Deadly Dunes

A Mac McClellan Mystery

Fiction - Mystery - Murder
228 Pages
Reviewed on 10/02/2017
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

Deception, betrayal and murder are the keynotes in the thrilling sleuth mystery Deadly Dunes by E. Michael Helms. Mac McClellan is a newly licensed private investigator in the state of Florida, and ready to take on his official first case. Mac's initial investigation involves information found in an old document dating from the sixteenth century and the questionable ethics of a corporation. His client, Jessie, believes her brother, Jake, was on the verge of validating an astounding archaeological discovery. Before Jake could substantiate the authenticity of his findings, his body was found in his car on the side of a lonely stretch of highway. In view of the evidence at the scene, the police ruled his death a suicide. Jessie disagrees with their verdict and hires Mac to find Jake's murderer. After Jessie's interview, Mac is inclined to agree with the police; Jake's death is most likely self-inflicted. However, when Jessie dies shortly after their consultation, he amends his preliminary judgment. Mac finds himself embroiled in suspicious deaths, scandals that date back decades, and numerous suspects with twisted motives. Following his inquiries into Jake's and Jessie's deaths, the body count rises and Mac has to determine the common denominator before he becomes one of the statistics.

Filled with action and suspense, Deadly Dunes by E. Michael Helms is a riveting mystery novel. It is an engrossing book with a complex plot, elaborate storyline and intriguing characters. The spellbinding twists and turns winding throughout the plot bring the reader to an unexpected and nail-biting conclusion. Distinctive characters with diverting conflicts establish the plot points, while their contrasting personalities keep the reader engaged and involved in the story. The main character, Mac, is a post-military modern gumshoe, who rivals Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlow. Although Mac is slightly lighter with his cynicism than Marlowe, he is more easily related to and just as intriguing. This is a gripping novel with a compelling protagonist and an intense plot that will not fail to please those who enjoy private eye mysteries with a noir feel.