Beneath a Panamanian Moon (John Harper)

Rating:
Summary: Beneath a Panamanian Moon
Review: Great convoluted reading. Terrenoire captured my interest with much more than rich color and texture. He expanded my imagination by sharing his own, thick, with neverending undercurrents and extended meanings. He never passes over an opportunity to grow a smile on your face or an irrepressible belly laugh. Much fun!

Rating:
Summary: A wacky amusing espionage thriller
Review: DC pianist John Harper used to work for some super duper top secret agency that even his former mentor Mr. Smith cannot mention. He enjoys his current life he is popular artist amongst the rich and famous, especially the wives. However, Mr. Smith visits Harper to inform him that a Panamanian resort hotel needs someone with his consummate piano playing skills with experience in explosives and arms a requisite requirement of the job. John says no as he does not want to return to the cold even in the tropics.

No one says no to Mr. Smith so John heads to the resort to mingle amongst the guests until he obtains the information that Mr. Smith needs involving the training of an apparent revolutionary army. He must complete his mission quickly so that he can play a gig in DC by New Year's Eve and abort a revolt on the next day. He learns in a not so veiled threat by seemingly Columbian cartel thugs that his predecessor was "fired" when a shark had him for lunch. The nasties want to turn John into fish bait while the ladies want to play with his tune and Mr. Smith beats the drums waiting for answers.

BENEATH A PANAMANIAN MOON is a wacky amusing espionage thriller that stars a likable offbeat hero as its centerpiece. The story line is all over the place as the humor at times overwhelms the spy plot. Fans of zany tales like some of the Southern Florida mysteries will appreciate this madcap spy thriller that is more focused than say Casino Royale (the movie) but much less than a Le Carre tale.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: This novel is a great deal of fun from beginning to end. I could not put it down. The interaction among characters is as jam packed with interesting dialogue as a David Mamet play. I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud as much from a novel, and I can't wait for the next Terrenoire novel!