Domo 17

Rating:
Summary: A flawed but interesting book
Review: As a native of Moscow, educated in the Soviet schools, I must take issue with the reviewers who claim the author is knowledgable about Russia or the Soviet Union. It is a commonplace among Russians that "Russia is a country with an unpredictable past," and the author of this fantasy bears that out. His small understanding of Soviet history seems gleaned from the learn-books I was forced to read in elementary school - full of lies and half-truths. To even begin to understand Russia one must live there, which the author obviously has not.

The book does have interesting plot. Consider it light entertainment, if you will, something to while away a rainy afternoon.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely a XX-pulp detective story
Review: Dr. Alexander Jamazi is a Hercule Poirot of sorts, combined with a little James Bond, and seasoned with the teachings of Buddha. His friends cannot figure out why he is so knowledgeable about the finer points of history, but our author hints that Dr. Jamazi doesn't age because he is super-human or immortal. When he and his sidekicks, Max and Robyn, set out to help a client named Tara Duchenes, they uncover a plot by a higher-up in the security section of the Russian government to take over the government, assassinate the president, and throw Russia into war. Jamazi offers his services to General Drago:

"'Casimir, if you do not mind, I would like to offer your good offices the services of myself, Max and Robyn in getting to the bottom of this affair.' The Doctor was never one to outwardly betray his inner feelings with telegraphic expressions or gestures, but in all truthfulness, he badly wanted to be in on this situation. 'And,' Jamazi added, 'along the way, we might even cross paths with our disappearing client, Mlle Romanov.'"

Domo17 is a brilliantly written first novel! McKay could compete with any of the existing giants of political intrigue novels today. McKay's intensive knowledge of Russian affairs and history takes the reader right to Red Square. His analysis of current political and economical conditions in Russia makes for a very savvy interpretation of "what ifs" in the telling of his tale. He lays out a scenario that is not only possible (with the number of nut heads in the world) but is chilling in contemplation. McKay's characters are lovable and well thought out. Jamazi is perfect in his role of "super-human equalizer." Although the scenario is grim, we as readers cheer on Jamazi and his team and know that they will prevail in the end.

Domo17 is a four-star read from an up-and-comer. Thanks for Mr. McKay for sharing his imagination and historical brilliance in the form of such a wonderful read...

Larry Rochelle hails from Kansas City, and is a mystery writer by trade. He is also interested in blues and jazz, tennis, and photography. Dance with the Pony is his fourth mystery.

Palmer Morel is a 6'3" tennis pro with a penchant for making bad decisions in his love life. He has recently had a messy breakup with his wife, who hangs out at his club with a bi-sexual woman known for her nastiness. Palmer, in the meantime, has been frequenting an exotic dance establishment known as "The Stage Door." He has had relationships with one or two of the dancers, but at the moment he is head-over-heels in love with a 5'4" number named Pony, who is quite a package. When one of Pony's bosses, Jim Norris, has just been murdered. Palmer's Walter Mitty life is further turned upside down:

"Pausing on the last step, Morel sprinted the ten paces to his door. His fingers felt intense heat on the doorframe and his loud, dramatic tennis coach's voice screamed, FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!' Across the hall, he pounded on the Frenzels' door, hoping they were home, hoping they could dial 9-1-1 and carry out some of their valuables. He knew, almost by instinct, but really because of seeing the film Backdraft' the other night on TV, not to open the door, fearing a huge burst of flame, almost an explosion, that might greet him."

Dance with the Pony is definitely a XX-pulp detective story, except that it is told via the point-of-view of the victim rather than the detective. Still, Rochelle manages to capture the grittiness of the big city with the vulnerability of a lonely man who is just trying to capture some love in his life. The juxtaposition of rich, country club clients versus the seedy world of exotic dancing illustrates just how blurred these lines can get. Rochelle creates wonderful characters and action that is non-stop in this naughty but fascinating tale.

Palmer Morel is a hero who seems to entangle himself into big messes every time he turns around. As readers, we worry whether he is even going to have a change of clothing as the bad guys burn his possessions' try to smear his good name so he will lose his job; land him in the hospital with gunshot wounds and various and sundry other injuries; and try to set him up as the killer.

Donald Neal McKay is an admitted tale spinner. In 1952 he began his studies of Russia, including Lenin, the old Soviet Union, Bolshevism, and Russian history including the czars and royals. McKay is a native of South Carolina.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: Make this into a movie!
Review: I concur with the first reviewer, Ben Kingsley would make a great Dr. Jamazi. Mr. McKay's first book is splendid and engrossing! He blends all the elements of intrigue and suspense into an intellectual masterpiece. This would make a great movie. Looking forward to the sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Make this into a movie!
Review: I concur with the first reviewer, Ben Kingsley would make a great Dr. Jamazi. Mr. McKay's first book is splendid and engrossing! He blends all the elements of intrigue and suspense into an intellectual masterpiece. This would make a great movie. Looking forward to the sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Plot to Overthrow the Government is Author's Winning Plot
Review: If you tried to think of the most unlikely means to overthrow a government, I doubt you would ever imagine the nefarious scheme behind this planned overthrow. But if you were the author, you might start with a passion for Russian and Soviet history and literature leading to a story with details so accurate that probably even lifetime Moscow residents don't know them all. Then you'd wonder what if something different had happened? And you'd come up with a spellbinding tale that readers won't be able to put down - or forget after they've read it.

There are no predictable details here as there so often are in mysteries of international intrigue or ones with especially clever and capable detectives. The characters, even the larger-than-life ones, are all real, believable people. They have you wondering along with them what will happen next - and, like them, you are surprised when it does. I highly recommend this book which, I am delighted to say, is the first of a series. Bring on the next!

Rating:
Summary: A damned good story.
Review: McKay's story is unusual to say the least, but quite interesting. After reading the adventure, I was heartened to learn that there are two more books coming in the series. Something tells me that Dr. Jamazi will be revealed more and more as those stories progress; for the clues indicating such are laced throughout the tale.

I found the recountings of Leninist doctrine to be on the mark along with the history, along with the location descriptions. As to whether such a plot is feasible, that is something that really shouldn't be pressed all that much, after all, the book is fiction. The fight scene, and how it ended, was something else!

What I would like to see is for 'Domo 17' to be made into a movie, and if the author does, in fact, produce two more tales in the series, then there would be a strong box office draw. Maybe Ben Kingsley would be considered for the role of Dr. Jamazi, and Jean Reno as Max. That would be cool!

I'd recommend buying this book -- definitely!