LANCE CARNEY
LANCE CARNEY
PHARMACIST AND AUTHOR.
ABOUT LANCE CARNEY
Pharmacist. Father. Author.
Lance Carney is an award-winning 30+ year hospital pharmacist (5 year award, 10 year award, 15 …). He has been writing medical/pharmacy based fiction since the 1980s. His first novel, Ripped Tide: A Daniel O’Dwyer Oak Island Adventure, follows a hospital pharmacist who reluctantly goes undercover to fight prescription drug diversion in a hospital near his new home. Ripped Tide is a 2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award Winner in the Humor Category. His second novel, No Egrets: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery, teams Daniel with husband and wife bar owners to solve a medical mystery. Mantis Preying: A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Adventure picks up post-Ripped Tide. Of Vamps and Vampiros: A Finnian O'Dwyer Universal City Crime Cape(r) follows Daniel's grandfather Finnian on the set of "Dracula" in 1930. His and Herons: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery returns to the No Egrets bar for more mysterious shenanigans.
Lance’s short stories have been published in magazines, anthologies and trade paperbacks. He often collaborates with David Moss, a buddy since junior high school. David is mostly grown up now, working for state government and having every holiday off, including Peter Rabbit's birthday. “Truth is Stranger than Fishin'" with David was chosen for publication in The Year's Best Fantastic Fiction. One of Lance's own, "Snare of the Fowler", was published in the trade paperback "Monsters from Memphis" and recognized by a nomination from the Darrell Awards Jury for Best Midsouth Short Story.
Lance lives in West Virginia with his wife and rescue dog Lucy. His daughter graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2017 in film studies and is currently in Los Angeles working for Walt Disney Animation. His son graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and is practicing in Fairfax, Va. Somehow, at times, they still manage to throw the empty nest into turmoil. He escapes to Oak Island, North Carolina, whenever The Man isn’t keeping him down.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT CARNEY...
“He smells a bit, but he has a heart of gold.”
- Anonymous
"When I see the name "Lance Carney " on a book's by-line, I've come to learn that I'm in for an enjoyable read.'"
- L.F. Falconer, Author of “The Legacy of Skur”
"Lance Carney is an American writer who is carving himself a niche for medical mysteries."
- John Martin, Author of “Major B.S.”
"...reminds me of the style of writing of Carl Hiaasen and John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series."
-Janet Matthews, Amazon.com
Books
“Hello, I’m a pharmacist. Perhaps I can be of assistance.”
Ripped Past - A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 8)
2026
Watch out for that big lug with a heater aimed at your head! Daniel O’Dwyer is back—and he’s a private dick in post-World War II Wilmington.Ripped Past is the eighth book in the humorous OakIsland series which began with Ripped Tide, the 2017 McGrath House IndieAward Winner in the Humor Category.
In this madcap noir mystery, wise-cracking hero Daniel O’Dwyer hits the crime-ridden streets with his fedora tilted just right. He’s hired by Stormy, a knockout dame, to find her missing sister, Sunny. But the path forward winds far more than the nearby Cape Fear River. Before Daniel can find the girl, he's dodging bodies—from a man who croaks in the next booth at the Chew Chat jazz joint, to a stiff in a red dress stuffed inside his own office closet.
Ripped Past features a quirky cast of uncannily familiar characters, including a dandy smelling partner tracking a stolen fish filleting knife, a landlady obsessed with Clark Gable’s mole, and a mad scientist trying to breed atomic supermen. Ultimately, the hunt leads to a dangerous underground
criminal with flashing red eyes, razor teeth, and a strange propensity to chew on wood.
Will Daniel and Stormy reach Sunny in time? Can he dodge the dead marine life thrown by Crazy Mary? And will Daniel ever get to make whoopee?
Pay the Sandpiper: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 7)
Novel 2025
The owners of No Egrets and their quirky local patronsare back, raising a glass to a whole new level of coastal chaos.
Pay the Sandpiper is the highly anticipated seventhbook in the humorous Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
Pay the Sandpiper, the book that answers the sixty-three-thousand-dollar question (almost as important as a sixty-four-thousand-dollar one): What, exactly, does the gang do when not hanging
out at the No Egrets bar?
