What do you think?
Rate this book
M.I.A. Hunter #1
Stone
A new kind of courage. A new kind of war.
Mark Stone has a score to settle. A former Green Beret, he has only one activity that gives meaning to his life - finding American's forgotten fighting men, the P.O.W.'s the government has conveniently labeled M.I.A.'s, and bringing them back from their hell on earth.
It's too big a job for one man. But Stone has friends. And with Hog Wiley and Terrance Loughlin-a merc from east Texas and a crack British commando - Stone returns to the steaming jungles of Laos on a do-or-die mission: to free a captured fighter jock from the sadistic commander who has sentenced him to a fate worse than death....
Mark Stone has a score to settle. A former Green Beret, he has only one activity that gives meaning to his life - finding American's forgotten fighting men, the P.O.W.'s the government has conveniently labeled M.I.A.'s, and bringing them back from their hell on earth.
It's too big a job for one man. But Stone has friends. And with Hog Wiley and Terrance Loughlin-a merc from east Texas and a crack British commando - Stone returns to the steaming jungles of Laos on a do-or-die mission: to free a captured fighter jock from the sadistic commander who has sentenced him to a fate worse than death....
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1985
337 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Jack Buchanan
25 books5 followers"Jack Buchanan" is a pen name of Joe R.Lansdale, Stephen Mertz, Michael Newton, and Bill Crider.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 2, 2022
Fantastic 80’s action from page one. A superb start to an excellent series. From the jungles of Vietnam to the streets of America and the wilds of El Salvador the thrills and edge of your seat tension never lets up and never disappoints.
November 20, 2017
Just found this series......
And I like it. Intense action from the first page and all the way through to the end. Mark Stone is a tough guy search ing for left behind P.O.W.s in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam some who have been held for 13 or 14 or more Years. Bravo to him and any others who are trying to bring home American service personnel left in Southeast Asia. Thanks to all!!! Amarillo Turtle
.
And I like it. Intense action from the first page and all the way through to the end. Mark Stone is a tough guy search ing for left behind P.O.W.s in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam some who have been held for 13 or 14 or more Years. Bravo to him and any others who are trying to bring home American service personnel left in Southeast Asia. Thanks to all!!! Amarillo Turtle
.
April 2, 2019
Stephen Mertz deserves his reputation as one of the best action/adventure writers ever. This book launched the first in a series of 16 novels about Vietnam Veteran Mark Stone and his missions to free American prisoners of war who are still being held in Vietnamese prison camps years after the Vietnam War ended. During the course of the series, other top writers like Joe Lansdale and Bill Crider penned some of the M.I.A. HUNTER novels under the shared series pen name Jack Buchanan. But this first one by Mertz set the tone and remains a true classic. It’s gritty, grim, bloody and full of near non-stop action. The writing and characters are incredibly vivid. I highly recommend it and would also note that Mertz is still writing terrific novels, like those in his new KILROY MYSTERY series. Long may he reign as one of the great action/adventure writers!
October 7, 2017
Not a good book a great book
Wow what a great book I really loved every word of it Mr Stephen Mettz you rock it was my kind of book more more please
Wow what a great book I really loved every word of it Mr Stephen Mettz you rock it was my kind of book more more please
September 24, 2022
Stone M.I.A. Hunter was a great read. In the 261 pages, the author somehow managed to fit in A LOT of action with a lot of different factions. I felt like I read four books in one.
I was a HUGE fan of the Doctor Death series, which, unfortunately was cut short after only four books. However; Stone M.I.A. Hunter could be a direct sequel to Doctor Death. The main character Mark Stone, is EXTREMELY close to the main character of Doctor Death. In fact, I kept thinking I was reading a Doctor Death book.
The book really moves, until the end, when the team is advancing to the fortress, it drags a bit, but not enough to ruin the book. Also, the love interest is a bit unrealistic, but then again, this is a typical 80s action novel and reads just like one.
I loved this book and already have book 2 ready to go. Easy 5 stars.
I was a HUGE fan of the Doctor Death series, which, unfortunately was cut short after only four books. However; Stone M.I.A. Hunter could be a direct sequel to Doctor Death. The main character Mark Stone, is EXTREMELY close to the main character of Doctor Death. In fact, I kept thinking I was reading a Doctor Death book.
The book really moves, until the end, when the team is advancing to the fortress, it drags a bit, but not enough to ruin the book. Also, the love interest is a bit unrealistic, but then again, this is a typical 80s action novel and reads just like one.
I loved this book and already have book 2 ready to go. Easy 5 stars.
