W. L. Thompson

W. L. THOMPSON

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Novel

An Inch-Marlowe Thriller

A vexed conundrum

INSPECTOR AND SERGEANT battle the U. S. Embassy’s declaration of diplomatic immunity in order to solve the murder of two American diplomats, an investigation that stands to reveal the Kenaima drug cartel’s operation to swamp Barbados and other small Caribbean islands with enough Carfentanil-laced cocaine to kill the population a hundred times over.
The protagonists are Peter Inch-Marlowe, a Barbadian police inspector and his sergeant Sebastian Brickhouse. Inch-Marlowe, because of his ties to the United States, serves as liaison with the law enforcement agencies at the U.S. Embassy, in the weakening fight against an international drug trade, whose drugs proceed from China and South America and whose routes run through the Windward Islands and on to North America and Europe.
In the famous Round Barbados yacht race, the wife of the DEA Chief falls from the masthead of one of the thoroughbred racing yachts and disappears into the wind-driven surf. Inch-Marlowe and Brickhouse discover her body on Cattlewash Beach, and immediately, the Embassy blocks any investigation, aggressively asserting diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention. For the Inspector suspicions abound. Three years earlier, another American diplomat had been found on a Bajun white-sand beach, dead from a gunshot to the head. Defying the Constabulary, the U.S. Embassy aggressively sought protection under the Vienna Convention, guarding the body and returning it to the United States. Inch-Marlowe saw his investigation summarily quashed. Now the Embassy is again insisting on sovereign immunity.

REVIEWS

This is clearly a very gifted writer, who has a profound appreciation for imagery and the power of language. The dialogue is witty. The themes are current and timely--from the scourge of the drug trade to the petty corruption of government officials. The characters of Inch-Marlowe and his deputy Sebastian Brickhouse are testaments to those bonds that form when a partnership is dedicated to a virtuous cause.
JILL MEZNARA literary work of art!
Dominion of the Lionfish is a thriller indeed -- every sense will be drawn in and awakened on top of the thrills of the plot elements -- and also a feast to the mind as the reader discovers the depth of trouble in paradise that Sergeant Inch-Marlowe must uncover and set right while navigating the conflicting agendas of powerful international interests.
DEEANN D .MATHEWSIndeed a thrill to the senses and a feast to the mind
"Dominion of the Lionfish" is at once a political thriller and an exquisite work of prose, written by an author whose appreciation for language is manifestly evident and compelling. The book operates on two levels: first as a murder mystery with a complex and intricate plot; and secondly, as an expression of universal truths, common to the human experience. Thompson's novel is delightful for its witty use of dialogue. The book is an excellent read, both for its interesting characters and plot, for its insights on the growing drug trade in the Caribbean (depicted metaphorically in figure of the "Lionfish"), and for the forces of evil the characters are forced to contend with.
MARC JENNEWEINHighly recommended!!
"Dominion and the Lionfish" is a captivating exploration of the intricate dynamics between power, control, and the consequences of unchecked dominance. The narrative skillfully weaves together elements of political intrigue and environmental issues, using the lionfish as a metaphor for the invasive forces at play.
JENNIFER JOHN If You Only Read 1 Book This Year Read This One
This gripping crime thriller, written by an author with an uncanny ability to blend intrigue, culture, and suspense, delivers a riveting tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. The author masterfully weaves together elements of international diplomacy, law enforcement, and Caribbean culture, creating a rich tapestry that envelops the reader. It is a page-turner that will resonate with fans of crime thrillers, international mysteries, and anyone seeking a compelling story set in a vibrant, sun-soaked Caribbean backdrop. With its well-drawn characters, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes, this book is a must-read that will keep you enthralled from beginning to end.
MUBASHIRAH KHANA must-read!
Dominion of the Lionfish is a captivating thriller which not only entertains the reader, but also offers insights on a range of subjects: the concept of "diplomatic immunity" at embassies overseas, the scourge of the Lionfish in the Caribbean, the menace of the drug trade in its routes from South America to the Northern Hemisphere, and the geography of Barbados, to name a few. The book also gives the reader an up-close look at a world-class sporting event, the Round Barbados yacht race. I found the main characters, most notably Peter Inch-Marlow and Sebastian Brickhouse, to be likeable to the point of being delightful. The number of female characters in the novel is also impressive, each fulfilling an important role in the development of the plot. There is Vivienne, girlfriend of Inch-Marlowe and recently divorced (thus bearing up under the weight of becoming an outcast from a prominent Bajun family); Carrie Leigh, the murder victim and wife of the DEA agent; Bet Hill, CIA Station Chief, an impressive woman of compassion and courage; and Erin, who is resolute in her campaign to contain the menace of the Lionfish. One of my favorite "characters", if you will, is the toucan, Big Touc, who presents a clown-like presence in an otherwise serious and tragic plot line.
FICTION FAN posted on AmazonA must read!
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