"Scout's Honor is riveting. John McNellis writes with an unstoppable drive, paving the way with telling details about places and people. A story about how the past is never the past, Ross MacDonald could not have done it any better. I very much enjoyed this novel." —Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lincoln Lawyer and the Harry Bosch series
A Vietnam Veteran's Journey from the Battlefield to Real Estate Empire
After losing everything but his life, a young man forges a new identity in the dangerous jungles of Vietnam and rises to become a real estate magnate in New York City in this epic tale of redemption.
From desperate drug smuggler to decorated Marine to Manhattan real estate tycoon—one man's extraordinary journey to reclaim his honor
It's 1969. Devastated by the loss of his parents, 19-year-old Eddie Kawadsky finds himself alone and penniless, his dream of becoming a navy pilot shattered. In desperation, Eddie falls in with the charismatic Roy Cross, who persuades him to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border—a decision that will haunt him for decades.
Double-crossed and hunted by vengeful narcotraficantes, Eddie flees for his life, changes his identity, and—as Richard Austen—joins the Marines. Through two heroic combat tours in Vietnam, he discovers a courage and resilience he never knew he possessed.
Returning from war with hard-earned discipline and grit, Eddie builds an empire in Manhattan's competitive real estate market, transforming himself from a scared kid into one of New York's wealthiest developers. But no matter how high he climbs, Eddie remains haunted by his sins and secrets.
When a long-dreaded visitor finally appears to extort hush money, Eddie must confront his past. To save his own life and protect the beautiful wife he adores, he'll sacrifice nearly everything—but will it be enough to redeem the honor he lost so long ago?
A remarkable journey perfect for readers who love:
- Authentic Vietnam War fiction with richly detailed combat scenes
- Rags-to-riches stories of ambition and real estate empire-building
- Gritty historical thrillers spanning tumultuous decades
- Complex characters seeking redemption from their past mistakes
- High-stakes moral dilemmas with unexpected twists
With evocative prose and surprising wit, "Scout's Honor" takes readers on an emotional roller coaster through the counterculture of the 1960s, the brutal realities of Vietnam, and the high-stakes world of New York real estate. This remarkable story explores whether one man's honor, once lost, can ever truly be reclaimed.
