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In 1942, Sergeant Thomas McLeary defied a superior’s orders and went behind enemy lines to save an officer during the North Africa campaign. Thomas didn’t undertake his mission alone, as he had his dog Mr. McLeary with him. Twenty years later, Thomas is an amiable milkman in his hometown of Glasgow, attending to his duties with an offspring of Mr. McLeary. Thomas’ sense of duty has never diminished, and when a local youth has been diagnosed with leukemia, and her family is short of funds, Thomas undertakes a charity walk to raise the funds for treatment. Meanwhile, Jodie McFadden is a young and resourceful woman chasing a career in journalism. Her story of local girl Hannah McKeen’s brave fight against leukemia, coupled with Thomas’ walk, proves too good a scoop to be passed up. Glasgow watches with bated breath as Thomas’ trek commences.
Thomas is a man of uncommon courage who refuses to be deterred by any limits or rules. Despite his valorous actions, he is a man of humility. Jodie possesses a resolve similar to Thomas', and her story arc is equally interesting. Jodie’s grit in competing in a chauvinist profession and making her voice heard provides an excellent subplot. As Thomas and Mr. McLeary continue on their journey, the plot receives an extra jolt as a pair of drug-addled toughs threaten to ambush Thomas and steal any charitable proceeds. The author does an impeccable job of weaving in the action and drama into the story, playing with the reader’s emotions until the noteworthy finale. The tale of Thomas and his faithful dog McLeary is heartfelt, inspiring, and not to be missed.