Amazon Category:  Mystery/Suspense Publisher: The Lighthouse Press ISBN-10:  0971483703 Type: Fiction Pages: 370 Copyright: Jan 1 2000 .Engrossing thriller, a fast paced test of wits and wile Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ballester finds himself mired in a routine investigation of a succession of burglaries in the quaint North Georgia mountain village of Helena. But everything changes on the day an old flame comes into town and begs for his help, telling of a frightening change in her husband . . . the Atlanta DA . . . and other strange happenings at their ranch. His discovery of secret activity hidden beneath the ranch land leads him to a sinister group of high powered Atlanta citizens calling themselves the Central Core who will stop at nothing to gain their ends, including murder and the destruction of the great city of Atlanta. Be prepared to hold on to your seat for the furious final four days, ending in a riveting life and death duel from the underground fortress to the Atlanta City Hall Excerpt On the way back to the city‚ they tuned into WSB radio and listened to commentator Everett J. Blackenship’s account of the explosion’s aftermath at LaGrange. --This evening‚ a formerly unknown organization called the Central Core made good on its boast by detonating an explosive device. It was estimated to have the power of one thousand tons of TNT‚ one twentieth the atomic bomb’s force dropped on Hiroshima. Hiroshima’s nuclear blast obliterated three-fifths of the city‚ killing 75‚000 people instantly. The detonation at LaGrange this evening had a blast crater of some 125 feet deep and 100 yards wide‚ laying waste to a surface area of over a mile in circumference. The Georgia State Patrol and the National Guard admitted tonight that they were powerless to prevent the explosion at LaGrange. Apparently detonated by remote control from an unknown location‚ the mystery organization called the Central Core has the authorities completely baffled at this point. Mayor Bradford‚ in an exclusive interview immediately after the explosion‚ said: ‘LaGrange objectively shows the threat to destroy Atlanta is not a hollow one. The city has a big job ahead to convince the world to immediately embark on a crash campaign to find a cure for rare prionic diseases.’ The Mayor also told me that the Center for Disease Control should take a lead in this effort‚ and that he had scheduled emergency meetings for tomorrow at his offices. Distinguished neurologists and infectious disease researchers from all over the world have been invited here to attend these meetings--

The Pracktl Affair
REVIEWS Review by: Sue Hartigan Member of RIO All About Murder Reviews June 2002 FIVE STARS THE PRACKTL AFFAIR is a complex and astounding thriller that draws the reader into the dark world of deadly viruses, and masterful strategy that keeps the reader turning the pages. THE PRACKTL AFFAIR just bursts with murder, mayhem, mystery and intrigue. If you like Tom Clancy, you will find that Mr. Savoie has equaled, and in many ways has out done him, with this suspenseful tale of conspiracy. Mr. Savoie's characters are both powerful and believable. The story is spell binding and totally captivating. There is mystery, and intrigue on each and every page. You'll not only be captured by the first chapter, you will not be able to put the book down until the last page, when Mr. Savoie finally ties up all the lose ends, and lets you go. Even then you don't want the story to end, but it does. I totally recommend that you pick up a copy of THE PRACKTL AFFAIR. It is a wonderful book, written by a very talented man. I can only hope that this is only the first of many, many more wonderful books to come, as I will be waiting patiently to read more from this very gifted author. *** Mel Savoie's background in special investigations and security bring realism and life to the pages of THE PRACKTL AFFAIR. Deep in specially designed underground habitats, a group of prominent and powerful men have hatched a plot to gain money and backing from world governments for research to meet their own gains. They have hired Oscar Smith. Ruthlessly, Oscar will use a force of professional killers to enforce the Core's policies and carry out a terrorist plot. Deputy Jerry Ballester has no idea what a can of worms he's opening when he meets a stranger who's lost his memory and decides to investigate. A rash of burglaries, unexplained deaths, and disappearances, including some members of his own family, and some strange goings on at an old friends ranch pull him deeper and deeper into an conspiracy that threatens a prominent southern city, and the world. Mel Savoie offers the reader gripping entertainment in THE PRACKTL AFFAIR. Powerful and believable characters dominant this must read thriller. Thoroughly enjoyable from the first page to the last. Review by Charlene Austin © December 2002 All rights reserved

The Pracktl Affair
Readers who enjoy gripping tales on par with Tom Clancy will find that Mel Savoie offers an intense and addictive read in THE PRACKTL AFFAIR. …A suspenseful tale of conspiracy, where Savoie deftly maintains an intense narrative that draws the reader into a dangerous world of deadly viruses and powerful manipulations that keeps the pages turning. Highly recommended. --Cindy Penn - Wordweaving.com--

The Pracktl Affair
THE PRACKTL AFFAIR by Mel Savoie is an awesome story chalked full of mystery and intrigue at every turn of the page. You'll not only be captured in the first chapter, you'll be held prisoner till the very end. --Kim Gaona Reviews--