May 30, 2022
This is the first in the M.I.A. Hunter series by Jack Buchanan. And it follows 'Nam Vet Mark Stone and his team of intrepid hunters as they return to the South East Asian jungles to search for and bring home those men who've been abandoned and forgotten the M.I.A./P.O.W.'s of the Vietnam War. Mark a Green Beret, Hog Wiley a larger than life Texan, and Terrence Loughlin, a British S.A.S. Commando all with 'Nam service and wars since, get asked to find and bring home Col. Alex Bradford, by Bradford's wife who has never stopped believing her husband is still alive. Stone, and his two companions agree to the job and prepare to bring hell on earth to the forgotten prisoner of war camps in the vibrant, deadly jungle.
November 17, 2024
A fun mens adventure book by Stephen Mertz. Does a great job in setting up the series and telling an exciting tale to boot. Stone along with a couple buddies have an organization that goes back to Vietnam and Laos to look for MIAs close to 20 years after the Vietnam war. He also does private eye work when back in the states. He finds out the army nurse he met in Vietnam that he was going to marry but thought dead is actually still alive but a prisoner. So he of course goes after her no matter how impossible the odds.
Highly recommended has a ton of action, just a lot going on but never feels rushed cluttered. Just good solid 80s mens adventure.
Highly recommended has a ton of action, just a lot going on but never feels rushed cluttered. Just good solid 80s mens adventure.
June 1, 2020
Non-stop action!
Stone is a Vietnam Nam vet who spends his spare time returning to the area to locate and hopefully recover MIAs. This reads like the old Stallone and Schwarzenegger movies. We all know our hero is going to win, but it is the how that keeps you reading. This is the first book in a series and is a more than interesting introduction. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
Stone is a Vietnam Nam vet who spends his spare time returning to the area to locate and hopefully recover MIAs. This reads like the old Stallone and Schwarzenegger movies. We all know our hero is going to win, but it is the how that keeps you reading. This is the first book in a series and is a more than interesting introduction. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
November 17, 2024
This was part of a series that I read when I was a young teenager. My father served in Vietnam and there were many movies and other media surrounding the war and POWs. I was fortunate to find these at a small local used bookstore and fell in love with the series although I only read five of them that I remember. Part of me is afraid to pick it up again for fear it wasn't as good as I remember, but it was very entertaining and left its mark from over 30 years ago for me to remember.
November 24, 2018
Too many edit errors
While the book was free I got everything I paid for; typos on top of typo even two full paragraphs that repeated. Good thing I didn't waste my money buying the book. It really is sad. It was a greatly written book but was ruined by not being edited correctly.
While the book was free I got everything I paid for; typos on top of typo even two full paragraphs that repeated. Good thing I didn't waste my money buying the book. It really is sad. It was a greatly written book but was ruined by not being edited correctly.
October 31, 2020
Scary post war rescue. Series for when you want justice to triumph over evil. Jungle gators, combat soldiers. Blood, screams, death, gore. Stone's team may find more POWs, bandits, than their target, but good guys may not all exfil. 6 Typos: 7.17 L IS a 8.15 .dishing IS dishing 19.10 as I for IS as for
19.11 felt IS fell as
19.11 felt IS fell as
June 21, 2021
Very good and interesting
A book like this bring back memories, good and bad. This is an easy book to read. All the character, good and bad, are well developed and work well within the story line. I wish the ending had been more complete. It died a little quick. This is well worth reading.
A book like this bring back memories, good and bad. This is an easy book to read. All the character, good and bad, are well developed and work well within the story line. I wish the ending had been more complete. It died a little quick. This is well worth reading.
November 14, 2017
Really good
When I saw this book was about MIA' s being rescued I just had to read it. I never thought our government did enough for the brave men that fought that horrible war. Great job Mr.
Mertz!
When I saw this book was about MIA' s being rescued I just had to read it. I never thought our government did enough for the brave men that fought that horrible war. Great job Mr.
Mertz!
June 1, 2018
SUSPENSEFUL DRAMA
Pretty heavy and intense read about a group of men who keep returning to Laos to rescue MIA's. This first story is loaded with action and jungle warfare. The men in this group are skilled servicemen who are devoted to their rescue mission and know no fear.
Pretty heavy and intense read about a group of men who keep returning to Laos to rescue MIA's. This first story is loaded with action and jungle warfare. The men in this group are skilled servicemen who are devoted to their rescue mission and know no fear.
January 6, 2019
Interesting read
I really liked how the story started out - lots of action and detail..I wasn’t crazy about the ending. It seemed( after going through all that trouble ) a little wishy washy ....two women in love with the same man ?! I would think a bit more drama.....!
I really liked how the story started out - lots of action and detail..I wasn’t crazy about the ending. It seemed( after going through all that trouble ) a little wishy washy ....two women in love with the same man ?! I would think a bit more drama.....!
