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Book Reviews
 ..the Craige Ingram Mystery Series..
Wandering Sage Publishing has recently signed a four-book deal with author Hawk MacKinney for his Craige Ingram Mystery Series.
Vault of Secrets, first book in the series, is currently `at the bookstores'.
Vault of Secrets
"This was way too tidy, but if he and Craige were wrong and this turned out to be a drug turf war, he could easily be
facing a rising body count. Being SEALs, neither he nor Craige were shocked by the mayhem people did to one another. He pushed
by-the-book aside, reached for the radio phone and dialed Craige."
Vault of Secrets is a fast-paced, quick-witted tale of murder and deception that will keep you guessing until the end. If the beginning of a story is supposed to have a hook, this story has one of the most exciting in-your-face openings in quite some time. During the annual board of director's banquet, a CEO dies of what looks like an apparent heart attack. The death and subsequent investigation lead to murders and ultimately a bank conspiracy. Craige Ingram, a part-time private investigator who is also a retired Navy SEAL is called in on the case by his high school buddy and fellow SEAL, Graysen MacGerald, who now works the homicide division for the police department. Together, they try to solve the crime. Craige, a cross between Chuck Norris and James Bond, works his way through a deceptive world of high finance. MacKinney does a great job of defining and maintaining Craige's character who comes from a deeply southern background and was raised by his Grandmother. A frazzled sweet gum twig in the corner of her mouth, she'd call again, "...day's not waitin'...chores to git done." Besides being southern (How's my favorite Georgia peach?), Craige also has surprising world knowledge and is not afraid to voice his definite opinions. "Cabernet Sauvignon, special selection," Craige said, "Cabernet grapes make some fine wine, but for my money, Sauvignons belong in salad dressing. Never one of my favorites." It is touches like these--one character hums his favorite Disney song while parking his car--that make Hawk credible, believable, and one you feel compelled to know. The dialog is quick and snappy adding to the story which is fast paced with lots of action. The plethora of detective details, information on SEALs, as well as, an insight to the banking world makes Vault of Secrets an enjoyable read. Look forward to more from this author. Vault of Secrets, Wondering Sage Publications
reviewed by Wendy Thomas, USReview Vault of Secrets
Vault of Secrets is a gripping classic thriller that deftly blends intrigue and deception that leads retired Navy SEAL/part-time
private investigator Craige Ingram in search of the connection between seemingly random murders and a banking conspiracy...high-level
corruption and greed filled with colorful characters ranging from filthy rich, high society "hob-nobs" to penniless
"bag ladies."
Working with the local homicide investigator, who just happens to be a former Navy buddy, Craige Ingram's attempts to protect a captivating widow who must make heartrending decisions in an attempt to save her son and herself. Thwarted by a psychotic killer whose motivation is based on pure pleasure, Ingram must hunt the hunter as death skulks ever closer. The instincts and skills Ingram and his buddy acquired as Navy SEALS are tested to their limits. Hawk MacKinney, author of Moccasin Trace, once again wraps his unique southern flavor around a blood-curdling, page-turning story through the Vault of Secrets, the first in his Craige Ingram Mystery Series. Without question, this author knows the horrendous reality of crime. He draws upon his own experiences as a retired Navy commander to weave a wonderfully engaging novel that combines well-crafted characters with page-gripping action from beginning to end, leaving the reader wide-eyed with fright and breathless with anticipation for more. A highly recommend read filled with the pitfalls of power at the top...the ending will surprise you. Barbara Casey, Author of Coach's Wife, The House of Kane, Shyla's Initiative, and Just Like Family
Moccasin Trace Moccasin Trace is at heart a tender love story with a generous dollop of military history and commentary about war and its
leaders. In 1859, Hamilton Ingram of Moccasin Hollow and Sarah Greer of Wisteria Bends, passionate young lovers residing on
neighboring plantations in a region of Georgia somewhere between Augusta and Macon, become engaged and are looking forward
to their grand wedding. They "jump the gun," but no one notices--or so they think. They don't realize the seriousness
of the winds of "secesh," blowing from Washington City to Charlestown, and their families get caught up in the path
to war. The main story is how they and their love manage to survive the war's devastation and desolation, as well as their
personal losses. The strength of the book lies in its description of the war's effect on farmers and on commerce, on ports
and harbors, something that is dry in history books, but comes alive in these pages. The conversations between the older men
and their sons reveal various attitudes people had toward the upcoming secession and about their leaders, which may be relevant
to the world today. The characters are well-drawn and likable, distinctive, strong, and even heroic.
The dialogue is believable. This author at his best in his wonderfully descriptive passages... Swarthy billows belched from the twin stacks, and settled out on the river. Dockside mooring lines cast off from the bollards
splashed the water, dragging alongside, and the gangplank hoisted, swung inboard. Twin paddle wheels sloshed several lazy
rotations; stopped; slowly churned in reverse; stopped again. The Harbor Pilot let her drift away from the dock. She took
to the river; the current swung the bow...and the city slipped astern. A white egret winged its way over the syrupy water.
Settled ahead of them down-river among the tall regal cypress trees, that seemed to be wading through the lush undergrowth
along the banks.
MacKinney has a distinctive style which has a charm of its own. Sometimes it tends to keep the reader outside the story rather than inside, but that's okay; it's recognized way of writing. Moccasin Trace is an entertaining and informative addition to the War of Northern Aggression bookshelf. Mr. MacKinney, author and public speaker, is a former Navy commander and professor and lives near the area described in this book. Anne Lovett, News Magazine
Georgia Writers Association Moccasin Trace
"One of the most engaging and brilliantly crafted historical works since Margaret Mitchell's great classic."
Barbara Casey
Author: The Coach's Wife Moccasin Trace
Moccasin Trace is part love story, part family saga and part Civil War History. Set in East Georgia in 1859 and going through
1864. Moccasin Trace is a gripping novel that brings the era to life. It will make you laugh and cry and feel that you have
lived through that turbulent period. Moccasin Trace is historical fiction well worth the time it takes to read it.
Fran Bush
Moccasin Trace One of our best selling titles --
Moccasin Trace The love story & family saga captures the rhythm of plantation life & longings in the Civil War South...details are
finely nutured in language that feels like poetry...a history buff's delight!
Author, Myra Hargrave McIlvain
Moccasin Trace
One of the best books I have read this year. Wonderful book--a must read.
Reviewer, Kenneth Cranmore, Atlanta GA
Moccasin Trace
Hamilton Ingram worships the young Sarah Greer of the next plantation in eastern Georgia in the summer of 1859. As the looming
war creeps upon the community, dividing friends in philosophy, young Hamilton struggles with his own decisions of loyalty.
The neighboring families share generations of tradition and closeness. As war breaks out, the young couple marry and find
greater challenges await them. The families face the difficulties of war and hardship while attempting to survive on war torn
land. A well-crafted novel of the effects of war sweeping over the South. The effective use of dialect brings the story even
closer to the reader. Very good characterization--highly recommended.
Review by Billie Clements
Greater Cincinnati Library Consortium Reviewers of Young Adult Liturature Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library Moccasin Trace
Childhood sweethearts growing up during Civil War time. Lots of research by Author. A romance, comming of age, Civil War,
family and the list goes on. If you haven't read it add this one to your list!!
A. Blake--midwest
...mayhem & murder with a touch of romance A psychotic killer motivated on the pure pleasure, a lonely widow trying to make honest decisions for her son and herself;
a wealthy private investigator determined to solve the case before anyone else dies, all come together in this exciting story.
A compelling tale of intrigue, murder, deception and redemption...the author follows former Navy SEAL Craige Ingramme, as
he searches for the connection between seemingly random murders and a bank conspiracy. Working with the local homicide investigator,
the well-covered trail of the killer leads the men on a wild goose chase that tests their instincts and the skills they acquired
as Navy SEALS.
Arcadia News
"Without question, Hawk is one of the most gifted and imaginative writers I have had the pleasure to represent,"
states Barbara Casey, president of the Barbara Casey Literary Agency. "His reading fans will have something special to
look forward to in the Craige Ingram Mystery Series. Intrigue, murder, deception and conspiracy--these are the things that
take Hawk's main character, retired Navy SEAL/part-time private investigator Craige Ingram, from his South Carolina ancestral
home of Moccasin Hollow to the dirty backrooms of the nation's capital and across Europe and the Middle East."
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