Mantis Preying

Oak Island #3

by Lance Carney

A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Adventure

Daniel O’Dwyer, ex-hospital pharmacist, accidental detective is back!

Content to be unemployed and spend his days in the sun and sand of his Oak Island paradise, Daniel is once again drawn back to the local hospital and the mysteries that surround it. Construction on the hospital grounds unearths human remains, which are quickly dismissed as being part of a Native American burial ground. A young, clumsy medical resident who runs into Daniel, thinks otherwise. Meanwhile, Daniel’s socially imbalanced sidekick, Willie, has a problem of his own. Willie’s landlocked houseboat, the Silent Cow is haunted.

Along the way, Daniel becomes involved with a beautiful veterinarian, assisting with a drug diversion problem in her office; a beautiful Amazonian female construction foreman, a yodeler and jammer on the local roller derby team; and a beautiful, deadly peacock mantis shrimp.

Will Daniel become ensnared in the mystery of the human remains? Will Willie succeed in getting the Silent Cow exorcised? Will Daniel (gasp) have to go back to work? Will the peacock mantis shrimp break through the glass and run amok through the hospital halls?

Loaded with new, quirky characters, “Mantis Preying” is a follow up to “Ripped Tide”, a 2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award Winner in the Humor Category.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 23, 2018

About the author

Lance Carney is an award winning 30+ year hospital pharmacist (5 year award, 10 year award, 15 …). He has been writing medical/pharmacy based fiction since the 1980s. His first novel, Ripped Tide: A Daniel O’Dwyer Oak Island Adventure, follows a hospital pharmacist who reluctantly goes undercover to fight prescription drug diversion in a hospital near his new home. Ripped Tide is a 2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award Winner in the Humor Category. His second novel, No Egrets: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery, teams Daniel with husband and wife bar owners to solve a medical mystery. Mantis Preying: A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Adventure (Book 2) picks up post-Ripped Tide. Of Vamps and Vampiros: A Finnian O'Dwyer Universal City Crime Cape(r) will be released on October 7, 2019 and follows Daniel's grandfather Finnian on the set of "Dracula" in 1930.

Lance’s short stories have been published in magazines, anthologies and trade paperbacks. He often collaborates with David Moss, a buddy since junior high school. David is mostly grown up now, working for state government and having every holiday off, including Peter Rabbit's birthday. “Truth is Stranger than Fishin'" with David was chosen for publication in The Year's Best Fantastic Fiction. One of Lance's own, "Snare of the Fowler", was published in the trade paperback "Monsters from Memphis" and recognized by a nomination from the Darrell Awards Jury for Best Midsouth Short Story.

Lance lives in West Virginia with his wife and too many cats. His daughter graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2017 in film studies and is currently in Los Angeles. His son graduates from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 (hallelujah!) Somehow, at times, they still manage to throw the empty nest into turmoil. He escapes to Oak Island, North Carolina, whenever The Man isn’t keeping him down.

Reviews

[John Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Lance Carney has done it again. His latest novel is a rollercoaster of laughs, sorrow and flashbacks into popular culture that will unlock your own memories if you're old enough to get the references. The story is told through the eyes of a goofy, recovering pharmacist but don't be fooled by his manner because he has to get to the bottom of some serious goings-on (as well as the not-so-serious stuff). It's a medical mystery with laughs!

[Teresa W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh Out Loud Funny - Sheer Enjoyment !

I give Mantis Preying 5 stars because I just kept laughing out loud. You can read a synopsis on Amazon, so I won't repeat it here. Reading this book is like laying languid on a beach, dozing off, and waking up smiling about great memories of your high school years. Wait....., memories or dreams? No matter, you still grin to yourself.
There are many references to music, book & TV pop culture presented in a wonderfully irreverent sty!e. Just grab a beer,a beach chair, and Mantis Preying.

[Don Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lance Carney is really hitting his stride on Oak Island now with Daniel O'Dwyer in Mantis Preying. Just when you thought things couldn't get more bizarre or that the area couldn't hold another quirky character... hah! The cast of characters scoot over in the roller derby bleachers and make room for more. And the thing is, it all works!

