Ray

by Tony McManus

A powerful story of abandonment, rejection and betrayal. But also a story of fulfillment, enduring love, an unquenchable friendship and a paradise found.

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2015

About the author

After graduating from Shrewsbury Public School, Tony sought a life of adventure and travel, and joined the British Merchant Marine service. Dissatisfied, he signed off in Cape Town, South Africa. After serving as a teenage Special Forces mercenary soldier in Central Africa in 1964, he returned home and joined the British Parachute Regiment (2 PARA). He saw combat in the 74 day Falklands War and was severely wounded in the 14 hour battle to take Goose Ridge. Invalided out, he moved to Canada to re-build his health. He designed and built a log-home in Quebec Province.

Tony pursues and advocates good health, via diet and exercise. An outdoors man, sailor, sea-kayaker and canoeist, he also loves scuba-diving, hiking, back-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Reviews

[John Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Phil’s buddy Ray fails to turn up for a darts match in Manchester, it sets in train a series of unexpected events – not least of which for Phil. Written with McManus’ customary feeling and panache, ‘Ray’ is ultimately a meditation on the nature of happiness, fulfilment and second chances.
A highly recommended short story for the young at heart.

[Eden Baylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Contentment comes in many shades***

Based on an unpopular decision by his best friend Ray, Phil discovers happiness in his life decades later.

The book's unexpected turn will make you ponder life and the meaning of fulfilment.

In RAY, author Tony McManus shows us that life rarely walks a straight line. Contentment comes in many shades and colours, and this story presents one of the ways it is possible.

[Joni Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review

Basic Details:
Book Title: Ray
Subtitle:
Author: Tony McManus
Genre: Fiction, Short Stories
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Ray is a story about a man who disappears after work one day without a trace. His friend continues to wonder what has happened. Then one day, Ray’s wife contacts him. Ray has died. Now, his friend may find out what happened to Ray and why. It may even change his own life.
What I liked about the book:
The book makes you wonder. What if you just upped and went? What would happen then?
What I didn’t like about the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable in its entirety.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the first book I’ve read by this author.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a life story and mystery in one.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No
Young Adult Probably
Adult Yes

If you like mysteries, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
A powerful story of abandonment, rejection and betrayal. But also a story of fulfillment, enduring love, an unquenchable friendship and a paradise found.
About the Author:
Born in Manchester, I left England many years ago to get about and see the world. It was the best move I ever made. After lots of traveling and adventure in Africa, where I worked in many jobs to serve my passion for travel such as English teacher, bar tender, taxi driver, construction worker in the Transvaal goldmines and the copper mines of Zambia.
Eventually, I moved to Canada where I still live part of the time. I made my home in Quebec, living in Montreal for many years before moving north into the Laurentian Mountains where I built a log home in the town of Ste. Adele.
I'm now living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and like it a lot. In the winter of 2012, I published my first novel on Amazon: The Iran Deception. Last November I published Down And Out In The Big Mango a collection of Thai short stories. I am presently working on a second novel: A Bangkok Interlude.

[Kazz Mossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ray is the life story of a man who tells us about his best mate. How they grew up together, took out girls, drank a lot, and had a passion for motorbikes. Eventually, they meet a couple of nice girls, settle down and start a family. All sounds normal enough until Ray vanishes leaving his family and friends to wonder what happened to him.

The author does an excellent job of adding mystery, all the while drawing you into the characters. It may only be small, but this book pulls no punches. It takes you on a journey, from Manchester, via the Isle of Man over to Bangkok when it finishes up.

I loved it, which is why I am wholeheartedly recommending it to you. It's clever, inspiring, and true to life.

[Jack Kregas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you think life will not change, it does. It changed for Ray and because of that everything changed for Phil. At a certain age one can wander through life without a purpose. Then something happens that shakes you our of your routine and into new ways of thinking. New possibilities. This book is all about friendship and destiny. A short story that will have you thinking long after you have put the book down.