The Organ Grinder Factor

By Stephen Steele

Pages: 252

Genre: Action/Adventure

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A little champagne or Top Sirloin, please? Cuz after plowing through a bunch of Real Slogs lately, we finally came across a book worth reading. That we actually liked. About time.

Kimber here. Saying when The Organ Grinder Factor author guy reached out to us requesting a review after we plowed through a bunch of slogs, we were kinda like, “I dunno….” (Hi, Mom.) But this book sounded interesting. Then again, our review calendar is crammed. Think sardine tin.

But you know She Who Must Be Obeyed…. (Insert eye roll here.)

“Just one chapter, Kimber,” says She. “Then we’ll get back on track with the 88 million other books in the review queue.”

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Except “one chapter” became two. Then three. Then four. Then… Well. Before you can say, “Lassie Come Home,” we read the whole book. In one sitting. I’ll let Mom fill you in. If she promises to behave. Because you know Mom….

The 4-1-1:

The Basics

A miracle cure for viral diseases has been hatched by our two protagonists, Alex Farmer and Cyd Seeley. But “Big Pharma” wants to keep Cannastar off the market. And they’ll do anything to make sure it stays that way.

This engaging and entertaining novel starts with a ginormous storm while Alex and Cyd are sailing off the Guinea coast. They’re on the run from some Really Bad Dudes in the States. Then Cyd gets swept overboard… They meet “Fat Man” and “Little Boy.” (WWII buffs will get that.)

Up to Their Eyeballs

Now they’re up to their eyeballs in Columbian drug traffickers, government corruption, and a lot of other not-so-nice peeps as they’re plunged into the “chaos and evil” that has overtaken Guinea-Bissau.

It’s not a good day.

But wait. It gets worse.

Transit & Trapped

Alex and Cyd soon find themselves deep in a country that’s a “transit hub” for moving cocaine from Latin American to Western Europe. In the middle of the drought of the century. Trapped by Columbia drug dealers. There’s also a foiled escape attempt. A ruthless slave trader. A Black Mamba (and we don’t mean snake!) Oh yeah. It’s really, really hot and sweaty, too.

Oh, wait. It gets worse again.

Out of the Frying Pan…

Escaping execution in Senegal by the skin of their teeth, Alex and Cyd wind up in Israel. A Palestinian rocket attack leaves Cyd at death’s door. But then…

Oh, wait again. Cuz to find out more, you’ll have to read the book yourself.

High Octane

With high octane action and plenty of rapier wit, this “thrill a minute” novel has lots of sharp turns and plot twists. It will have you on the edge of your seat until the final page.

By the way, in this novel an “organ grinder” is not a street musician with a Capuchin monkey. Just sayin’. And keep an eye out for two scene stealers: Ashraf and Avid. You da mensch! (Don’t say we didn’t warn you, okay?)

Kimber: Alright, Mom. Put down the book or nobody gets bacon. Is it nap time yet?

The epic adventures of Alex Farmer and Cyd Seeley in The Organ Grinder Factor is Book Two in the three-book series, The Trouble with Miracles.

I’d stick around for more ‘fize you. Just sayin’.

Our Rating: 4.0