TIE DIE: MAX TOMLINSON

Tie Die

Imagine the fear in the heart and mind of a father when his daughter goes missing and no one seems to know where she might be. Was she kidnapped on the way out of a gathering or did someone take her for another reason? Steve Cook was a former rock star and his catalog is worth millions but first he must find a way to get Melanie back. Enlisting the aid of Colleen Hayes, a private investigator who spent nine years in prison for killing her abusive husband, is called in to help get Melanie back. But, things never go smoothly and Steve’s ex, Linda is brash, rude and thinks she can take over the situation when she threatens Colleen, wants Steve to get the ransom money from her father, but he’s into a loan shark for it already, hoping that when the drop of twenty thousand dollars is made, he gets his daughter back. With help of an old friend, Alex to take pictures and a retired cop named Moran, the plan is set but nothing goes the way she predicted. Waiting for the call to come someone stands on top of her at the pay phone waiting for her to get off. But this huge guy has a piece that is hidden, and he is the person who is supposed to collect the money. When the bag is dropped, Moran goes after the man by the phone and someone gets the drop on Melanie and the money in the gym bag is gone. Chasing him as fast as she can, injured and hurt the kidnapper winds up getting run over and dies. The police are not that understanding, and she has one day or 24 hours to bring them into the case or get arrested.

Colleen is smart and by the way his ex is acting and demanding plus having thugs waiting for him at his house, she tells  Steve Cook that his daughter is a pawn in a scheme created by his ex-father in law and ex-wife to get his song catalog and make him pay back the ransom money and anything else they can conjure up. But will she figure out how to outfox them and what happened to Moran?

Colleen realizes a set up and with the photos Alex took might have a handle on the kidnappers but finding her way to the horse stables she sees Ebony, Melanie’s horse , follows the next day and realizes that Jack was set up by his ex and her father and his daughter is fine selling him out for a horse. But, it’s far from over when Linda refuses to stay away, photos Colleen took shoved in her face and a confrontation that lets Linda know you lost this one, you owe Jack the ransom money plus interest and she was just getting started. Jack was singing at the Pit to audiences that loved him, and Colleen warned him to steer clear of Lynda, but will he heed her warnings?

Truths lies and a scheme that would rake Steve Cook over the coals and force him to give up his music and his catalog to supposedly free hi daughter from the kidnappers until the harsh truth comes out.

Colleen realizes a set up and with the photos Alex took might have a handle on the kidnappers but finding her way to the horse stables she sees Ebony, Melanie’s horse , follows the next day and realizes that Jack was set up by his ex and her father and his daughter is fine selling him out for a horse. But, it’s far from over when Linda refuses to stay away, photos Colleen took shoved in her face and a confrontation that lets Linda know you lost this one, you owe Jack the ransom money plus interest and she was just getting started. Jack was singing at the Pit to audiences that loved him, and Colleen warned him to steer clear of Lynda, but will he heed her warnings?

Colleen learns the truth and unfolds it even going to Detective Owens and telling him that Lynda and her father were behind the kidnapping but there is someone else that is holding all the cards and that someone is more dangerous that Lynda, her father and Steve.

Things get out of hand and Steve is out of sorts, but the truth comes out, Melanie is okay until she is not. Going to see his ex-wife someone wanted more money and was not happy with the result. Someone is behind the murder rap that caused Steve and his band to disband. Just who framed him for the death of Brenda Pike? What do her parents reveal when approached by Colleen? What role did Sir Ian play and who is Ev Colt and why would he take Melanie?

Framed, set up and Colleen decides to go after Ev and the confrontation is a scene right out of Cagney and Lacey or Charlie’s Angels as Colleen faces off with a dangerous killer, finds out who is behind what happened to Steve and then hopefully will take down the rest of the conspiracy as the lies unfold, one of his mates comes to his aid but the person behind the kidnapping and taking Melanie is at large. A confrontation that is priceless, an investigator that needs to get her license, a harsh realization that Steve must face as he learns the truth about what happened to Brenda and why and how he was framed. Will he pay back the loan shark? What about his music will he get the royalties, or will he move on ahead?

Colleen Hayes is relentless, remorseless in some respects and will move hills and mountains to get justice for a client, but will she survive it in the end and where will she find herself next? The final take down is something you will not expect and the confrontation and meeting between Melanie and Steve leaves us wondering what is next and where is Pamela her own daughter? Some endings are beginnings so where will Colleen wind up and next will Steve Cook be a part of her life? One mystery thriller leaving you wanting more. Author Max Tomlinson created a strong female character with outstanding supporting characters that kept the plot moving and filled with action,s suspense and tension.

Fran Lewis: Just reviews