50-Word Synopsis:

When a vintage flying boat carrying $15 million in rare pearls vanishes without a trace, aviator Mitch Blaine and his reluctant co-pilot Beyer are called into action. Their search leads them deep into the wild Australian Outback—where treacherous terrain, deadly predators, and ruthless pirates await at every turn.

100-Word Synopsis:

A fortune in pearls. A missing flying boat. A deadly mystery in the skies over Australia.

When Chief Pilot Neil O’Malley calls in a favor, seasoned aviator Mitch Blaine and his brilliant but reluctant sidekick Beyer are pulled into their most dangerous adventure yet. A historic Grumman Mallard has disappeared mid-flight—along with its multi-million-dollar cargo and crew. What begins as a search mission quickly escalates into a high-stakes race against time through crocodile-infested rivers, rugged wilderness, and skies stalked by modern-day pirates. The Missing Mallard Mystery is an action-packed aerial thriller filled with humor, heart, and history-infused suspense.

250-Word Synopsis:

A luxury cargo of South Sea pearls worth $15 million has vanished mid-flight—and so has the plane. When a historic Grumman Mallard flying boat goes missing over Australia’s vast and untamed Outback, veteran pilot Mitch Blaine is reluctantly pulled back into action by an old friend in desperate need. With his loyal but sarcastic sidekick Beyer at his side, Blaine must navigate a treacherous landscape of crocodile-infested rivers, blistering heat, and miles of desolate terrain—all while chasing down a mystery that’s as dangerous as it is baffling.

But the clues don’t add up. The experienced crew couldn’t have just disappeared. The flight was routine. The cargo was priceless. And the stakes? Higher than ever. As they dig deeper, Blaine and Beyer find themselves up against well-armed modern pirates, possible inside betrayal, and forces willing to kill to protect their prize.

Packed with pulse-pounding action, razor-sharp dialogue, and rich aviation detail, The Missing Mallard Mystery is the fourth installment in Rod Lewin’s thrilling series. Drawing on the author’s 40+ years as a professional aviator, this gripping novel blends authentic flying adventures with fast-paced storytelling and larger-than-life characters.

Perfect for fans of Clive Cussler, John J. Nance, and aviation-fueled thrillers, this is one ride you won’t forget.

Taglines:

• “A fortune lost. A pilot called to duty. An adventure that takes flight.”
• “One missing plane. Two reluctant heroes. A million reasons not to get involved.”
• “Fly into danger. Land in mystery.”
• “Where the Outback meets the underworld, only the brave survive.”
• “High stakes. Low altitudes. No backup.”
• “Adventure soars in this aviation-fueled mystery thriller.”
• “The pearls are priceless. The danger is lethal.”

“Blaine and Beyer are back…in Lewin’s best book yet!”

Woven from the fabric of Rod Lewin’s own life and career comes his latest and best adventure…this time in his native Australia!

Through three books, we have been carried aloft by Mitch Blaine, Knight-errant of the Air, and his esteemed but reluctant copilot, sidekick, technical advisor, epicurean artist, and financier Dr. Beyer, as they have piloted the Wayward Wind, Blaine’s World War II era Consolidated PBY flying boat, in Quixotic quests across the Pacific, throughout the American Southwest, and even back in time. Now, having finally alighted back in their beloved Sydney Harbour, our heroes are surely expecting a return to simple life and easy pleasures (Boodles gin on ice).

But when an urgent call comes in from a former Royal Australian Air Force mate, Blaine and Beyer and the Wayward Wind rise to this latest challenge. A fortune in Australian South Sea pearls has gone missing, along with the Grumman Mallard flying boat that was carrying them, somewhere in the wild and foreboding bush of Northwest Australia. With little to go on, except the sure knowledge that time is not on their side, our intrepid aviator and his encyclopedic companion once again take to the skies, pursuing the truth, and, as need be, dispensing justice.

Like all of Rod Lewin‘s novels, this one is equal parts travel guide, history text, scientific treatise, cultural study, high adventure, quick justice, and love letter to aviation. This low altitude, high seas adventure has something for everyone and is nearly impossible to put down. If you’re in the mood for a “bloody good yarn,” pour yourself a frothy top or three and pick up The Missing Mallard Mystery.”— M. Harper (Amazon review)

“This book is a great adventure – hide and seek on a grand scale and outwitting the bad guys!”

It begins with some interesting technical information on the fascinating history of flying boats and how they opened up World-wide air travel in the 1930s – and Sydney Harbor’s place in that history. The story ramps up quickly, drawing the reader into the adventures sure to unfold. This fourth book in Rod’s series is his best.

The PBY-5A with Captain Blaine and copilot Dr Beyer are the main characters. Although it has an aviation theme, the story is of a hide & seek on a grand scale and outwitting bad guys, without getting too technical about the flying, thus, providing an intriguing story whether the reader is aviation-minded or not. The writing seems effortless in painting the Australian landscape, airports, and bays where the PBY travels on this mission. With the ease of using Google Maps, it was interesting for me to view the locations – remote and picturesque – and note Rod’s eloquent descriptions. While the PBY is ‘vintage’ – 80 years old – the storyline includes up-to-date situations and use of modern equipment, which is presented in a seamless manner.

The plot was plausible and fairly straightforward, yet with enough twists and turns to maintain suspense. A great book, which I highly recommend! Read Rod’s other three PBY adventure books too!— Allen Benzing (Amazon review)

“Readers’ Favorite Review”

If given the opportunity, Mitch Blaine prefers to spend his free time relaxing in the sun while contemplating creative ways to grow his savings for a rainy day. An opportunity arises while Blaine and his trusted partner, Beyer, recuperate from their latest misadventure. He receives an urgent phone call from a colleague: one of the planes in the Paspaley Aviation fleet has mysteriously vanished without a trace. Neill O’Malley wants Blaine to assist him in recovering the plane and its precious cargo and is prepared to make it worthwhile for the adventurer. Although Blaine may view this as just another run-of-the-mill investigation, nothing prepares him for the ruthlessness of the individuals involved in a heinous crime in The Missing Mallard Mystery by Rod Lewin.

Rod Lewin’s The Missing Mallard Mystery combines suspense with incredibly detailed historical facts to create a unique adventure. The character development includes a comprehensive origin story for Blaine, outlining his relationship with Beyer and referencing their adventures in previous books. This approach helps new readers understand Blaine’s sometimes unconventional investigation techniques while maintaining continuity for Lewin’s followers. The banter is lighthearted, featuring Lewin’s storytelling style that interweaves history with humor. Discerning historical fiction enthusiasts will appreciate how Beyer transitions into historical diatribes just before Blaine does something interesting. Mystery genre fans will value the strategically placed clues, which effectively heighten the suspense as the narrative unfolds. Lewin weaves these elements together at a gradual pace to create an immersive novel that engages readers from start to finish.—Essien Asian for Readers’ Favorite

Advance Review Copies Available on Booksprout:

Reviewers are invited to request a complimentary digital copy of The Missing Mallard Mystery through Booksprout.

Love fast-paced adventure with a sharp edge and a soaring sense of danger?

The Missing Mallard Mystery is calling all readers who crave gripping action, unforgettable characters, and aviation-fueled suspense. If you enjoy novels by Clive Cussler or John J. Nance, this high-flying mystery is a perfect fit for your next review.

Join seasoned pilot Mitch Blaine and his witty sidekick Beyer as they chase a vanished flying boat, a fortune in stolen pearls, and a mystery buried deep in the heart of the Australian Outback.

Read it. Review it. Help others discover a thriller worth the ride.

Request your review copy and leave your honest feedback at Booksprout

Book Video Trailer Release on selfpublishingnews.com, Rod Lewin’s Book Video Trailer for “The Missing Mallard Mystery"

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