It’s the Fourth of July celebration in Southport and Pinhead Paul, the affable fish cleaner at the docks, turns paramedic to help an elderly woman with a medical emergency. Glenda is busy fumbling her way through a highly unconventional (and deeply embarrassing) self-defense class, while her husband Glenn is off to Washington, D.C. to see his mummy (the ancient, wrapped
kind). Richard Crabgrass is moonlighting as a guide on a Wilmington ghost tour, while the Sonora sisters travel to Bald Head Island to drool over a local hunk playing croquet. Daniel O'Dwyer has headed home to see his mommy (the living kind).
Meanwhile, Matilda, the ancient barfly, remains firmly planted in her seat at No Egrets testing out new cocktails and writing questionable poetry and dirty limericks.
But a series of mysterious messages pulls the scattered crewback together. Stranded at the secluded Dowitcher Manor in the spooky heart of Green Swamp, they face a bizarre gauntlet of terrors: a camouflaged executioner, a terrifying creature known as the Green Swamp Golem, a glowing orb with a voice of its own, and a duo of vicious honey badgers appropriately named Chaos and Calamity.
Is it time for the gang to finally pay the piper?WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Probably the funniest book I’ve read in years. Well crafted with the most bizarre cast of characters ever created. Highly recommend this book. Love Carney’s writing. Johnny WhoDat - Amazon
Pay the Sandpiper is a rollicking, witty, and delightfully offbeat addition to the Oak Island mystery series, showcasing Lance Carney’s signature blend of humor, quirky characters, and absurdly entertaining plots. The seventh installment gives fans a closer look at the everyday (and not-so-everyday) lives of the residents of Southport, while delivering the mystery, mischief, and laughs readers have come to expect. Amelia Storck - Goodreads
Endangered! A Llewellyn LeFevre Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 6)
Novel 2023
The sea turtles are in trouble, and the local bullies are circling. Welcome to the fun and entertaining sixth installment in Lance Carney's beloved Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide,the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
Llewelyn LeFevre, Jr. has a lot of new things in his life: a new island home, a new school, and a brand-new nickname—Licorice. He also has a fierce new friend named Alex, a self-described "tomboy to the core" who is always ready for a fight.
Their quiet island life takes a wild turn one night on the beach. While searching for Alex’s brother Frankie (who thinks he’s a werewolf), they discover a mother loggerhead sea turtle using her large flippers to scoot toward the dunes to lay her eggs. It is the most incredible thing Licorice has
ever seen. But when the eggs vanish the very next day, leaving behind strange claw marks in the sand, Licorice and Alex are thrown headfirst into a dangerous eco-mystery.
Investigating the theft means putting together a highly unorthodox task force. Teaming up with their classmates, their physics teacher, a wildlife officer, and the giant, disfigured butler of a has-been rock star, the duo must hunt down the culprits. Along the way, they’ll have to dodge an array of local bullies, including a tyrannical gym teacher and a rowdy gang of boys known as the Barnacles.
Will Licorice and Alex become just as endangered as the loggerhead sea turtles? Will they have time to finish their physics homework? And will the Barnacles actually manage to pass enough classes to graduate?
Find out in Endangered!, a fun, heart-filled, and laugh-a-minute Llewelyn LeFevre Island Mystery!WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"Endangered! by Lance Carney is a thrilling roller-coaster ride that deftly combines suspense, humor, and poignant moments into a seamless narrative. Carney’s characters are richly developed, each with unique quirks and believable motivations. The plot is fast-paced and keeps you guessing, with unexpected twists that add layers of complexity without overcomplicating the storyline. Carney's writing style is sharp and witty, infusing even the most intense scenes with a touch of levity. Whether you're a fan of thrillers or simply enjoy a well-crafted tale, Endangered! is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment. Sofi - Goodreads
Set in time before cell phones and MTV, these kids made me nostalgic for the simple life we once had. Add in a mystery, quirky classmates and a gang of "knuckleheads" and let the fun begin! I really love Mr.Carneys writing and can't wait for the next adventure on the island. Such an excellent read. Cecilia Mc - Amazon
Ripped Current - A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 5)
Novel, 2022
Watch out for that…Pom-A-Weenie? The return of Daniel O’Dwyer!
Ripped Current is the highly anticipated fifth book in the humorous Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
Ripped from the current headlines, Daniel O’ Dwyer is doing his best to survive on his Oak Island paradise during these unprecedented times; through this uncharted territory; in the midst of these seismic events… To make matters worse, his girlfriend Jaclyn, leaves town, leaving him to wallow in self-pity, loneliness, and Fat Tire Amber Ale.
