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Trace Brandon #3

Ruby Silver (Trace Brandon) (Volume 3) by Randall Reneau

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Geologist Trace Brandon and his partner Will Coffee are just back from Liberia, West Africa. Cashed-up and looking for a new venture, they once again team up with Cyrus “The Virus” McSweeny. This time the quarry is the silver-rich ore of the old Ruby Mining District. And this time they’ll not only have the Pantelli crime family to deal with, but also lumberman Autry Ollinger—three hundred pounds of obnoxiousness whose preferred method of negotiation is a right hook. When the Pantellis unleash a bizarre extortion plot to seize control of Ruby Mining Company, Cyrus is forced to bring former clandestine operative Marion Thistlewaite out of retirement. Marion’s unique expertise may give them the edge they need to hold on to their company . . . and their lives.

Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1615

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About the author

Randall Reneau

8 books65 followers
Randall Reneau is the author of seven novels, including Diamond Fields, a Royal Dragonfly Book Awards grand prize winner, and The Medinandi License, a Silver Falchion Award winner. He is also a two-time winner of the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award. A former international geologist and Vietnam veteran, he lives with his wife, Lynne, in Austin, Texas.

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5 stars
16 (44%)
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9 (25%)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,818 followers
February 23, 2014
A new take on mystery novels - entertaining AND instructive

There are few authors who are able to translate their work experience and educational background into novels that can hold the public's interest. Either they stumble on the clods of attempting to write a compelling story or alienate the reader with facts about a subject that is so foreign that is begs indulgence just to get through it. Such is most assuredly not the case for Randall Reneau. This man can compose a novel so filled with information that has been on the periphery of our knowledge that he manages to make his special mixture work in the most unique and rewarding way.

Reneau, as his biographical data informs us, `has been a professional geologist since 1974. He holds a BA in Geology from Central Washington University. He spent nearly twenty years in uranium exploration, followed by three years in Liberia, West Africa exploring for diamonds and gold. After the outbreak of civil war in Liberia, Mr. Reneau managed a gold exploration project in Mali, West Africa. He later managed silver and copper exploration projects in Mexico. In 2004, he co-founded Uranium Energy Corporation. In 2006, he co-founded Strategic American Oil (now Duma Energy) Corporation. Mr. Reneau served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and Cambodia and was awarded a Bronze Star and two Army Commendation Medals. He lives with his wife, Lynne, in Austin, Texas.' Now with mining experiences in Liberia, Mali, Mexico and the US and wartime experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia it is no wonder that he is able to weave such a mesmerizing tale about greed, the mining industry, attempts at extortion and make it so personal that we become completely involved.

Reneau has created a character in Trace Brandon as raw and heroic as the types from Ian Fleming's James Bond to James Patterson's Alex Cross or Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. The difference is that Trace Brandon is a geologist who travels the world in experiences that combine mining and public companies. Admittedly this is the first Trace Brandon book this reviewer has read, but that is all the more reason to appreciate what Reneau has accomplished - creating a character so credible that we join him from the very first without the need for previous episodes to guide us. Reneau's writing style also respects that golden use of the prologue - this one opens the story in 1888 with Big Mike Starkey discovering silver-bearing red crystals known as ruby silver in a mine in North Central Washington. Jump to the present day and Trace Brandon and his partner Will Coffee join Cyrus "The Virus" McSweeny in a mining venture in (yes) Washington State - the Old Ruby Mining District close to the Canadian border where they are involved in mining the silver-rich ore. A crime family - the Pantellis - want to cash in on their small public trading company and go about it in criminal ways. To manage their way out of the situation they bring in a former clandestine operative named Marion Thistlewaite and together they `mine' the depths of the criminal activities and outwit the evil influences, but not without some rather terrifying life threatening occurrences.

Any reader who can resist this quality of writing, especially as rich in learning intricacies about the mining industry, simply isn't ready for intrigue on this level. Reneau is on his way to the top.
15 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2017
Each book in the series is better. I don't know anything about mining,but the author holds my interest. Plots have many twists. Each character is unique and memorable.

Very difficult to stop reading and do anything else. When I finish, I have to read the next one. Great author.
65 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2014
When I was first pitched this book, I thought that it sounded interesting and would give it a try even though it was a little outside what I tend to read. Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into this book and it took me longer to finish than I had expected.


What I thought Randall Reneau did well was the main character development with respect to their professional background. All of the geological terms and mining situations seemed very realistic, which helped me with the overall plot. However, with this being possibly the third in the series, I did get much general character development, which made them all seem very flat. I was able to get an outline of what each character should be like, and I really like the old snake farmer a great deal, but I found myself wanting specific quirks or details about each one explained more or exposed.


