Contest

Dane Maddock #12

by David Wood

From the USA Today Bestselling author of LOCH and SOLOMON KEY comes a brand new, action-packed Dane Maddock Adventure!

A treasure lost in the desert. A notorious unsolved murder. A contest where the stakes are life and death.

When treasure hunters Dane Maddock and Bones Bonebrake travel to the Mojave Desert to help launch an adventure race, they make a baffling discovery- a dungeon room hidden high in the desert hills, and beyond, a previously undiscovered network of caverns that seem to go on forever. But someone will kill to protect the secrets that are hidden there.

When an attempt is made on Maddock's life, the assassin's trail sets the former Navy SEALs on a search for one of the greatest legends of the southwest. But to find it, they must unmask the notorious Black Dahlia killer!

Classic archaeological adventure for the modern reader! Fans of Indiana Jones, Dirk Pitt, and National Treasure will love the Dane Maddock Adventures

Praise for David Wood and The Dane Maddock Adventures!

“Contest is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride!” Alan Baxter, author of Hidden City

"David Wood has done it again. Within seconds of opening the book, I was hooked. Intrigue, suspense,monsters, and treasure hunters. What more could you want? David's knocked it out of the park with this one!" Nick Thacker- author of The Enigma Strain

“Dane and Bones.... Together they're unstoppable. Rip roaring action from start to finish. Wit and humor throughout. Just one question - how soon until the next one? Because I can't wait.”
-Graham Brown, author of Shadows of the Midnight Sun

“What an adventure! A great read that provides lots of action, and thoughtful insight as well, into strange realms that are sometimes best left unexplored.” -Paul Kemprecos, author of Cool Blue Tomb and the NUMA Files

“A page-turning yarn blending high action, Biblical speculation, ancient secrets, and nasty creatures. Indiana Jones better watch his back!” -Jeremy Robinson, author of SecondWorld

“With the thoroughly enjoyable way Mr. Wood has mixed speculative history with our modern day pursuit of truth, he has created a story that thrills and makes one think beyond the boundaries of mere fiction and enter the world of 'why not'?” -David Lynn Golemon, Author of the Event Group series

“A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!” -Robert Masello, author of The Einstein Prophecy

“Let there be no confusion: David Wood is the next Clive Cussler. Once you start reading, you won't be able to stop until the last mystery plays out in the final line.”-Edward G. Talbot, author of 2012: The Fifth World

“I like my thrillers with lots of explosions, global locations and a mystery where I learn something new. Wood delivers! Recommended as a fast paced, kick ass read.”-J.F. Penn, author of Desecration

Genres: Adventure, Audiobook, Thriller

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2019

About the author

David Wood is the USA Today bestselling author of the Dane Maddock Adventures and many other titles and series. He also writes Science Fiction under the pen name Finn Gray and fantasy as David Debord. He is also a book reviewer, podcaster, and a member of International Thriller Writers and The Horror Writers Association. David and his family live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visit him online at www.davidwoodweb.com.

Reviews

[K.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a good treasure hunt, some action and adventure, with some top-notch mystery woven in to keep you flipping pages, you will enjoy David Wood's book Contest. I'm a big fan of the Dane Maddox, "Bones' series and this book did not disappoint me. This was a bit different from the others but still included the usual humor and adventure you would expect from Wood. Even if you have never read the other books in the series, Contest can stand alone.

A fun, entertaining book that I really enjoyed and recommend.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't my normal type of book, as I prefer cozy mysteries but I fancied a change and the blurb sounded interesting. So glad I downloaded, as I really enjoyed it, in fact I have already downloaded another book in the series. The story was packed full of mystery, adventure and action, there is so much going on that I listened to the story in one day and to say I was hooked would be an understatement. I could easily see it playing out on the silver screen, just like an Indiana Jones adventure, an obvious hero of the author as he also gets a lot of mentions and chuckles. I really like the characters, especially the easy friendship between Maddock and Bones. As well as treasure hunting there was even a murderer to catch, yeah the best of both worlds and a genre I will have to list again if it's anything like this book. Off to jump into another adventure.
Maddock and Bones are asked to try out an assault course there friend is hoping to put celebrities through. Instead they are faced with an unfriendly neighbour, rumours of ships in the desert and a serial killer on the lose. All of which has them sticking around to discover more. Can they find what is hidden in the desert caves? When someone is trying so hard to stop them.
I liked the narrator. He has a pleasant voice to listen to and one that he uses well to bring the action and adventure to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that I can jump into any Dane Maddox book and go through that adventure without worrying about missing a previous book. (Of course I want to listen to them all!)

I enjoy Maddox and Bones's interactions and friendship. They have great banter with each other and, even if their jokes aren't picked up by those around them, they carry on with them. Oh do they enjoy tormenting each other. lol. I love it! Such a great brotherly bond here. Really a great duo in adventure. They are a fun duo that have loads of experience and are great at what they do.