October 23, 2017
Great Story
Very well written. Easy to get caught up in the action and read for several hours. Ill read more by this author.
Very well written. Easy to get caught up in the action and read for several hours. Ill read more by this author.
January 15, 2018
Stone: mia Hunter
Read for entertainment,not reality. Kind of a hoped for story rather than reality. Action a little lacking in the description.
Read for entertainment,not reality. Kind of a hoped for story rather than reality. Action a little lacking in the description.
April 18, 2018
Great story line. The whole book moved right along without becoming bogged down.
November 18, 2018
Good Read
Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action and intrigue. Takes the reader to places easily seen by the way he writes.
Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action and intrigue. Takes the reader to places easily seen by the way he writes.
December 11, 2018
Good book. Ready for the next book.
January 13, 2019
A fast paced and excellent read.
July 9, 2022
Well done
A pleasure to read. Interesting story, but quite believable. Makes me wonder about the mias we left behind, our people.
Rock on!
A pleasure to read. Interesting story, but quite believable. Makes me wonder about the mias we left behind, our people.
Rock on!
January 4, 2024
Pretty good. Moved along well. Easy to read.
August 8, 2021
Check out more crime, thriller and pulp reviews on CriminOlly.wordpress.com
I need to find a way to remind myself that men’s adventure books are generally not as much fun as they sound. This one sucked me in with some glowing reviews and the hint of some sort of involvement from Joe R Lansdale, a writer with a good reputation and whose books (the few I have read) I’ve enjoyed. It appears that he wrote some of the later books in the series, although not this one. I’m not sure if the entries he penned are better than this one, but I don’t think I’ll bother picking them up.
Originally published in the 1980s this is almost exactly what you’d expect from its title, although it does throw in a couple of surprises. Hero Mark Stone and his sidekicks (one of whom is an unconvincing British SAS veteran) trek around Asia shooting the locals and rescuing imprisoned American soldiers. There’s the overt racism you’d expect, although Mertz does try to tone it down a bit by having some Asian characters who fight alongside the heroes, although they mostly act as cannon fodder. Stone also fights villainous non-white folk when he’s back in the USA. Tackling Latinx street gangs and drug dealers.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the action scenes aren’t great either. It’s one of those books that pays more attention to detailed descriptions of the guns the characters are using, than it does to building tension. When the main characters are basically indestructible, there isn’t a great deal of excitement to be had in putting them in dangerous situations. It’s a problem that central to any long running action series, and some books of this type manage to get away with it through decent writing or the sheer insanity of their premises, but this one failed to for me.
All in all, a bit of a damp squib then. It reads more like NRA produced porn than a thriller and is a pretty yawnsome as a result.
I need to find a way to remind myself that men’s adventure books are generally not as much fun as they sound. This one sucked me in with some glowing reviews and the hint of some sort of involvement from Joe R Lansdale, a writer with a good reputation and whose books (the few I have read) I’ve enjoyed. It appears that he wrote some of the later books in the series, although not this one. I’m not sure if the entries he penned are better than this one, but I don’t think I’ll bother picking them up.
Originally published in the 1980s this is almost exactly what you’d expect from its title, although it does throw in a couple of surprises. Hero Mark Stone and his sidekicks (one of whom is an unconvincing British SAS veteran) trek around Asia shooting the locals and rescuing imprisoned American soldiers. There’s the overt racism you’d expect, although Mertz does try to tone it down a bit by having some Asian characters who fight alongside the heroes, although they mostly act as cannon fodder. Stone also fights villainous non-white folk when he’s back in the USA. Tackling Latinx street gangs and drug dealers.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the action scenes aren’t great either. It’s one of those books that pays more attention to detailed descriptions of the guns the characters are using, than it does to building tension. When the main characters are basically indestructible, there isn’t a great deal of excitement to be had in putting them in dangerous situations. It’s a problem that central to any long running action series, and some books of this type manage to get away with it through decent writing or the sheer insanity of their premises, but this one failed to for me.
All in all, a bit of a damp squib then. It reads more like NRA produced porn than a thriller and is a pretty yawnsome as a result.
October 26, 2019
Great read
Loved every minute of it.
Great characters
Highly recommend this book
Excellent writer and great action
Throughout the entire book
Loved every minute of it.
Great characters
Highly recommend this book
Excellent writer and great action
Throughout the entire book
April 27, 2012
Old time men's adventure book... i always wanted to try one of them out... its a bit dated, but otherwise a quick read.
April 15, 2013
This is a very entertaining bokk from start to finish! Has everything!
July 8, 2015
A good read. 1980's p.o.w. men's adventure. A bit by-the-numbers, but still fun.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews