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Blackfox Chronicles #3
Mudd's Luck
Michael Blackfox thought that Lady Luck had finally dealt him a winning hand. He met the love of his life in Colombia and was whisking her back to Florida to begin their life together when reality intervened. He, his fiancee and his father are swept up into a murderous scheme that envelops them in a quest for vengeance through the beaches, swamps and backwaters of the Sunshine State.
254 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
About the author
T.S. O'Neil
5 books82 followersI'm originally from Newington CT. I went to undergraduate school at Northeastern University in Boston and have an MBA from the University of Phoenix in Technology Management. I spent a good amount of time in the military; first as an enlisted Marine in the Marine Reserve, then about ten years on active duty as an officer in the Military Police Corps of the U.S. Army and I finished out my career in the Army Reserve.
During that time, I travelled a lot of the world, picked up Spanish, as the Army sent me to language school and managed to have a lot of fun and mostly managing to avoid combat. While most sane people look at the being shot at as merely a life threatening situation, those in the military look at it as an opportunity for career advancement.
Well, as a careerist, I was a miserable failure as I was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Meaning wherever I happened to be, peace was breaking out like mad.
I was supposed to jump into Omar Torrejo Airport with the Rangers during Operation Just Cause, but instead I went on to the MP Officer Advance Course. The invasion took place in December of 89, as I drove home to Connecticut for Christmas break and members of my former unit parachuted into glory. Later, as I sat in Panama enjoying the new era of peace and prosperity, Operation Desert Storm took place. My luck finally caught up with me and I spent part of a tour in Iraq. Other than a couple of nights of rocket fire, the period in Iraq was relatively peaceful.
I got out of the military and eventually gravitated to the IT Field. I am currently an IT Architect for a healthcare company. I live in Seminole Florida with the love of my life, my lovely wife, Suzanne.
During that time, I travelled a lot of the world, picked up Spanish, as the Army sent me to language school and managed to have a lot of fun and mostly managing to avoid combat. While most sane people look at the being shot at as merely a life threatening situation, those in the military look at it as an opportunity for career advancement.
Well, as a careerist, I was a miserable failure as I was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Meaning wherever I happened to be, peace was breaking out like mad.
I was supposed to jump into Omar Torrejo Airport with the Rangers during Operation Just Cause, but instead I went on to the MP Officer Advance Course. The invasion took place in December of 89, as I drove home to Connecticut for Christmas break and members of my former unit parachuted into glory. Later, as I sat in Panama enjoying the new era of peace and prosperity, Operation Desert Storm took place. My luck finally caught up with me and I spent part of a tour in Iraq. Other than a couple of nights of rocket fire, the period in Iraq was relatively peaceful.
I got out of the military and eventually gravitated to the IT Field. I am currently an IT Architect for a healthcare company. I live in Seminole Florida with the love of my life, my lovely wife, Suzanne.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 6, 2017
My rating is 4.5
The book "Mudd's Luck (Blackfox Chronicles # 3)" by T.S. O'Neil has been action-intensive since the very beginning. It all begins with the murder of a diver who in an attempt to defend himself, wound his killer. A half-dead killer on board found Michael Blackfox, his father Char and his fiancée Sofia. Unfortunately, the rescue of Kelley's life will open the Pandora’s Box of death. Frankly, I would not want to go into the story because it could spoil your reading. The writer brings us elegantly into a story you can expect unexpectedly, but one thing is certain, you can expect a lot of action. The story drags you to read it and its great writing. Although this is the third part of a series of books, this book can be read for itself. All in all, this is a very good thriller with a lot of action events and fans of this genre will surely enjoy reading this book. I liked the book and I enjoyed reading.
The book "Mudd's Luck (Blackfox Chronicles # 3)" by T.S. O'Neil has been action-intensive since the very beginning. It all begins with the murder of a diver who in an attempt to defend himself, wound his killer. A half-dead killer on board found Michael Blackfox, his father Char and his fiancée Sofia. Unfortunately, the rescue of Kelley's life will open the Pandora’s Box of death. Frankly, I would not want to go into the story because it could spoil your reading. The writer brings us elegantly into a story you can expect unexpectedly, but one thing is certain, you can expect a lot of action. The story drags you to read it and its great writing. Although this is the third part of a series of books, this book can be read for itself. All in all, this is a very good thriller with a lot of action events and fans of this genre will surely enjoy reading this book. I liked the book and I enjoyed reading.
