Stephen Douglass

In the early 60’s in Toronto, Mike and Karen have bonded into soul mates, but Mike feels that his destiny is not in medicine as his parents have hoped, so Mike drops out of school and leaves Karen and his home on a solitary trip to discover his true career passion. Karen and a friend heads to Europe and finds herself on a hijacked plane. The plane explodes on an airstrip, and word comes back that there are no survivors. Mike discovers his passion in oil and returns to school to get an engineering degree, but he is devastated to discover the news about Karen and winds up finding solace with another woman at school, which leads to marriage. However, the news about Karen was incorrect and after she is freed from her hostage situation a year later, she discovers the news about Mike’s marriage. Meanwhile, Jim has come to Canada to dodge the draft and found a low-paying job pumping gas at a small station, but is soon introduced to a gas tax evasion scheme tied to international transport of fuel between Canada and the US. So, as Mike finds success wheeling and dealing for a major oil company, Jim is finding success in controlling a major fraud and theft gas conspiracy. However, the crossing of Mike and Jim’s paths become more impending when Jim meets Karen and convinces her to be his wife, a decision she comes to regret. This story is built around a major fraud issue that appeared to be strong in the oil industry along the Canadian-US border in the 60’s and 70’s, and the author is very knowledgeable in creating the thrilling and suspenseful actions arising out of this type of criminal conspiracy. However, the combination of events that separate and bring together the main characters often feel artificially forced, creating some inconsistency in some of the characters in order to build up the danger and thrills in the plot.… (plus d'informations)

Taking in THE BRIDGE TO CARACAS feels like watching an action movie. You will find yourself at the edge of your seat, rooting for the good guy, Mike King, to triumph over the bad guy, Jim Servito, and to end up wining the girl, Karen Taylor. Inspired by a real crime, where scam netted an amount “that makes The New York State Lottery look like a Sunday school collection,” here is a plot-driven story, which opens right into action, with the scene of hijacking a plane. You will find yourself with Karen Taylor being abducted.

Having worked for the two largest oil companies in the world (Exxon and royal Dutch Shell) and for the smallest oil companies in the world (his own) Stephen Douglas has a unique familiarity with his subject matter, so you will keep guessing at the borderlines between truth and fiction. He writes what he knows, and he does so with a brisk, cinematic pace that dabs danger with romance.

Five stars.… (plus d'informations)