This books has a little of everything - secrets, hostilites, a rooster who is ex=champion of the cockfights, an actor, wannabe kidnappers and the local celebrity-hero policeman. Moondogs by Alexander Yates Doubleday March 2011 Benicio Bridgewater is estranged from his father Howard. He has not spoken to him in years, His mother has recently passed away and he believes it is time to make amends. He travels to Manila to see his father. Howard is not at the airport to pick him up, Benicio thinks this is just like his father - invites me to come for a visit and doesn't take the time to show up. Is Howard this insensitive . After waiting for what seems like hours, he hires a driver and goes to the hotel to wait for his father's return. Howard Bridgewater has lived in Manila for a number of years. He is known for his shady deals, jet-setting and womanizing ways. He has plenty of money and certainly enjoys all the creature comforts.. He is very excited that his son is finally coming for a visit and is looking forward to all the things they will do together. Howard is leaving his club late at night and all the taxicabs have left, It is a fine unusually quiet night so he starts walking towards the hotel. Suddenly he hears a sound in the darkness and is surrounded by several stray dogs. After running off the dogs he keeps walking until he sees a white cab parked at the curb. He hails the cab and gets in the back. Ignacio is the local taxi driver. He and his green rooster Kelog are villains. Kelog used to be fighting cock but now is retired due to on the onset of blindness, This however does not prevent him from strutting around like the fighter he used to be and making people's life miserable. Ignacio's brother - Little Boy - is an idiot - he does everything Ignacio tells him to do. They are both meth-addled wannabe criminals, are just too stupid to be good , but that doesn't stop them from trying, Charlie Fuentes is the local actor and hero of the Ocampo Justice films. He stars as Reynato Ocampo - Dirty Harry of the Wild Wild East. Charlie's trademark is the famous pistol Truth that gets second billing at the movies. Brig Yapha has a rag-tag bunch of soldiers known as The Boxer Boys. He and Charlies are coming to inspect the troops. They are especially interested in Efrem Khalid Bakkar. Efren can hardly believe his good luck - he is meeting Charlie Fuentes , Tough Knocks, Snaggletooth - the hero of his childhood. Efren is reported to be the undisputed best shooter in the entire country. He is a graduate of the Scout Ranger School and the tactical sniper with the highest number of kills in Boxer Division history. Efren can hit a target at any distance - he never misses. What really happened to Howard Bridgewater? Will Benicio stay in Manila or return to the States. What part does Ignacio. Kelog (the rooster), Charlie Fuentes, Brig Yapha and Efrin Bakkar play in Howard's disappearances? The book is rather disjointed at times, but is a very interesting read. It gives you a glimpse of the real city of Manila and the Philippines as a whole - the corruption and hostilities that surround the tiny island. Recommend it to all readers who are looking for some laughs, some thrills and some mystery. You won't believe Kelog - the rooster - he is more human than fowl.