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Radioactive
THE REVENGE OF BONNIE AND CLYDE
Saving the future by exploding the past.
It’s January 1945, six years since the start of World War Two. As the bloody conflict drags on, America has undertaken a massive top-secret effort to unleash the power of the atom and develop the first nuclear bomb. A network of Nazi and Soviet spies is determined to steal the technology, or failing that, sabotage the project.
But first they have to get past Bonnie and Clyde.
A decade has passed since the infamous outlaw lovers were spared their gruesome deaths and forced into a covert life. Now seasoned spies, they’re embedded in the Manhattan Project, as bar owners and petty crooks, trying to sort out who would sell out the USA to its enemies.
In a heart-pounding adventure spanning the windswept landscapes of eastern Washington to an isolated internment camp in the California mountains, Bonnie and Clyde face deception at every turn along with a personal tragedy, pushing them close to the edge. Can the former outlaws put aside their desire for revenge long enough to help end the war?
The thrilling story cuts back and forth between the modern era where a washed-up investigative reporter teams up with the now-elderly Bonnie Parker to hunt down the truth, risking their own lives, and the dangerous 1940s undercover exploits of the young Bonnie and Clyde, as they are thrust into a battle that will define the future global power structure.
Advance praise for Radioactive
Bonnie and Clyde: Radioactive continues the explosive “what-if” story about two unlikely heroes fighting to preserve the founding principles of American democracy—a historical thriller that reimagines the past to reclaim the present. Another winner in this highly entertaining series, capped off with satisfying revelations. Hays and McFall keep up the momentum in this third series outing, which features plenty of action and danger. There are also intermittent steamy interludes between Bonnie and Clyde, who come off as a wisecracking, low-rent version of Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man. Tricky puzzles, chases, spycraft, and red herrings keep the plot bubbling along. But underlying all the shenanigans is a serious consideration of the nature of patriotism in an America that's increasingly becoming dominated by the military-industrial complex. Overall, the book makes a rousing stand in favor of have-nots, working people, and dreamers; at one point, Bonnie unusually stands up for gay rights in 1945 ("Love is love no matter what"). Kirkus Reviews
Refreshingly original, a literary breath of fresh air. Unexpected delights in a story that excels in nonstop surprises. And as with the other books, the humor is one of this story's driving forces. With its thriller component tempered by mystery, historical fact, political interactions, and gunslinger intrigue, Bonnie & Clyde: Radioactive is a powerful series addition. It deftly evolves from a story of thieves and murders to an inspection of war, social issues, and second chances not just for the characters, but for America itself. Midwest Book Review
Saving the future by exploding the past.
It’s January 1945, six years since the start of World War Two. As the bloody conflict drags on, America has undertaken a massive top-secret effort to unleash the power of the atom and develop the first nuclear bomb. A network of Nazi and Soviet spies is determined to steal the technology, or failing that, sabotage the project.
But first they have to get past Bonnie and Clyde.
A decade has passed since the infamous outlaw lovers were spared their gruesome deaths and forced into a covert life. Now seasoned spies, they’re embedded in the Manhattan Project, as bar owners and petty crooks, trying to sort out who would sell out the USA to its enemies.
In a heart-pounding adventure spanning the windswept landscapes of eastern Washington to an isolated internment camp in the California mountains, Bonnie and Clyde face deception at every turn along with a personal tragedy, pushing them close to the edge. Can the former outlaws put aside their desire for revenge long enough to help end the war?
The thrilling story cuts back and forth between the modern era where a washed-up investigative reporter teams up with the now-elderly Bonnie Parker to hunt down the truth, risking their own lives, and the dangerous 1940s undercover exploits of the young Bonnie and Clyde, as they are thrust into a battle that will define the future global power structure.
Advance praise for Radioactive
Bonnie and Clyde: Radioactive continues the explosive “what-if” story about two unlikely heroes fighting to preserve the founding principles of American democracy—a historical thriller that reimagines the past to reclaim the present. Another winner in this highly entertaining series, capped off with satisfying revelations. Hays and McFall keep up the momentum in this third series outing, which features plenty of action and danger. There are also intermittent steamy interludes between Bonnie and Clyde, who come off as a wisecracking, low-rent version of Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man. Tricky puzzles, chases, spycraft, and red herrings keep the plot bubbling along. But underlying all the shenanigans is a serious consideration of the nature of patriotism in an America that's increasingly becoming dominated by the military-industrial complex. Overall, the book makes a rousing stand in favor of have-nots, working people, and dreamers; at one point, Bonnie unusually stands up for gay rights in 1945 ("Love is love no matter what"). Kirkus Reviews
Refreshingly original, a literary breath of fresh air. Unexpected delights in a story that excels in nonstop surprises. And as with the other books, the humor is one of this story's driving forces. With its thriller component tempered by mystery, historical fact, political interactions, and gunslinger intrigue, Bonnie & Clyde: Radioactive is a powerful series addition. It deftly evolves from a story of thieves and murders to an inspection of war, social issues, and second chances not just for the characters, but for America itself. Midwest Book Review
- GenresHistorical
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2019
About the author
Clark Hays
18 books134 followersI'm an ex-poet, lapsed cowboy and whiskey enthusiast living in Portland, Oregon, with my life-, writing- and backgammon-partner Kathleen McFall.
We've written 13 books together so far.
The most recent is Cake and Eat It, the third book in our Restaurantland series, romance novels set in a funky, fictional Portland restaurant in the 1990s. Kitchen Heat is book one and Poetic Justice is book two.
