Clean Coal Killers

Richard Paladin #2

by David E. Manuel

When terrorists threaten the U.S. power grid, it's time to send in Richard Paladin, America's top Environmental Protection Agent. At least, that's how Paladin's new boss, Frank, describes the assignment. But when Paladin starts digging through the personnel files at a Pennsylvania coal-fired power plant, he finds a lot more than the EPA bargained for—like a partner who's not playing straight with him, a security guard who appears more spook than goon, a stripper who's a little too interested in him, and an old flame he knows is a professional agent. And even though someone really is leaking security information about the plant, his fellow government thugs are more concerned with something else, something that smells a whole lot like corruption on a congressional scale. But Paladin's in Pennsylvania to do a job, and despite the distractions of temptresses and thugs, he damned sure plans to find the leak—and plug it.

316 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2012

About the author

DAVID E. MANUEL grew up in Houston, Texas and attended the University of Houston, receiving degrees in history and political science. After college, he worked for a few years in the corporate office of an offshore drilling company. In the mid-1980s he moved to the Washington DC area and took a job with the U.S. Government.

David lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and their English Shepherd, Falco, who, as far as we know, is not a secret government agent.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun adventure with Richard Paladin, EPA agent extraordinaire! Seriously, this guy is a hoot, kind of a funny Quarry who works for our gov't - sort of. If you like conspiracy theories & gov't corruption, this book is for you. It's the 2d in the series so far. I have just one more to read, so Mr. Manuel best get to writing.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody’s favorite civil servant is back – Richard Paladin, EPA assassin. A great story with a lot of intrigue and a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek humor (I chuckled out loud a few times). The author is really hitting his stride in this second novel in the Paladin series, the story is more complex, the characters more defined, David E. Manuel has succeeded in creating an original character with a distinctive voice. The story has the kind of twists and turns that are vaguely reminiscent of great contemporary crime writers like Elmore Leonard and Donald E. Westlake. It gives the impression of a series that will continue to build and become stronger with each volume.

In The Clean Coal Killers Richard Paladin is called in to investigate a possible terrorist threat to a Pennsylvania power plant. Someone is leaking classified documents and it is Paladin’s job to figure out who it is – not really his area of expertise, he’s the guy who usually comes in AFTER the leak has been pinpointed to “close” it. The deeper he gets into the whole mess the less he likes it as he is confronted by one oddball character after another with nobody seeming to be who they say they are until both Paladin and the reader are left wondering if there’s anybody involved in this thing at all who ISN’T working for some secret agency of some sort.

This one is completely different than the first yet familiar enough to give the impression of a known character – the kind of easy familiarity of an old, more adventurous friend stopping in to visit and update you on their latest crazy exploits. Paladin is less in your face in this second novel (not that he’s mellowed by any means!), a little less acerbic without losing any of his edge. As always, he says the kind of politically incorrect things that have probably crossed through everyone’s mind – however fleetingly – at one time or another. The plot is fun with pieces of the puzzle given in small incomplete portions that leave the reader (this reader at any rate) trying to figure out where it’s all going before it gets there… I had mixed success.

I’ve never been exceptionally good at classifying a book into a particular genre, I would place this one firmly in the arena of crime fiction with a healthy dose of dark humor (more wit than comedy) that also serves as a broad satire on the often inept nature of government bureaucracies. There is strong language, some sexual situations as well as some violence that, while not particularly graphic, might tend to offend more sensitive readers. Honestly, if you are a very sensitive reader then you probably shouldn’t be reading these novels at all because they really do poke fun at just about every sacred cow imaginable at one point or another.

My only criticism is the final chapter when they did the wrap-up of everything in the story explaining everything so that it was all tidy and laid out in front of you. It fit well within the overall framework of the story but I would have preferred that it was just left as a bit of an enigma for the reader to put together themselves.

I enjoyed this novel very much and I’m actually excited to see where this series goes down the line.

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Clean Coal Killers" by David E. Manuel is a rewarding 'sequel' to the first Richard Paladin book "Killer Protocols". Instead of serving us the same dish twice with nothing more than a variation of the approved formula (and nothing would have been wrong with that may I hasten to add) we get treated to a development of the character and his professional career from serial killer to undercover government agent and detective.
The plot is cleverly set up and developed, complex and unpredictable, leaving us in the dark about everyone's motives and keeping the suspense until the last minute. Yet the book is very entertaining and uses a lot of humour that lightens the description of the criminal investigation which in so many books ends up being dry and wooden. Richard Paladin has a somewhat foul mouth and comes out with a lot of politically incorrect opinions but in this case that makes him actually more likeable. See for yourself.
I am more than impressed by this second instalment in the series which continues to give importance to character development and detail to the narrative.
Manuel is a talented writer of whom we will no doubt see a lot more.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Manuel's first book was excellent, and with Clean Coal Killers, he has further honed his skills and produced an even more skilfully written mystery/spy novel.

Clean Coal Killers picks up right where Killer Protocols left off and continues the story of Richard Palladin, government assassin working for the EPA. Manuel is not only a skillful author, but also is able to incorporate a scary amount of realism into his novels. Manuel's writing is a look behind the curtain at the blatant corruption that happens all around us, but is hidden to all except to those in the know. Manuel is able to blend this exciting and thought provoking plot in with his sporadic social commentary, which is an excellent depiction of current day American society, told with a cynical and humorous twist.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good spy/mystery/thriller, and even more so to anyone who wants a glimpse of what may really be going on behind the smoke and mirrors of big government.

David Manuel hit it out of the park with his second novel, five stars for Clean Coal Killers!

[Debbie McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this excellent and fascinating sequel to Killer Protocols, David E. Manuel gives us more of that dry wit and humour synonymous with EPA 'agent' Richard Paladin.

There's some intriguing twists and turns again, as well as the usual line-up of people that I couldn't decide whether I liked or loathed them. To be honest I still feel a bit that way about Paladin, as if he's keeping himself from the reader, too.

It's certainly possible to read this (book two) without reading book one, but you'd be missing a treat, for sure.

A truly professional independent author and a real pleasure to read his work. Keep 'em coming, please, Mr. Manuel!

I'm off to get me a little of those Killer Trees...

[David Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, engaging, witty, entertaining, awesome! How could I think otherwise? I wrote it.

[Jurmain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. Richard is a man's man and yet has a heart.