THE FOX: Mike, Hilda, and the Green Emerald Cafe Inferno

by John J. Mandeville, John J. Valentino

This is a tale of the most unlikely connection between The Fox, Mike and Hilda and how the three met at the Green Emerald fire one winter night in Manhattan, as discribed by Chief John J. Mandeville.

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2017

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

An hilarious mystery – the further adventures of Sam Blades

Author Nick James made an impressive debut of a new series with THE MISPLACED MAN and now he offers the second installment in that series with CHASING THE DRAGON. His writing style is already polished and he has decided how to blend espionage mystery with a sense of humor that makes his novels well worth the attention of a wide reading audience. He offers no biographical information: his language suggests he is of British origin.

Sam Blades continues as the lead character an das is his style the author provides a portal to this tale in his Prologue – ‘Sam and his girlfriend, Bunny, a Hong Kong expat, are your normal professional couple living in the borough of Barking in the city of London. He works for a mobile app company called Shimmering dreams. Their software allows the buyer of the app to download their dreams directly form their subconscious while they sleep. Bunny works for a multinational bank. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Despite how it looks form the outside, Sam’s life is being controlled by forces seen and unseen. His passion for eighties music and film references will only get him so far! After just six months in his new job, he was attacked in his own home by a lone gunman, who seemed to hate him, and his fish. Luckily Bunny, along with her anger issues, saved the day with the help of a prop from the movie Kill Bill. Will he be able to live his life the way he wants? Or will his enemies conquer? We shall see if a crooked policeman and a drug- and drink-riddled boss along with his Chinese transsexual girlfriend/fixer will win the day over poor Sam.’

Just the right balance between fascinating characters and incredible circumstances, all told with a sharp wit. Nick James is a solid talent to watch closely! Recommended.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE FOX: Mike, Hilda, and the Green Emerald Cafe Inferno by Battalion Chief John J. Mandeville is one of the most unusual books out there. It is a compilation of three separate stories and how they all come together at the end. Mike is a lieutenant in the NY fire department, and recounts his experiences while working in various places in the city. Hilda is another character contained within her own story, trying to climb the social and economic ladder in New York. Finally we have the Fox, who really is the most interesting, and the most fully developed character, and he is born, grows ups and struggles. The coming together of all of these three disparate elements and characters at the end is truly fascinating and unexpected. A totally unique book that will keep you interested if only to figure out what the author had in mind during the writing. The writing itself is straightforward, you can feel the New York in it, and the structure was certainly different. All in all, a unique read and one that is highly recommended.