We also have:
A three-book sci-fi series:
Gates of Mars
Scorched Earth
Mars Adrift
A three-book alt-history series about Bonnie and Clyde:
Resurrection Road
Dam Nation
Radioactive
A four-book award-winning paranormal action/romance series, the Cowboy and Vampire Collection:
A Very Unusual Romance
Blood and Whiskey
Rough Trails and Shallow Graves (named to Kirkus Reviews best indie books of 2014)
The Last Sunset (silver medalist, 2017 Independent Publisher National Book Awards; Indie Reader best books of 2016)
I also wrote Just West of Hell, a collection of Western Gothic short stories which Kathleen, thankfully, edited.
You can learn more about the books, and what it's like to write with the person you love, at https://www.pumpjackpress.com.
Follow along on:
@cowboyvampire (Threads and Instagram)
facebook/cowboyandvampire
We've written 13 books together so far.
The most recent is Cake and Eat It, the third book in our Restaurantland series, romance novels set in a funky, fictional Portland restaurant in the 1990s. Kitchen Heat is book one and Poetic Justice is book two.
We also have:
A three-book sci-fi series:
Gates of Mars
Scorched Earth
Mars Adrift
A three-book alt-history series about Bonnie and Clyde:
Resurrection Road
Dam Nation
Radioactive
A four-book award-winning paranormal action/romance series, the Cowboy and Vampire Collection:
A Very Unusual Romance
Blood and Whiskey
Rough Trails and Shallow Graves (named to Kirkus Reviews best indie books of 2014)
The Last Sunset (silver medalist, 2017 Independent Publisher National Book Awards; Indie Reader best books of 2016)
I also wrote Just West of Hell, a collection of Western Gothic short stories which Kathleen, thankfully, edited.
You can learn more about the books, and what it's like to write with the person you love, at https://www.pumpjackpress.com.
Follow along on:
@cowboyvampire (Threads and Instagram)
facebook/cowboyandvampire
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 26, 2019
"We're tougher than a lot of things,
but we might not be tougher than atomic energy."
Five stars! Wait, make that a double. Yes, Bonnie and Clyde: Radioactive deserves ten stars. Actually, the trilogy (Resurrection Road, Dam Nation, and Radioactive) deserves an entire constellation. You definitely do not want to miss a single word from start to finish.
What if Bonnie and Clyde slipped through the law's fingers and were not the ones getting shot up in that car on that fateful day in 1934? This basic premise is intriguing and rife with possibilities. The real Bonnie and Clyde were hardened thieves and murderers, and their life and death have been immortalized countless times over. But Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall have turned this duo's real-life legacy on its head and in spectacular fashion.
Radioactive has Bonnie and Clyde on another undercover assignment rooting out traitors in the famous Manhattan Project during WWII, with too many suspects to count, including Germans, Russians, and Americans who have no problem playing on more than one team. As Bonnie and Clyde narrow down the list of suspects, the danger keeps edging closer. Bonnie comes up with the plans to get them out of scrapes and get the job done, and Clyde provides the bluster and the knock-out punches when someone gets too handsy with his best gal or too eager to put them both in the ground for good.
The authors expertly present two plots that never become cumbersome or confusing as they switch back and forth. Bonnie as an older woman in the 1980s is telling her fantastic tale to journalist Royce Jenkins, who becomes enamored with the idea of producing an exclusive and explosive Pulitzer-worthy story. But someone does not want the truth to see the light of day, and in Radioactive, Bonnie and Royce are on the run as she wraps up her tale and they both dodge bullets. These two plots (1930s/40s and 1980s) across all three books present a well-rounded story line that is both exhilarating and incredibly thought provoking. But did a loose end leave a tiny opening for more Bonnie and Clyde? I certainly hope so!
The characters will keep you glued to the page. All of them. Of course, Bonnie and Clyde, aka Brenda and Clarence Prentiss, will steal your heart and your wallet if given the chance. They may now be working for the government as spies, but complete redemption is asking a bit too much. They lie, steal, cheat, shoot, and bluff their way through all three books, but their jaunty attitudes and witticisms will keep you laughing, and their randy antics will keep you giggling and sighing at their enduring affection for each other. The love is real between these two, but Hays and McFall provide just enough sizzle and sexy banter to keep it fun and not too scorching.
The mysterious Sal pulls the strings, orchestrating Bonnie's and Clyde's new chance at life at a price they can neither refuse nor escape. But along the way, these two begin to evolve as their worldview expands beyond their own little universe. With an exposure to a higher level of greed and corruption in Resurrection Road and Dam Nation and to unscrupulous, traitorous people in Radioactive, Bonnie and Clyde find themselves becoming a little more benevolent toward their fellow man and woman, especially the working class and the downtrodden. As the two land on their feet after each daring escapade and thrilling caper, the world becomes a much bigger place in their eyes, and they embrace this second chance to make a positive difference, even if they still rob a bank or two and keep a dainty pistol and brass knuckles close at hand.
Radioactive mostly wraps up the trilogy with a bang and a few sad moments, as expected. The action in this third book is electrifying and dangerous and reminds us that the world hasn't changed all that much over the years, with inequality, racism, greed, and corruption still hanging around and wreaking havoc.
The possibility of a second chance is what makes this entire trilogy so great. Bonnie and Clyde will forever be glamorized, but Hays and McFall give us an alluring glimpse into the alternate lives of these two notorious criminals who may soften and become a little kinder but will never be fully redeemed, but that's okay. Their impish, carefree attitudes inspire us to laugh and love a little bit harder because that's how Bonnie and Clyde would do it, full tilt and with a bottle of hooch and trusty heaters at their fingertips.
but we might not be tougher than atomic energy."
Five stars! Wait, make that a double. Yes, Bonnie and Clyde: Radioactive deserves ten stars. Actually, the trilogy (Resurrection Road, Dam Nation, and Radioactive) deserves an entire constellation. You definitely do not want to miss a single word from start to finish.
What if Bonnie and Clyde slipped through the law's fingers and were not the ones getting shot up in that car on that fateful day in 1934? This basic premise is intriguing and rife with possibilities. The real Bonnie and Clyde were hardened thieves and murderers, and their life and death have been immortalized countless times over. But Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall have turned this duo's real-life legacy on its head and in spectacular fashion.
