"What you'd be doing would be for the benefit of the United States of America and would make you one of our country's true patriots."
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Checkmate: Fables & Tales of the Unexpected by Captain E.S. Geary Trafford Publishing
book review by L.A.Webb
Captain Geary has used his extensive nautical knowledge to create nine captivating tales sure to delight readers. From the sultry sun in Mexico and Puerto Rico to the back alleys of London, Geary takes readers on a wild ride filled with espionage, murder, political defections, drug running, and CIA shenanigans.
"The Reverend of Caracas" is the highlight of this collection. It's a fictionalized version of Geary's involvement in one of the biggest coups in South America–the installation of Hugo Chavez as President of Venezuela. Mark Kelly, a Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, is asked to help Venezuela strengthen their Navy and Coastguard units. However, all is not smooth sailing. The Guardia Nacional business is narcotics trafficking, with the quiet support of the CIA. Kelly races to do wha's right as bullets fly while Chavez's puppet regime is being secured.
Yacht theft and insurance fraud drive the plots in "French Toast, Lost & Found," and "Cuba Libre." A motley lot of characters bring these tales alive as insurance investigators traipse to far-flung places looking for the wily perpetrators. Fans of Ocean Eleven will enjoy "The Last Three Spins"–a perfect casino caper that culminnates with an unexpected twist. Geary effectively weaves the element of surprise throughout each tale. Just when readers think they have it all figured out, the plot makes a satisfying turn they never see coming. His colorful cast of characters and richly depicted details of the trade make this an entertaining and exciting read.