Dark Tiger (Stoney Calhoun Series#3)

William Tapply a comfortably entertaining writer.

This author's plots are tightly woven but not so complicated that you have trouble keeping track of things; his characters are strong and easy to relate to. This is my first Stoney Calhoun novel and I now think I will go back and read the others. For many years I have enjoyed the Brady Coyne character and also this author's co-authoring efforts with Phillip Craig. I mourn Mr. Craigs passing and the fact that there will be no further collaborations of this kind. I look forward to this author's next offering, whichever character he chooses to write about.

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Left us Wanting More

"Dark Tiger" is William Tapply's latest installment in the Stoney Calhoun series and unfortunately, will be one of his last due to Mr. Tapply's recent passing. Stoney is trying to live his life out peacefully as a co-owner of a bait and tackle shop just outside Portland, Maine. He has no recollection of his former life since waking up in a VA hospital seven years prior. He is often visited by the "Man in the Suit" who checks to see if Stoney has regained any of his memories and also has "jobs" for him to complete. If Stoney does not comply, the mysterious government official threatens to make life difficult. In Dark Tiger, Stoney is asked to solve the murder of a federal agent and a local girl at a remote fishing resort in upper Maine. Along with his sidekick Ralph, his faithful Brittany Spaniel, Stoney takes on the role of a fishing guide and searches for the answers to the mysterious deaths. Tapply's vast knowledge of fly-fishing and the Maine wilderness inspires the outdoor adventurer in us all but with a limited number of characters; the ending was not very surprising or revealing and left us wanting for more mystery and less details of the fishing trips.

www.suspensemagazine.com

Tapply Never Disappoints

True to his own writing William Tapply has never disappointed me. Whether it is Stoney Calhoun or the beloved Brady Coyne, Mr. Tapply was always true to the character and storyline. He also co-wrote with Phillip Craig. Now within less than 18 months we have lost both authors. The readers will miss both authors.

Tapply takes Stoney from the Maine bait shop to the dark side of his personality that he has no recollection - his past. His past was FBI or CIA and although he has no recollection of this past he knows he must help the secretive men that contact him from time to time. This case weaves Tapply's love for the outdoors and fishing into the latest mystery. The story is complicated, yet simple. There is murder, suicide, and complex characters that will unravel through the investigation. A couple of twists that are easy to follow. Sit back and enjoy as there will be no more from this very talented man. Rest in Peace as I will go back and read again your two series along with the three books published with Phillip Craig.

a super whodunit

Several years have gone by since Stoney Calhoun awakened in a Virginia VA hospital with total amnesia. He opened up a Portland, Maine bait shop owner with Kate Balaban and is a fishing guide and does occasional work for the cops and for "the Man in the Suit" who shows up periodically with an assignment that Stoney has the skills to accomplice. Although his memory remains erased from before the awakening Stoney still has the skills with weapons for instance before he went comatose.

The Suit offers Stoney a deal he cannot refuse. Instead of the usual tidbits about the past, he says he will insure they keep the bait shop potentially being sold to another buyer and keep Kate's loved one covered by health insurance being challenged. Not even knowing the case Stoney agrees to the terms because he would do anything for Kate.

The Suit arranges for a Mr. Brecia to meet with Stoney. Mr. Brecia directs Stoney to investigate the deaths of operative McNulty and the underage teen townie Millie Gautier in what looked like a murder-suicide at St. Cecilia on the Canadian border. Mr. Brecia wants Stoney to find out what their agent was doing there with a sixteen year old. He suggests going undercover at the nearby exclusive Loon Lake Lodge as that is the only place in the vicinity of any known significance.

The third Stonewall Jackson Calhoun tale (see B**CH CREEK and GRAY GHOST) is a super whodunit with obvious overtones to Ludlam's Bourne, but with the late William Tapply's distinct New England take. The story line is fast-paced starting with the Suit showing what he can do to insure Stoney cooperates and never slows down. Fans will enjoy the hero's activity in northern Maine as his in dubiously presence increases the homicide count considerably. DARK TIGER pay homage to Mr. Tapply who died in late July.

Harriet Klausner

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