The Skins of Dead Men

Dean's passion for life comes through in power packed books

Dean Ing returns to the style he does so well: a young, beautiful, independent woman, almost masculine in her strength; a strong-willed man of good character who wins her affections, and a young boy in peril. The book races through Mexico and the U.S. Southwest as TC attempts to elude a gang of murderers and would-be kidnappers. The long and thrilling chase reminds me of The Pelican Brief, and I only hope this books finds as many readers.

A schoolteacher called TC (a Tough Cookie) rescues a young boy who is being being kidnapped by a Kurdish nationalist group. She gets him out of Mexico and across southwestern US to try to reunite him with his grandparents. She meets up with a good, resourceful guy who had been the victim of severe burns and who had received skin grafts (thus the reference to the skins of dead men.) Appealing characters and exciting plot turns. Several of Ing's books have female focus characters who are young, attractive, strong and with a hint of androgyny. TC is another iteration. He often pairs these women with male characters are older, technologicly adept men of good character and a strong independent nature: an interesting mix, pairing two self reliant, stubborn and strong willed people.I enjoyed the book.

Tucson school teacher Teresa T.C. Conteras needs to get away from it all as the tragic death of her own son continues to haunt her mind. T.C. knows she cannot gain solace from her wastrel spouse, especially since their marriage has ended. To escape, she travels to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a needed vacation. Instead of resting in the sun, T.C. becomes involved in a kidnapping attempt of seven-year old Al Townsend. She manages to thwart the abductors. The kidnappers turn out to be facilitators hired by Al's father, who lives in Mahabad, Iran. T.C. soon flees with the child as professionals, armed with diplomatic immunity and high tech weaponry, give chase. She turns to the only person she trusts, Ross Downing. However, he is the very person scarred in a failed rescue plan when the son of T.C. died. The pair plans to unite the lad with his family, not knowing that he might just be the catalyst they need to save their own tormented souls. THE SKINS OF DEAD MEN is an action-packed, non-stop thriller that takes readers on a wild ride through Mexico and the Southwest part of this country. Though no shockers or spookers occur, the story line is crisp and well written. However, what makes Dean Ing's latest adventure so good is the depth of all of the characters. Both North Americans and Middle Easterners seem genuine in what first appears as an unreal scenario that due to Mr. Ing's talent comes across as a highly plausible situation.Harriet Klausner