Decker's Dilemma
by Jack Ambraw
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Pub Date Sep 29 2015 | Archive Date Sep 01 2015
Amphorae Publishing Group | Blank Slate Press
Description
Subic Bay, Philippines. The navy’s Cold War outpost in the western Pacific. The USS Harvey. A bastion of American sea power in the Far East. But Elliott Decker doesn’t give a hoot about all that. He’s been on board ship a year, relishing the laid-back lifestyle of the tropical locale. It’s not just a job, it’s a dream assignment. That is, until a shipmate, Michael Kippen, falls overboard one night and disappears into the South China Sea.
The navy rules the death an accident. Decker becomes skeptical when his friend, Vega Magpantay, a rookie with the Olongapo City police, tells him about the Philippine black market for American navy goods. But her hands are tied: the local cops lack jurisdiction over the U.S. military base and her chauvinistic boss doesn’t let her do real police work. Undeterred and with a knack for getting others to do his dirty work, Decker and his wingman, Hack Wilson, undertake the snooping.
Suspects are plenty among Harvey crewmembers and an attempt on Decker’s life ups the ante. Guided by Vega, the sailors uncover evidence that takes them across the naval base, through the backstreets of Olongapo, and into the heart of Manila, rife with the People Power Revolution to overthrow Ferdinand Marcos. When another murder tosses the sailors into ever more dangerous waters, it’s up to Decker to find the answers and fast.
A Note From the Publisher
Available in paperback and ebook.
About the Author:
Jack Ambraw is the pen name of Eric Ward, a native of the small town of Newton, Illinois. He served eight years in the U.S. Navy, including a two-year assignment on board the USS Sterett at Subic Bay, Philippines, the setting for his debut novel. His day job is Vice President for Public Programs at the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering & Technology, an independent research library in Kansas City, Missouri. Jack has a B.A. in English from Hawaii Pacific University, an M.L.I.S. from the University of Hawaii, and is a doctoral student in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in history and English literature at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He and his wife Lynn live in the Northland of Kansas City, where he is at work on Yamashita's Gold, a second Subic Bay Mystery featuring Decker and friends.
Advance Praise
Marketing Plan
Decker’s Dilemma will appeal to fans of mysteries featuring amateur sleuths with plenty of attitude and good sense of humor,
exotic locales, and a military setting.
NetGalley / Social Media Campaign / Author Events
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781943075065 |
| PRICE | $15.95 (USD) |
Links
Average rating from 3 members
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 260661
This was a curious beast. I liked much about it, though it does not follow to a T elements I expect in the mystery genre. In other words, I could put it down, but kept coming back to it. Some of the high points;
- As a fan of military fiction I enjoyed the reference to life aboard a navy ship.
- As a European-American with Filipino friends I was glad to see a book set in a locale that doesn't get much play.
- I appreciated the banter and frank references to how men navigate relationship concerns (especially in the military?). This rang true.
I would have liked to have seen more description of the Philippines itself. Yes, the book was set there. However, the setting is unique enough that more about the colors of the landscape, the size and types of the buildings, might have let us feel more solidly that we were there with the characters. In that vein, more reminders along the way of the main characters' physical traits might have brought the story visibly to life.
At a couple points I felt like the characters didn't ask obvious questions. For instance, early on they discussed expensive military parts going missing. Inquiring minds want to know what types - even if I've never heard of those parts...it would lend some realism.
It was a stretch to imagine our heroes having a front-row seat to the departure of Marcos and his wife from the nation. Still, it was interesting to "be there" for something I've certainly heard of, given my age.
All told, a fun book. I feel warmth for the team of heroes. Here's another good side - its team approach (just like the military), rather than the lone hero with one sidekick. I am somewhat curious to see what develops around relationship lines regarding an incipient love triangle.
Good first effort in a mystery series, especially for its unique setting - in the US Navy, in the Philippines, during the '80's - none of which are overdone in print.
Art W, Librarian
Solid thriller, especially for those who like military drama's. If you were a fan of the tv series JAG, you will probally love this book. I liked it, it dragged in the middle but technically it was ok. The navy terms and conditions were spot on according to my squid brethren.
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