Larry Johns

The Devil's Breath (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

A return to the blood-soaked cauldron of Central Africa is nowhere on this world-weary mercenary soldier's wish list. But when the prize - at least for someone else - exceeds nine figures, personal preferences are removed from the equation, and a refusal to cooperate would mean arrest and trial for a murder he arguably did commit.

In a country on the brink of catastrophe, ex-Special Forces commander, Martin Palmer, must attempt the overthrow of a corrupt regime. To achieve this he must assassinate the figurehead. It is the ages-old African Story.

Only when he is actually in the country does he realise the truth; that whatever he does or does not achieve, he cannot be allowed to walk away. But having grabbed the tiger by its tail he now has no option but to see it through. As friend becomes enemy, and enemy becomes friend, he drags his disparate and diminishing force - comprised mostly of home-grown mercenaries (Ascaris) - through a running conflict of attrition that cannot be allowed to produce winners.

Double-cross follows betrayal, which eventually leads to internal mutiny. Palmer's command more or less disintegrates. However, against seemingly impossible odds, and aided by good fortune, he eventually completes his mission. Yet again, the country begins to tear itself apart. Palmer must now find a way to "disappear" back into the world.

Though standalone in its own right, "The Devil's Breath" runs sequentially from an earlier, traditionally-published novel: "A Warrior's Code", (Robert Hale, 2012) of which Books Monthly says:

"...Gripping thriller - being an ex-soldier himself, Johns knows how they think and act, and his superior knowledge shows in this excellent tale..."

"...Perhaps Johns' greatest achievement is to make you care about the soulless man who kills for money, as we follow him on a thrilling adventure filled with violence, intrigue and occasional moments of rare beauty as Johns, an artist and traveller in real life, describes the drama and beauty of the African landscapes in which his story takes place..."

"The Devil's Breath" is 230,000 words

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Larry Johns
• Erscheinungstermin: 5. November 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9798223132608
• Artikelnr.: 69350659

Autorenporträt

Born and raised in Cornwall, Larry Johns has earned a living as a soldier, an artist, a jazz musician, a music lecturer and a writer, circumnavigating the world in these professions many times. He learned the mechanics of his original trade with the Staff Band of the Royal Engineers and at Kneller Hall School of Music. During this period he received the first of many rejection slips from the various publishers. It would be some fifteen years before he eventually received an offer to publish. But, during those years, such an offer was the stuff of dreams only. After the military he moved directly to London, where he occupied the lead alto saxophone chair with several big bands, whilst jazzing at many nightspots; most notably ; The "100 Club", Oxford Street; the "Allnighter", Soho and "The Bull's Head" at Barnes. At these and other venues he blew jazz shoulder-to-shoulder with Vic Ash, Harry Klein, Brian Dee, Joe Temperley. One of his enduring memories of those heady be-bob days is of swapping "fours" with the legendary vibraphonist Vic Feldman immediately prior to his moving to the U.S. to join the Woody Herman Orchestra. During this period he also played repiano clarinet with an embryonic London Symphonietta and several smaller classical combinations. Latterly, he was one of Charlie Katz's "session men", performing on numerous "hit" (and "not-so-hit") recordings of the day. Later, he worked directly for several recording companies: Decca, H.M.V., Major-Minor, Philips etc. holding the "Artists and Repertoire" position with most. With Mercury records, he fronted various stage bands on promotional tours across Europe and the Far East, working alongside rising stars of the recording world, Phil Coulter and Mike Leander. On the demise of viable big band work worldwide, Larry - along with many of his contemporaries - joined "Geraldo's Navy", and would cross the Atlantic many times - on both "Queens" - haunting the New York jazz scene...For many years to come, during "dry" periods, he would utilise this "jewel" of an employment facility, both for the pocket and for the heart.

His seascapes are sold around the world. When not writing, painting, performing or travelling, he teaches art and woodwind privately in Cornwall. For more details visit his website at: www.holler-it.com