Jeffrey Kafer. Seriously, one of my favorite narrators. Amazing at these adventures. His voice is perfect for these books and I'm always thrilled to hear him voice these characters. He's great at voicing the dry humor that's dropped in conversations. Love it!

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the narration of Jeffrey Kafer

I loved this book, I found myself loving the adventure, humour and characters. We start off going back to 1940s with the mention and killer of known for the Black Dahlia murder. Bones and Maddock are on top form. In a contest for a TV series, but two other groups are also doing their own contest. Throw in a killer, a ship in the desert, two old movie stars trying to get back in the game. Oh, gold and old mines.... and so much more.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the adventure part, but three stars for the rest of the plot. I did not warm to the Spencer character and was disappointed in Dane for his interest in her. Bones was in rare form, but his teasing was somewhat uncharacteristic and got a little old.

[Bobbie McCathern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book I have been following this series for sometime.. Haven’t find a bad one yet, love the characters and the adventures that they find themselves in. Keep up the good work

[Don M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed like the proof-readers took a holiday on this one.

[Dean Turcotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoy the action and adventure in the Dane and Bones series.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

While helping a friend, Maddock and Bones are drawn into a hunt for hidden treasure and an old murder case. Good, fast paced adventure with a good supporting cast.

[Amber K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and thrilling advendenture for Dane and Bones!!
Fantastic audio narration that's always an enjoyable listen

[Michael Coffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great audio book

I was able to listen to it out in the SUN and daylight as usual a gripping story. Keep up Good writing

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shipwreck in the desert

Wow!! Great read. The end is a fantastic twist. Just wish they were able to go back to the vault.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another good read interesting story lines that all meet together. Now onto the next.

[Kdwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting adventure!

Thoroughly engaging and entertaining. A thrill ride. I can't wait for the next book. I am looking forward to reading other Dane and Bones books.

[Jenny Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Maddock and Bones help some friend set up an adventure game competiton in the desert, while also searching for treasure. It is a little bit weird that I like these books as much as I do, but I think they are a kind of guilty pleasure. Also, they are potato chips books, as in you always want one more. The characters of Maddock and Bones are very, very stereotypical ex navy seals, and somewhat one dimensional. Each book is based on a historical myth, and they are sometimes a little bit repetitive. But the action and adventure is great and very fast paced, and the books are enjoyable.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again I find myself torn between awarding 3 and 4 stars to a David Wood book. Unfortunately, in the final analysis, 3 stars is all I can muster. The treasure hunt and action were fairly good. They were not on the same level as Andy McDermott or Clive Cussler but I would say acceptable. Unfortunately, the negatives were more numerous. There were several characters and a couple of storylines that seemed to have been added as filler. The reality series angle being one. The murder of the young journalist didn't add much to the drama except to distract and add length. It was resolved but there wasn't any excitement to it. Finally, Bones' smart ass remarks wore very thin long before the end of the book. Bottom line - I knew what I was letting myself in for so any disapointment is my own fault. Will I read the next book? Probably. Just call me a glutton for punishment.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Awesome Adventure. Once again, Wood manages to make a hilarious adventure that touches on some very dark subjects - including the Black Dahlia murder. Long time fans will love this new chapter, and even people new to Wood and/ or Maddock and Bones shouldn't have any issues picking up the story as presented... so long as you don't mind references to previous adventures and story lines (none of which are critical to the flow here). Very much recommended, particularly for those looking for some good, solid, Indiana Jones type escapism.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox and Bones are hired to check out a plan for a contest. The site for this contest is the Sultan Sea in the california desert.

While they are working on the contests layout they hear about a legend of lost treasure hidden there. Of course nothing is ever easy for our heros..


Total mayhen ensues while several groups are in the area.

Loved it

[Shaun Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure...

It's another rip-roaring adventure for Maddock and Bones fans! The story takes Indiana Jones, John Wayne and Lara Craft throwing them all together in a race for survival and treasure in the desert hills of the Southwest. It's an action-adventure mystery got won't want to pass up!

[Vicky Coughlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying that the book I’ve just read is a paperback edition which I couldn’t find here on goodreads. They only have the kindle edition. Apart from the glaring mistakes on page 15 and a few typos this book is another great adventure tale by an author that is becoming one of my very favourites. Maddock and Bones never disappoint.

[Sue Offenbecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action thriller

Another action thriller with Maddock and Bones in the middle, this time in the desert and in caves... Many new characters introduced, each with their own side story. Fascinating history. I really enjoyed the book!

[John Tanaschovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book the Dane Maddox adventure series is one of the best .there is non stop action and unbelievable storylines once you start you are hooked

[B. Shaun Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great thrilling adventure! This one felt like the earlier books of Maddock and Bones.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ride! This was a fast paced, multi-faceted adventure that made you shiver and laugh. A wonderful series.