Rhodesian Doll Hunt: A Backpack, a Doll, and Genetic Espionage in Africa
Craze and Mad Dog carry information wrapped within the walls of African nesting dolls that will help Rhodesia’s Prime Minister Ian Smith deploy a gene editing technology which, if successful, will help him win the Rhodesian Bush War. Winston, the Chief Research Officer of an elite group of scientists in Liberia, has told them that the information details a Nobel Prize winning technology that will eradicate malaria. Craze, a scientist from Boston, is pleased to help deliver the information and is tempted to take a job at the research center after his travels. Mad Dog, his conservative friend since childhood, is skeptical of Winston’s motives.
Travis, founder of the United Freedom Front, a radical organization in the United States, infiltrates the Selous Scouts, the special ops unit of the Rhodesian army, as a double agent, and passes information back to Joshua Nkomo’s army, one of the two factions fighting Smith’s government. His handler asks Travis to kill the two Americans and destroy the dolls, but when Travis sees Craze standing on the shores of the Zambezi River he can’t do it.
Why will people kill in order to destroy the dolls? Craze and Mad Dog resolve to determine the true purpose of the technology wrapped within the dolls and team up with unlikely partners in a journey that culminates on the ledges of Victoria Falls in Rhodesia.
“I was reminded of the late Anthony Bourdain and M*A*S*H”
~Lilli Stein, actress from: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Black List, and Evil~
“a whole new level of dangerous in this incredibly detailed fact-meets-fiction adventure novel. One of the best books I’ve read this year”
~Nick Bythrow, Senior reporter for Screen Rant~
“I desperately wanted to know what was in the dolls.”
~Judy Luca, bestselling author and founder of Law of Attraction and Vibration~
Note: This book is a work of fiction. Though inspired by real events, technology, and life experience, references to historical events, people, and scientific discoveries are intended to provide some authenticity to the work. The plot, characters, actions, discussions, and incidences in the novel are purely drawn from the authors imagination.
Where to buy: Amazon: Hard cover, paperback, & eBook. Barnes & Noble: Paperback
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What are the readers saying?
This book is why I read adventure novels!
Terrific adventure! Thought provoking and action packed. Like the best action-mystery novels, this is the perfect blend of facts and fiction. Craze and Mad Dog…never a dull moment.
Awesome book
Great story. Love, action, suspense, betrayal, friendship, and espionage all rolled into one terrific read. Loved the format, the writing, and the content. Well done! A must read!
Amazing read!!!
This is an amazing read! I couldn’t put it down. The plot is exceptional, especially knowing it was derived from the author’s personal experiences. This book is a home run.
Must Read
I heard about this book through the grapevine and gave it a chance. I loved the format, loved the story and most importantly it left me pondering my own personal and global choices. Five stars!!!
Loved this book
Holy cow. You never know what is history and what is fiction. I had a great time fact checking and discovering how the things that happened in the book really happened. And, you get a free genetics lesson. It’s going on our book club list.
Intrigue and a touch of science lesson I have to admit I had to look up alot of the genetic information, which was fascinating. Story itself kept me guessing about the fate of the dolls and also if Craze gets smart and doesn’t lose the girl. Great read!
A superb mystery that blends truth with fiction.
A great read for those who enjoy science, murder and a diabolical plot that keeps the reader guessing.
Riveting!!!
C.L. Manning has written a thrilling novel that is hard to put down. Not only is it action packed, but also thought provoking! I would encourage people to pick it up! It will not disappoint!
CAPTIVATING READ
This is a beautifully written adventure. We learn about political unrest in Africa through the innocent eyes of a kid from suburbia. Love how he gives us a peek into his personal struggles while participating in the adventure of a lifetime. There are so many clever twists, turns, and SURPRISES! I Loved it!!
Easy read with plenty of surprises throughout
Terrific plot that held my attention page after page! The pace of the story picks up as you get deeper into the book. Well done!
Riveting adventure in Africa
I was captured by Alex’s proposal to Craze. The story of Craze and Mad Dog’s adventure weaves through the sights and sounds of West Africa, a research center ahead of it’s time, the Rhodesian Bush War, the beauty of South Africa, and the mystery carried in the dolls. C. L. Manning masterfully incorporates friendship, romance, science, humor, and self-examination into his story. Political intrigue, a revolutionary, and a surprise ending enhance the adventure, making Rhodesian Doll Hunt a book that you will fly through and love from start to finish.
Great read
Couldn’t stop reading it. Ending has a very unexpected twist – never saw that coming!
Fantastic book
I loved this book from beginning to end couldn’t put down! Enjoyed the mix of history and science and the incredible story interwoven throughout the book. I’m hoping there are more stories to come!!
Great adventure. Lots of twists and turns
This was a great read , many unexpected twists in the plot, Also a great introspective work. It got me thinking about how we treat one another, use science, cherish relationships. So much history too, there were many new things to discover. Highly recommend
To learn more about autobiographical fiction, please take a look at Jack Smith’s article at Writers.com.
What’s Next?
In the works: Craze and Mad Dog continue their journey, which opens on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and ends amid one of the biggest historical events in the second half of the 20th century. This tale will be 65% true and 75% fiction.
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