Emerald Dragon- A Dane Maddock Adventure: Dane Maddock Universe, #12

By David Wood

"Part murder mystery, part pulp adventure, completely thrilling!"

 

When his old friend is murdered, Dane Maddock finds himself the prime suspect. To clear his name, Maddock and Bones Bonebrake must find the legendary Bachal Isu, the Staff of Christ. But a dangerous pagan cult, the Tuatha, has set their eyes on the fabled staff, and plan on using it to raise the Emerald Dragon.

 

EMERALD DRAGON is the second book in the DRAGON CYCLE.

 

Classic adventure for the modern reader! Fans of Indiana Jones, Doc Savage, and National Treasure will love Dane Maddock!

 

Praise for David Wood and The Dane Maddock Adventures!

 

"With the thoroughly enjoyable way Mr. Wood has mixed speculative history with our modern-day pursuit of truth, he has created a story that thrills and makes one think beyond the boundaries of mere fiction and enter the world of 'why not'?"  David Lynn Golemon, Author of the Event Group series

 

"What an adventure! A great read that provides lots of action, and thoughtful insight as well, into strange realms that are sometimes best left unexplored."  Paul Kemprecos, author of Cool Blue Tomb and the NUMA Files

 

"Dane and Bones.... Together they're unstoppable. Rip roaring action from start to finish. Wit and humor throughout. Just one question - how soon until the next one? Because I can't wait." Graham Brown, author of Shadows of the Midnight Sun

 

"A page-turning yarn blending high action, Biblical speculation, ancient secrets, and nasty creatures. Indiana Jones better watch his back!"  Jeremy Robinson, author of SecondWorld

 

"Let there be no confusion: David Wood is the next Clive Cussler. Once you start reading, you won't be able to stop until the last mystery plays out in the final line." Edward G. Talbot, author of 2012: The Fifth World

 

"A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!"  Robert Masello, author of The Einstein Prophecy

 

"I like my thrillers with lots of explosions, global locations, and a mystery where I learn something new. Wood delivers! Recommended as a fast paced, kick ass read." J.F. Penn, author of Desecration

 

"David Wood has done it again. Within seconds of opening the book, I was hooked. Intrigue, suspense, monsters, and treasure hunters. What more could you want? David's knocked it out of the park with this one!" Nick Thacker- author of The Enigma Strain

 

"The literary equivalent of a theme park roller coaster!" BookAnon

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adrenaline Press
• Release date: Aug 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215139035

David Wood

David Wood is W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. His most recent book is Deep Time, Dark Times: On Being Geologically Human.

Book preview

EMERALD DRAGON

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A DANE MADDOCK ADVENTURE

BOOK TWO OF THE DRAGON CYCLE

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DAVID WOOD

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A picture containing watch, day Description automatically generated

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ADRENALINE PRESS

Part murder mystery, part pulp adventure, completely thrilling!

––––––––

When his old friend is murdered, Dane Maddock finds himself the prime suspect. To clear his name, Maddock and Bones Bonebrake must find the legendary Bachal Isu, the Staff of Christ. But a dangerous pagan cult, the Tuatha, has set their eyes on the fabled staff, and plan on using it to raise the Emerald Dragon.

––––––––

EMERALD DRAGON is the second book in the DRAGON CYCLE.

––––––––

Classic adventure for the modern reader! Fans of Indiana Jones, Doc Savage, and National Treasure will love Dane Maddock!

––––––––

A picture containing watch, day Description automatically generated

––––––––

Praise for David Wood and The Dane Maddock Adventures!

––––––––

With the thoroughly enjoyable way Mr. Wood has mixed speculative history with our modern-day pursuit of truth, he has created a story that thrills and makes one think beyond the boundaries of mere fiction and enter the world of ‘why not’?  David Lynn Golemon, Author of the Event Group series

––––––––

What an adventure! A great read that provides lots of action, and thoughtful insight as well, into strange realms that are sometimes best left unexplored.  Paul Kemprecos, author of Cool Blue Tomb and the NUMA Files

––––––––

Dane and Bones.... Together they’re unstoppable. Rip roaring action from start to finish. Wit and humor throughout. Just one question - how soon until the next one? Because I can’t wait. Graham Brown, author of Shadows of the Midnight Sun

––––––––

A page-turning yarn blending high action, Biblical speculation, ancient secrets, and nasty creatures. Indiana Jones better watch his back!  Jeremy Robinson, author of SecondWorld

––––––––

Let there be no confusion: David Wood is the next Clive Cussler. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop until the last mystery plays out in the final line. Edward G. Talbot, author of 2012: The Fifth World

––––––––

A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!  Robert Masello, author of The Einstein Prophecy

––––––––

I like my thrillers with lots of explosions, global locations, and a mystery where I learn something new. Wood delivers! Recommended as a fast paced, kick ass read. J.F. Penn, author of Desecration

David Wood has done it again. Within seconds of opening the book, I was hooked. Intrigue, suspense, monsters, and treasure hunters. What more could you want? David’s knocked it out of the park with this one! Nick Thacker- author of The Enigma Strain

The literary equivalent of a theme park roller coaster! BookAnon

Emerald Dragon- ©2022 by David Wood

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The Dane Maddock Adventures™

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All rights reserved

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Published by Adrenaline Press

www.adrenaline.press

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Adrenaline Press is an imprint of Gryphonwood Press

www.gryphonwoodpress.com

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This is a work of fiction. All characters are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

From the Author

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Epilogue

Books by David Wood

About the Author

From the Author

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This book is, in part, a tip of the hat to one of my favorite television shows, Derry Girls. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll likely recognize several character names inspired by the show.