But Daniel's isolation is shattered when the pharmacy director at Boiling Grove Community Hospital dies at his desk. Forced back to the hospital—the absolute last place he wants to be—Daniel assumes it’s a natural death. That is, until he receives some unexpected aid from Charlemagne,
the long-deceased King of the Franks, and discovers more than he bargained for.Back on the home front, Daniel is juggling a whirlwind of local eccentricities. His hardcore germophobe sidekick, Willie, has invented a bizarre new way to socially distance that might just drive Daniel insane. Between dodging Willie's antics, caring for a young neighbor boy with a seriously
ill mother, and falling for a new female—a quirky Pom-A-Weenie named Lucy—Daniel doesn't have a single second of peace.
Will Daniel and King Charlemagne crack the case? Will Willie starve to death aboard his landlocked houseboat, the Silent Cow? Will Daniel find a new romance (of the human variety)? And will he—gasp—actually have to go back to work for a third time?WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Once again most of the Southport ‘characters’ that we have come to love make an appearance with the new addition of Lucy, Zach & Misty. We will certainly ‘see’ them again in the future adventures of DOD. I have my hopes up that Daniel has met true love with Misty: I mean she likes a Fat Tire!
Come on Lance, give us another book! Andy Heap - Amazon
I've enjoyed the 5 Lance Carney books I've read andthoroughly enjoyed them all. When I first saw that it was pandemic related, I almost stopped reading. I'm glad I didn't and it might be my favorite of his yet! It brought up a couple things in past books that have happened to Daniel O'Dwyer including one that has a lot to do with this book. DOD might actually be happy with people and a dog around! Keep the books coming! David Brundeck - Goodreads
Foulmire Institute for the Clinically Insane
Novella 2022
From the author of Ripped Tide comes a whodunit tale of supernatural suspense. An asylum in the 1970s. It's bad enough the mental patients are spurned, forgotten, unloved, but for decades many have died under mysterious circumstances. Now one patient is brutally murdered. Who did it? A staff member, patient or outsider? A psychotic killer once roamed the halls, but he is long gone. Or is he? One man's dreams and visions unravel the truth as his own sanity unravels along with it. Once you enter the Foulmire Institute for the Clinically Insane, you may not make it back out.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Chillingly good! Reading this brought me back to why I became an instant fan of Lance Carney's works in the first place. Excellent page-turning suspense! -LF Falconer author of The Star Catcher
His and Herons: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 4)
Novel, 2021
The quirky patrons and owners of No Egrets are back, ready to solve another Oak Island
mystery or two (or three)!
His & Herons is the highly anticipated fourth book in the humorous Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
When Glenn buys an antique medicine cabinet and moves it next to the Wurlitzer—much to his wife
Glenda’s chagrin—he gets far more than a vintage piece of furniture. A secret black notebook falls out from behind a drawer, followed closely by a small metal box Velcroed to the frame.
The notebook contains chemical structures and the results of fifty-year-old experiments; the
box contains bizarre trinkets, including a gold tooth. The notebook takes Glenn down a path half a century into the past, while the box leads Glenda down another in the present. Both trails lead to the same destination: murder.
Meanwhile, a midnight menace is digging mysterious holes all over Southport and Oak Island…
The regulars are back for more craziness—including Matilda, the ancient Vespa-riding barfly;
Richard Crabgrass, ham actor extraordinaire; and Pinhead Paul, the odiferous fish cleaner from the Southport docks. Series favorite Daniel O’Dwyer even pops in to lend his assistance. Add two new bartenders, a mysterious old hippie biker, a green anole enamored with a stuffed swordfish, and an ugly black pug named Bela, and you have a recipe for pure, unadulterated zany fun.WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"The gang at No Egrets becomes a team of detectives when the one of the regulars is missing and the owner installs a pink medicine cabinet in the bar. The exploits of the hilarious are reminiscent of the Three Stooges. To add to the story there is a serial murderer hanging around. Needless to say, all the plot lines intersect in a slam-bang ending. This is a good time for fans of Lance Carney’s work." -Frank S. Krol, Amazon and Goodreads
"My favorite part of these books is the character descriptions. I can just completely visualize each of them. I hope this series continues, because I feel like I'm hanging out with old friends when I read these books." -JBHK, Amazon
"Good laughs! Thank you for book four. I have had to make do with rereading Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich for my humor fix. …Best wishes and keep writing." -Kah, Amazon
Demented Doctors & Demons
2020, Short Story Collection
A short story collection from Ripped Tide author Lance Carney: supernatural horror and science fiction, injected with a cc or two of humor.