Radioactive has Bonnie and Clyde on another undercover assignment rooting out traitors in the famous Manhattan Project during WWII, with too many suspects to count, including Germans, Russians, and Americans who have no problem playing on more than one team. As Bonnie and Clyde narrow down the list of suspects, the danger keeps edging closer. Bonnie comes up with the plans to get them out of scrapes and get the job done, and Clyde provides the bluster and the knock-out punches when someone gets too handsy with his best gal or too eager to put them both in the ground for good.
The authors expertly present two plots that never become cumbersome or confusing as they switch back and forth. Bonnie as an older woman in the 1980s is telling her fantastic tale to journalist Royce Jenkins, who becomes enamored with the idea of producing an exclusive and explosive Pulitzer-worthy story. But someone does not want the truth to see the light of day, and in Radioactive, Bonnie and Royce are on the run as she wraps up her tale and they both dodge bullets. These two plots (1930s/40s and 1980s) across all three books present a well-rounded story line that is both exhilarating and incredibly thought provoking. But did a loose end leave a tiny opening for more Bonnie and Clyde? I certainly hope so!
The characters will keep you glued to the page. All of them. Of course, Bonnie and Clyde, aka Brenda and Clarence Prentiss, will steal your heart and your wallet if given the chance. They may now be working for the government as spies, but complete redemption is asking a bit too much. They lie, steal, cheat, shoot, and bluff their way through all three books, but their jaunty attitudes and witticisms will keep you laughing, and their randy antics will keep you giggling and sighing at their enduring affection for each other. The love is real between these two, but Hays and McFall provide just enough sizzle and sexy banter to keep it fun and not too scorching.
The mysterious Sal pulls the strings, orchestrating Bonnie's and Clyde's new chance at life at a price they can neither refuse nor escape. But along the way, these two begin to evolve as their worldview expands beyond their own little universe. With an exposure to a higher level of greed and corruption in Resurrection Road and Dam Nation and to unscrupulous, traitorous people in Radioactive, Bonnie and Clyde find themselves becoming a little more benevolent toward their fellow man and woman, especially the working class and the downtrodden. As the two land on their feet after each daring escapade and thrilling caper, the world becomes a much bigger place in their eyes, and they embrace this second chance to make a positive difference, even if they still rob a bank or two and keep a dainty pistol and brass knuckles close at hand.
Radioactive mostly wraps up the trilogy with a bang and a few sad moments, as expected. The action in this third book is electrifying and dangerous and reminds us that the world hasn't changed all that much over the years, with inequality, racism, greed, and corruption still hanging around and wreaking havoc.
The possibility of a second chance is what makes this entire trilogy so great. Bonnie and Clyde will forever be glamorized, but Hays and McFall give us an alluring glimpse into the alternate lives of these two notorious criminals who may soften and become a little kinder but will never be fully redeemed, but that's okay. Their impish, carefree attitudes inspire us to laugh and love a little bit harder because that's how Bonnie and Clyde would do it, full tilt and with a bottle of hooch and trusty heaters at their fingertips.
May 24, 2019
After the exhilarating ride in the last book, Dam Nation, I was anxious to get my hands on this third and final book of the Bonnie & Clyde saga. Fifteen years have lapsed since the original ride or die couple was working the Hoover Dam assignment, but we pick up where we left off with Bonnie and Royce the journalist, sometime in the ‘80s.
Time hasn’t taken anything away from Bonnie and Clyde. Their smarts and toughness haven’t dulled after over a decade of living covertly, and their passion for each other still burns at a hot and heavy roar. As I read their banter and became reacquainted with the couple, it got me thinking that this fictionalized relationship is probably based quite a bit on the stuff that powers the couple who wrote this series. I don’t know how they split their writing duties, but Hays and McFall write a seamless story. Hell, I’ve read books written by ONE author that felt like crashing into a brick wall every time the perspective changed. But this writing duo jumps decades as smoothly as Bonnie and Clyde lie their way out of sticky situations.
I remember raving about all the different characters in the last book, and Radioactive delivers USA Network-worthy (“Characters Welcome”) cast. Not to be sexist, but I especially loved Anna. I don’t want to spoil anything but seriously, it felt like Bonnie might have met her match. A young, attractive woman with a knack for manipulation who can give our duo the slip? It was enough to make me nervous for Bonnie a few times, both as an operative and as a woman.
I really marvel at how much description, story, and character development are compiled in just a 332-page book. This story is screen-ready, as are the other two in the series. If you haven’t already read them, you need to. I know that this is supposed to be the last book, but there was a little something near the end that made me think it was possible to still sneak a few more books in if Hays and McFall find it difficult to part ways with Bonnie and Clyde for good.
Time hasn’t taken anything away from Bonnie and Clyde. Their smarts and toughness haven’t dulled after over a decade of living covertly, and their passion for each other still burns at a hot and heavy roar. As I read their banter and became reacquainted with the couple, it got me thinking that this fictionalized relationship is probably based quite a bit on the stuff that powers the couple who wrote this series. I don’t know how they split their writing duties, but Hays and McFall write a seamless story. Hell, I’ve read books written by ONE author that felt like crashing into a brick wall every time the perspective changed. But this writing duo jumps decades as smoothly as Bonnie and Clyde lie their way out of sticky situations.
I remember raving about all the different characters in the last book, and Radioactive delivers USA Network-worthy (“Characters Welcome”) cast. Not to be sexist, but I especially loved Anna. I don’t want to spoil anything but seriously, it felt like Bonnie might have met her match. A young, attractive woman with a knack for manipulation who can give our duo the slip? It was enough to make me nervous for Bonnie a few times, both as an operative and as a woman.
