Red Zone: A Novel Based on a True Story

by Alan McTeer

The plan is to fly a small plane to Colombia, collect the delivery fee, and return to Miami on an airliner. But ace pilot Alan Richards begrudgingly agrees to deliver passengers as well--a last minute concession that will turn his near-perfect life into a mortal nightmare. A crash landing in a burning plane, torture at the hands of someone who has mistaken him for someone else, and a forced tour of some of South America’s most horrifying prisons are only the beginning of the long journey that will ultimately deliver him (and his copilot prettyboy Mario Rodriguez) into the hands of drug smugglers hiding out in the region of Colombia known as the Red Zone. RED ZONE, a novel based on events that actually happened to the author, pits two well-intended but humanly fallible characters against some very bad men in an adventure that brims with danger, excitement, humor, insight and veracity.

300 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Amy Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a good read crossed my path and I am forever grateful! Alan's curiosity and mastered knowledge makes this a quick and believable read. Along with writing does he also take guided tours to South America? Does anyone know? Taking into consideration of his exciting, near death(s) journey, I highly doubt it. Brilliant! Thank you Alan!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait to see this as a movie

Lots of suspense, intrigue, kept me turning the pages until late into the night to see what was happening next

[Panicos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Richards is a professional pilot who delivers small aircraft to buyers in South American countries. On a routine flight from Florida to Columbia to deliver a plane, a fire breaks out on board and Alan and his co-pilot Mario are forced into making an emergency landing in Venezuela’s, Guagira peninsula (known as the Red Zone). With their travel documents consumed by the flames they set-off initially on foot and then by local bus for the town of Maracaibo. At an army road block on the way they are arrested for not possessing identification and are also suspected of drug smuggling. This is the start of their ordeal. They are beaten and tortured into making false statements that they work for drug smugglers and then sent to prison. Here, they face the harsh realities of Venezuelan prison conditions, the corruption and various crooked lawyers that promise to release them. After finally being released from prison and with the help of Jota, who is a Colombian drug smuggler they are taken across the border into the Columbian part of Guagira and to a transit camp for smuggling drugs abroad. Their fate now is in the hands of Jota, who wants to use Alan’s flying skills in order to fly out drug consignments.

Overall this book is an exciting adventure thriller. McTeer is a professional pilot and therefore provides the reader with some very vivid and detailed descriptions of flying. The background scenery and characters are well described and realistic enough for the reader to “picture” the events. On the downside, I think this book should have included a basic map or illustration of the story locations. Also, the length of time the author spent describing the main characters prison time is far too long and hence a bit boring at times.