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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vacations Can Be Deadly, May 2, 2010
This review is from: Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island (Paperback)
This is the first of Reid's series featuring police officer Merryll Manning, working out of Miami. He and his girlfriend Susan take part in a murder mystery weekend in an old Dominican priory on Cross Key Island. As you might expect, this being a mystery, one of the murders is the real deal, and the varied bunch of paying guests has to band together (while falling apart) to figure out who the real murderer is, and how to survive until help arrives.
The crew is varied, all of them colorful individuals. Susan herself is of interest because while Manning is definitely hooked on her, he's also aware that she's not exactly the most angelic of creatures. She's much different than the typical cop's girlfriend you'd expect to find in a mystery novel, and even Manning seems unsure how he puts up with her. Manning himself is an interesting guy: he's a cop and knows how to read a scenario; he's also intelligent and unafraid of debate. His theological debates with fellow guest Father Connor are rich in detail and a certain amount of passion on both sides. He's not afraid to take on the other guests, to take charge, and even to throw a punch. He even manages a few jabs at the mainstream publishing industry.
The story moves quickly, and Reid does a great job of not allowing suspicion to settle on any one character for long. The scenery--the island and the priory itself--is well-detailed. I can well believe Reid personally researched this setting as well as the murder mystery weekend theme. I understand there are at least eleven more novels in this series, and I'll be checking them out!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Top-Notch Suspense Thriller, April 20, 2010
This review is from: Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island (Paperback)
On vacation in the Florida Keys with his girlfriend, police sergeant Merryll Manning takes part in a Murder Mystery weekend, with the chance to win a cash prize of $5000 on the line. When a real murder actually takes place, though, all fun and games come to an abrupt end as Merryll strives - almost in vain - to learn the identity of the true-life killer. To make matters worse, the vacationers are all trapped on the island without any way to contact the mainland, adding an element of grave fear to an already tense situation...with little more than his instinctive wits on his side, Merryll soon finds himself in a race against time to solve the deadly mystery before he becomes its next victim...
In Merryll Manning: Trapped On Mystery Island, author John Howard Reid combines vivid, unforgettable characters and riveting action to create a richly compelling - and surprisingly amusing - top-notch suspense thriller. The debut installment in the Merryll Manning Mysteries series, Trapped On Mystery Island introduces the reader to the inimitable stylings of its eponymous protagonist, an abrasive, no-nonsense pain-in-the-ass who you'd nonetheless want on your side if you found yourself in the same predicament as the hapless vacationers. With superb character development, vivid scenarios, and an engrossing plotline that both preserves and pushes the flow of the story, Reid's engaging tale is a classic whodunit sure to please fans of well crafted murder mysteries.
With just enough suspense to keep you guessing until the very end, Merryll Manning: Trapped On Mystery Island is a strong debut from a solid literary talent. Highly recommended.
Renee Washburn
Apex Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't Miss The first Whodunit in the Wonderful Merryll Manning Series!, March 16, 2010
This review is from: Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island (Paperback)
Police sergeant Merryll Manning is on vacation on an island in the Florida Keys for a Murder Mystery weekend. The plan is to solve the mystery and win a cash prize of $5,000.00. Easier said than done. Merry has his teenage-looking girlfriend Susan Ford along for the trip. Susan isn't above using her sexuality to keep Merryll flustered and under her thumb.
Merryll Manning: Trapped On Mystery Island by John Howard Reid was published more than twenty years ago in Australia. The first installment of the twelve part Merryll Mysteries made its American debut in the spring of 2008.
The game players are an eclectic group including a priest, lawyer, novelist, as well as several actors who may or may not be playing parts in the game. Merryll begins mingling with the players as only he can. His abrasive, eccentric style quickly puts him at odds with several of the gamers. Merry continuously aggravates the priest with religious debates; while Susan's sexy and spunky charms push and pull Merryll's concentration from the game.
Soon the first victim of the game falls as Merryll has predicted. The others have a problem with a policeman's unfair advantage in the game. Others believe Susan is under-age and doubt Manning is a cop at all.
When blood is found, Merryll traces it to a real murder victim. The horrific bloody murder scene has a profound affect on Merryll. Another gamer disappears during a smoke break. With no way to contact the mainland, to leave the island, or to inform the police, Merryll takes over the investigation.
Author John Howard Reid has an undeniable skill for keeping the reader guessing who-dun-it. Reid points the finger of guilt, through Merryll, at many of the characters. The reader keeps turning pages to see who Merryll will infuriate next with his accusations and taunts. Tension, mistrust, suspense, and a quick pace keep the reader captivated to the final page.
Don't mistake this as another self-published vanity project. John Howard Reid is a talented, experienced writer with more than 70 books to his credit. His dialogue is brilliant in the back-and-forth banter between Merryll and the priest, and Merryll and the novelist. He paints scenes so well that you expect to see Merryll and his suspect burst into your living room.
Books three and four in the series are scheduled for release in 2010 with Merryll Manning: Beachfront Holiday set for release in June. Merryll Manning is a wonderful, old-fashioned style mystery series. Start here with Trapped on Mystery Island and you'll be hooked. Highly Recommended.
[...] (June 24, 2008)
978-1435720855
By William Potter for Reader's Choice Reviews.
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