Scout's Honor: A Vietnam Veteran's Journey from the Battlefield to Real Estate Empire

"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

After losing everything but his life, a young man forges a new identity in the dangerous jungles of Vietnam and the cutthroat streets of New York in this epic tale of crime, punishment, and redemption.

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 in Mexico and hunted by vengeful narcotraficantes and corrupt cops, Eddie flees for his life, changes his identity, and-as Richard Austen-joins the Marines. After serving two heroic combat tours in Vietnam, he builds a new life in New York City, transforming himself from a scared kid into one of Manhattan's wealthiest real estate 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, he must confront his past. To save his own life and protect the beautiful wife he adores, Eddie will sacrifice nearly everything. But will it be enough to redeem the honor he lost so long ago?

John McNellis delivers a masterfully crafted thriller that spans the counterculture of the 1960s, the brutal realities of Vietnam, the high-stakes world of New York real estate, and the grandeur and hardship of the Marine Corps. With evocative prose and surprising wit, "Scout's Honor" takes readers on an emotional roller coaster through moral dilemmas, heartbreak, and unexpected twists that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Readers rave about Scout's Honor's fast-paced narrative, richly developed characters, and the powerful journey of a flawed yet compelling protagonist whose quest for redemption asks whether one's honor, once lost, can ever truly be reclaimed. McNellis's expert weaving of historical detail with gripping suspense creates a remarkable story of a man struggling to escape his past while building a future worthy of the sacrifices made along the way.

Perfect for fans of both character-driven literary fiction and suspenseful thrillers alike, "Scout's Honor" explores the lasting effects of one bad decision, the price of loyalty, and the possibility that even the most tarnished soul might find a way to shine again.