April 15, 2015
Mudd’s Luck by T.S. O’Neil is the third installment of the author’s wildly entertaining Blackfox series, featuring Char Blackfox and his son Michael as retired commandos following the road to riches and glory regardless of where the path may take them. Only this time it takes them as close to the square root as possible, and T.S. O’Neil brings us close enough to the campfire to draw our own conclusions though it remains unclear if the Blackfoxes have reached their own.
In Tampa Star, we followed the father and son team as they engaged in a race for sunken treasure, risking their lives for one another as well as an eye-popping score that could well have ended the series and allowed them to live happily ever after. Of course, it would have not given the author much to work with, prompting the Starfish Prime sequel in which the Special Forces vets got to strut their stuff against an international crime network whose prowess matches their own. Which brings us to the backwoods of Alabama where it becomes less lucrative and more personal. Pop and Son are tying up loose ends in an escapade which might wind up as a noose around their necks.
The legend of the Paddle Board Killer notwithstanding, our dynamic duo heads down to Monroe County where the local medical examiner asks the kind of questions that breaks out the big can of worms. They find themselves reopening painful chapters of their lives with Char’s ex-wife Ann and Michael’s remarried spouse Vicky. As expected, there are local lawmen such as Deputy Marshal Davis and his crony Reynolds who are not taking kindly to the spec ops boys taking the law into their own hands. It does nothing to keep them off the trail of Ken Q Kelley and his partner Flynn, who are playing an extortion scheme that ultimately poses a threat to the women the Blackfoxes loved and lost. Revenge tragedy, anyone?
The return of Eidetic Eddie Doyle is thematic in itself. The Man Who Never Forgets is symbolic of the protagonists and antagonists’ past histories, who are always just a step behind them. Although Char is a Vietnam-era dinosaur, just as much as Iraq-era Michael is yesterday’s news, they find them up against an enemy whose IRA background is also decades past. Yet it defines the cold-blooded killer who is every bit as dangerous now as he was in the last century. For that matter, so are the Blackfoxes. Doyle sits back and watches the conflict unfold, knowing how it will end up though unsure of who will be putting who in the ground. O’Neil’s audience also finds themselves turning page after page, wondering if this is the end of the trilogy or if the Blackfoxes will live to see another adventure.
O’Neil’s authenticity and detail in narrating the tale along the Alabama backwoods is paralleled by his action sequences and the dramatic dialogue that spices every scene. For a thrill ride you won’t soon forget, Mudd’s Luck by T.S. O’Neil is one you won’t want to miss.
In Tampa Star, we followed the father and son team as they engaged in a race for sunken treasure, risking their lives for one another as well as an eye-popping score that could well have ended the series and allowed them to live happily ever after. Of course, it would have not given the author much to work with, prompting the Starfish Prime sequel in which the Special Forces vets got to strut their stuff against an international crime network whose prowess matches their own. Which brings us to the backwoods of Alabama where it becomes less lucrative and more personal. Pop and Son are tying up loose ends in an escapade which might wind up as a noose around their necks.
The legend of the Paddle Board Killer notwithstanding, our dynamic duo heads down to Monroe County where the local medical examiner asks the kind of questions that breaks out the big can of worms. They find themselves reopening painful chapters of their lives with Char’s ex-wife Ann and Michael’s remarried spouse Vicky. As expected, there are local lawmen such as Deputy Marshal Davis and his crony Reynolds who are not taking kindly to the spec ops boys taking the law into their own hands. It does nothing to keep them off the trail of Ken Q Kelley and his partner Flynn, who are playing an extortion scheme that ultimately poses a threat to the women the Blackfoxes loved and lost. Revenge tragedy, anyone?