I really marvel at how much description, story, and character development are compiled in just a 332-page book. This story is screen-ready, as are the other two in the series. If you haven’t already read them, you need to. I know that this is supposed to be the last book, but there was a little something near the end that made me think it was possible to still sneak a few more books in if Hays and McFall find it difficult to part ways with Bonnie and Clyde for good.
May 28, 2019
FYI: This review contains some spoilers of previous books in the series.
We all have those authors we follow and anxiously await the next release of a new book and can’t wait to devour it. The team of Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays are in that category for me. I fell in love with their Cowboy and Vampire book series, and I have managed to read every single one of their books in the Bonnie and Clyde series. Radioactive, is the newest and third book in this series featuring Bonnie and Clyde, and I must say that I believe this one is the best of the three. Why? Because this book has plenty of action featuring Nazis, Russians, and clowns!
For those of you that need a little catching up on the series: Radioactive continues to the story in the world of what-if Bonnie and Clyde didn’t die as it is written in the history books. Instead, their deaths were faked, and they end up being forced to work for a secret government organization. So far the duo has managed to save President Roosevelt from an assassination attempt and thwart an attempt to blow up the Hoover Dam while under construction. Now the two find themselves running a bar next to the Hanford Site where the Manhattan Project is underway. Their job is to watch for spies trying to steal the secrets being worked on at the site.
The book tells a dual story as well. Much like the first two, Radioactive follows the ongoing adventures of Bonnie and Clyde as secret agents as well as the story of Bonnie and Royce. Royce is a reporter that Bonnie picks to tell the story of what happened to the real Bonnie and Clyde while everyone thought they were dead. Her only requirements is that Royce must help Bonnie tie up a few loose ends before she finishes telling him the entire story. Bonnie wants help figuring out how their deaths were faked and the identity behind the lady known as Sal who forced them to work for the government instead.
The book swaps back and forth between what is happening in the past and what is happening in the 1984. As Bonnie and Clyde get closer and closer to figuring out who may be selling out America, Bonnie and Royce encounter a little action themselves as they begin to run from a couple of guys that want to stop the truth from coming out. The fact that both parts of the story have some suspense and action really made the book hard to put down. I also love the fact that even though Bonnie and Clyde are now government agents tasked with helping out America, their criminal ways still sneak through time and time again to help them out or just get a little extra money on the side.
I really love the way this book was written. I found myself wanting Bonnie and Royce to finish their search for the final pieces of Bonnie’s puzzle, and I worried when they found themselves in tight spots. I love seeing Royce in full-believer mode in this book trying everything he can to figure stuff out. Bonnie and Clyde crack me up. I love how upfront Clyde is. He is not ashamed to speak his mind and shows it. I love Bonnie’s slightly more refined ways, and I love that she keeps getting after Clyde for being a little crass with his remarks. By the way, Bonnie is hands down the best character in this book.
Finally, I also enjoyed the whodunit feel of the book as Bonnie and Clyde start to investigate who the spies may be among the people they have narrowed down. I gotta admit that I was trying to figure out who the spies were before Bonnie and Clyde did, but it wasn’t easy. The paths of all the possible spies cross so much that it is hard keeping it straight. If I were to pick a single word to describe this book, it would be fun. I found myself smiling through a lot of it. This book was just plain fun in so many ways, and just you wait to see who ends up being the overall bad guys pulling the strings. I did not see that one coming at all.
I highly recommend reading this book. I don’t care if you haven’t read the first two. It just means you have more work ahead of you. Read them then read this one. You won’t regret it. Trust me. This series has been a fantastic ride, and I’m kind of sad to see it come to an end.
We all have those authors we follow and anxiously await the next release of a new book and can’t wait to devour it. The team of Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays are in that category for me. I fell in love with their Cowboy and Vampire book series, and I have managed to read every single one of their books in the Bonnie and Clyde series. Radioactive, is the newest and third book in this series featuring Bonnie and Clyde, and I must say that I believe this one is the best of the three. Why? Because this book has plenty of action featuring Nazis, Russians, and clowns!
For those of you that need a little catching up on the series: Radioactive continues to the story in the world of what-if Bonnie and Clyde didn’t die as it is written in the history books. Instead, their deaths were faked, and they end up being forced to work for a secret government organization. So far the duo has managed to save President Roosevelt from an assassination attempt and thwart an attempt to blow up the Hoover Dam while under construction. Now the two find themselves running a bar next to the Hanford Site where the Manhattan Project is underway. Their job is to watch for spies trying to steal the secrets being worked on at the site.
The book tells a dual story as well. Much like the first two, Radioactive follows the ongoing adventures of Bonnie and Clyde as secret agents as well as the story of Bonnie and Royce. Royce is a reporter that Bonnie picks to tell the story of what happened to the real Bonnie and Clyde while everyone thought they were dead. Her only requirements is that Royce must help Bonnie tie up a few loose ends before she finishes telling him the entire story. Bonnie wants help figuring out how their deaths were faked and the identity behind the lady known as Sal who forced them to work for the government instead.
The book swaps back and forth between what is happening in the past and what is happening in the 1984. As Bonnie and Clyde get closer and closer to figuring out who may be selling out America, Bonnie and Royce encounter a little action themselves as they begin to run from a couple of guys that want to stop the truth from coming out. The fact that both parts of the story have some suspense and action really made the book hard to put down. I also love the fact that even though Bonnie and Clyde are now government agents tasked with helping out America, their criminal ways still sneak through time and time again to help them out or just get a little extra money on the side.
I really love the way this book was written. I found myself wanting Bonnie and Royce to finish their search for the final pieces of Bonnie’s puzzle, and I worried when they found themselves in tight spots. I love seeing Royce in full-believer mode in this book trying everything he can to figure stuff out. Bonnie and Clyde crack me up. I love how upfront Clyde is. He is not ashamed to speak his mind and shows it. I love Bonnie’s slightly more refined ways, and I love that she keeps getting after Clyde for being a little crass with his remarks. By the way, Bonnie is hands down the best character in this book.
