Mike McIntyre

Mike McIntyre's story of hitchhiking his way, without once using any cash from his home, in San Francisco all the way to Cape Fear, NC, is an intriguing one. Along the way, Mike ran into some very kind and generous people, folks willing to take a chance on him by giving him the benefit of the doubt. Surprisingly (or maybe not), a high proportion of the drivers willing to pick Mike up along the highway (and even take him into their homes for a night) were women. As a male, I find that show more surprising...and foolhardy on the part of these women. Women, apparently, see it differently.

Something that did not surprise me at all is that those with the least to give were the most generous people that Mike met during his entire trip, a trip about which he planned to write this book from the very beginning. Mike did resign his journalist job in order to free up time for the trip (he was very burned out about his work and his life, in general), so I have to give him extra points for his commitment to the trip.

Now, I do find it a bit odd that he refused to accept donations of cash when people offered to give him money for a meal but he accepted food and meals from almost anyone willing to offer him one. The "penniless" part of his quest seems to have been too strictly adhered to when there is very little difference in accepting a five-dollar bill from someone and sitting down with them five minutes later to a fast food meal they treat him too. Seems like just a technicality, but that's me.

"The Kindness of Strangers" is an engrossing read, and that is probably why I found its abrupt ending so disappointing. Because of the book's last three or four pages, I think it is more a 3 1/2 star book than a 4 star book - but I recommend it to anyone who enjoys travel books of this type. show less

The Scavenger’s Daughter is an impressive thriller by Mike McIntyre who draws on his experience as an investigative journalist to create a gripping tale of a terrifying serial killer spree in San Diego. Tyler West is a Pultizer prize winning newspaper writer whose investigation of several celebrity murders identifies a tenuous connection in the method of their death. His instincts are ignored by the police so Tyler follows up on his own, only to find himself a suspect, and the love of his show more life held hostage at the mercy of a madman.
Tyler West is a fully realised character, once a golf pro who switched to journalism after his game faltered, his life has been a series of ups and downs. He struggles to balance his passion for reporting with his personal life and a tendency to pursue a story to the exclusion of all other considerations. McIntyre’s first hand knowledge of the field provides an authenticity that grounds his protagonist but he doesn’t neglect to round out West’s character by exploring his vulnerabilities. His relationship with Jordan and her daughter, and the boys he mentor’s, all contribute to creating a well developed and appealing lead.
Ty’s investigation leads him to the distorted mind of Friar Tom, whose obsession with medieval torture instruments, supports his taste for sadomasochism. The Scavenger’s Daughter that the title refers to is a cruel torture device used by Tomás de Torquemada, the first Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition. It compresses the victim in such a way that their death is slow and agonizing. Friar Tom has several similar instruments at his disposal and delights in terrorizing the populace of San Diego with his horrifying crimes.
Intricately plotted, fast-paced and exciting, The Scavenger’s Daughter is a well crafted page-turner. I was impressed with the quality of the writing and thought the entire premise to be well executed. I’d favourably compare this novel with popular titles in the genre by established author’s like Jeffrey Deaver. The Scavenger’s Daughter is a chilling novel of suspense that will keep you engrossed until the very last twist. show less

A combination thriller/mystery/horror, this book starts out with a gripping prologue and launches straight into action with the first of its high-profile victims. McIntyre spares us no mercy in the vivid detail he gives of each torture method inflicted on his victims. The tension builds in every chapter - and there are a lot of them.

Set in San Diego, Southern California, the story dives into the gruesome world of medieval torture inflicted by a modern day killer. Investigative reporter, show more Tyler West continually defies the police in a desperate search for the sadomasochist, Friar Tom, before he loses everything that matters to him.

The Scavengers Daughter is an involved, complicated plot expertly woven together to create a fantastic, suspenseful read. The chapters are short, the pace is fast and furious, and the reader is immediately hooked right up to the end. The characters are realistic, well developed and likable, even with their flaws. The villain, despite his cruel and dire passion for torture, is believable and convincing. show less

In which the author, a Bay Area journalist, decides to try to travel across the United States without a penny in his pocket, relying purely on Blanche DuBois’ staple. This is both a compelling travel narrative and an interesting look at human psychology. Almost all the people who help Mike are damaged in some way. Most, if not all, are poor, and yet still give more than they can afford to. So it’s in many ways a very moving book. At times it’s also nerve-wracking!