Kindle Edition Amazon Arthur Crandon writing matters Amazon Category:  Action/Thriller Publisher: acid publications Type: Fiction Pages: 318 Copyright: june 20, 2012 ISBN-13: 9781479236251 Price: $2.99 (eBook) Fast paced political thriller - intrigue, betrayal, greed and murder -all leading to the downfall of a great man. corruption is a way of life in this tiny island nation. Deadly Election tells the story of a Presidential Election in the exotic Asian paradise of the Philippines. During my experience of living in these beautiful islands for eight years, I saw first hand the poverty of most of the people, and the greed, corruption and criminal activities of the super rich, and super powerful ruling families.  I hope those who read the book will gain an understanding of the Philippines, as well as enjoying a gripping, fast paced thriller. My hope for the Philippines is that one day it will find a way to give its people a better and more equal way of life, and provide them with the security of real law, order and justice. The ordinary people are long-suffering and generally kind and compassionate – they deserve better. The Characters are based loosely on the people I encountered in my time there – both good, bad, and very bad!  Anyone who has lived or visited the islands may well recognize the places – and the historical references are accurate.  Philippinos may especially relate to the book, they will certainly recognize many aspects of their home country, but anyone who enjoys crime thriller novels will enjoy it – it has been described as ‘gripping’ and ‘an excellent and exciting read’ in reviews.   Excerpt As Virgil entered the cave, the crate slipped from his grasp, he stumbled to his knees.. The sudden pain in his left side sapped his remaining energy, his emaciated old body crumpled onto the dusty stones. A trail of blood seeped out from under him – the close range shot had shattered his kidney and punctured his lung. Kodama, the young officer, pointed his Nambu pistol at one of the younger men cowering in the corner. “You! Pick it up.” The lad scrambled forward to take Virgil’s place in an effort to stay alive, at least for a few more minutes. Breath came in short, painful gasps for Virgil, but he could see what was going on around him. The screams of his youngest daughter, Racquel filled the air. “No. Please, I beg you, no. No hurt me, please. I just fourteen.” Her broken sobs fractured her feeble English. She was less than ten feet from him, but there was nothing he could do for her. She lay on the ground in a state of near undress, with firm hands holding her struggling body. The young sergeant and his three men laughed, as if drunk. Two of them held an arm each. She lost her blouse in the struggle a while ago and her young breasts wobbled as she struggled, this amused the men. “Hold her still. How can I do it if you won’t keep her still,” barked the Sergeant. Virgil’s head now lay on the floor with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. He was facing the rape. The third man wrestled with her skirt, but her squirming made it difficult and he lost patience. His dagger made short work of the faded cotton fabric. Bunching the skirt and panties at one side with his fist, he sawed through the material of both in a few seconds; the nakedness of the girl was visible to all. She sobbed in shame at her nudity, in pain (the man had cut into her side as he stripped her) and in fear. Sergeant Hito now stood in front of the girl with his breeches around his ankles and his manhood sticking out proudly, like a flagpole. Two of the men pulled the young girls legs apart. They didn’t need telling, they had done this many time before. Virgil did not die soon enough. As his sight faded, he saw the Sergeant’s swollen member plunge into his daughter’s body – she screamed out loud with every lunge until he was completely inside her. The other men cheered as their boss thrust himself harder and harder into her, and argued over who would take the next turn. “Look, we’ve got a virgin!” exclaimed the sergeant, pointing down to the blood seeping from the violated girl. It took him just a couple of minutes to finish. “That was a tight one.” He said, smiling. He wiped himself on the discarded skirt as one of the others; a shorter, fatter man took his place. After twenty minutes all four men had used her body and she lay curled up. She raised her head to see the now lifeless body of her father, and sobbed even louder. “I sorry, father, I so sorry,” she wailed. She turned to look up as the shadow of the tall Sergeant loomed over her and grunted as his short sword pierced her chest and heart. Closing her eyes, she joined her father in death.

Deadly Election is a must read
Written by Arthur Crandon about the political environment in the Philippines, "Deadly Election" is a "can't put it down" read. It captures your interest immediately, somewhat surprisingly with a story about World War II as the Japanese are losing control of the Philippines. The book then brings you back to the modern day Philippines and follows the last few days in the Presidential elections.

The reader soon finds the reason for the introductory WWII story when three young boys find a cave filled with villagers killed by the Japanese and a multimillion dollar horde of gold coins hidden by the Japanese. The boys decide to go to the Senator for help, mistakenly believing he is the one person they can trust.

Starting with Senator Consuelo, the leading candidate for the Presidency, Crandon develops his character in amazing details. He leads us through the systemic corruption of government officials at every level, including the bribery, prostitution, infidelity and the attitudes of anything and anyone can be bought for a price, and you do whatever is necessary to win an election, including murder.

The story is complex with many characters, but Crandon keeps it all flowing by weaving the different characters and their lives together as their stories intersect. He keeps the drama moving at break neck speed.

The author's knowledge of the Philippines and its people makes the story totally believable. This book has the potential to be a New York Times bestseller. A must read, entertaining book.

An exciting debut novel
An exciting debut novel. Arthur Crandon exposes the seamier side of the island paradise, the Philippines. Greed and ambition are depicted at their worst as the evil politician, Senator Consuelo, ducks and dives to avoid the inevitable. The plot twists and turns, with betrayal, infidelity and murder liberally sprinkled around as the old soldier, Paul, doggedly pursues the Senator. It was difficult to put down. I look forward to Mr. Crandons next book in the series.