Finally, I also enjoyed the whodunit feel of the book as Bonnie and Clyde start to investigate who the spies may be among the people they have narrowed down. I gotta admit that I was trying to figure out who the spies were before Bonnie and Clyde did, but it wasn’t easy. The paths of all the possible spies cross so much that it is hard keeping it straight. If I were to pick a single word to describe this book, it would be fun. I found myself smiling through a lot of it. This book was just plain fun in so many ways, and just you wait to see who ends up being the overall bad guys pulling the strings. I did not see that one coming at all.
I highly recommend reading this book. I don’t care if you haven’t read the first two. It just means you have more work ahead of you. Read them then read this one. You won’t regret it. Trust me. This series has been a fantastic ride, and I’m kind of sad to see it come to an end.
Read
May 27, 2019I borrowed a friend's copy and loved it so much I downloaded a copy to read again.
Radioactive doesn't disappoint. The rich and raucous adventures of Bonnie and Clyde continue and I was glued to the pages nightly, until I finished the book. One of the things I love about this whole series is that the importance of the working class, the people on the front lines of each of Bonnie and Clyde's challenging assignments, are pivotal in completing the assignments. Big business, politics, and large institutions don't win. Read this book. Read the whole series. At a time when the wheels are falling off our socio-political wagons, we can be inspired by the people behind the scenes who are working to keep us informed and to protect our basic human rights. As well as being totally entertained, Radioactive (and the other two books) inspired me and gave me hope.
On top of all of that, Clark Hays & Kathleen McFall know how to spin a good tale. I love the attention to detail and, in these books, the connection to my personal history. Hoover Dam, in Dam Nation, was a presence in my Arizona childhood and Hanford, in Radioactive, looms large for those of us in the Pacific Northwest. The whole Bonnie and Clyde series is grounded in the familiar and yet swirls us through a deftly crafted, slightly altered reality.
Radioactive doesn't disappoint. The rich and raucous adventures of Bonnie and Clyde continue and I was glued to the pages nightly, until I finished the book. One of the things I love about this whole series is that the importance of the working class, the people on the front lines of each of Bonnie and Clyde's challenging assignments, are pivotal in completing the assignments. Big business, politics, and large institutions don't win. Read this book. Read the whole series. At a time when the wheels are falling off our socio-political wagons, we can be inspired by the people behind the scenes who are working to keep us informed and to protect our basic human rights. As well as being totally entertained, Radioactive (and the other two books) inspired me and gave me hope.
On top of all of that, Clark Hays & Kathleen McFall know how to spin a good tale. I love the attention to detail and, in these books, the connection to my personal history. Hoover Dam, in Dam Nation, was a presence in my Arizona childhood and Hanford, in Radioactive, looms large for those of us in the Pacific Northwest. The whole Bonnie and Clyde series is grounded in the familiar and yet swirls us through a deftly crafted, slightly altered reality.
May 23, 2019
4.5 STARS. From the beginning of the Bonnie and Clyde series, the hook for me has been “what if”? What if the notorious outlaws hadn’t died in a rain of bullets? What if they were whisked away and forced to use their unique skills to work for the US government, fighting for the good of the working class? And of course, the question persists about whether people who do so much bad can be redeemed.
Through the first two books in the series, RESURRECTION ROAD and DAM NATION, readers are taken into the speculative world of Bonnie and Clyde as government agents righting wrongs and saving the day. Readers, as well as Bonnie and Clyde, don’t know for whom, exactly, the couple is working, and that’s just one of the mysteries to be solved in book three, RADIOACTIVE.
“Trust is for fools and corpses.”
RADIOACTIVE resumes the story of Bonnie and Clyde (Brenda and Clarence Prentiss) ten years after the conclusion of DAM NATION. The couple is on assignment keeping watch and tracking the bad guys and gals – American, Russian, and German – who are attempting to interfere with the United States’s creation of the atomic bomb via the Manhattan Project. As Bonnie and Clyde carefully narrow their field of suspects of who may be feeding secrets to the enemy, things only get more complicated, and it seems all characters have secrets and subplots of their own. RADIOACTIVE unfolds in alternating time periods, one in the '40s and the other in the '80s, both steaming ahead to different, satisfying climaxes and resolutions. Hays and McFall write a complex story, but they masterfully weave together a plethora of plot points to deliver a gangbuster tale.
“Stealing is one thing, but don’t get handsy in the house of the Lord.”
One of the many facets that has endeared me to these books is the complicated personalities of Bonnie and Clyde. In RADIOACTIVE, the juxtaposition of the two sides of the main characters is further explored. I find it interesting to see where they draw the line for their behaviors. They are criminals at heart, but their hearts grow as they are exposed to a bigger world of greed and corruption than even they enjoyed in their outlaw heydays. There is a dichotomy in each of them; they show kindness and benevolence, have a strong sense of right and wrong, and demonstrate an intense patriotism. However, they aren’t above cheating and stealing and hurting their fellow man – or woman – if it doesn’t do much harm. I emphasize woman because the couple is all about equality in all things regardless of race, sex, or circumstance. (Oh except for the dirty communists. Rotten, all.)
Speaking of equality, it is Bonnie who is the brains of the duo, and her sharp brain and wit is used as a vehicle for some pretty serious social commentary ranging from racial inequality to gay rights to the 1%. Clyde is no dummy, but it is through Bonnie’s explanations to him that readers get both thinly veiled and blatant digs on our current administration and state of the world. Clyde has some insightful observations himself, and the result is some short but sweet zingers that create levity when situations are tense or dismal.
“You two go at it like river otters in heat.”
