SOLVED. 80's men's adventure about an old(er) man infiltrating a group of terrorists [s]

[Peter]

I read this book when I was much younger, probably between 1983 and 1990. I think it was new when I got it. I have no idea what made me think of it, and I don't particularly want to read it again, but it's going to bug me until I remember the title.

The basic plot was a terrorist group taking over a tourist resort in order to hold everyone for ransom, or possibly for some other reason. One of the guests was an older gentleman who had been a commando in his younger days. He managed to overpower one of the terrorists and take his place, and was able to pull that off because all the terrorists wore masks at all times. The specific details I remember:

1) The main character was on a honeymoon with his second wife, who had no idea what sort of work he used to do and was very surprised when he opened a can of whoop-ass and turned out to be the main character of "Die Hard In A Resort."

2) The terrorist the main character killed and replaced was a black man, which made it even more important that the man keep his mask on all the time. The impersonation also involved speaking in speaking in what would soon be termed "ebonics." It wasn't the most ridiculous dialogue I've ever read, but it sure wasn't the most progressive, either.

3) One scene was about a terrorist who was trying to choose which of the hostages he wanted to take away and rape. One of the hostages was a call girl, and she offered herself up since it wouldn't affect her as badly as the other women.

4) The army was called into deal with the situation, which is odd now that I think of it. The leader of the force turned out to have worked with the main character in the past, and ended up infiltrating the resort with him.

5) The main character took out one of the terrorists with a can of beer that he'd frozen specifically for this use. He was in disguise, and tossed one beer up in the air to the other terrorist, and then when the other guy looked up and went to catch it, he threw the frozen beer straight into his face to get the drop on him.

I have no idea why I remember all these details, but couldn't say for sure whether I put on pants this morning without looking down to check. Mystery of life, I guess. In any case, does anyone know this book?

[Peter]

Lemme bump this, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope. I think this was one of those books that got sent to maybe five stores and then disappeared without a trace.

[Kate]

You gave excellent details, so maybe it will click with someone. Keep bumping it every 30-60 days, to keep it fresh for new eyes.

[Peter]

Bump it again. One more detail comes to mind. The main character is impersonating a black terrorist that he killed. They all wear uniforms and masks, so it's easier than it could be. He also puts on a pair of gloves to cover his white hands, and when asked about it he says that the island they're on used to have a leper colony and he's just making darn sure he doesn't catch leprosy.

I don't know why I remember these things.

[Bargle]

Peter wrote: "I don't know why I remember these things. "

It always helps to add any detail you remember. You never know what will trigger someone else's memory.

[Peter]

Lemme bump this again, on the off chance it can be IDed before its first anniversary.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What country is it set in? Or, is the resort tropical, Swiss Alps, etc.?

[Peter]

I believe it was set in Hawaii, or some other tropical island. I don't remember anything about the locals not speaking English, but most of the characters were English speakers so who knows.

[Peter]

Bump. Made it to the one year mark. They grow up so fast...

[Peter]

Bump. I don't remember any more details, and now that I think about it I'm wondering if I ever actually finished the book.

[Ingo]

The search is the way (ZEN?). Guess what, if you finally (!) find it, you can read it. And probably realize it was not that good after all or that is was as good as remembered and you wonder why you did not finish it the first time.
Still watching this, I might put it on my TBR, hoping you will find it.

[Peter]

Bump. I think I can safely narrow the publication year down to somewhere between '83 and call it '88. I used to pick up Men's Adventure books from the local pharmacy, and I'm pretty sure this was one of them.

[Peter]

Bump. I don't recall any further details, but I do know that the fastest land animal is the cheetah. Please note that to the best of my knowledge there were no cheetahs in this book.

[Peter]

Bump. The country Albania lies north of Greece along the Adriatic sea. You can remember its location using this handy song, written by the late, great Ernie Pantusso:

Albania...
Albania...
You border on the Adriatic...
Your land is mostly mountainous...
And your chief export is chrome...
You're a communist republic...
You're a red regime...

Please note that to the best of my knowledge the book did not take place in Albania.

Also, beautiful, mountainous Albania is now a parliamentary republic that exports a lot more than just chrome. Sadly, Mr. Pantusso passed before the fall of the Berlin Wall and all it portended.

[Ayshe]

Rape of a Quiet Town by Dan Lees?
Not Hawaii, but on the other hand not Albania either :) It may very well not be the book, but the terrorists taking over part reminded me of your search. These are the bits I found about it:
Newsman Plummer and Libby, the girl he's trying to bed, who's been attending a “hippie” festival in a nearby village, are chief figures in the story of the taking of Bridlington, a northern English coastal town.
The guerrilla leader Sarrat and his mercenaries seal off the town. Shooting to kill anyone in their way, they proceed to loot it systematically, hitting banks, shops, private homes, taking millions in valuables. Plummer and Libby rally around Major. Plummer manages to maintain his rather grotesque levity even when such elements as spies, nuclear secrets, and an old German submarine are added to the already extremely bloody violence.

The Kirkus review:
Jeff Plummer again of the Daily Pictorial (when he calls it the Pic you know where you're at and you may leave) covers a hippy festival -- and Libby Mendoza whose father ""owns half of Hollywood"" -- which ends in a riot. Prefatory to the takeover of a town by some mercenaries with machine guns which never shut up. The shrill thrill kill in words of two syllables like ""Wassat.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

[Peter]

Thanks very much, but I don't believe that's it. It seems to take place on a larger scale than my story. Mine definitely didn't involve an entire town and I'm 99% sure it couldn't have been in England - it was a tropical (possibly temperate) honeymoon destination.

[Kym]

I think I may of found this - Death Match by Ralph Glendinning? (fingers crossed)

[Peter]

Jumpin' Jehoshaphat, I believe we have a winner! Thank you! This certainly sounds like my book, and the cover looks familiar. I'm ashamed that I didn't remember the main character's name was Mac McGregor, because that is such a perfect 80s action hero name. The only better name I can conceive of would be Brick McKillerdude.

I might have to track down a copy and see if it's as cheesy as I remember. If I do I'll buy one of the ones selling for a penny on Amazon, not the ones selling for $549.20 or $798.22. Those automated sales bots crack me up.

Thanks again!

[Kym]

That's great Peter. Loved reading your threads.