A physician, kicked off the psychiatric hospital’s medical staff, creates his own museum with living specimens, including Elvis and Martin Luther King Jr….What could make matters worse for Union soldiers confined to Andersonville Prison during the Civil War—is there a demon in their midst?….A rock ‘n’ roll demon terrorizes a teenage boy with bad lyrics and Dr. Seuss’ misquotes….Two physicians practice medicine in the last years of the 21st century—and the future looks bleak….An old pharmacist kicks a stray cat outside his store and all hell breaks loose….A physician recycles more than aluminum cans….Will a cruise passenger miss the boat when he encounters a voodoo bocor on the cruise line’s “private” island?... And more.
Stories include:
-Downtown Memphis Psychiatric History Museum
-Sesech
-Rock Demon (Toxin Socks)
-Dark Times
-Out Like a Lion
-So Let It Be Written
-Recycled
-Three Long Blasts
-From the ShadowsWHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"The stand outs for me were the descriptive and chilling, "Out Like a Lion", and "Recycled" with its deviously clever use of concept. The one that truly haunts me though, is "Let It Be Written", one of the best end-of-life stories I've read yet."
L.F. Falconer, author of A Debt of Survival
Ripped Mantis with No Egrets: 3 Books in One! (Oak Island Series)
2020, First Three Novels in Oak Island Series
This bargain-priced volume contains the first three books in the humorous Oak Island series!
Ripped Tide: A Daniel O’Dwyer Oak Island Adventure (2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award Winner in the Humor Category)
No Egrets: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery
Mantis Preying: A Daniel O’Dwyer Oak Island Adventure
Over 300 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars!
Follow Daniel O’Dwyer as he moves to Oak Island, North Carolina and weaves his way undercover to combat narcotic drug diversion; as he ends up at the No Egrets bar to help owners Glenn and Glenda solve a medical mystery; and finally grapples with a haunted houseboat plus the mystery of human remains unearthed beneath the hospital parking lot.
Praise for the Oak Island Series:
“Oak Island is the Margaritaville of NC: Carney's books remind me of Jimmy Buffett songs. They're filled with quirky characters, inane circumstances, some stiff drinks, and lots of good hearts that balance out the crap in the world.”
“...reminds me of the style of writing of Carl Hiaasen and John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series.”
“My new favorite author. I love this series. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments.”
“Rx, Drugs and Rock n' Roll...a fun, breezy read.”
“Not sure why it took me so long to find out about this great book. If you like; Tim Dorsey, Carl Hiaasen, you will love this book.”
“Loved every bit of this fast moving story and the wonderful offbeat characters. It has been way too long since I had to set a book down for a minute because I was laughing too hard to read.”
“The story is riveting, the characters have distinct personalities, and the humor is flawless. I kept waking my husband up laughing and reading him bits. He was not amused at 1am.”
Come on down to Oak Island and join Daniel, Glenn, Glenda and all the other crazy locals for a toast at No Egrets. Here’s to three Oak Island books in one!
Of Vamps and Vampiros: A Finnian O'Dwyer Universal City Crime Cape(r)
Novel, 2019
Murder, mystery, and comic mayhem in early Hollywood! Meet Daniel O'Dwyer's grandfather, Finnian, in this zany historical crime caper.
Of Vamps and Vampiros is part of the Oak Island Series universe, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrathHouse Indie Award for Humor.
As the Roaring Twenties give way to a new decade, young Irish immigrant Finnian O’Dwyer arrives at Ellis Island and finds himself in a very strange land. It gets even stranger when he travels cross-country to Los Angeles and stumbles right into a job at Universal City—the Capital of the Film
World—and onto a woman’s body at the bottom of the Main Hall staircase in Castle Dracula. The mysterious victim has two small, round, red marks on her neck.
Before he knows it, Finnian is living a double life. By day, he serves as the personal assistant to the legendary Bela Lugosi. By night, he works on the set of the film's parallel Spanish version (“Vampiro,” they whisper). Trouble swirls around Finnian like a vampire’s cape when a second body is discovered on the movie lot. Is the search for a Hungarian treasure map connected?