The return of Eidetic Eddie Doyle is thematic in itself. The Man Who Never Forgets is symbolic of the protagonists and antagonists’ past histories, who are always just a step behind them. Although Char is a Vietnam-era dinosaur, just as much as Iraq-era Michael is yesterday’s news, they find them up against an enemy whose IRA background is also decades past. Yet it defines the cold-blooded killer who is every bit as dangerous now as he was in the last century. For that matter, so are the Blackfoxes. Doyle sits back and watches the conflict unfold, knowing how it will end up though unsure of who will be putting who in the ground. O’Neil’s audience also finds themselves turning page after page, wondering if this is the end of the trilogy or if the Blackfoxes will live to see another adventure.
O’Neil’s authenticity and detail in narrating the tale along the Alabama backwoods is paralleled by his action sequences and the dramatic dialogue that spices every scene. For a thrill ride you won’t soon forget, Mudd’s Luck by T.S. O’Neil is one you won’t want to miss.
July 13, 2017
I have to say I quite enjoyed this book. It was very fast-paced and certainly kept me engaged throughout. The writing was very strong and although I have not read the two previous books in this series It really was of no concern. The novel was definitely a stand alone story- sure to have a bit of the back story would have been nice but not at all necessary to pull this story together. I will say I did get a little lost closer to the end what with all of the players involved. I had a bit of a hard time keeping everybody straight. My reasoning behind four stars instead of five was that there was nothing overwhelming or outstanding about the story. For me a good portion of it was quite predictable. I knew what was coming.
All in all a good read I would definitely recommend.
All in all a good read I would definitely recommend.
July 19, 2017
4.5 stars
This was a super engaging read - on par with the John D. MacDonald and Robert Parker books of my youth. It features a mature, sarcastic-minded, retired Army protoganist (and his Marine veteran son) both of whom have somewhat tarnished hearts-of-gold, which makes them more interesting, not less. It’s a good thing they are armed with plenty of firepower because they are solving a murder mystery as well as extracting revenge in classic thriller style. The antagonist is former IRA, ruthless beyond measure, and an experienced assassin-for-hire who represents the worst the world has to offer.
What truly separates this book from the others in this genre is the layers of personality and motivations in the two main characters, especially the Irish protagonist. It made him more than the run-of-the-mill bad guy that pervades most hard-boiled suspense novels. The story people created by T.S. are realistic to an extreme, layered with human foibles and characteristics in both villain and hero, and minor characters, too. I was sucked into the action from the very first page. The title of the book, along with the Chapter Headings and the explanations behind them added a humorous touch which entertained and lent a solid finish to the story that is often missing in the rush to publish.
Some readers may find the level of detail too much. But I appreciated it for the sensory experience that it was — drawing me intimately into the setting, and the actions and thoughts that motivated these story people. If I had to criticize anything, it was the occasional typographical error that pulled me out of the story. Also, the minor characters were sometimes overwhelming in number. But most appear to be introduced in previous books in this series, and as long as I knew which side they were on, I happily went with the flow.
This was a super engaging read - on par with the John D. MacDonald and Robert Parker books of my youth. It features a mature, sarcastic-minded, retired Army protoganist (and his Marine veteran son) both of whom have somewhat tarnished hearts-of-gold, which makes them more interesting, not less. It’s a good thing they are armed with plenty of firepower because they are solving a murder mystery as well as extracting revenge in classic thriller style. The antagonist is former IRA, ruthless beyond measure, and an experienced assassin-for-hire who represents the worst the world has to offer.
What truly separates this book from the others in this genre is the layers of personality and motivations in the two main characters, especially the Irish protagonist. It made him more than the run-of-the-mill bad guy that pervades most hard-boiled suspense novels. The story people created by T.S. are realistic to an extreme, layered with human foibles and characteristics in both villain and hero, and minor characters, too. I was sucked into the action from the very first page. The title of the book, along with the Chapter Headings and the explanations behind them added a humorous touch which entertained and lent a solid finish to the story that is often missing in the rush to publish.
