Deadly Distractions

William Manchee

6/18/2004

Review by Molly

Stan Turner, Dallas based attorney, husband, and father, is on vacation in July 1986 with his family. Stan's wife Rebekah is looking forward to having some special time with Stan. The kids are hoping for fishing and white water rafting. Stan has a brand new partner; Paula Waters who has brought some much needed cash as well as 'a head for business' into the firm, and is set to enjoy so time away from Dallas and the pressures of his law practice. It isn't long before Stan finds himself flying to Texas to meet with an old friend. Dusty Thomas, a bad luck kid from way back, is accused of shooting and killing a federal officer. Bobby Tuttle was just doing his job in trying to confiscate some the Thomas farm machinery for back taxes. The worst of it is: there are witnesses who saw Dusty, weapon in hand, standing over the body. Before the tale plays out Ecuador, a radical paramilitary group known as the CDA … Citizen's Defense Alliance, a DC income tax protest, scrutiny of both Stan and Paul by the press and the FBI, soft ball sized hail stones, a woman with a crush on Stan, 1.8 million dollars and a hit and run all figure in what appeared at first glance to be a simple case.

As always Manchee has a tale to tell, and he does so in the same fast paced, action packed thriller rounded out with a well developed theme manner as he so known for from past works. Manchee's penchant for presenting an intriguing tale wherein little is as first seemed is getting better with each book he writes. Manchee's writing skills are becoming finely honed. On the pages of Deadly Distractions there are enough twists and turns to please and perhaps lead astray even the most discerning reader. Action addicts will be pleased, the lively tale has something for everyone who enjoys a good yarn, an intriguing mystery and just plain a good read. Manchee's genius for taking knowledge from his own attorney background experience and bolstering his scenes is evident from Deadly Distractions' outset.

Writer Manchee's legal thriller brings us in contact again with Stan Turner, one of my favorites of Manchee's characters. Watching the amicable, at times bumbling Stan trying to balance family with work against a woman determined toward more than a casual relationship brings more than one smile to the lips of any reader who may have found themselves in any part of the particular scenario.

Manchee's characters are well developed, dialogue is gritty, believable, hard hitting at times, milieu are filled with sights and sounds and enough description to draw the reader into the setting. Deadly Distractions is a gripping tale grasping the readers interest from the opening lines as we nod in agreement with Stan 'never call your office while you're on vacation' across all 300 pages and right down to the last paragraphs where we discover Dusty's luck remains the same.

Excellent book for a long lazy afternoon when you have time to savor a well written thriller, watch the red herrings. Manchee does his usual excellent job leading the unsuspecting astray!

You can find more about this book at .

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Deadly Distractions
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