Trail of the Chupacabra
By Stephen Randel
Publisher: Knuckleball Press
Publication Date: May 2nd,
2013
Genre: Humor/Dark Comedy/Thriller
Book Synopsis
Avery Bartholomew Pendleton is
back, and he’s just as crazy as ever. Avery is a paranoid loner obsessed with
global conspiracy theories who spends most of his time crafting absurd and
threatening letters to anyone who offends him. That means pretty much everyone.
Still convinced of the
existence of the mythical Mexican chupacabra*, Avery enlists the assistance of
the Southwest Texas Revolutionary Armed Confederate Border Operations Militia
(STRAC-BOM) and their manic leader, General X-Ray, to help him invade Mexico.
Accompanied by Ziggy, a burned-out hippy, and an uncommonly large iguana named
Nancy, the group follows the advice of a New Orleans voodoo priestess and heads
straight into the Mexican desert.
Unfortunately for the motley
gang of explorers, Mexico can be a dangerous place if you cross the wrong
people -- specifically, the Padre, a vicious drug cartel boss, and El Barquero,
a murderous gunrunner who has crossed Avery’s path before.
What unfolds is a
laugh-out-loud dark comedy of insane humor, unforgettable characters, and
chilling thrills.
*No chupacabras were injured
in the writing of this book.
My Review
Stephen
Randel did not disappoint with his sequel to The Chupacabra. I didn’t realize
how much I missed the flamboyant character, Avery Bartholomew Pendleton. Avery has not given up on his quest of
locating a mythical chupacabra and has Ziggy (the bunt out hippy with a soft heart) as his faithful sidekick. While
the two decide to head back to Mexico in search of the chupacabra (thanks to
Mae Mae’s spiritual guidance), ex-cartel, El Barquero is already there in search
of vengeance for his dead wife and unborn child.
I applaud Randel for his ability to give readers a laugh out loud dark comedy, while
simultaneously balancing an adventurous
thriller. Some favorite characters from book one can be found in
the middle of the action, such as the civilian militia, Southwest Texas
Revolutionary Armed Confederate Border Operations Militia (STRAC-BOM). As for
new characters, I enjoyed the fierce Esmeralda.
If you want a story that will cause
you to laugh a lot, sit on the edge of your seat in anticipation of what will
happen next, and a colorful cast of characters, then Trail of the Chupacabra is
a must read. There are violent scenes throughout the story, but I wouldn't
expect anything less from the viscous cartel.
Author Bio
Stephen Randel, CFA, was born
in Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University. Steve now
lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and their two rescue dogs.
Links
- Website: www.stephenrandel.com
- Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Stephen%20Randel&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank
- Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15991924-the-chupacabra
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