Michael J Merry

At least 62 verified plots to assassinate Adolph Hitler took place between 1932 and 1944. None succeeded. When threats appeared in the early 30's, Hitler told Heinrich Himmler, Reichsfuhrer-SS, he required someone who might `be trusted with his life'. Based on these needs, Himmler had his protege, Reinhard Heydrich, head of the German Security Services, seek someone to perform the task. His choice was Dieter Goff, a WWI veteran, now a police officer in Berlin. Goff became known as `The Magician in Black' due to his talent for extracting confessions without violence. Hitler, Goebbels, and Goeering all admired him for his success, and as head of the Fuhrer Protection Unit of the SD, he became a Brigadier. However, in 1937, disillusioned with Hitler, he defected to the Americans and helped to found what was to be the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, later the CIA. This is Goff's story.

Percy and Two Other Fools is based on the mysterious disappearance of Percy Harrison Fawcett (1867-1925) who, along with his son Jack, and a friend, Raleigh Rimmel, vanished in the jungles of the Mato Grosso in March 1925. An experienced explorer, Fawcett and his two companions were searching for a lost city he called 'Z' near the Xingu river. They disappeared and were never heard from again. In 2018, an English aristocrat recruits a small group that travels to the area to search for Fawcett's remains. Meeting the Kayapo, guardians of the Upper Olgo, and the Piripkura, protectors of Z, they are continually harassed by the Amazon Mafia, a gang of river pirates trying to usurp the expedition. From Manaus to Z, this tale will keep you in suspense every foot of the thousand-mile journey.

'The Tomb Robber', is a collection of seven short stories. The title novella tells of a Spanish expedition to Panam which pillages a pre-Columbian burial site. Years later, a professional tomb robber follows their trail. 'Coconuts' discloses how the author learned what a 'real' coconut tastes like. 'The Big Fellah' is a tale of Ireland's greatest hero whose dedication leads to the country's independence. 'Amazon' relates the adventures of Billy Devon, who goes to work for a riverboat company in Manaus. 'The Parish Priest' discloses how a newly ordained curate fares when he takes over a Catholic parish. 'Snap, ' an ancient children's game, reveals the feelings of an SAS trooper recovering from a serious wound. 'Comandante' tells of a Latin American military commander facing a coup d' tat. Finally, in 'Forester, Fleming, and Delderfield, a literary lecturer meets a rich admirer and a friendship forms

This is a collection of eight stories. 'Galleon' tells of the loss of a Spanish ship off Panama in 1715 and its re-discovery in 2017. 'Escape' describes how jailed prisoners can be illegally freed. 'Hideaway' is a story of an eye-witness to a crime. 'The Miracle' is the tale of a seminarian who sees and speaks to Saint James. 'Lottery' explains how a young offender wins the Lottery. 'The Old Man' reveals how a retired revolutionary performs a favor. 'Triple Cross' takes the reader through the excitement of robbing a jewel courier. Finally, in 'Confession', a Priest listens to the confession of a legend of the old West. Educated in the UK, Michael J. Merry moved to Panama in 1959 to work with ITT. When a National Guard coup ousted the Government in 1968, he was involved in the rescue of the deposed President. Later, he was Division Vice President of a major U.S. news corporation covering Latin America and the Caribbean. Today he works in Miami as a Consultant and lives in Miami Shores with his wife.