Blood Before Dawn

The Dung Beetles of Liberia Series, Book 2

De: Daniel V. Meier Jr.

Narrado por: David Gilmore

Volume 2 in The Dung Beetles of Liberia series.

In April of 1979, Ken Verrier and his wife, Sam, return to Liberia to buy diamonds. They did not return to get caught up in a rice riot and a coup d'etat. But that's what happens. Ken witnesses and unwittingly participates in a period of Liberia's tumultuous yet poorly documented history—the overthrow of the Tolbert presidency and ultimately the end of the Americo-Liberian 133 years of political and social dominance.

Details of President Tolbert's assassination are sketchy, but through Ken's association with his Americo friends from the past, the CIA agents he meets, and the Liberian military he is forced to deal with, a believable scenario emerges.

While describing the once beautiful country and a kind and generous people, Meier intertwines terrifying tales of the atrocities committed that account for the future pain of an entire nation.

©2021 Daniel V. Meier, Jr (P)2022 Daniel V. Meier, Jr

Offering a new perspective tangled in suspense.

From the day they arrive on Liberian soil, Ken and Sam have one goal – get in, get the diamonds needed to fund and save their U.S. operations, and get out. Immediately, Sam and Ken witness the turmoil taking place under President Tolbert’s regime. As the rice riots sweep them up, their goal weighs heavily.

“Blood Before Dawn” sees Ken returning to his old haunts nearly a decade later, and in some ways while much has changed, a lot has stayed the same. Acquiring his own airplane to aid in his diamond acquisition plans, it is clear the wealth this country once had has slowly diminished as the current government is hated by all but the Americo-Liberians.

Author Daniel V. Meier Jr. shines a light on the political underpinnings of the Liberian culture. Giving readers a dualling view of the civilian perspective and that of the clandestine services. With the lovable Bao, saved from becoming bush meat, and the ever-rational perspective of Ken’s wife, Sam, readers are once again ensconced in the Liberian ways.

As Ken gets drawn into the ever-present antics of the Liberian political regime, and once again finds himself working with the Honorable Williams, “Blood Before Dawn” shows readers yet another side of Liberia. Meier consistently creates historical fiction that makes readers think, offers a new perspective, and provides an air of suspense. Another intense, yet insightful read from Meier’s pen.