The couple is fiercely protective of and attracted to each other, and their sexual chemistry remains a focus in RADIOACTIVE, as in the other books. Their interludes provide another source of levity and distraction from the heavier themes. It borders on risqué, but the details of their escapades aren’t shared on the page. The couple’s ability to compartmentalize their lives and go from shoot-ups, hold-ups, or dire world situations to rolling in the sheets is impressive.
This was the first uncorrected proof I have read in the series but based on the final copies of the other two books, I feel confident that the final version will be finely proofread and cleanly edited. I will find out though; I intend to purchase my own final, print copy. This series is real eye-candy, outside and in. Imaginative, thought provoking, and just plain fun to read, Hays and McFall’s Bonnie and Clyde series is a must-read. I highly recommend it (and recommend it be read in sequence for maximum enjoyment). NOTE: the authors have indicated this is the last in the series, but the book ends in a way that leaves it open for more installments. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Thank you to the authors and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me a print ARC in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and other special features on Hall Ways Blog.
Through the first two books in the series, RESURRECTION ROAD and DAM NATION, readers are taken into the speculative world of Bonnie and Clyde as government agents righting wrongs and saving the day. Readers, as well as Bonnie and Clyde, don’t know for whom, exactly, the couple is working, and that’s just one of the mysteries to be solved in book three, RADIOACTIVE.
“Trust is for fools and corpses.”
RADIOACTIVE resumes the story of Bonnie and Clyde (Brenda and Clarence Prentiss) ten years after the conclusion of DAM NATION. The couple is on assignment keeping watch and tracking the bad guys and gals – American, Russian, and German – who are attempting to interfere with the United States’s creation of the atomic bomb via the Manhattan Project. As Bonnie and Clyde carefully narrow their field of suspects of who may be feeding secrets to the enemy, things only get more complicated, and it seems all characters have secrets and subplots of their own. RADIOACTIVE unfolds in alternating time periods, one in the '40s and the other in the '80s, both steaming ahead to different, satisfying climaxes and resolutions. Hays and McFall write a complex story, but they masterfully weave together a plethora of plot points to deliver a gangbuster tale.
“Stealing is one thing, but don’t get handsy in the house of the Lord.”
One of the many facets that has endeared me to these books is the complicated personalities of Bonnie and Clyde. In RADIOACTIVE, the juxtaposition of the two sides of the main characters is further explored. I find it interesting to see where they draw the line for their behaviors. They are criminals at heart, but their hearts grow as they are exposed to a bigger world of greed and corruption than even they enjoyed in their outlaw heydays. There is a dichotomy in each of them; they show kindness and benevolence, have a strong sense of right and wrong, and demonstrate an intense patriotism. However, they aren’t above cheating and stealing and hurting their fellow man – or woman – if it doesn’t do much harm. I emphasize woman because the couple is all about equality in all things regardless of race, sex, or circumstance. (Oh except for the dirty communists. Rotten, all.)
Speaking of equality, it is Bonnie who is the brains of the duo, and her sharp brain and wit is used as a vehicle for some pretty serious social commentary ranging from racial inequality to gay rights to the 1%. Clyde is no dummy, but it is through Bonnie’s explanations to him that readers get both thinly veiled and blatant digs on our current administration and state of the world. Clyde has some insightful observations himself, and the result is some short but sweet zingers that create levity when situations are tense or dismal.
“You two go at it like river otters in heat.”
The couple is fiercely protective of and attracted to each other, and their sexual chemistry remains a focus in RADIOACTIVE, as in the other books. Their interludes provide another source of levity and distraction from the heavier themes. It borders on risqué, but the details of their escapades aren’t shared on the page. The couple’s ability to compartmentalize their lives and go from shoot-ups, hold-ups, or dire world situations to rolling in the sheets is impressive.
This was the first uncorrected proof I have read in the series but based on the final copies of the other two books, I feel confident that the final version will be finely proofread and cleanly edited. I will find out though; I intend to purchase my own final, print copy. This series is real eye-candy, outside and in. Imaginative, thought provoking, and just plain fun to read, Hays and McFall’s Bonnie and Clyde series is a must-read. I highly recommend it (and recommend it be read in sequence for maximum enjoyment). NOTE: the authors have indicated this is the last in the series, but the book ends in a way that leaves it open for more installments. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Thank you to the authors and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me a print ARC in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and other special features on Hall Ways Blog.
May 23, 2019
Bonnie and Clyde Radioactive is the third installment in Clark Hays’ and Kathleen McFall’s unique and wildly imaginative alternate history of Bonnie and Clyde. This book will be best enjoyed if you have read the first two books in the series (and you should, because they will both take you on a wild ride.)
As with the previous books, the story is told in a dual-timeline format. Chapters switch between Bonnie and Clyde’s next assignment and that of Royce and Bonnie as they race to answer more questions about Sal, the mysterious government contact that drew Bonnie and Clyde into their second life of espionage and personal redemption.
In this alternative history, Bonnie and Clyde are clearly seeking a bit of redemption for past sins – Bonnie won’t let Clyde kill anyone, although they are not averse to relieving ANYONE of their money which adds a bit of levity to the story.
The dialogue is snappy, humorous, and clever, capturing the feel of the era. Hays and McFall paint a vivid picture of both their cast of characters and the setting.
This time, the duo are weeding through a full cast of possible spies who could be after the plutonium being developed there. Who is responsible is anyone’s guess, as they all have a good reason for traitorous behavior, and most are unlikable. The who and the why in this storyline will take you on one wild ride full of twists and turns, and kept me turning pages until the very end as the authors lead you on a merry chase. This is a complicated, intricately woven tale.
Royce’s storyline with Bonnie really heats up as there are people (Hall and Oates) hot on their trail who don’t want Bonnie’s story revealed to the world. This part of the story is equally fraught with tension. As this part of the plot unfolds, it’s clear that Bonnie has a bit of affection for Sal, despite the fact that Sal has forced the couple into this life. It’s this storyline, too, that humanized Bonnie to me, as did her return to the town of Richland, where her story with Clyde takes place.
