Mac McClellan and his girlfriend, Kate Bell, were leaving a movie theater when she saw someone she thought had died years ago. In fact, she was so shocked she fainted, while Wes Harrison quickly disappeared with his female companion.

When Kate came to, she explained to Mac that Harrison had drowned more than ten years ago in a boating accident with two other men. She might have thought she was wrong except he had glanced at her, recognition showing on his face.

Mac and Kate sought the help of Hightower Investigations, a private eye firm run by Frank Hightower, a close personal friend of her father. At the time of the drowning, “Uncle Frank” worked for the local Sheriff’s Department and was involved with the original case. He didn’t believe Wes could have survived the drowning, but helped Mac get started in a search for the missing man.

Frank hired Mac to work with him, while also doing whatever was necessary so Mac, a retired Marine, could get a Private Investigator license. Working under Frank’s tutelage as he searches for the truth regarding the drowning, Mac finds himself traveling to an orphanage in Texas, and running into fake deaths, name changes, and numerous lies and deceptions.

He also finds his own life on the line, wondering if he is going to live long enough to reveal the truth.

Deadly Ruse is the second Mac McClellan mystery by E. Michael Helms, following Deadly Catch. The author has created a strong sense of place with detailed descriptions and intriguing characters.

Helms placed his hero in the Florida Panhandle after Mac’s recent retirement from the Marine Corps. Mac's new way of living seems true to life as he searches for what he wants to do now that he is out of the Corp.

Deadly Ruse can stand alone although reading the first book provides background information for those who want to understand more about Mac’s motives. Anyone who has been around career Marines, as I have, will understand Mac’s obsessive desire to find the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The author helps readers keep track of the numerous characters involved, as they also try to figure out who is good and who is bad.

Frequent twists and turns will keep readers turning pages to find out what happens next, and looking forward to the next novel in this exciting series.

A special thank you goes to Seventh Street Books for providing us with a complimentary copy of Deadly Ruse.

The Mac McClellan Mystery series is available at Amazon.com.