What do you think?
Rate this book
August Murder
Four men travel to a power plant in Puerto Rico with the intention of placing several bombs. They see themselves as patriots, fighting a war of independence against the colonial government of the island, and their imperial masters in Washington D.C. One of them is, however, an undercover police agent who is leading them into a police ambush.
When they arrived at their destination, they were immediately captured, handcuffed, and made to kneel on the ground, and are then each shot in the back of the head.
At a press conference later that same morning, the Police Superintendent announces that a police anti-terrorism unit has prevented a terrorist attack by four individuals. He adds that the police have killed three of the terrorists, who had resisted arrest, and goes on to praise the agents involved in the operation.
The press and others immediately question the official version, as many believe that there has been little time to conduct a thorough investigation and that the Superintendent had been hasty in reaching conclusions.
Among those who question the official version is the father of one of those killed. Al Miller flew to Puerto Rico to claim his son David's body and, unsatisfied by the official account, returns after the funeral and assembles a team of attorneys and investigators to look into the killings.
They soon discover a web of deceit, criminal conspiracy, torture, and murder, that will claim other victims and endanger their own lives.
When they arrived at their destination, they were immediately captured, handcuffed, and made to kneel on the ground, and are then each shot in the back of the head.
At a press conference later that same morning, the Police Superintendent announces that a police anti-terrorism unit has prevented a terrorist attack by four individuals. He adds that the police have killed three of the terrorists, who had resisted arrest, and goes on to praise the agents involved in the operation.
The press and others immediately question the official version, as many believe that there has been little time to conduct a thorough investigation and that the Superintendent had been hasty in reaching conclusions.
Among those who question the official version is the father of one of those killed. Al Miller flew to Puerto Rico to claim his son David's body and, unsatisfied by the official account, returns after the funeral and assembles a team of attorneys and investigators to look into the killings.
They soon discover a web of deceit, criminal conspiracy, torture, and murder, that will claim other victims and endanger their own lives.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2017
5 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 16, 2018
August Murder creates a fast-paced thriller about terrorism, murder, politics, and one man who doesn't believe the report of events surrounding his son's death in Puerto Rico, and who assembles a posse of lawyers and investigators to uncover the truth.
The story is actually based on real life - there was such an event in Puerto Rico. Two young men were murdered by police agents on one of the country’s mountains, and said agents were later detained at the insistence of the Puerto Rico Legislature, investigated, tried, and found guilty of police wrongdoing (despite other probes that exonerated them, conducted by the FBI and police agencies).
Although August Murder is loosely based on these events, it adds drama, thriller elements, and suspense to wind Puerto Rico's real-world culture and history into the true story.
The underlying focus on political investigations and a web of intrigue and conspiracy, combined with a heavy dose of Puerto Rican politics and cultural insights, lends to a creation which serves to both entertain and enlighten.
It takes a talented hand to wind nonfiction facts into a fictional mystery, grapple with a myriad of characters which prove compelling and recognizable in their own rights through the story line, and maintain a flow of action and drama that easily holds reader attention.
August Murder succeeds in all these aspects, and is a compelling saga of conflicting evidence and motivations for murder, crafting an especially astute eye to capturing Puerto Rican daily lives and experiences: "Mr. Miller, policemen in Puerto Rico don’t make a lot of money. The average salary for a police officer is around $30,000, about the same as the average salary for a teacher. For that kind of money, they risk their lives in dangerous places. They have to deal with young delinquents in the projects who may make $30,000 in one week, and who are much better armed than any policeman. It’s amazing that more of them are not taking money to look the other way or do worse."
T. Miranda's ability to take a real-world scandal and use its details to enlighten readers about the underlying culture, social issues, and political pressures in Puerto Rico contributes to an outstanding thriller especially recommended for modern readers who would gain a sense of the island's processes and peoples.
The story is actually based on real life - there was such an event in Puerto Rico. Two young men were murdered by police agents on one of the country’s mountains, and said agents were later detained at the insistence of the Puerto Rico Legislature, investigated, tried, and found guilty of police wrongdoing (despite other probes that exonerated them, conducted by the FBI and police agencies).
Although August Murder is loosely based on these events, it adds drama, thriller elements, and suspense to wind Puerto Rico's real-world culture and history into the true story.
The underlying focus on political investigations and a web of intrigue and conspiracy, combined with a heavy dose of Puerto Rican politics and cultural insights, lends to a creation which serves to both entertain and enlighten.
It takes a talented hand to wind nonfiction facts into a fictional mystery, grapple with a myriad of characters which prove compelling and recognizable in their own rights through the story line, and maintain a flow of action and drama that easily holds reader attention.
August Murder succeeds in all these aspects, and is a compelling saga of conflicting evidence and motivations for murder, crafting an especially astute eye to capturing Puerto Rican daily lives and experiences: "Mr. Miller, policemen in Puerto Rico don’t make a lot of money. The average salary for a police officer is around $30,000, about the same as the average salary for a teacher. For that kind of money, they risk their lives in dangerous places. They have to deal with young delinquents in the projects who may make $30,000 in one week, and who are much better armed than any policeman. It’s amazing that more of them are not taking money to look the other way or do worse."
T. Miranda's ability to take a real-world scandal and use its details to enlighten readers about the underlying culture, social issues, and political pressures in Puerto Rico contributes to an outstanding thriller especially recommended for modern readers who would gain a sense of the island's processes and peoples.
April 8, 2018
Sandra Lucas-Bellrose
Strong suspenseful, law enforcement, blood, backstabbing, violence,, corruption, everything a great suspense mystery police thriller needs.
Bravo, to T. Miranda what a way to kickstart a writing career. The History and Beauty of Puerto Rico is well written.
A parent wanting to find out the REAL truth of his son death. Police from the locals, to mainland, State and Federal agencies are involved, a lot of twist and turns. The story will lead you into the what's, who's, why's, when, then you will restart wondering again. A lot of twist.
The places and sights in Puerto Rico brought back many memories of the actual crime. Also it brings out the beauty, desperation and harshness that life can give you in reality.
The Culture, Facts, Social, Beauty, Crime and Definite Political involvement are what made this book a true Supenseful, Mystery Police Thriller.
The final chapters you will not put it down. Unbelievable ending.
A definite true Winner. Great book!
Strong suspenseful, law enforcement, blood, backstabbing, violence,, corruption, everything a great suspense mystery police thriller needs.
Bravo, to T. Miranda what a way to kickstart a writing career. The History and Beauty of Puerto Rico is well written.
A parent wanting to find out the REAL truth of his son death. Police from the locals, to mainland, State and Federal agencies are involved, a lot of twist and turns. The story will lead you into the what's, who's, why's, when, then you will restart wondering again. A lot of twist.
The places and sights in Puerto Rico brought back many memories of the actual crime. Also it brings out the beauty, desperation and harshness that life can give you in reality.
The Culture, Facts, Social, Beauty, Crime and Definite Political involvement are what made this book a true Supenseful, Mystery Police Thriller.
The final chapters you will not put it down. Unbelievable ending.
A definite true Winner. Great book!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews