R R Miller

"One for the Show" R R Miller

This novel is the first of four sequential, period, mystery adventure novels. They are a chronologically set series that begins in 1936, finishing in 1970. It delivers forty five chapters and forty six thousand words in a fast paced and easy to read style, liberally laced with sex, violence, nostalgia and a whole lot of fun. The format is a satire of movies of each individual period. It=s written in the first person in visual terms. Richard is a renowned portrait artist and sculptor, who is famous for economy of stroke. His writing has the same characteristics, direct with well managed fast pacing. In #1 "One for the Show" our lead character, Anthony James is a teen of 15, living in Port Royale, Quebec City, a tiny courtyard village with cobblestones, shops, apartments and a charming white church, in the lee of the magnificent Chateau Frontenac Hotel. War in Europe seems imminent and Tony yearns to fly. He joins the R. A. F. at the out-break of hostilities. After flight training and a two week furlough that involves attractive young women with an intro to intimacy, his real war began. He soon made a reputation by developing unusual dog fight tactics with his new buddy, Cal Peters. They met while in a storage area of a passenger ship, coming to Britain, to join the R. A. F. for free flying lessons. He was shot down by a flak blast, nothing was working, just minimal control in a burning Spitfire. He could not bail out, trapped by a jammed canopy. The hard belly landing popped the canopy. He quickly pulled himself out, but before he could roll very far from the Spitfire, it exploded in a raging ball of fire. He awakened with a lovely young woman attending his burned legs. They were in the dank basement of a fortified safe house of the underground. As time passed, Nicole took tender, loving care of him. They became lovers. Pierre Laroche, the leader of the Resistance at Reims, was a wealthy, world famous maker of fine wines, and an apparent Nazi collaborator, while at the same time a very valuable spy. He constantly supplied gourmet food and famous wines for them. Tony became a new member of the group and soon gained a reputation as a pragmatist with quick solutions. Philippe was deeply depressed over the loss of his mate. Because he lived alone, Nicole and Tony decided to invite him to live with them. It soon became a ménage a trios. This joyful union worked deadly and well through the dangerous years to war's end. Tony was not mustered out as expected. Britain gave him 30,000 pounds and promoted him to Commodore upon his surprising resurrection. Because of his unique reputation, he was reassigned to Berlin to join Steve Hughes and Tommy Sanderson. They were to lead the Allied Intelligence Agency. Their quest, to find and return the many confiscated treasures seized by the Nazis. For two years they were near 100% successful, except for the Arles Museum treasure at Marseille. Klaus Von Richter, a Nazi Colonel, was commissioned to bring the booty to Berlin by train. However, the Colonel, the treasure and the train had all vanished from the face of the earth. Where do you hide a train, fully loaded with Museum treasure? Together, we all determined there was only one logical spot, the eastern end of lake Geneva, where a great mountain came directly out of the water. The derailed train after unloading, could never be recovered, it was too deep, even for a deep sea diver. No matter, the month in Switzerland was filled with joy. At the end of it all, Tony convinced Tommy and Steve, his friends and associates, to join him in an advertising agency in Montreal. On the way to Canada, he arranged a New Years Eve party at the Dorchester Hotel in London. Three elaborate high officer uniforms were joined by the lovely ladies from Tony's early days. It was a party to end all Parties. . . .