The Invisible Four-letter Word: The Secret to Getting What You Really Want in Life

I thoroughly enjoyed David McKinney’s first novel. Written with an excellent balance between suspense and character development at a pace that kept my attention throughout, I look forward to reading his next story. ..Karen (aka Kellie)

For Mr. McKinney’s first novel, in my view, it was most successful. Good writing, character development and suspense prevailed throughout..I look forward to his next one!

The characters were very well developed. The plot was engaging and you wanted to keep reading and not put it down. All story lines are really tied up well and the author needs to write another book.

Great read. Complex story line which was kept the pages turning until the end. Tough to put it down.Look forward to Dave’s next one.

Part thriller, part mystery, part Bildungsroman, The Invisible Four follows three college freshmen through their first year of higher education, much of which occurs outside the classroom. Three “good kids,” grounded by their mutual friendship and their trust in a wise journalism professor, face challenges to their wits, their integrity, and their fortitude as they uncover a scandal steeped in greed and graft. David McKinney’s first novel presents intriguing plots twists, likable characters (and some despicable ones), and potential for a sequel.

Dave’s first book is good, Interesting, well written, good plot, well developed characters, and an entertaining read. Particularly enjoyed some of Dave’s subtleties, i.e. Barometer newspaper is actually student newspaper name at Dave’s undergraduate school Oregon State University; Heath Hall is fictional but I’m pretty sure he named the building for Bob Heath, long-time mentor and communications professor at University of Houston; and references to Shell gas stations talk to Dave’s long and successful public affairs career at Shell Oil Company. Looking forward to his sequel.

I enjoyed this novel from the imaginative mind of David McKinney. Especially got a kick out of how he worked in the subtle connections to his alma mater, Oregon State. Well crafted story. Hope he writes another one.

Mr. McKinney spins a well-crafted tale in The Invisible Four. The plot moves quickly, and the characters are well developed, especially the protagonists: a band of misfits who brave dangerous odds to get to the bottom of corruption in a college ROTC program. Good guys, very bad guys, danger, intrigue, humor — McKinney combines them all in fine style.

A great summer read. Action with twists, turns and suspense. Hopefully there will be a sequel.

McKinney has produced a well written and suspenseful novel that is easy to read and maintains reader interest. Character development evolves quickly and smoothly. Mid-section of novel continues to capture interest and builds to a crescendo the last few chapters. Some interesting twists and turns keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. On balance a very good read. Well done. Looking for a sequel.

Dave McKinney has a superb debut novel about a mysterious Army ROTC department on an urban college campus in the early-1990’s. It is obvious that Dave has done his research and given us four well developed characters who bond together to unravel a mystery. Good pacing, believable plot twists, and an accurate depiction of life on campus before social media, smart phones, and tablets. People actually interacting with people. An enjoyable read and well done. I echo other reviewers in looking forward to future works from Mr. McKinney. 

The Invisible Four