Mark Mynheir, From the Belly of the Dragon

From the Belly of the Dragon

Mark Mynheir

Multnomah, May 2006, $12.99

ISBN: 1590523997

With incredible sales success from his books and tapes, psychiatrist Dr. Walter Simmons has amassed a fortune. His ability to merge basic psychological concepts into an optimistic moral and spiritual holistic wholeness has made him extremely popular, especially amongst college students. He currently invites his top (meaning alienated, lonely, or both) Florida State University students to a special "boot camp" training program.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Tim Porter is worried about his daughter Ruby, who has been acting stage of late, though her being at FSU and he being divorced from her mother, her prime caretaker, means he sees her infrequently. Still, he mentions his concerns to his former wife and his partner John Russell. Soon he learns that Ruby is undergoing special training, along with other students under the tutelage of Dr. Walter Simmons; special training that looks like a cult, acts like a cult, sounds like a cult; ergo a cult. How to free his daughter in a scenario in which the local police back the psychiatrist, the FBI demands he stay out so as not to taint their investigation of Simmons, and the charismatic doctor appears to have the spiritual edge that claims Ruby's soul is his quest.

The first "Truth Seekers" tale, ROLLING THUNDER, was a strong police procedural supported by an inspirational family drama with John as the star. This time Tim is the focus within a powerful family drama supported by a fine "unsanctioned" police procedural. The fast-paced storyline grips the readers as John turns from concern to fear, as he feels he is losing the soul war to his dynamic adversary. Fans will appreciate this deep insightful look at a cop willing to do anything, including losing his job and team up with his ex-wife for the first time since before their split to save his child.