The Rum Runner

by Dannal J. Newman

2017 IPPY Silver Medal Winner. Murder. Revenge. Rum. Maxwell Craig is just an ordinary guy. At least he used to be… Six years ago he lost everything in one cataclysmic moment in time. From the outside, his new life appears enviable. Max spends his days on an idyllic tropical island off the coast of Martinique, distilling some of the most renowned bootleg rum in the Caribbean. Only his best friend and business partner, Josue, knows that Max lives for one thing, revenge. As Max’s plan to lure his enemy draws close, the dangerous and vengeful rum runner learns he has more to lose than he ever thought possible. Taste exotic rum cocktails, feel the warm Caribbean breeze on your face, and sit on the edge of your seat as this suspenseful tale of murder and revenge takes you for an intoxicating tropical ride. Book One in the Maxwell Craig series of tropical thrillers.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2016

About the author

Growing up in sunny south Florida, Dannal fished, snorkeled, and dodged jellyfish washed up on the beach. He eventually moved out west, settling in southern Oregon, where he currently resides with his wife and two kids, and works in television.

In addition to The Rum Runner, Dannal is also the author of a quirky series of shorts called The Trying Tales of Chumbles & Grim. He is currently hard at work on a prequel novel to The Rum Runner.

You can learn more at his website Dannal.com

Reviews

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting, educational and thrilling story. Maxwell Craig is a wounded warrior, with his friend Josue he distills a delicate rum near Martinique. Many different forms of bad guys (and gals) populate the story, a nd it's hard to determine who to trust. The action is well-described and suspenseful, with a number of surprises along the way. The environment is depicted in words that readily create images for the reader. Whether distilling rum, eating local foods, or enjoying the tropical drinks, the reader is brought into the scenes. The ending is representative of the old saying: "It's always darkest just before it really turns to crap." However, a tiny glimmer of hope sets the stage for further adventures of Maxwell Craig.

[Vickie Sarmina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent mystery!! Maxwell Craig has become one of the most experienced and famous rum connoisseurs in the world from his home in Martinique in the Caribbean Islands. What sparked this change from a career in accounting to a "rum runner?" It was the horrible murderer of his wife, little daughter, and small infant son. Maxwell and his partner, Josue Remy, made the “Fleur de Lis rum" from scratch with the sugarcane crop to the barrels for processing and aging. The particular rum was not legal, but was made to entice the murderer of his family. Add on a gang from Miami who is trying to find and kill Josue, drug trafficking, and an ex- FBI Agent and you have one a roller coaster ride, where not everyone is as they seem. I truly enjoyed the way the plot evolved throughout the book. The characters were very colorful and had a way to express their emotions so that the reader could really relate to everything they were experiencing. Can't wait to read more about Maxwell Craig from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rum Runner tells some history about rum of course, which is a bit off setting until it is weaved into the story. Then it does make sense for the history lesson. Maxwell Craig is someone who is just waiting for the time when his enemy is close enough to get what he has been planning for....revenge. This book starts kinda slow, but he pace picks up like a boat in a race! Can Maxwell get what he has so been longing for? At what cost does this come? Read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Peter Earle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exciting read with great protagonists and good guys, set in a lovely backdrop. A tale of premeditated revenge where the lure is set in place rather than a case of going hunting, which, with the inevitable destruction of everything built up, seems a bit nonsensical. A waste.
There are two gangs of bad guys, both rather stereotypical, unfortunately. Dannal Newman has a lot of promise but also needs to paint a more realistic portrait of his characters. The twists and surprises are there, but his reluctance to give us convincing characters makes one suspicious of them and detracts from the surprise when they turn out to be the opposite to what they are pretending to be.
Does not fulfil its huge promise. Exciting, but confusing and twists are not convincing.
Given time and pruning, this is going to be an author of note.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story, well researched and written, with lively characters and settings that really jump off the page. So much knowledge of the rum making process was involved in the making of this book, the writer obviously did their research (such a tough subject to do it on!), and with a wealth of knowledge on the setting too, to really bring it all to life. You get thoroughly sucked into the action and really root for the goodies and hate the baddies - it's like watching the film in your head, it's so well-written! I loved this book and would thoroughly recommend it (and have!)! I look forward to reading more books by this writer.

[LooseBoots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I come across a book that takes me on an emotional roller coaster. This was one such book. It was all action with clear goodies and baddies but you felt at one with the main character , Max.
Twists and turns throughout, a glimpse of trials and tribulations of actually making Rum but having read the prequel and knowing Max had lost his wife and young children gunned down in front of him you follow him through his revengeful life. But things don't quite turn out to plan. It's a definite MUST READ and just when you think it's all over, maybe there's a silver lining after all. I hope there is a follow on.

[Nereida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It had my attention from the very start. It was fast paced with lots of action, laughter as well as tears. The way Mr. Newman writes his characters, I really got to know them, the way they think and the way they feel.
This is my first review, I signed up for Goodreads just to write this. This is exactly what I want in a thriller. Thanks Mr. Newman.
I'm looking forward to the next one.

[timothy norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I loved the action. Even more i loved the character development - i could feel how much Max hated the men who had killed his family and how close he felt to his Hatian partner and friend. Wonder work sure to leaving you wanting more. Now if i can just get all his works in Australia!!!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted with the complexity of the story and characters in this first novel by Dannal. A real page turner that I did not put down. Well thought out and realistic story and action.
I have the prequel in my reading queue and look forward to more from Dannal.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a little slow at first. Enjoyed the history of rum making and Craig Maxwell's telling of how he does. Then the quick paced action begins and it becomes a fast paced story of revenge on e fronts, Enjoyed the story and I'm anxious for more books in this series. I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Uwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different, a bit confusing in the beginning BUT a great story, lots of action, friendship, humor and rum drinking !

[Caroline Woodhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy and voluntarily reviewed it and wow it was full off detail from everything about rum making business to how they run it.
It's all about revenge after his family are killed. It's so detailed its as if you were their.
I wasn't sure at first if I was going to get into the book but once I sat down and got into it I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to follow up books.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story, characters, the setting and thought it was well written. Can recommend it as it kept me enthralled right from the start! My kind of book and author!