Review of Dead Ringer

Post by **Ukaegbu Confidence** » 18 Oct 2024, 10:36

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dead Ringer" by Rod Sanford.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Dead Ringer by Rod Sanford is a thrilling murder mystery that will keep you hooked until you have finished reading the book. What would you do if you met your doppelganger? Someone who looks exactly like you and could very easily replace you.

This book is the third installment in the Teke Manion Murder Mystery series. It read so well as a stand-alone that I never would have guessed there were books before. The book starts with Teke Manion and Juan Diego, the deputy sheriff of Manatee County, on a cramped airplane on their way to Medellin, Colombia. Teke had just finished a job for the Worldspan Insurers and Underwriters before JD asked for his help. JD's sister, Soledad, had flown to Colombia for business. After maintaining steady communication, there was a sudden disconnect for over ten days, and JD believed something was wrong, which is why he and Teke were on a plane to Colombia. Fast-forward into the story, we are met with the Lazaro family and one Anise Constaneda. Anise is anything illegal you can think of: dealer of stolen goods, extortionist, illegal casino boss, loan shark, and so much more. When Anise and Soledad met, they looked like two peas from the same pod. The resemblance was uncanny, like a twin from another mother. What happened thereafter? Did Anise and Soledad become close friends, or was there more to their story? Find out in Dead Ringer.

I loved reading this book. The length was not overwhelming, and I did not feel like I had too much information to deal with. There were a lot of characters, but the author expertly introduced them when they needed to add to the story. The characters were not dumped on me but expertly introduced into the story. The book had a balance between its themes. There was as much suspense as there was emotional balance. Despite being a murder mystery, the scenes were not gruesome to read or difficult to digest. The action also had a perfect balance with the information the book needed to pass. I loved Camille's character the most; she seemed cool and always got the ball rolling. Each time JD and Teke ended up jailed somewhere, she always had a solution to get them out, and she worked quickly. I loved that she was not a lazy lead or a damsel in distress that always needed saving. Her emotional control should be taught in schools. One character I resonated with was Seynah. She was not content with the cards life dealt her and was ready to do what it took to get herself a better life. When her feelings were expressed that the world was closing in on her, I could relate quite well to that.

I do not have any points for criticism of this book. The number of characters in the book could have posed an issue if the author had not expertly infused them into the story. I was not left wondering who this person was or what they needed to do for the story to progress. I found some minor errors that did not affect my reading experience. The setting for the book was perfectly done; the characters' voices matched their personalities, and it improved my reading experience. I give this book a perfect five out of five-star rating for all of these reasons and the lack of points for criticism.

If you are a fan of murder and mystery books, then this book is for you. If you also like exploring new places through books, this would be an excellent book for you.

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Dead Ringer
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Lauren Victoria · Post by **Lauren Victoria** » 23 Oct 2024, 23:04

What a great review! This sounds like the perfect spooky book to read this month. What's not to love about mystery and murder. Look forward to picking this one up.

Nneka Bridget · Post by **Nneka Bridget** » 24 Oct 2024, 12:28

The review makes "Dead Ringer" sound like an exciting read with a great mix of mystery and character development. The concept of meeting a doppelganger is intriguing, and it seems like the story has a good balance of action and emotion. It looks like a fun pick for mystery fans!
definitely adding it to my reading list.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 26 Oct 2024, 14:01

A murder mystery that includes an intriguing element freaturing Anise and Soledad, who look very much like each other. The mix of thrilling action and character development makes me want to read this novel and I'll look into this series. Thank you for your great review!

Lawrence Stein · Post by **Lawrence Stein** » 28 Oct 2024, 09:37

A murder mystery and a doppelganger can it get more interesting. I already feel intrigued and also enticed especially when the reviewer mentioned that the book's length is not overwhelming and that it can be read as a standalone.

ivy mia · Post by **ivy mia** » 30 Oct 2024, 07:04

Dead Ringer by Rod Sanford is a thrilling mystery novel that follows the adventures of private investigator Teke Manion and his partner, Deputy Sheriff Juan Diego. When Diego's sister, Soledad, vanishes mysteriously in Colombia, Teke is drawn into a dangerous web of intrigue and deception.

One of the strengths of the book is the well-developed characters. Teke Manion, with his quick wit and sharp investigative skills, is a compelling protagonist. The supporting characters, such as Camille, Seynah, and the enigmatic Anise, add depth and complexity to the story.

The author's ability to blend action, mystery, and character development creates a captivating reading experience. The fast-paced plot and unpredictable twists keep readers engaged, while the well-written dialogue brings the characters to life.