What do you think?
Rate this book
Fever
The last thing Ari Van Owen expected to see that Saturday morning was his ex-girlfriend’s furious husband on his front step.
“Where is she?” Butch Brubaker demanded. “Where’s Frankie?”
Frankie Brubaker, the woman Ari loves but can never have, has been abducted. There’s no ransom note, and no contact from the kidnappers. With his past experience working for the FBI, this type of investigation is right up Van Owen’s alley. In no time he uncovers clues that point to Frankie being held outside of the country, somewhere in the Amazon Jungle. But what Van Owen can’t determine is why.
A few days later, a flight from Brazil crashes near Louisville when the pilot and first officer suffer from total paralysis en route. Just days after that, a popular South American baseball player is found dead in Cincinnati after succumbing to the same mysterious ailment. The FBI suspects the two high profile cases may be related, and they want Van Owen to do what he does best and connect the dots.
The deeper Ari digs, the more it appears that Frankie’s abduction is somehow linked to both the plane crash and the dead athlete. But before he can put the pieces together, the kidnappers are back – only this time they’ve targeted Van Owen, and their intentions are clear: they’ll either take him, or they’ll take him out.
“Where is she?” Butch Brubaker demanded. “Where’s Frankie?”
Frankie Brubaker, the woman Ari loves but can never have, has been abducted. There’s no ransom note, and no contact from the kidnappers. With his past experience working for the FBI, this type of investigation is right up Van Owen’s alley. In no time he uncovers clues that point to Frankie being held outside of the country, somewhere in the Amazon Jungle. But what Van Owen can’t determine is why.
A few days later, a flight from Brazil crashes near Louisville when the pilot and first officer suffer from total paralysis en route. Just days after that, a popular South American baseball player is found dead in Cincinnati after succumbing to the same mysterious ailment. The FBI suspects the two high profile cases may be related, and they want Van Owen to do what he does best and connect the dots.
The deeper Ari digs, the more it appears that Frankie’s abduction is somehow linked to both the plane crash and the dead athlete. But before he can put the pieces together, the kidnappers are back – only this time they’ve targeted Van Owen, and their intentions are clear: they’ll either take him, or they’ll take him out.
488 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2016
About the author
David Kettlehake
7 books18 followersDavid Kettlehake’s fascination with reading began at a very young age. Even though his father was a minister and his mother was a social worker and money was tight, his parents never said no to books. He still vividly remembers reading under the covers at night with a flashlight, while listening for the footfalls of his parents telling him (for the last time!) to go to sleep.
The first book he ever checked out of a library was Robert A. Heinlein’s Rocket Ship Galileo, back in elementary school. But as often as not, he could be found reading an Alistair MacClean thriller, or horror short stories from H.P. Lovecraft. Science fiction and fantasy novels came later, and even now the books he picks up are from genres all across the board.
For the most part, his protagonists are average people caught up in events outside their control, forcing them to overcome their own fears and shortcomings in order to succeed…or survive.
He deeply believes that reading should be fun and pleasurable, and that when you finish one of his books you breathe a deep, satisfied sigh, and wish there were just a few more pages.
David and his wonderful wife Lisa have three terrific kids, Nikki, Aaron, and Ian. He and his wife live in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. They love traveling here and abroad and seeing the world, which is why his stories tend to gravitate outside of the U.S.
His third novel, the YA dystopian thriller GRAY, will be released in September of 2020 through Brother Mockingbird Publishing.
Please visit his website at www.davidkettlehake.com, or email him at david.kettlehake@gmail.com
The first book he ever checked out of a library was Robert A. Heinlein’s Rocket Ship Galileo, back in elementary school. But as often as not, he could be found reading an Alistair MacClean thriller, or horror short stories from H.P. Lovecraft. Science fiction and fantasy novels came later, and even now the books he picks up are from genres all across the board.
For the most part, his protagonists are average people caught up in events outside their control, forcing them to overcome their own fears and shortcomings in order to succeed…or survive.
He deeply believes that reading should be fun and pleasurable, and that when you finish one of his books you breathe a deep, satisfied sigh, and wish there were just a few more pages.
David and his wonderful wife Lisa have three terrific kids, Nikki, Aaron, and Ian. He and his wife live in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. They love traveling here and abroad and seeing the world, which is why his stories tend to gravitate outside of the U.S.
His third novel, the YA dystopian thriller GRAY, will be released in September of 2020 through Brother Mockingbird Publishing.
Please visit his website at www.davidkettlehake.com, or email him at david.kettlehake@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Want to Read
June 24, 2016I won this book via Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I received an autographed paperback copy.
May 9, 2023
Reminiscent of The Lost City of the Monkey God, Kettlehake's character Ari Van Owen takes the reader to the Amazon jungle in Brazil where danger is waiting at every turn. Ari has been there before and nearly died but Frankie Brubaker, friend and one time lover, is missing. Her husband Butch wants her back, too. The FBI believes she's either a victim or connected to a drug ring that is spreading a deadly drug. Several notable people have died instantly. Traces of a byproduct of an ant residue that paralyses the victim, known only to be from the Amazon jungle, is in their blood. Uncharted South American jungles are not for the tame and four men think they are prepared for hardship but find the unexpected brings them to their knees. A well told story, a bit too long, but it's a long journey for Ari Van Owen when he's out to rescue the love of his life even if she returns to her husband. Kettlehake has other stories down the adventurous path, each one better than the last.
December 2, 2023
A great read all around!
A compelling read. The characters are interesting, well-developed, and add dimension to the story. It's a treat to even see some familiar characters from Straw Man ;) There's also a very interesting story within the story related to the historical component driving at least one of the characters. A great read all around. Eager for whatever comes next!
A compelling read. The characters are interesting, well-developed, and add dimension to the story. It's a treat to even see some familiar characters from Straw Man ;) There's also a very interesting story within the story related to the historical component driving at least one of the characters. A great read all around. Eager for whatever comes next!
May 27, 2016
Couldn't put this book down! A lot of twists, and suspense. This author does a great job describing moments, you feel like you are there. I highly recommend this book.
April 22, 2017
Excellent read! Fast paced from first page to the last. I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to this author's next book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews