The Reading Bud

Book Details:

Author: James Dunlop 
Release Date: February 23, 2025
Series: The Misjudgements of Andy MacKay (Book 1)
Genre: Action, Thriller, Suspense, Conspiracy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 312 pages
Publisher: EXPURGATED PRESS
Blurb:
How far would you go for a friend? Andrew MacKay, the sort who’d sooner bet his last penny on a losing horse than lift a finger for anything resembling responsibility, is about to find out. An incurable gambler, chain-smoker, and binge drinker, Andy’s only real talent lies in outliving his own poor choices. But when his mate is shot dead and robbed of a classified secret, Andy finds himself bound to retrieve it, purely out of loyalty and an alarming lack of common sense.

Andy learns the stolen secret is a new nerve agent deadly enough to make any terrorist giddy with joy. Wanting nothing more than to ignore the whole thing, he finds himself drawn into a web of corporate espionage, government corruption, and terrorists with excellent taste in chemical warfare. He’ll have to rely on his wits to stay one step ahead of MI-5, who want him behind bars, if he hopes to recover the secret, and stop the zealots from killing thousands.

Time is running out. Andy’s got only one chance to make things right. Can he do it?

“This white-knuckle page-turner will seize you from the first page … a must-read for lovers of gripping, fast-paced conspiracy and espionage thrillers. The edge-of-the-seat suspense, compelling cliffhangers, and jaw-dropping plot twists hooked me.” 

Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite

Review

Half Made Up by James Dunlopcis a gripping and entertaining read that cleverly blends elements of military thriller, dark humor, and crime fiction. Andrew MacKay, our flawed yet captivating protagonist, brings readers along on a turbulent journey through the gritty streets of London and dangerous memories of battlefield chaos.

Author Dunlop’s writing is sharp and witty, his dialogue crackling with authenticity, and his vivid action scenes skillfully written, pulling you right into the heart-pounding chaos. But what truly stood out for me in Half Made Up is its character work—MacKay is wonderfully human, his imperfections is painted with both humor and vulnerability. Author Dunlop captures the strain and absurdity of modern life’s pressures through a lens that is both comedic and strikingly real, never losing sight of the emotional core that drives the narrative.

However, the plot occasionally feels slightly uneven, with certain transitions coming off as abrupt, which can momentarily disrupt the story’s otherwise excellent flow. Still, these moments are minor compared to the overall enjoyment and depth of the book.

Half Made Up is highly recommended for readers who appreciate character-driven stories combined with high-stakes action and a touch of dark comedy.

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