One issue that I had with dialogue in this novel was all of the Texan colloquialisms that were used. It seemed rather heavy handed and about a third of the way through the book I began to get annoyed by them all. The main reason for this is that they were all cliques as well. For example, "like a side of beef" or "pardner", and again, overused multiple times throughout the book. I think that if half of them were taken out and something else put in their place that still helps to give a "cowboy" or "cowpoke" kind of feel it would have helped us "city folk" get into the book more.


I also think that there were some added storylines in it that were unnecessary, like the kidnapping and show down at the Forth of July mine entrance. Those types of things could have been cut out and the story would not have suffered from it. That particular example didn't really have anything to do with the main plot of the novel and sometimes you will need "to kill your Darlings" in order to make a stronger tale.


The other thing that I was a little disappointed with was the overall editing of the novel. There were dialogue quotations missing in places along with some general editing oversights. But the big problem, and this is a huge pet-peeve of mine, is the changing of point of view from first person to third person. You either need to have the courage to keep all in first person or just put it in the more common third person. In this book, all of the chapters or sections in the eyes of the main character Trace are in first person, which is a challenge because you are only able to write what he feels, sees, etc. Everything not in Trace's POV is written in third person, which is needed to understand what is going on. Unfortunately, I am an old-fashioned stickler with respect to this issue and was disappointed to see that it was a mixture of POVs.


Overall thought, I did enjoy the storyline with respect to the mob ties, etc. I thought that could have been developed more and that more action could have taken place from the get go. The start moved quite slowly, which also made it hard for me to get to the end quickly. Usually it is a better idea to start your story in the middle of something that grabs the reader and I did not really find that with this book.


I do hope that Reneau continues writing books in the series because there is a good foundation for it. For me though, I just needed a little more description and depth to become completely invested in it.


If you like trying new readers and don't mind a slower moving plot, then this book would be for you. If you need a little more action, faster plotline, and great character development then you may want to skip this book.


Rating: 2.5 out of 5


I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Bostick Communications; I was not paid to give a review of this book.

www.thepensivechronicler.blogspot.com
Profile Image for MWBP.
146 reviews8 followers
August 8, 2014
All’s well that ends well – A review of the novel ‘Ruby Silver’


“Heroes need monsters to establish their heroic credentials. You need something scary to overcome” - Margaret Atwood

In author Randall Reneau’s book ‘Ruby Silver’ which is the third book in the Trace Brandon series, we are introduced to the characters of Trace Brandon and his partners Will Coffee and Cyrus McSweeny who are in the midst of setting up a mining company business in the Old Ruby Mining District. But even before their business plan is able to take off, they land themselves in trouble by entering into an altercation with a giant of a man, who goes by the name, Autry Ollinger. Ollinger is someone we soon come to identify as one of the ‘villains’ of the story. That’s because Trace Brandon and company soon find more trouble as it comes looking for them in the form of a crime family syndicate run by Peter Pantelli who has a very ingenious way to try and take control of their company. Having to alternate between the devil and the deep sea to keep his business and their lives out of trouble, Brandon seeks help of a former associate Marion Thistlewaite to help them clear away the mess and get their lives back on track.

Ruby Silver has just received honourable mention at the Hollywood Book Festival and it is no surprise why. There are a lot of positives one will encounter in the book, one inevitable mention is the way Randall Reneau, has used his vast experience and background to the hilt by marrying fiction with real information and facts about a science subject. That he manages to hold the reader’s attention riveted throughout even while discussing a field like geology is no mean feat. A lot of attention to detail has been heaped upon while discussing both intricate parts of the story and also secondary sub plots as well.

Reneau has created a real winner of an archetypal hero in Trace Brandon, he is charismatic and has tremendous appeal and easily manages to become the centre of attention anytime he appears in the book’s pages. That being said, all the secondary players too are well developed and have been given enough space in the book for you to explore their personalities better.

Ruby Silver is a pacy thriller that at times offers glimpses of an old western with the good and bad squaring off to settle their duels. Although I have been introduced to Trace Brandon only in the third instalment, I look forward to reading the previous two books in the series and any further ones Randall Reneau may have planned with Trace Brandon in the lead. His next work due for release is South of Good and the blurb on that one has already raised my level of expectation.