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The book references the events of GOLDEN DRAGON but you do not have to read them in order.

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it!

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Until next time,

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David

1

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Leaden clouds hung low in a sunless sky. A light breeze swept in off the nearby river sending chills down his spine. Only the sound of their footsteps on the cobblestone street broke the silence. An old, imposing building loomed up ahead. Dane Maddock paused to take in the sight.

This is the place.

At least we’ll be indoors. This weather sucks. Bones Bonebrake scowled at the overcast sky.

You’ve dealt with much worse, Maddock said. The two men were treasure hunters and former Navy SEALs. Over the years, they had traveled the globe and endured all sorts of hardships. Come on. Let’s check it out.

When they reached their destination, Maddock paused to run his hand over the old bricks. They were cool to the touch, damp from the morning drizzle. There was something about an old building that sparked his imagination, made him wonder what secrets lay hidden inside waiting to be discovered.

Built in 1780, Maddock said.

I don’t even know if this is the original structure, Bones said. But that’s not what’s important. We’ve got drinking to do.

Maddock chuckled. For Bones, a visit to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery was like a trip to Disneyland. He hadn’t shut up about it since he had won a trip to Dublin.

Should be fun, Maddock said. Just don’t overdo it. Lots of places to see.

You’re right about that. The Guinness brewery is just across the river. And there are at least five more distilleries within walking distance.

So is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College, Maddock said.

Seriously? We’re on a guys’ trip and you want to go to church and to school?

How about the National Leprechaun Museum? It’s close by.

Leprechauns? Bones closed his eyes as if drawing upon his last reserves of patience. I should have invited Willis.

Fine, no leprechauns, Maddock said

Now you’re talking. Come on. Let’s take the tour, Bones said.

Inside the distillery, the atmosphere was warm and upbeat. The décor was striking. Enormous chandeliers made from Jameson bottles cast a bright light on the polished, golden-brown wood of the tables and bar tops. The room was crowded with people sipping whiskey and chatting amiably.

This is a welcome change from the weather outside. Bones looked around and smiled. And to think you wanted to see little green men.

The tour began with a multimedia presentation about the history and making of the famed whiskey. Next, a tour guide named Orla showed them around. She was an attractive young woman with big brown eyes and wavy auburn hair. She was also a wealth of information about the history of the distillery and the Jameson family, sprinkling in anecdotes and trivia throughout her presentation.

John Jameson, the distillery’s namesake, was not Irish, Orla explained. He was a legal clerk from Scotland. It was his wife’s family who owned this distillery.

Men! Always taking credit for everything. Am I right, ladies? Bones looked around. The others in their group smirked or rolled their eyes.

I don’t think they’re buying what you’re selling, Maddock said quietly.

I’m like Novocain. I need time to take effect.

I do find your company mind-numbing, Maddock said.

They learned several interesting things from Orla. Jameson was the grandfather of Guglielmo Marconi, the Italian engineer responsible for the invention of radio transmission. The whiskey was no longer distilled in Dublin, but in Cork, although this historic building was the one that drew the public’s interest.

Got any weird or creepy stories about the Jamesons? Bones asked.

Orla cocked her head. Such as?

You know, lost family jewels, curses, hauntings, skeletons in the closet. The interesting stuff.

Maddock rolled his eyes, but the other guests perked up. Orla frowned, then smiled.

Here’s one. Jameson’s great-grandson, James, once paid cannibals to let him watch them kill and eat a ten-year-old girl. This got everyone’s attention. He was adventuring in the Congo. When the chief of a host village mentioned eating people, James said he would like to see that. The chief set a price of six handkerchiefs, and Jameson immediately sent his valet to get said handkerchiefs. Upon payment, the chief sent for a slave girl. James, who had an interest in science, took notes and made sketches while... She didn’t need to finish the sentence. A grim reality of that time and place in history, Orla finished.

A silver-haired man hurried over to them and took Orla by the arm. Anger flashed in her eyes, and she jerked away.

What do you want, Eammon?

Orla, what have we told you about going off-script?

She was just answering my question, Bones said. Blame me, not her.

Eammon rounded on Bones, elbows cocked and fists clenched. He froze when he found himself nose to breastbone with the massive Cherokee. His eyes