's Boca Raton, it opens on a thirteen-year old shrimper's daughter, Marie, paddling her dugout with every ounce of energy she can muster, as she attempts to escape from pursuers, Tampa and Bonita.

This pair is involved in many dubious money-making capers. We see them luring children onto an 'Angel Clinic' bus, promoting free medical and dental care from the State of Florida Board of Health. Parents, seduced by a $10 voucher for store goods, sign-up their kids for a ride to the Clinic. Though young Leslie lacks the required permission slip, the duo allow her to board anyway. We learn that the Angel Clinic is a scam, that has missed being indicted 'by a whisker of a bribed assistant DA's moustache'. Upon arrival at the Clinic, Bonita is handed a twenty-dollar bill for each child stepping off the bus. But there are different plans for little Leslie, who is transported by boat to Senor Angel Navarro, and added to a roomful of fifty sedated children to be delivered to Honduras. When clinic bus driver William returns the other children to their pickup point, Leslie is missing.

The child's grandmother Stormy, with 'a hard-mouth for enemies and a soft heart for those close to her', is a force to be reckoned with. Stormy is housekeeper for Addison Mizner Flagler Titus Broward MacGregor (known as 'Mac'). After many years as a criminal agent, witnessing mass murders and torture, and bringing his share of perps to justice, Mac has settled for a less stressful life on the beach of Boca Raton. Defender of the wronged, Mac leads the search for young Leslie. The hunt sends him into a maelstrom of danger, where Mac encounters an old nemesis. The unscrupulous Senor Navarro (an exiled dictator) holds positions on company boards and the U.S. Trade Commission. Navarro says of Max, 'MacGregor's like that French detective in 'Les Miserables'. A true Javert. Once he gets his teeth into you he never lets go.'

Allan Cole, a reader's writer, delivers a fresh, suspenseful mystery, with unique phrasing, colorful characterizations, masterly dialog, and chilling portrayal of evil deeds. Each chapter's high momentum action scenes add to the powerful, loathsome plot - which as Mac says is 'so much tougher with kids' involved. And, despite their nefarious deeds, the reader can't help but take a liking to the loving wrong-doers, 'honey pie' and 'sweetie pie' (Bonita and Tampa) with their oft humorous antics. Mac's support cast also deserves recognition -- Stormy, astute heroine Lupe Martinez, police officer Lieutenant Snow, Jack Talbot, and lake-dweller 'Mad' Albert with his parrot Marsha. I thoroughly enjoyed Dying Good and look forward to Allan Cole's second suspense novel, Drowned Hopes, in Spring 2005.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mac is Great!, November 28, 2004

By 

Kathryn (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dying Good (Paperback)

I have just found a new detective, and this one's great!

Mac is a welcome addition to the field - he's seen it all, had enough, and is semi-retired in Boca Raton, Florida. But when he stumbles into a "child kidnap for profit" ring run by a particularly nasty villain, Mac has to get involved - even if it kills him.

Just as in all good South Florida detective/crime fiction - Carl Hiassen, Elmore Leonard and John D. MacDonald come to mind - Mr. Cole has done his research well. Locals will recognize the color and flavor of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and points south to Miami.

Added to this is a wonderful supporting cast of characters - Stormy the housekeeper is so colorful and alive, I cannot help wondering if she's based on a real person.

This book left me waiting eagerly for Mac's next appearance, and I hope he'll still have Stormy working for him.