The story of Bonnie and Clyde is fast-paced and exciting and action-packed; Bonnie’s story with Royce is more soul-searching. In both tales, the authors paint a picture of the two that is very different from the way they have been portrayed in the past, so you will have to suspend your assumptions and just roll with the idea that the duo feels remorse for their actions and love their country. Over the course of the series, they have moved from cooperating in order to keep their families safe, to carrying out their duties with purpose. (And always with a bit of a scam on the side. Old habits die hard!)
In addition to the adventure, there is some deep social commentary on greed, government and enterprise, race and other topics, many of which are still relevant today.
“Mark my words. The way things are going, by the time the twenty-first century comes around a pack of rich people and corporations will be pulling the strings of the government like a marionette.”
If she only new.
As with the previous books, the story is told in a dual-timeline format. Chapters switch between Bonnie and Clyde’s next assignment and that of Royce and Bonnie as they race to answer more questions about Sal, the mysterious government contact that drew Bonnie and Clyde into their second life of espionage and personal redemption.
In this alternative history, Bonnie and Clyde are clearly seeking a bit of redemption for past sins – Bonnie won’t let Clyde kill anyone, although they are not averse to relieving ANYONE of their money which adds a bit of levity to the story.
The dialogue is snappy, humorous, and clever, capturing the feel of the era. Hays and McFall paint a vivid picture of both their cast of characters and the setting.
This time, the duo are weeding through a full cast of possible spies who could be after the plutonium being developed there. Who is responsible is anyone’s guess, as they all have a good reason for traitorous behavior, and most are unlikable. The who and the why in this storyline will take you on one wild ride full of twists and turns, and kept me turning pages until the very end as the authors lead you on a merry chase. This is a complicated, intricately woven tale.
Royce’s storyline with Bonnie really heats up as there are people (Hall and Oates) hot on their trail who don’t want Bonnie’s story revealed to the world. This part of the story is equally fraught with tension. As this part of the plot unfolds, it’s clear that Bonnie has a bit of affection for Sal, despite the fact that Sal has forced the couple into this life. It’s this storyline, too, that humanized Bonnie to me, as did her return to the town of Richland, where her story with Clyde takes place.
The story of Bonnie and Clyde is fast-paced and exciting and action-packed; Bonnie’s story with Royce is more soul-searching. In both tales, the authors paint a picture of the two that is very different from the way they have been portrayed in the past, so you will have to suspend your assumptions and just roll with the idea that the duo feels remorse for their actions and love their country. Over the course of the series, they have moved from cooperating in order to keep their families safe, to carrying out their duties with purpose. (And always with a bit of a scam on the side. Old habits die hard!)
In addition to the adventure, there is some deep social commentary on greed, government and enterprise, race and other topics, many of which are still relevant today.
“Mark my words. The way things are going, by the time the twenty-first century comes around a pack of rich people and corporations will be pulling the strings of the government like a marionette.”
If she only new.
May 24, 2019
“They’ll stop at nothing to keep this story from coming out.”
Since I read the opening words of the first book in this series, I was immediately hooked on this phenomenal, alternative history fiction story. What if history was changed by someone not dying? What if you could be given a second chance to make up for all the wrong you’ve done in your life? Powerful questions. Authors Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall took a story surrounding those two basic questions and made it a commanding, unforgettable trilogy story.
Deep political intrigue in both the present and past carries this last story of Bonnie and Clyde Radioactive on many levels from the war, to the atomic bomb, to finding out the true identity of one main character throughout this series. The conspiracies kept me on edge because I did not know or see what is coming next. All you know is that Bonnie and Clyde aptly given the names of Brenda and Clarence will always find a way to scheme at making an extra buck to stash away while trying to save the U.S.
What I’ve always loved about these books is the weaving of true historical facts within the stories. Some history in this book I knew about and another part of history I learned about while reading this book. Radioactive dealt with many parts of our history that some would like us to forget. The Japanese internment camps here in the US during WW II was probably one of the most tarnished of our US history. Yet – the authors dealt with this history so poignantly through the simplest, heart-wrenching way – marbles.
“A lot of folks thought the Japanese would never have stopped fighting if we didn’t show them what we were capable of,” Royce said.
The books are set in the span of a short time period with the story being told in the present and past reflections. Love the main setting of the Texas Panhandle and Lubbock, Texas.
Radioactive concludes a unique alternative history story about two of the most notorious people who got a second chance to redo life and make amends for all their former misdeeds. Who gave them a second a chance and for what reasons I did not see coming but it makes complete sense! Keeping the characters of Bonnie and Clyde true to themselves and yet having them doing what’s right is the genius behind this writing.
“Don’t let kindness overtake your smarts.”
Thank you, Hays and McFall, for a truly unique way of questioning a lot of things. You took me on a wild ride from the very first page of the first book of a woman standing over a grave to the end page of this trilogy revealing who she was. It’s been an unadulterated, electrifying, venture for me.
My other book reviews:
Book 1 – Bonnie and Clyde Resurrection Road
https://forgottenwinds.com/2017/12/30...
Book 2 – Bonnie and Clyde Dam Nation
https://forgottenwinds.com/2018/05/17...
Since I read the opening words of the first book in this series, I was immediately hooked on this phenomenal, alternative history fiction story. What if history was changed by someone not dying? What if you could be given a second chance to make up for all the wrong you’ve done in your life? Powerful questions. Authors Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall took a story surrounding those two basic questions and made it a commanding, unforgettable trilogy story.
Deep political intrigue in both the present and past carries this last story of Bonnie and Clyde Radioactive on many levels from the war, to the atomic bomb, to finding out the true identity of one main character throughout this series. The conspiracies kept me on edge because I did not know or see what is coming next. All you know is that Bonnie and Clyde aptly given the names of Brenda and Clarence will always find a way to scheme at making an extra buck to stash away while trying to save the U.S.
What I’ve always loved about these books is the weaving of true historical facts within the stories. Some history in this book I knew about and another part of history I learned about while reading this book. Radioactive dealt with many parts of our history that some would like us to forget. The Japanese internment camps here in the US during WW II was probably one of the most tarnished of our US history. Yet – the authors dealt with this history so poignantly through the simplest, heart-wrenching way – marbles.
“A lot of folks thought the Japanese would never have stopped fighting if we didn’t show them what we were capable of,” Royce said.
The books are set in the span of a short time period with the story being told in the present and past reflections. Love the main setting of the Texas Panhandle and Lubbock, Texas.
Radioactive concludes a unique alternative history story about two of the most notorious people who got a second chance to redo life and make amends for all their former misdeeds. Who gave them a second a chance and for what reasons I did not see coming but it makes complete sense! Keeping the characters of Bonnie and Clyde true to themselves and yet having them doing what’s right is the genius behind this writing.
“Don’t let kindness overtake your smarts.”
Thank you, Hays and McFall, for a truly unique way of questioning a lot of things. You took me on a wild ride from the very first page of the first book of a woman standing over a grave to the end page of this trilogy revealing who she was. It’s been an unadulterated, electrifying, venture for me.
My other book reviews:
Book 1 – Bonnie and Clyde Resurrection Road
https://forgottenwinds.com/2017/12/30...
Book 2 – Bonnie and Clyde Dam Nation
https://forgottenwinds.com/2018/05/17...
May 26, 2019
This was one amazing “what if” scenario. Could you imagine Bonnie & Clyde not dying in a hail of bullets in 1934? What if they were working for the government of all organizations? I believe we all know their story so I won’t mention it here. However, what I will do is focus on this reimagining of their lives together created by authors Hayes & McFall.
The authors seamlessly moved between the duo’s past and Bonnie’s present. A present that included a reporter who was tasked with telling the widow’s story. However, he would find the task not as easy as it should be as someone does not want Bonnie’s story to see the light of day. In the couple's past, the duo managed to work with the government and still remain true to the core of who they were. Yes. They worked for the government seeking out traitors, but that didn’t mean they weren’t above a scam or two. Bonnie was a brilliant mastermind and Clyde is the perfect muscle.
I loved that the author’s kept the authenticity of the couple. I think what stood out to me most in this story quite honestly was the relationship between the duos. The passion and chemistry the two held for each other. The authors did such an excellent job of making me feel like a fly on the wall. The dialog was witty and sexy, but the authors didn’t burden us with the physical aspect. Bonnie’ s present storyline with Royce was interesting, especially once it was revealed who Sal was and her involvement in how the couple became operatives for the US government.
It can be difficult to have separate plots running concurrently especially when they are in two different timelines. However, the dual plotlines were easy to follow. It was thrilling to go along for the ride in this fast paced action packed story. The authors wove in topics not just related to government and politics but to classicism, and race as well. You can’t forget that in the past Bonnie & Clyde didn’t know who to trust and which made weeding out spies that wanted to stop the United States from building an atomic bomb. All the while they were helping a few people in need.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am a new fan of this creative duo. This was a great way to kick off my summer reads.
The authors seamlessly moved between the duo’s past and Bonnie’s present. A present that included a reporter who was tasked with telling the widow’s story. However, he would find the task not as easy as it should be as someone does not want Bonnie’s story to see the light of day. In the couple's past, the duo managed to work with the government and still remain true to the core of who they were. Yes. They worked for the government seeking out traitors, but that didn’t mean they weren’t above a scam or two. Bonnie was a brilliant mastermind and Clyde is the perfect muscle.
I loved that the author’s kept the authenticity of the couple. I think what stood out to me most in this story quite honestly was the relationship between the duos. The passion and chemistry the two held for each other. The authors did such an excellent job of making me feel like a fly on the wall. The dialog was witty and sexy, but the authors didn’t burden us with the physical aspect. Bonnie’ s present storyline with Royce was interesting, especially once it was revealed who Sal was and her involvement in how the couple became operatives for the US government.
It can be difficult to have separate plots running concurrently especially when they are in two different timelines. However, the dual plotlines were easy to follow. It was thrilling to go along for the ride in this fast paced action packed story. The authors wove in topics not just related to government and politics but to classicism, and race as well. You can’t forget that in the past Bonnie & Clyde didn’t know who to trust and which made weeding out spies that wanted to stop the United States from building an atomic bomb. All the while they were helping a few people in need.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am a new fan of this creative duo. This was a great way to kick off my summer reads.
July 21, 2020
In scale, this trilogy easily lives up to the notoriety of the Bonnie and Clyde legend. Critics argue that the ruthless, murdering duo should not be favorably characterized. However, it doesn't appear to be the authors' intent to trivialize or romanticize the truth about Bonnie and Clyde. The numerous missions created throughout the trilogy demand the mercenary traits exhibited by the heinous couple as they were known in their day. Layers of story within story are intriguing; cultural, political and economic juxtapositions between then and now are factually and genuinely presented. There is comforting resolution --not wholesale absolution and certainly not a "happily-ever-after" ending. In my humble opinion this is a trilogy well worth reading--but I'm also biased: I loved their "Cowboy and the Vampire" quadrology and just finished the first book of Hays and McFall's new Sci-Fi, mystery "Halo" trilogy. The worst part is having to wait for the second book release :-( Hays and McFall hit all my requirements for satisfying entertainment: high adventure, rich humor, historical depth and accuracy, plausible storylines and craftsmanship that sucks me right into the story within the first few pages. I leave the end of every book wanting more books from this dynamic couple and announcements for movie releases. Come on Hollywood! You're missing some great material!
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