about the book
When American authorities learn that a nuclear missile may have been spirited away by the Castro regime during the Cuban Missile Crisis and that their enemies are planning to use it against them, the CIA calls upon Dalton Drake, a dauntless Canadian private intelligence contractor, to uncover the truth. Embarking on a perilous journey to Cuba, Drake and his elite team soon find themselves enmeshed in a web of intrigue involving Cuba, Venezuela, China, and American political radicals, who are conspiring to dismantle the very foundations of American power. Their goal: to usher in a new world order with China at the top and to vanquish US leadership. As Drake and his team race against time, their pursuit takes them on a high-stakes odyssey across Cuba, Central America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the US. With the fate of the west and also his family hanging in the balance, this is Drake’s most personal mission yet.
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Reviews
In Paul Vincent Jacuzzi’s mystery novel Red Leopard, a deadly relic from the Cold War resurfaces, bringing a slew of murders in its wake.
The novel takes real historical events and incorporates them into a thrilling plot featuring spies, government corruption, and an impending nuclear war. Complete with accurate historical dates and locations of past events pertaining to the Cold War, the book’s attention to detail carries throughout. Characters, government branches, and military equipment are all developed with attention, as when weapons and military flight craft are listed down to the make and model. Further, those connected to the government use code words when contacting one another, employing different phrases for each situation they are entangled in and resulting in verisimilitude.
A war that’s decades in the making may ignite in the thrilling novel Red Leopard, a tale of murderous intent in which the Cold War may not be finished after all.
─Foreword Clarion Review
(★★★★★) Jacuzzi keeps the suspense high; not only does the enemy plan to use the missile as a weapon against America, they also threaten to topple the existing world order. He demonstrates an extensive understanding of espionage tactics and the events of the Cold War, and the intricate, layered world he creates comes complete with courageous heroes and malevolent villains. The narrative moves back and forth between the past and present, fueled by the search for the missing missile while raising profound questions about power, loyalty, and the human experience. With vivid descriptions and a darkly fascinating exploration of recent political landscape, this novel leads readers down a thrilling path. A page-turner.
─BookView Review
Timely, tense, and immersive…
In this second installment in the Dalton Drake series, Jacuzzi’s audacious hero finds himself entangled in a vicious battle for survival against powerful forces seeking to reshape the world order. Jacuzzi reveals a twisted conspiracy, filled with gruesome acts of violence, murder, and a scandal involving nuclear missiles. He expertly intertwines multiple subplots, backstories, and characters that add depth to the dark, intricate world of politics and power. The chapters are concise and engaging, filled with sharp dialogue that keeps the story moving at a fluid pace. The settings, from Cuba to Central America, the Caribbean to Canada and the US, switch seamlessly like a cinematic experience. Most importantly, the characters are richly developed and full of dramatic appeal, from Drake’s teammates Kate and Kenron to the driven Sally and courageous Ethan. As in the first book, the antagonists in this sequel are unapologetically wicked, especially Salazar who will stop at nothing to achieve his hidden agenda. Throughout it all, the book aptly captures the power struggles and behind-the-scenes negotiations that take place in both global politics and local affairs. An assured and exciting addition to a thrilling series.
─The Prairies Book Review
(★★★★★) Red Leopard by Paul Vincent Jacuzzi is an enthralling geopolitical thriller that features complex plotlines involving espionage, political intrigue, and the looming nuclear crisis. The narrative is both gripping and expansive, taking readers on a high-stakes journey across Cuba, Central America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the U.S. Jacuzzi combines suspense, action, and geopolitical dynamics to create a multifaceted thriller that keeps entertained throughout. The plot's intricate layers unfold gradually, revealing a web of alliances, betrayals, and covert operations.
This author writes in prose that is fluid, and the short chapters, coupled with timely paragraph breaks, make the story one that is hard to put down. Red Leopard will have readers entranced by the high stakes, the compelling geopolitical setting, and the adorable protagonist.
─The Book Commentary