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The Steel Deal by James Blakley

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If you are a conspiracy theorist, this may be a book for you. Sonny Busco, a Private Investigator finds himself mixed up with The Men and Women in Black, while trying to keep the other side from stealing sentient steel, a revolutionary new invention that could change the world as we know it. Sentient steel is lightweight like aluminum, elastic like rubber and durable like titanium. It can be shaped into almost any form. It can think and become whatever it wants.

My name is Sonny Busco. I am a Private Investigator. I am fifty-five and feel my age. I drive a twenty-six year old Oldsmobile, that I am never sure will start. I like my Bourbon and I bet on the ponies to try and augment my lack of income.

I have a second job as a security guard. It’s a steady job that helps to cover my bills.

When I am working as a Private Investigator, I wear a Blazer and tie. It’s really hard to tell, though, because I dress the same, whether I am visiting my Bookie, a bill collector or a broad.

I am in hock to a loan shark, because business has been slack. It seems private eyes aren’t in as much demand as we used to be.  When I got the call from Pixy, I arranged to meet her right away. She offered me $2500, for what seemed to be a piece of cake job.
I would be able to pay my Bookie, my debts and still have some pocket change.

Santa Fe, Capital of New Mexico (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I saw the girl with the silvery box, I noticed how scared she was. We exchanged our agreed upon coded responses. She told me her name was Pixy Sage and all I had to do was retrieve a suitcase that held a new invention, sentient steel, and deliver it to her in Santa Fe, NM tomorrow night.

My Oldsmobile had broken down, so we got into the Stealth I had borrowed from my mechanic and headed to either the bus station or the train station. She hadn’t told me yet what mode of transportation she would be taking, only that it was too obvious to fly. When she said we were being followed by the taxi behind us, I thought, sure we are. But we were. With the Stealth, I easily lost them. She said only four people knew about sentient steel, now I was the fifth.

The taxi caught up to us and when I slammed on the brakes to avoid getting in a wreck, Pixy jumped out of the car and ran. I thought, no problem. I knew we were to meet in Santa Fe, so I would retrieve the briefcase and head there.

But my way would be much more difficult than I ever could have anticipated.

    4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. James Blakely sent me a signed paperback. Thank you, James. I love adding another book to my collection.

I loved the cover and the title matched the story. It is not your average PI story, even though at times it seems to be very light-hearted.

The book was very well written. It was 213 pages of mystery, action and fun. The mismatch of fun and interesting characters kept me on my toes. If the plot  had been more developed, this book could be rated even higher. It had a feel of James Bond, to me.

There was so much action packed into such a small book, every time I thought it was over, this happened, then this. Nothing big, nothing earth-shaking, but fun. The book can be read in a couple of hours, which I did, over coffee on my patio.

There was plenty of food for thought and it will keep you thinking long after you read the book. If you like conspiracy, this book will help feed your paranoia.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    James Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning columnist and co-editor of “The Griffon-News”.

Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka,KS where he worked for The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library before spending several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies such as EDS and HP.

For those “inquiring minds who want to know”, I’m almost finished with a screenplay version of “The Steel Deal.” And I’m rough-drafting my next novel (due out in late 2013/early 2014).

You can find James Blakely at Goodreads

  Giveaway – James has offered an awesome giveaway.

A $25.00 Amazon Gift Card and

2 signed paperback books for the giveaway.

It is International and easy to enter, as always. Just answer the question – Do you think there have been enough scientific advances that there could be such a thing as sentient steel and if there is, would THEY allow it to be used? – and leave your email. Ends November 14, 2012.

$25 GC – Stuffsmart

PB – Shannon

PB – Christie Rich

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I hope you will continue to follow fundinmental.

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  To order, simply click on the cover.