So, lay in a supply of Red Bull, organic fruit cups, and throw your cell phone into the Intracoastal. Then plop down in your favorite chair and prepare to be entertained. This is one wacky and funny read!

[James Aylott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If American TV ever tried to replicate British “telly” dramas this novel would be great source material. Mantis Preying is packed with quirky characters, sinister baddies, comely ladies and just enough mystery to delightfully distract from the charm of North Carolina’s natural beauty! I will certainly put the other novels by Lance Carney on my reading list.

[Chrystal Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughing out loud funny

I found my self laughing so hard I was slightly embarrassed with myself. The book was is very entertaining and the characters colorful.

[donna hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny

The characters are outrageous and bigger then life. I formed an attachment right away with the main character. Fun fast read with interesting side stories .

[Bill Cokas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another triumph from Lance Carney! His distinctive narrator Daniel O'Dwyer--never one to turn down the opportunity for a quick aside or a clever pun--is once again doing battle with the forces at his local hospital, both inside and out. Carney creates another motley cast of misfits who threaten to bring Daniel to his knees, including a WWF-worthy amorous construction worker/roller derby star named Sparkle, a struggling med student with an occasionally limited vocabulary, and an escaped peacock mantis shrimp. Things are bad enough inside the hospital, where bureaucracy keeps Daniel's work at a standstill, but outside, the construction crew has unearthed a collection of human skulls with a few too many holes in them. Throw in Daniel's germaphobe housemate Willie, an on-and-off girlfriend and an attractive female vet, and you've got yourself a perfect beach read any time of year! The book swings between silly and suspenseful but never less than entertaining.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was the third in the series. Please tell me there will be more!? My favorite character is Willie with all his idiosyncrasies. This book was darker than the previous ones. But I love the fact that it is set on Oak Island, NC. Love the bar name “no egrets”

Loved it

[Meridith Holroyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Looking forward to the next book, assuming there will be another. Not only is the area of Oak Island and Southport captured, we are enlightened more about the characters and what makes them tick. Loved the story too!

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Dwyer, a former pharmacist, is trying to live a peaceful life with a girlfriend but things don't necessarily go his way. His hypochondriac friend Willie now has a haunted houseboat; his cats have been fighting; the new veterinarian is cute but she can't keep track of her drug supply; bones are found in the grounds for a new hospital addition; the construction manager is interested in Daniel; and an intern wants some help to make his work more enjoyable. If only there wasn't a killer shrimp involved. Lance Carney has written another humorous story that should be enjoyed by everyone.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure I'd call it a cozy...

Not sure how I'd categorize this book. Daniel is dealing with a lot. An unwelcome house guest whose houseboat is haunted by phantom pirates. An cat out to get him. Problems in his relationship. A roller derby girl who's decided he's eye candy. Getting roped into a job he doesn't want with the boss from hell. And the mantis shrimp...

[Gayln Z. Blinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Entertaining

Lance Carney is a thoroughly entertaining author. His books are very character driven and I love all his references to music and movies. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story and laugh.

[Tammy Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughed Out Loud!!

