Saving Paulo

by David J. Walker

In downtown Chicago, Charlie Long sees two men shoot a man who is sheltering a little boy. Charlie snatches the boy and runs. The strangely silent boy is the pawn in a deadly game spanning continents.

385 pages, Hardcover

First published June 18, 2008

About the author

DAVID J. WALKER has written twelve published mystery/suspense novels, and one novella. His most recent book is Company Orders, a 2012 release. This is a stand-alone thriller in which the hero is--of all things--a priest.

David is the author of two private eye series, the "Mal Foley" series, and the “Wild Onion, Ltd.” series. The Wild Onion books feature a wife/husband private eye team, and are set in and around Chicago.

David is the author of the acclaimed 2008 suspense novel, Saving Paulo, also a stand-alone, and his short story, “A Weekend in the Country,” was published in the popular 2006 anthology, Chicago Blues.

One of Walker’s Wild Onion, Ltd. books was short-listed for the Society of Midland Authors best novel award. He has been an Edgar® nominee and has won several Lovie awards. He has served on the Board of Directors of Mystery Writers of America. He is also a member of Private Eye Writers of America, and has been a judge for both the Edgar and Shamus awards.

Walker is a life-long Chicagoan. He has been a parish priest in Chicago, an investigator with the Chicago Police Department, and an attorney. At present, he is a full-time writer
and lives with his wife just north of the city.

Reviews

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down...literally. Walker's writing is strong and intense. His story was filled with suspense but not over dramatic. Revolving around a highly flawed main character and set in Chicago, among other locales, this book is a stand-alone thriller, but it has spurred me on to read all of the other book Walker has written, series or not. The relationship between the boy and the main character is highly believable. It never gets too sappy or mushy. And the ending is strong. I was hoping against hope that Walker wouldn't ruin the ending as many authors do by taking the "Hollywood" way out. But, the ending is as strong as the first pages. I've met Mr. Walker on a few occasions and he is, on the surface, a mild, unassuming man. But, he sure writes a WILD, FAST-PACED thriller. A GREAT thriller!

[Garryvivianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an exciting book filled with kidnapping, jungle fighting, drug dealing in South American countries, seedy little bars in stateside Chicago & one down & out guy who gets caught in the middle of all of these "adventures". Charlie Long is a likeable guy who ends up growing up & re-evaluating his life after all the wild turns that he gets involved in unknowingly.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Walker is an experienced author who knows how to tell a fine story well. This is an excellent example, filled with reluctance, tension, twists and turns. Good characters and incisive dialogue will keep you reading.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book but wish he had spent more time fleshing out the ending. It seemed too abrupt and not detailed enough.