Profile Image for Allyson Abbott.
Author 40 books170 followers
July 19, 2015
Truly unbelievable.
And I mean that in every sense. The plot was too convenient, the dialogue seemed unnatural and stilted, the characters were unrealistic and too nice; even the bad guys. What professional hit man would make nice polite direct conversation asking about where his 'hit' could be found, and then put it off till morning because he was hungry and tired? What hit man would leave keys to his car, and compensation money in a pocket of someone he had just knocked out cold to steal their car?
Just don't get me started on the grizzly bear! Too unreal and convenient.
Reneau has talent for a story and clearly a lot of knowledge of mining and Spokane, but needs to focus on style. There is no depth to the characters, there is too much telling and not enough showing, no emotions and the narrative (to me didn't make sense). How can the narrator tell the reader exactly what another character is doing, when they are in another part of the country, before the characters have met up. Was it past or in the present?
The author clearly loves unusual words, or at least is trying to impress the reader with the ability to use a thesaurus. They stuck out like a sore thumb and distracted me from reading, while I checked their meaning and discussed the words with my partner. I really couldn't see the point in them.
Possibly I am being a bit harsh. The novel has got potential, but it needs more depth ( and not everyone is nice and cheerful all the time).
Profile Image for Allyson Abbott.
Author 40 books170 followers
July 10, 2015
Truly unbelievable.
And I mean that in every sense. The plot was too convenient, the dialogue seemed unnatural and stilted, the characters were unrealistic and too nice; even the bad guys. What professional hit man would make nice polite direct conversation asking about where his 'hit' could be found, and then put it off till morning because he was hungry and tired? What hit man would leave keys to his car, and compensation money in a pocket of someone he had just knocked out cold to steal their car?
Just don't get me started on the grizzly bear! Too unreal and convenient.
Reneau has talent for a story and clearly a lot of knowledge of mining and Spokane, but needs to focus on style. There is no depth to the characters, there is too much telling and not enough showing, no emotions and the narrative (to me didn't make sense). How can the narrator tell the reader exactly what another character is doing, when they are in another part of the country, before the characters have met up. Was it past or in the present?
The author clearly loves unusual words, or at least is trying to impress the reader with the ability to use a thesaurus. They stuck out like a sore thumb and distracted me from reading, while I checked their meaning and discussed the words with my partner. I really couldn't see the point in them.
Possibly I am being a bit harsh. The novel has got potential, but it needs more depth ( and not everyone is nice and cheerful all the time).

Profile Image for Guy Venturi.
1,081 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2015
Book 3 is a winner.

I cannot claim to have been to every small town and back road in Washington state, but I have been through many towns and even some logging roads to recognize the colorful people and the terrain used in this series of books. The sleepy "backwaters" of rivers, the Corps of Engineers dams and reservoirs, and the weather have helped me love this part of the world, especially the Olympic Peninsula. Having experienced such real world events as being enroute to SeaTac airport when Mount Saint Helens blew about 35 years ago, and being the last car to clear a mountain pass before the interstate highway was closed due to avalanches, I can feel for Trace as he deals with surprising situations as he tries to live both the good life and daily challenges. Somehow the main characters always seem to make it work in spite of others trying to destroy their hard earned mining operations. This series puts you right in the action and provides non-stop in your face story development. Plan on not doing anything else but enjoying the ride once you start this book.
Profile Image for Georgia hillstrom.
55 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2015
This is the first book of Randall Reneau that I have read. The book looked interesting when I was signing up for goodread giveaway. I had it on my to get list, was pleased to receive from goodreads.
The characters in this book have allure, charisma, so real. Wish I had a better way to explain this but Reneau has talent to bring his life work and knowledge into these characters. Reneau clearly has extensive knowledge in mining and the area where the story is taking place. Gosh I got a kick out of the different words, love it. The descriptions of the roads and mines, well it was like being there.
I will say again Reneau has a talent to intertwine his knowledge, life experiences in this great story. Overall a well written novel, educational a plus. I will be looking for whatever else he has written. I am hooked want more.
130 reviews4 followers
August 19, 2015
A book received courtesy of Goodreads.

Overall a solid action/adventure novel with mining and precious metal exploration serving as a backdrop. The novel has a distinctive western feel to it both in the dialogue and the characters themselves. This is the third novel in a series but it is the first that I have read. Ruby Silver does work well as a stand alone tale although the story appears to have some origins in earlier works and I believe my enjoyment would have been enhanced had I read those previous works. Regardless, the novel is fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. Having read this one, I will certainly look forward to reading others by this author.
20 reviews
October 11, 2015
I very much enjoyed reading this action adventure novel. I found it very easy to read, flowed very well and was a little amusing. I felt the author use a lot of local knowledge and I enjoyed getting a feeling for another part of the world I had never seen. His descriptions were great. I loved the bear. I felt this was a bit modern day Cowboy. Although I enjoyed it I felt it didn't draw you in however the attention he put in his detail of everything had me coming back for more, I did enjoy learning a bit about mining. Thankyou Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this.
Profile Image for Heather Bennett.
98 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2014
Randall Reneau has brings his life and education into each novel. Randall Reneau has been a geologist,served in the army,and traveled to various mining areas. Ruby Silver is a action packed novel, that mixes mining,the mob,and extortion. Trace Brandon and his partner are back again in this book. Ruby Silver is a well written novel with great characters.
Profile Image for Debbie Carnes.
244 reviews183 followers
April 27, 2014
Ruby Silver was great, not only an excellent thriller but educational to a point.

Adventure packed story making you want another book in this series soon
16 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2014
Have read all 3 of Randall Reneau's books and would recommend reading them. Once I got started I read all 3 in about a week. Can't wait for another one to get published.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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