GUNNER

Alton Rhode Mystery #5

By: Lawrence De Maria

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

THE HITMAN IN MY KITCHEN WASN'T THERE TO SHOOT ME. HE WANTED MY HELP!
From a cinematographer: I came across your book GUNNER and the way you open with a hitman calmly sitting in his old skipper’s kitchen asking for help completely hooked me. That moral pivot, from professional kill to personal reckoning over a Medal of Honor recipient, isn’t just a plot device, it is a gut punch about loyalty, patriotism, and the price of following orders. It’s been a while since I got that can’t-put-this-book-down feeling. Thank you. The depth, the emotion, the rhythm of the story ... it was all so vivid, it practically directed itself in my head. So I followed that feeling and wrote up a cinematic trailer script. Just something I couldn’t not do after getting pulled into your world.
THE PLOT
The hired killer, himself a proud veteran, felt betrayed when he unknowingly killed a Medal of Honor winner. He wants to settle the score. But there is a problem. The secretive assassin doesn't know who gave the order for the hit. But he believes I can find out. He's trusted me with his life in combat. After all, I was his old "skipper"
"One of the best PI novels I have read this year. Just a perfect amount of intrigue, along with witty and humorous dialog. This will not be the last De Maria novel I will read." (Amazon Review)***“DE MARIA’S LATEST MYSTERY PROVES THAT PATRIOTISM CAN COME IN MANY FORMS, NOT ALL OF THEM PRETTY. GUNNER DELIVERS A WALLOP!” (John Crudele, New York Post); “A LAWRENCE DE MARIA TITLE GIVES YOU MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK THAN JUST ABOUT ANYTHING IN THE BOOK MARKETPLACE TODAY.” (Florida Weekly); “A MASTER OF THRILLER DIALOGUE.” (Washington Independent Review of Books); “WHILE DE MARIA MAY HAVE BEEN AN AWARD-WINNING FINANCIAL REPORTER, HE'S AN AWFULLY GOOD FICTION WRITER AS WELL.” (Naples Daily News)

INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM

THE UNITED STATES
THE DRONE (A Jake Scarne Thriller): “No matter what the series, De Maria’s characters are sure to act with boldness and courage. When I first discovered this author, I turned to his first book, Sound of Blood, purchased used, a signed copy, now one of many I have read, and I now read each new paperback as soon as it is published. Pleasures to read, sure entertainment, don’t even try to anticipate the twists and turns, as true as the statement about reality — you could never make this up!”
TURTLE DOVE (An Alton Rhode Mystery): “You won’t be sorry reading this humorous, amorous, adventurous book … happy to have discovered this author.”
SPLICER (A Jake Scarne Thriller): “With all the news about the recent pandemic out and about, De Maria has captured the threat of a genetically modified “bug” that could be weaponized.”
GREAT BRITAIN
THE END OF US (A Cole Sudden C.I.A. Thriller): “This is a cracker of a H bomb terrorist plot. A story very well told and written. Great bunch of characters and fast paced. Enjoyable.”
HOPE (A Jake Scarne Thriller): “Another brilliant read in an ever-increasing catalogue of great stories. Never disappoints and with great characters reappearing, this book is highly recommended once again.”
SISTER (An Alton Rhode Mystery): “Yet another classy read from the excellent pen of Mr. De Maria. Brilliant characters, a terrific storyline and would recommend this author without any misgivings. Kept me enthralled from beginning to the end.”
GERMANY
ALAS, PARIS: “I have read many of De Maria’s books, and find them unfailingly entertaining. For me, the writing in Chapter 14 was perfection.
INDIA
THE VIRON CONSPIRACY (A Jake Scarne Thriller): If you enjoy conspiracy theories, this is the book for you. Well written plot and characters, fast paced, detailed mystery.