Undaunted [Hardcover]

William Manchee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008

Undaunted, volume one of the Stan Turner Mysteries, is the story of Stan Turner's childhood and how he becomes an attorney. One year while he was growing up Southern California in the late fifties he goes to the county fair and they have an old Univac computer there programmed to tell fortunes. He has his fortune told and it forewarns him that his life will be difficult and fraught with danger. About this time he has a brush with the law, gets interested in the legal system, and decides to become an attorney. This sets the stage for the Stan Turner Mystery series as his fortune becomes a prophecy and at every turn Stan is confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet he pushes forward, undaunted by the unknown forces that seek to derail him. In this first episode Stan is forced into the United States Marine Corps by a vicious twist of fate, must leave his wife, and family and report for duty. On his first day he unwittingly befriends a serial killer and soon finds himself charged with the murder of his drill sergeant. Aided by a lustful nurse who wants him and a journalist who wants his story, Stan desperately searches for the actual killer to prove his innocence. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editorial Reviews

Review

UNDAUNTED is the first Stan Turner Mystery followed by the second, BRASH ENDEAVOR and the third, SECOND CHAIR. Stan decides at a very early age that he wants to be a lawyer, but while he is at the Ventura county fair Stan and his friend Steve wanted to have their future read by a Univac Computer which analyzes a persons handwriting and tells their the future. Stan's card came back saying. 'STRUGGLING IN A HOSTILE WORLD, PURSUING YOUR DESTINY, YOU WILL STAND RESOLUTE AGAINST ADVERSITY, UNDAUNTED' Stan did not understand the meaning then, but as he became an adult, he would understand all to well. While Stan was at UCLA he met Rebekah whom he loves very much, they are married Oct 18, 1968. On the way to getting a law degree, things get rough for Stan. The Army drafts him in 1970; to avoid the Army he signs with the Marines. While in boot camp, he unwittingly befriends a serial killer and soon finds himself charged with the murder of his drill sergeant. Stan desperately searches for the real killer. Helping him is nurse Rita Andrews, who wants Stan for herself, and Virginia Stone, a journalist looking for a story. Undaunted is a sensual chiller, involving white supremacists, a serial killer, and the Marines all rolled up into a startling package that will keep you clinging to every word. Undaunted proves it to me; William Manchee is a master at story telling. He has a way of spinning a tale that will leave you breathless every time. --Pam Stone, MyShelf.com

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. 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. 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. 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. Watch for red herrings. You may find yourself caught by surprise with the ending! Delightful read, highly recommended --Molly Martin, Scribesworld

From the Publisher

Undaunted is the first of the Stan Turner Mystery Series. When Stan is growing up in California in the 60s he goes to the county fair one year and has his fortune told by the new Univac computer. His fortune is rather ominous, indicating a difficult and perilous life awaits him. Yet, the message is clear, despite overwhelming obstacles, Stan will stand resolute against adversity, undaunted. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 305 pages
• Publisher: Top Publications, Ltd. (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929976127
• ISBN-13: 978-1929976126
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,005,870 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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally engrossing !, February 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Undaunted (Paperback)

This is the first William Manchee book I have read but will not be the last. The story centers around Stan Turner, a law student who must enlist in the marines so as to hopefully prevent being sent to Vietnam. When he is accused of murder, his friends leap into action to prove his innocence. The ending was totally unexpected and as such gave the book much more of a thrill. It is a book you will not be able to put down.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't stop reading until I knew how it ended., December 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Undaunted (Paperback)

I am not a reader! When a friend handed me a copy of William Manchee's Undaunted, I was skeptical, but I managed to get through the book - in just one day! What a surprise. Not only did I enjoy the realness of the characters (not the "perfect" people in everyday novels), but I was pulled into the events that took place in their lives. Although Undaunted is fiction, it breathed hints of episodes that could take place in anyone's life. I couldn't stop reading until I knew how it ended. I already have a copy of the sequel Brash Endeavor - I can't wait! Linda A. Taylor

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once I started it, I had to find out how it ended., January 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Undaunted (Paperback)

I had already read Brash Endeavor, and was surprised to find Undaunted out. Now I have become a Stan Turner fan! The author takes the reader through many twists and turns as Turner tries to prove his innocence of a crime he didn't commit. Learn all about Stan Turner in this one, and find out what makes him tick. This is a well-crafted novel which will keep the readers turning the pages.