Amazon Gold

Ben Candidi Mystery #4

by Dirk Wyle

The fourth novel in the Ben Candidi Series, Amazon Gold is a mystery-thriller that appeals to the intellect. The story is powered by medical science, business and anthropology, and is driven by the professional challenges of a two-career couple.

There is no room for Ben Candidi (Ph.D.) in the dugout canoe that will take Rebecca Levis (M.D.) deep into the Amazon rain forest to provide medical care to the once-fierce Yanomama Indians. The freelance scientist kisses his physician soul mate goodbye and returns to Miami to complete his report — predicting how emerging technologies may speed the discovery of new drugs. Client Michael Malencik and his unnamed company are impatient and vaguely dissatisfied with Ben's preliminary findings. His project is set back by an unannounced visit by the DEA and by fallout from an anthropology conference which he attends to take notes for Rebecca. Ben's quick thinking foils an assassination attempt on the keynote speaker who then proves suspicious and ungrateful. Other distractions include a surprise visit from Nica Brasaro, flight attendant on the Manaus-to-Miami run.

Working hard on the technology project, Ben discovers something much more valuable than predictions. But Rebecca does not return with her expedition and her brief, infrequent satellite e-mails are becoming increasingly strange. When they stop altogether, Ben throws down his report and picks up his backpack.

Searching for Rebecca deep in the Brazilian rain forest, Ben wonders whether his most important clues may be back in Miami. In a stunning climax, Ben and Rebecca are reunited to discover astonishing truths — and to fight for their lives.

337 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2003

About the author

Pen name of Duncan Harold Haynes, Ph.D who retired in 2001 to write the Ben Candidi novels, all based on amateur sleuthing in a medical environment or setting.

Reviews

[Georg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting mix of travel and sleuthing, great characters, this is a must read book. Story sweeps you along from Miami into the upper Amazon, into danger and life-threatening adventures.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I have to admit that I find two-career people impressive. Novelist Dirk Wyle devoted the bulk of his career to work as a chemist, much of that in faithful service to the University of Miami. What this does is it endows his novels with a verisimilitude regarding the scientific that arouses admiration. At the same time, the more daredevil passages in what is, after all, a mystery thriller are so skillfully and engagingly delineated that one wonders about just what does go on behind closed doors in the world of science and what possible role Wyle may have had in it along the way; truth, after all, can be stranger than fiction. No matter. In Amazon Gold, the author takes considerable time to set up the series of events leading to a climax that comes relatively late in the book, with a relatively quick dénouement at the very end. Along the way, it’s enjoyable reading in which Wyle allows space enough to demonstrate his likewise remarkable knowledge of things nautical. And, if you’ve ever wondered what to do about that car that has just parked itself on the road verge in front of your house, this novel may be a good place to find out.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkably talented author in the scientific field. He offers a mesmerizing page-turner. A medical background is not needed to understand the scientific thread that runs through his scientific mystery. His description of not only the science but the foreign lands that he takes us through.

The places are more meaningful and the characters insightful because of his delicious writing. He is quite aware of differing ideas and belief systems and is able to convey this through the interactions of the people involved in the story.

I was introduced to a completely foreign world and environment and was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I look forward to reading another book by this fascinating author and scientist.

[Amyem]

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