Grand Cayman Slam

Dusky MacMorgan #7

by Randy Striker

Dusky MacMorgan’s old buddy Captain Wes O’Davis has been set up for a murder rap by a gang of kidnappers whose latest victim is the son of Sir Conan James and Lady James, British aristocracy with powerful connections. The ransom note gives them three days to pay up, or the boy dies. But now that Dusky MacMorgan is involved, that gives the kidnappers only three days to live…

Genres: Mystery, Action, Adventure, Fiction

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1982

About the author

A pseudonym used by Randy Wayne White

Series:
* Dusky MacMorgan

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Striker's books were never intended to be highbrow literature, but this one is destroyed by a twist ending that negates the entire story. Just stuff and nonsense. Not recommended.

[James Garman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Dusky gets a call for help from his old buddy Capt. Wes O'Davis, he knows there's big trouble brewing. It takes no time at all to find out how big a mess it really is. Wes has had a young woman who is found dead and she appears to have been murdered. It turns out that a rich British family's son has been kidnapped and the family is desperate to find him.

Dusky is invited to visit the wife and quickly realises that something is really crazy in this family and it goes digger than just a kidnapped son. The wife seems to hate the husband and accuses him of cruelty. However, gradually Dusky and Wes start seeing evidence of insanity or at least instablity on the part of more than just the husband. It seems the mother is not really stable either. And then it becomes apparently that the two of them and their messed up relationship is just the surface of the family dysfunction. Then, Dusky's carribbean love interest ends up dead also.

Before the crime spree in solved, they find that there is a drug wing involved and that the noble British family has not 1, not 2 but a total of 3 irrational and possibly murderous members. A true case of the family that murders together stays together.

It is the usual mystery with a lot of nice twists and turns, which is why I recommend it to other readers.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Randy Wayne White book, (Randy Striker was his author name for the first books) even though I have known about him for years from my vacations in Sanibel Island and Ft. Myers, and the Doc Ford's Rum Runner Bar, which he probably owns. He does make a quasi-apology for this book, being either the first or one of the first books he was commissioned to write based on a pre-formulated plot, so in this case, I was more lenient of the writing. I could have done without the Irish guy and his vernacular, I will ask my Irish friend Caroline if it is even semi-legit, as it seemed way overdone to me. But it was a quick and mindless read, of which I was in need of, so I gave it a 3, maybe more generous than was necessary, but I will give him another chance on his own stuff.

[John Geary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little adventure/mystery story that I finished off in three nights. It’s the early work of Randy Wayne White when he was writing under the pen name “Randy Striker.”
Quite easy and enjoyable to read, lots of action, a few twists and turns... kind of a weird ending, certainly not what I expected and the way it was resolved was unexpected as well.
I might read another one in the Randy Striker series. It would make a nice little read while on holiday, some day. 🙂

[Marlene Chabot · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early novel that was written by Randy White under the name Randy Stricker. I've been an avid fan of White's novels for years and really enjoyed the early characters he used in this novel. The protagonist Dusky travels to Key West and then on to Cuba to solve a murder an old friend Captain Wes O'Davis has been blamed for. Turns out there's more than a murder. Sir Conan James' son has been kidnapped as well.

[Nolan Tippens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dusky and Westy as characters. Two of the best combinations of personalities that White has used next to Ford and Thomlinson. It is a great short read with everything we have come to expect l.

[Jake Talmage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is last book in the series from early Randy Wayne White writing. The plot is OK but predictable. Overall, the book and series are enjoyable/easy reads and make for nice summer action/mystery series. The series ends with several plots left unanswered. I will miss Dusky M. as a character.

[Robert Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 7th and final installment of the Dusky MacMorgan series by Randy Striker aka Randy Wayne White. This one is about like the others: hero saves the day, gets the girl, etc. Enjoyable for what it is. And I made it through the whole series. Yay, me!

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a good series. Recommend consideration. Thanks to author.

[Darlenebell90 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish it.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice excellent and fast read just kind the early books in the series.

[Penelope J. Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Doc Ford series better

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great action/adventure story set in Grand Cayman / SW Florida. I love the main characters and their interaction. A very entertaining story.

[R.E. Conary · Rating 2 out of 5]

In his introduction to this edition of "Grand Cayman Slam", Randy Wayne White called his Dusky MacMorgan novels "duck and fuck" books. That pretty well covers it.

[Rebecca Woitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Dusky MacMorgan series and hope he will return.

[Deborah Kerns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading these 7 books by Randy Wayne White. This was the last in his series and it was a good read. These are light books that are pure entertainment. Carry on Randy!

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting, action packed, but too short…

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

#7 in the Dusky MacMorgan series. This is the final book in the series that Randy Wayne White wrote as Randy Striker between 1981 and 1982. At a pace of 7 books in two years, you aren't expecting literature. In his forward to the recent reprints of the series, White says that he used to apologize for the books but doesn't anymore. He shouldn't have to, while they are not up to the standards of his best-selling Doc Ford series, they are honest, short paperback originals and worth the original cover price, if not the inflated newsstand price of 30 years later designed for inflated modern novels. What White doesn't mention and should apologize for, is the execrable Hawker series - a series of 11 novels about a vigilante published between 1984 and 1986.

Dusky MacMorgan is summoned to Grand Cayman by Westy O'Davis after a woman is murdered in Westy's house. The woman was a tutor for the recently kidnapped son of British Sir Conan James. Dusky has an affair with a woman who is being stalked by the father of the kidnapped boy. She is also murdered while Dusky and Westy seek the kidnapped boy.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the final book, with the heroes sailing off into the sunset. The deaths were not described in too much grisly detail and the pacing was deft. Fans of Randy Wayne White should be pleased with this foreglimpse of Doc Ford's predecessor.

[Billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate to see this series end. Enjoyed all of the books in this series.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last in this series and the best by far.

[Lchamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun quick read. One of our favorite authors had to start somewhere...

[Ciara Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! I flew through this book. Quick, easy read with a compelling storyline. On to the next Dusty MacMorgan adventure!