I absolutely loved the wittiness of the main character!! He kept me laughing out loud throughout most of the book. I also liked how his backstory was introduced as the story developed instead of all at once at the beginning.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book as a Kindle book in the book give away contest. I then upgraded and bought the Audible version for a few dollars and I am so glad I did. I am visually impaired and there is no way that I would have enjoyed this book even a fraction as much if I just listened to voice over read it to me. Rudy, the narrator, makes the book a joy to listen too. He doesn’t do the best job giving all of the different people in the story unique voices but it didn’t matter to me. I listened to this book at 2.2 speed and I had no problem with the different characters. Daniel, the main character is so funny, I laughed throughout the entire book. I enjoyed this book so much that I just bought Rip Tide, the first book in this series and I can’t wait to read it. Thank you, Lance, for such a funny book!
I just read this book again and it is just as funny to me every time I read it. I will say that, Rudy, the narrator is not the best; I tried to get my parents to listen to this book on a trip but my dad just couldn't listen to the way he spoke when doing Willy's voice and since the book starts out with Willy trying to get his house boat exercised, which is hilarious but my dad just couldn't get past the nasally way Willy talks. It bothered me at first but it is just so funny.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was another Goodreads win for me. A group of characters in a small town located on the outer banks of South Carolina. Daniel the main character and seems to be the 'Dear Abby" for everyone. I didn't really get into the book till about chapter 14. He has a germaphobe for a best friend that takes advantage of his friendship along with his Amazon account, who happens to live in a boat in his back yard but spends more time at Daniel's house. (well how could blame him, his boat is haunted). The plot(which is many) the backdrop is the local hospital where everyone works at or is admitted to. Sometimes I found it hard to read because the Daniel kept breaking 'the fourth wall' and kept giving little jokes and television and song quotes throughout the story. In all seriousness nice little summer read on the beach.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Mantis Preyin’ was a nice trip back to Oak Island with Daniel O’Dwyer. I didn’t thin it as good as the first as it was much longer (2X) and had a bit too much going on. The pirate ghosts, Willie’s sickness (in general), Carlos’s problems, another drug diversion issue and Daniels love trouble all seemed to detract a bit rather than add to the overall storyline. It just felt a bit too cluttered for my liking. On the other hand the characters are wonderful and I hope Sparkle makes some more appearances in the future!

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy follow up to Lance Carney’s other books. Once again tackling hard hitting issues like drug diversion, hospital computer system implementation, and the addictive properties of Hallmark movies. Mantis Preying brings back back the delightfully colorful cast of characters of the other other Oak Island mysteries while introducing some equally worthy newcomers. This is pharmaceutical detective fiction at its finest.

[Thebrit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy book........

This is the second Daniel O'Dwyer book I have read. I have enjoyed them both, funny books with equally funny, crazy characters and a "hero" who gets into trouble without even trying. The same two crazy cats, the pine cone bombing squirrel and let us not forget Ebenezer, the giant shrimp mantis.
Thanks for a fun book Mr Carney, I'm going now to see what other books of yours I can find. However, I really don't want to win the drawing...........

[Dave Agans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oak Island mysteries take place in a North Carolina seaside vacation town, featuring various denizens and, so far, medical-related crimes. Mantis Preying, the third book in the Oak Island series, gets back to Danial O'Dwyer as in Ripped Tide. This is an improvement over the bar owner heroes in the second book. The plot was a bit more complicated here, but generally was a fun mystery. Story 3, craft 4, humor 4.

[Keli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again!

I haven’t reviewed all Lance’s books, I’ve been too busy reading the NEXT book! This guy writes like I think (which would probably scare him if he knew me) and he just cracks me up. Throws in song lyrics that I KNOW, talks about places. I KNOW, and never misses a beat. I love Lewis Grizzard (RIP), but Lance would sure give him a run for the money with ANY of his books!

[Dan Liddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT story with many unusual twists

The hero is again caught up in the trials of the Boiling Grove hozpital . Through no fault o f his own that give him another job. Then he meets Jzc Dee Lyn - - -

[Elnora McCarthy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe it

I can't believe that I read this nonsense all the way through. kept hoping that somewhere it would make sense but I was wrong Hope I never have to give a report on it.

[Ed Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book.

I liked the main character. Having worked in hospitals and living in the South , I can identify with the inhabitants of the town. I have read all three of books in the series and am eagerly waiting for a fourth

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light hearted story that will bring smiles and laughter as the quirky collection of characters seek to solve a mystery.

My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.

[Teagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! we were taking a summer week trip to Oak Island, so it always makes it fun for me to pick up a book that was located wherever I am. You feel like you're IN the book. I enjoyed the characters so much, great writing there. I enjoyed it!

[Joy Rosales]

DNF @ 6% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway. I think this book is not my brand of humor, because I just found it a little weird and pointless. But if the humor works for you, you might enjoy it.

[BonusMom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series but I think this installment was a little off. I did still like it but I could not get into the humor this time.

[Andrea Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great funny read!

It is the kind of story that had me smiling or laughing
every other page. A well described cast of characters and an interesting plot.

[Jack Flash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun ride!

The characters in the book have unique personalities and the crazy antics provide non-stop fun. I recommend this book for a good time!

[Cindy Nutter]

I'm sorry. I do not have a kindle.