Some readers may find the level of detail too much. But I appreciated it for the sensory experience that it was — drawing me intimately into the setting, and the actions and thoughts that motivated these story people. If I had to criticize anything, it was the occasional typographical error that pulled me out of the story. Also, the minor characters were sometimes overwhelming in number. But most appear to be introduced in previous books in this series, and as long as I knew which side they were on, I happily went with the flow.
August 9, 2017
Luck?...
This is the third installment of the Blackfox Chronicles. It is a strong, fast paced sequel,
though it can easily be read as stand-alone. For those who like big guns, fast boats and shoot-first-ask-questions-later tales of revenge, this is a great read.
The analogy of Dr. Mudd’s misfortune turned to unexpected advantage as suggested in the title falls a little flat, considering the losses the main characters incur without any tangible gain at the end.
Personally, I find Char and Michael, macho marine indians playing at cowboys, nicely flawed, but numbingly shallow. Dealing with loss or affront is simply a matter of dispatching the invariable rotten-to-the-core bad guy and topping it off with another cold beer. And, once more, women are just there for the reactions they cause in men, something that feels way past it’s sell-by date once you start noticing...
That said, this book was written for entertainment, and as such, it certainly delivers.
This is the third installment of the Blackfox Chronicles. It is a strong, fast paced sequel,
though it can easily be read as stand-alone. For those who like big guns, fast boats and shoot-first-ask-questions-later tales of revenge, this is a great read.
The analogy of Dr. Mudd’s misfortune turned to unexpected advantage as suggested in the title falls a little flat, considering the losses the main characters incur without any tangible gain at the end.
Personally, I find Char and Michael, macho marine indians playing at cowboys, nicely flawed, but numbingly shallow. Dealing with loss or affront is simply a matter of dispatching the invariable rotten-to-the-core bad guy and topping it off with another cold beer. And, once more, women are just there for the reactions they cause in men, something that feels way past it’s sell-by date once you start noticing...
That said, this book was written for entertainment, and as such, it certainly delivers.
June 1, 2015
This book opens fast – with a murder underwater. The killer, Kelley, is injured in the attack, and subsequently found and rescued by our hero, Michael Blackfox, along with his father Char, and Michael’s finance Sophia.
Something about Kelley’s story doesn’t add up. Michael is all for getting rid of the patient, and is happy to leave him on his boat, now patched up and equally eager to move on. But when Michael grabs a fresh shirt for Kelley from his drawer, he discovers a dive knife hidden amongst the man’s clothing. A dive knife with the initials of the dead diver – and covered in blood.
Michael keeps the knife, and hurries Sophia off the boat. Kelley, however, is no fool, and quickly realizes he’s been discovered. He waits till the two have gone, and then pulls out a rifle. Michael is injured – and Sophia is killed.
A retired commando, Michael recovers and begins his search for Kelley. In the meantime, Kelley is determined to finish his murder-for-hire business by collecting money owed – and after discovering who owes it, schemes to increase his share.
If an action/thriller is what you seek, you should find this a good read. The pace is maintained throughout, and the ante is upped appropriately. O’Neil writes of the Florida area with authority, making you feel you’re there. His dive sequence was a little less convincing for me, with an experienced diver swimming to the surface, only inflating his B.C. when the killer hangs on his feet.
I did have a bit of trouble distinguishing the characters. Possibly because this is the third book in the series, and while the story was unique to this installment, most characters had been introduced in earlier tales. It might have helped if there had been a little more distinction in thought and attitude between the dominant males.
It is fast moving, full of action, and certainly keeps your interest. If you love action books with big heroes, big guns, and a little disregard for the law, this book is for you.
Something about Kelley’s story doesn’t add up. Michael is all for getting rid of the patient, and is happy to leave him on his boat, now patched up and equally eager to move on. But when Michael grabs a fresh shirt for Kelley from his drawer, he discovers a dive knife hidden amongst the man’s clothing. A dive knife with the initials of the dead diver – and covered in blood.
Michael keeps the knife, and hurries Sophia off the boat. Kelley, however, is no fool, and quickly realizes he’s been discovered. He waits till the two have gone, and then pulls out a rifle. Michael is injured – and Sophia is killed.
A retired commando, Michael recovers and begins his search for Kelley. In the meantime, Kelley is determined to finish his murder-for-hire business by collecting money owed – and after discovering who owes it, schemes to increase his share.
If an action/thriller is what you seek, you should find this a good read. The pace is maintained throughout, and the ante is upped appropriately. O’Neil writes of the Florida area with authority, making you feel you’re there. His dive sequence was a little less convincing for me, with an experienced diver swimming to the surface, only inflating his B.C. when the killer hangs on his feet.
I did have a bit of trouble distinguishing the characters. Possibly because this is the third book in the series, and while the story was unique to this installment, most characters had been introduced in earlier tales. It might have helped if there had been a little more distinction in thought and attitude between the dominant males.
It is fast moving, full of action, and certainly keeps your interest. If you love action books with big heroes, big guns, and a little disregard for the law, this book is for you.
October 15, 2015
Mudd’s Luck begins with the paid for murder of a sub-aqua diver by former Provisional IRA terrorist Kelley. The killer for hire is injured and is rescued by Michael Blackfox, his father Char and fiancée Sophia.
It’s a rescue that Michael soon regrets as he realises that the body of a diver found in the same area is linked to Kelley, whose life was saved by Sophia, and a recovered Kelley needs to hide his tracks by killing anyone who knows his secret. The big mistake Kelley makes is killing Sophia and leaving Michael alive to hunt him down.
What follows is a breakneck series of double and triple crosses as the killer, the man who hired him, the woman who paid, the FBI, US Marshals and various gun-toting sidekicks cross paths with the Blackfox family leading to more deaths, kidnappings and gun battles.
The writing is tight, keeping the action moving along, giving enough of a backstory to the character of Kelley for the reader to understand how he ended up a killer for hire. There are some passages where the point of view switches mid paragraph which were a bit confusing but in general the focus is kept on the action.
This is the third book featuring the main characters of Michael Blackfox and his father Char. Although it’s not necessary to have read the previous novels as this is a standalone story there were plotlines that have obviously carried through the series so far and I did find that without better knowledge of what had already happened my interest wasn’t completely hooked by these sub-plots (for example the US Marshal’s desperate need to seize Char’s boat).
Overall, Mudd’s Luck is a good read with strong leading characters that I’m sure will carry through other novels and has well researched technical detail and background settings.
I was given a free copy for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
It’s a rescue that Michael soon regrets as he realises that the body of a diver found in the same area is linked to Kelley, whose life was saved by Sophia, and a recovered Kelley needs to hide his tracks by killing anyone who knows his secret. The big mistake Kelley makes is killing Sophia and leaving Michael alive to hunt him down.
What follows is a breakneck series of double and triple crosses as the killer, the man who hired him, the woman who paid, the FBI, US Marshals and various gun-toting sidekicks cross paths with the Blackfox family leading to more deaths, kidnappings and gun battles.
The writing is tight, keeping the action moving along, giving enough of a backstory to the character of Kelley for the reader to understand how he ended up a killer for hire. There are some passages where the point of view switches mid paragraph which were a bit confusing but in general the focus is kept on the action.
This is the third book featuring the main characters of Michael Blackfox and his father Char. Although it’s not necessary to have read the previous novels as this is a standalone story there were plotlines that have obviously carried through the series so far and I did find that without better knowledge of what had already happened my interest wasn’t completely hooked by these sub-plots (for example the US Marshal’s desperate need to seize Char’s boat).
Overall, Mudd’s Luck is a good read with strong leading characters that I’m sure will carry through other novels and has well researched technical detail and background settings.
I was given a free copy for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
January 4, 2016
Review of Mudd’s Luck. T S O’Neil.
The title refers to the doctor who treated Lincoln’s assassin and neatly ties the loose ends of the story at the end of the book. The story revolves around a father and son who have been the wrong side of the law on several occasions, leading to several scrapes and now, due to an unforeseen accident, the targets of a villainous and prolific assassin. The story proceeds with the inevitable chase of the killer, who is as close to a well-drawn psychopath as you will meet in any thriller. Various minor characters come and go during this fast paced thriller. The locations and sense of timing are well drawn. Some of the conversation is a bit staged; the attempts at the Irish brogue fail badly on occasion.
The story is nothing new but then there are only so many plot-lines on Earth! This plot, however, gallops along and takes you exactly where you would expect, so if you enjoy military-style action, this will not disappoint. The sex is not graphic, unlike some of the violence but as an adult, I have read worse!
The book has about fifteen editing errors, about 15 too many! There are also detailed descriptions of meals and drinks that are simply superfluous; we don’t need to know how to pour a Guinness or how a meal has been prepared. Too many authors do it, and Mr O’Neil is also guilty of this bad habit, although not prolifically so!
All in all, I enjoyed this book and read it in two long sittings, always a good sign. With a good editor and just a few deletions this would have been a five star thriller. Because of the errors and the frequent confusion I struggled through with the rapid changes of POV in the middle of chapters, even within paragraphs, I have to deduct a star, sadly. I suspect the author was interrupted a few too many times and lost the flow. A good editor would have pointed these errors out to him.
The title refers to the doctor who treated Lincoln’s assassin and neatly ties the loose ends of the story at the end of the book. The story revolves around a father and son who have been the wrong side of the law on several occasions, leading to several scrapes and now, due to an unforeseen accident, the targets of a villainous and prolific assassin. The story proceeds with the inevitable chase of the killer, who is as close to a well-drawn psychopath as you will meet in any thriller. Various minor characters come and go during this fast paced thriller. The locations and sense of timing are well drawn. Some of the conversation is a bit staged; the attempts at the Irish brogue fail badly on occasion.
The story is nothing new but then there are only so many plot-lines on Earth! This plot, however, gallops along and takes you exactly where you would expect, so if you enjoy military-style action, this will not disappoint. The sex is not graphic, unlike some of the violence but as an adult, I have read worse!
The book has about fifteen editing errors, about 15 too many! There are also detailed descriptions of meals and drinks that are simply superfluous; we don’t need to know how to pour a Guinness or how a meal has been prepared. Too many authors do it, and Mr O’Neil is also guilty of this bad habit, although not prolifically so!
All in all, I enjoyed this book and read it in two long sittings, always a good sign. With a good editor and just a few deletions this would have been a five star thriller. Because of the errors and the frequent confusion I struggled through with the rapid changes of POV in the middle of chapters, even within paragraphs, I have to deduct a star, sadly. I suspect the author was interrupted a few too many times and lost the flow. A good editor would have pointed these errors out to him.
May 1, 2015
This story is a told as a fast paced thriller which opens with a murder, swiftly followed by another, and then maintains the action right through to the finish. The main protagonists are Michael and his father Char, two hard nosed ex-military men who are accustomed to dispensing their own brand of justice regardless of legality. And the people they’re up against are equally ruthless in preventing that justice being done. There is a military flavour running throughout in terms of the people involved and the actions they initiate, and this is further reflected in some pretty down to earth dialogue. These are people you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of.
I thought the pace was excellent, it just doesn’t let up. The book holds together structurally even though the settings change quite frequently, and some of the locations are intriguing. The author’s addition of a web link to some of them was a great idea, certainly made me want to visit the Dry Tortugas.
There is a lot of violence, but given the theme of murder and rough justice this is entirely appropriate. On the minus side if I’m being picky there are some occasional editing issues with the odd missing word, but on the whole this is an easy read. If you like your thrillers eventful and pacy then you will enjoy this book.
I thought the pace was excellent, it just doesn’t let up. The book holds together structurally even though the settings change quite frequently, and some of the locations are intriguing. The author’s addition of a web link to some of them was a great idea, certainly made me want to visit the Dry Tortugas.
There is a lot of violence, but given the theme of murder and rough justice this is entirely appropriate. On the minus side if I’m being picky there are some occasional editing issues with the odd missing word, but on the whole this is an easy read. If you like your thrillers eventful and pacy then you will enjoy this book.
December 7, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this one, it ticks all the boxes for a fast paced military type thriller from beginning to end. Murder, revenge and violence pepper the book, as well as a great deal of drinking and sex, although it isn't explicit. The bad guys hats are so black you wouldn't see them at night, and the good guys are a definite grey, not white.They are hard people doing horrible things that need to be done.
I liked the fact that the book didn't just focus on young characters, many of these were older, mature individuals with plenty of baggage they are working through. I did get a little confused about who was who at the finale when some friends are pulled in to help, but who they were didn't really matter for the story. They were with the 'grey hat' team and that was all the reader needs to know.
For that last elusive star, I would have wanted a little more detail and development of the relationship between Michael's parents as the little hints that all may not be lost had me on the edge of my seat. Then again, I like romance and this wasn't what the book was about, so that is probably an unfair criticism.
I liked the fact that the book didn't just focus on young characters, many of these were older, mature individuals with plenty of baggage they are working through. I did get a little confused about who was who at the finale when some friends are pulled in to help, but who they were didn't really matter for the story. They were with the 'grey hat' team and that was all the reader needs to know.
For that last elusive star, I would have wanted a little more detail and development of the relationship between Michael's parents as the little hints that all may not be lost had me on the edge of my seat. Then again, I like romance and this wasn't what the book was about, so that is probably an unfair criticism.
August 17, 2015
I received this story for free in exchange for a fair review. Mudd's Luck is one of the best page turners I've read in a while. T.S. is a fantastic writer and holds a great pace throughout. As a writer, I'm amazed at the people who are so great at setting up a world, scene and can describe action (one of my own faults). As a reader, I enjoy thrillers but, if I'm honest, they rarely stay with me for long. I enjoy them in the moment but outside of that moment I generally don't look back on these novels, with fond feelings or any other feeling of note. And this story is no different. I took a week before finishing this book and writing this review, as I do whenever I review any product, and I'm finding if difficult to recall much of the story. But, I do know that, in the time while reading the story, I had a good time. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a fun page turners.
December 17, 2015
Well this book certainly kept me on the edge of my seat in certain places. It is a fast paced crime thriller.
I was sad when Michael lost the love of his life Sofia to that heinous unrepentant villain Kelley whose life she had saved earlier. I was even more surprised to find out about Flynn’s role in all of the chaos that erupted, in the end he got what he deserved and so did the Paddle Board Killer in the end. Also I think Ann and Char may get back together in the end, although the author left it open, my money is on a reunion.
I enjoyed reading this book, although I had not read the previous books before it, that didn’t matter I understood all the backstory the author felt mattered to reintroduce into this book to help readers along the way.
Over all, this is a book that I will love to see made into a movie. If you are into fast paced military crime thrillers then this is your book.
I was sad when Michael lost the love of his life Sofia to that heinous unrepentant villain Kelley whose life she had saved earlier. I was even more surprised to find out about Flynn’s role in all of the chaos that erupted, in the end he got what he deserved and so did the Paddle Board Killer in the end. Also I think Ann and Char may get back together in the end, although the author left it open, my money is on a reunion.
I enjoyed reading this book, although I had not read the previous books before it, that didn’t matter I understood all the backstory the author felt mattered to reintroduce into this book to help readers along the way.
Over all, this is a book that I will love to see made into a movie. If you are into fast paced military crime thrillers then this is your book.
April 15, 2015
I have been anxiously awaiting the third part of the Blackfox Chronicles and was very happy to see Mudd’s Luck available for purchase. . T.S. O’Neil’s first two books were very enjoyable and this one did not disappoint. Cover to cover I was on the edge of my seat. Char and Michael have been established as strong men always ready for a fight. In Mudd’s Luck we discover they are not just fearless adventurers but also men who desire a home and family. At the end of Starfish Prime they had shed a monkey off their backs in the form of arrest warrants and at the start of Mudd’s Luck they are planning to settle down. The quiet life is not ready for them so chaos erupts out of a former IRA member with nothing to lose. Not only is there plenty of action but O’Neil has a delightful sense of humor that comes out in his writing. Mudd’s Luck is a fun fast paced adventure.
April 20, 2015
Mudd's Luck goes out the gate quickly and provides a roller coaster ride as the bodies keep dropping. We're introduced immediately to the villain of the piece and see him at work. He's definitely a nasty fellow. At no point did I feel any sympathy for him.
Michael and Char, the heroes of the series (I haven't read the earlier books), are well drawn. I was a little bit lost in the beginning because there isn't much background given on them, but I picked up more as the story went on.
The story is tight and smooth. The action is believable. The author presents a good knowledge of the types of people who do special forces work. The book is easy to read, yet tense and exciting. I stayed glued until the finish.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Michael and Char, the heroes of the series (I haven't read the earlier books), are well drawn. I was a little bit lost in the beginning because there isn't much background given on them, but I picked up more as the story went on.
The story is tight and smooth. The action is believable. The author presents a good knowledge of the types of people who do special forces work. The book is easy to read, yet tense and exciting. I stayed glued until the finish.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2015
Mudd’s Luck is a solid thriller from beginning to end. I haven’t read the first two books of the series, but this one is a stand alone.
The two main characters, Char and Michael, are good guys with enough bad in them to make them interesting. Though these are father and son characters, the author does a good job of giving each a distinctive voice.
The story opens with a murder and spirals delightfully out of control from there. The pace alternates between action and dialogue with just enough backstory to fill in the holes. Tension and action build steadily to the final showdown and explosive ending.
If you enjoy a good thriller with really bad bad guys and smart-assed devil-may-care good guys, you’ll find this one well worth your time.
The two main characters, Char and Michael, are good guys with enough bad in them to make them interesting. Though these are father and son characters, the author does a good job of giving each a distinctive voice.
The story opens with a murder and spirals delightfully out of control from there. The pace alternates between action and dialogue with just enough backstory to fill in the holes. Tension and action build steadily to the final showdown and explosive ending.
If you enjoy a good thriller with really bad bad guys and smart-assed devil-may-care good guys, you’ll find this one well worth your time.
November 10, 2015
As full disclaimer, I jumped right into this story here at book three. While I was worried about missing the back story and the stories in books 1 and 2; I was pleasantly surprised that was not the case. The author provided enough back story to fill in the gaps, without being redundant if you had read the other books.
Now onto the review... this book opens with a murder. Talk about gripping you right from the beginning and it never lets you go. It is a ride that you are flying along in the dark. I read this entire book in two days, because I simply couldn't put it down. There were so many plot twists that you won't see coming. If you like murder/crime books then this will be a must read.
Now onto the review... this book opens with a murder. Talk about gripping you right from the beginning and it never lets you go. It is a ride that you are flying along in the dark. I read this entire book in two days, because I simply couldn't put it down. There were so many plot twists that you won't see coming. If you like murder/crime books then this will be a must read.
June 22, 2015
I enjoyed "Mudd’s Luck" by T.S. O’Neil, a fast-paced novel about a pair of father-son former military commandos embarking on a personal rescue-and-revenge mission in the Gulf of Mexico outside Florida. The main characters are heroic and macho but possess enough heart for the reader to root for them; the villain is callous and coldblooded, inducing the reader to hate him. The tale switched points of view between characters throughout scenes, making my head spin and significantly reducing my satisfaction. Still, I recommend the book.
June 13, 2015
Won a copy of this and not read the other two books. Starts out with a horrible murder at the very beginning. Then when a couple discovers a boat adrift, check it out. Wounded man inside. Without their help he would of died. But they found out a little too much and the girl was killed and guy hurt. So he begins the search for the man that is killing others.
Very fast pace, and sorry but sometimes the language is a little strong for my taste. That's why I only give it a 4. But other than that the story line is good.
Very fast pace, and sorry but sometimes the language is a little strong for my taste. That's why I only give it a 4. But other than that the story line is good.
February 19, 2016
Wonderfully entertaining novel with plenty of action. I definitely recommend this book.
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
December 14, 2015
It was a great day to be alive until his past caught up with him and sucked him back in. Now he's after revenge and nothing will stop him in his quest.
A thrilling thriller
A thrilling thriller
February 25, 2016
I won this book through goodreads. I read the first 3 so I absolutely needed this piece of the puzzle. A great ending to a great series. Really enjoyable and action packed.
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