UNDAUNTED

A Stan Turner Mystery Vol I

by William Manchee

  Trade Paperback, March 1997, ISBN 0-9666366-0-0, $12.95

As a youngster Stan Turner is determined to become an attorney. He is mysteriously forewarned that the path to his dream will be difficult and fraught with danger. At every turn Stan is confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet he pushes forward, undaunted by the unknown forces that seek to derail him.

Forced into the United States Marines by a vicious twist of fate, Stan leaves his wife and family and reports for duty. On his first day he unwittingly befriends a serial killer and soon finds himself charged with the murder of his drill sergeant.

Aided by a lustful nurse who wants him and a journalist who wants his story, Stan desperately searches for the actual killer to prove his innocence.

Review

      UNDAUNTED is the first Stan Turner Mystery followed by the second, BRASH ENDEAVOR and the third, SECOND CHAIR. Stan decides at a very early age that he wants to be a lawyer, but while he is at the Ventura county fair Stan and his friend Steve wanted to have their future read by a Univac Computer which analyzes a persons handwriting and tells their the future.  Stan's card came back saying.

'STRUGGLING IN A HOSTILE WORLD,
PURSUING YOUR DESTINY,
YOU WILL STAND RESOLUTE AGAINST ADVERSITY,
UNDAUNTED'

Stan did not understand the meaning then, but as he became an adult, he would understand all to well. While Stan was at UCLA he met Rebekah whom he loves very much, they are married Oct 18, 1968. On the way to getting a law degree, things get rough for Stan. The Army drafts him in 1970; to avoid the Army he signs with the Marines.  While in boot camp, he unwittingly befriends a serial killer and soon finds himself charged with the murder of his drill sergeant. Stan
desperately searches for the real killer. Helping him is nurse Rita Andrews, who wants Stan for herself, and Virginia Stone, a journalist looking for a story.

Undaunted is a sensual chiller, involving white supremacists, a serial killer, and the Marines all rolled up into a startling package that will keep you clinging to every word.

Undaunted proves it to me; William Manchee is a master at story telling.  He has a way of spinning a tale that will leave you breathless every time.  ... Pam Stone

REVIEW SCRIBES WORLD REVIEWS

5 Stars
UNDAUNTED, A STAN TURNER MYSTERY
William Manchee
Top Publications
Release Date: .2000
ISBN: 0 9663666 0 0

Not long after OCS candidate Stan Turner arrives to begin his Marine Corps career he is horrified to find himself both a prime suspect in a horrific murder and a resident in the Quantico brig.  The fact that Stan's fingerprints are all over the murder weapon used to do away with his drill sergeant does look bad, really bad, for the recent college student.   

Turner is married, the parent of one child and soon to be father of the child Rebekah is carrying.  Rebekah's ever present jealousy clouds her thinking when the best hope for proving Stan's innocence is provided by an attractive journalist and a libidinous nurse who finds Stan every bit attractive as does his wife.  Rebekah has stomped home before either the baby is born or the murder trial Stan must undergo is completed.  Turner has always wanted to be an attorney, his joining the Marine Corps comes as much of surprise to him as it does to others.  Little does he realize that the fellow he befriends upon his arrival at Quantico has a hidden secret.  

In this introductory volume to the Stan Turner series, Writer Manchee weaves a fast paced, tightly wound narrative filled with intrigue, deception and circumstance which are not always as they seem.  UNDAUNTED, A STAN TURNER MYSTERY proves Manchee's understanding of the justice system;  not a wholly surprising situation for this successful Dallas attorney.  This novel  has it all.  Love, duplicitous murder, a serial killer, The Corps, suicide, and a bigoted white supremacist all race the reader through the pages of this gripping work.

Writer Manchee always weaves an excellent account.  Stan Turner is a 'common folk' stumble over his own feet at times type hero. just the kind of hero most of us feel most comfortable knowing.   UNDAUNTED sets the groundwork for the novels to follow.  We meet Stan and Rebekah, get to know them and find them likeable despite their little imperfections.  In this first in the series Stan manages to evade the gallows, complete his bar exams and remain married to Rebekah.  None of this is done without some wear and tear on our hero.

Watch for red herrings.  You may find yourself caught by surprise with the ending!  Delightful read, highly recommended.

Reviewed by:
Molly Martin