Along the way, Finnian falls for Astrid, a headstrong young woman intent on making it in Hollywood on talent alone. Together with Astrid's friends—performer refugees from the Venice Pier Freak Show tent, including LeRunt (“The French Giant!”), Blatzie (“The World’s Most Beautiful Fat Woman”),
and Thaddeus (“The World’s Puniest Man”)—they set out to crack the case.
Seamlessly blending suspense, romance, humor and classic horror, Of Vamps and Vampiros weaves its way through the making of a cinematic masterpiece during the period of The Great Depression and Prohibition, in an era when Charles Lindbergh is the most famous man alive.WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"Regardless of your opinion of the movie DRACULA, it may change when you view it through the eyes of the innocent Finnian, who sees the movie when it is finished. OF VAMPS AND VAMPIROS is a very enjoyable read." -Frank J. Dello Stritto, Cult Movies Press Owner, Co-Author of Vampire Over London-Bela Lugosi in Britian and Author of A Werewolf Remembers-The Testament of Lawrence Stewart Talbot.
"The curse of the armadillo! Every couple of chapters I had to stop to double-check that I wasn't reading a Moore novel. This historical fiction had an Easy Flow to it and was easy to get from beginning to end. …Waiting for his next book to arrive." -Bruce Eichhorst, Amazon
"Batty for Vamps and Vampiros! In this historical fiction we set the stage with Universal Studios in the early 30's during the filming of Dracula featuring Bella Lugosi. The first thing to mention is the colorful characters and their quirkiness. Throw in an ancient map, a dead body and a menagerie of animals that make for some funny lines that will have you chuckling along. The story had the right mix of scenes from bloody fights, sweet kisses from a pretty lady, circus performers, medicine man with his horse drawn cart.... is your interest perked yet? Enjoy! This was Good Reading!" -Maggiesdaisy, Amazon
True Wit - Stories by Humor Writers From Around the Globe
2019, Short Story Collection Various Authors
Seven twisted voices, seven outrageous stories.True Wit is a beach-ready collection of off-kilter tales from seven of today’s most original humorous authors from around the globe. Includes exclusive story from Lance Carney: The Fish is Back! A Pinhead Paul Southport Short Story. A strange lizardfish, stolen diamonds, a tree hugging thug, and a hurricane--it's up to the pungent fish cleaner from the Southport docks, Pinhead Paul to save the day!
With clever contributions from award-winning and popular authors Mark Cain, Lance Carney, Bill Cokas, Rob Johnson, John Martin, John Parrot and Lisa Shiroff, this contemporary volume of lighthearted fiction will provide hours of memorable entertainment.
As a bonus, each story is followed by an excerpt of a full-length work by each author.
Mantis Preying- A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Adventure (Oak Island Series Book 3) Audiobook
2019, Audiobook Narrated by Rudy Sanda
(In spite of efforts to shut him up) Daniel O'Dwyer speaks again! Produced by Tantor Media and narrated by Rudy Sanda. Available on Audible (Amazon), iTunes, Google, Audiobooks.com, Kobo, Findaway and in libraries.
Ripped Tide - A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Adventure (Oak Island Series Book 1) Audiobook
2019, Audiobook Narrated by Rudy Sanda
Daniel O'Dwyer speaks! Produced by Tantor Media and narrated by Rudy Sanda. Available on Audible (Amazon), iTunes, Google, Audiobooks.com, Kobo, Findaway and in libraries.
Mantis Preying- A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 3)
Novel, 2018
Watch out for that deadly peacock mantis shrimp! Daniel O’Dwyer is back!
Mantis Preying is the highly anticipated third book in the humorous Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
Content to be unemployed and spend his days in the sun and sand of his Oak Island paradise, Daniel is once again drawn back to the local hospital and the mysteries that surround it. Construction on the hospital grounds unearths human remains, which are quickly dismissed as being part of a
Native American burial ground. But a clumsy medical resident thinks otherwise—and drags Daniel right into the middle of a fresh cover-up.
As if a potential murder mystery wasn't enough, Daniel is suddenly juggling a beautiful veterinarian with a drug diversion problem, a towering roller-derby forewoman with a flair for yodeling, and his socially unhinged sidekick Willie, who is convinced his landlocked houseboat, the Silent Cow, is haunted.
Throw in a deceptively deadly, glass-shattering peacock mantis shrimp on the loose, and Daniel faces his most terrifying nightmare yet—having to get a job to figure it all out.
Can Daniel solve the mystery of the bones, exorcise a houseboat, and survive a killer crustacean without ruining his tan? Find out in this laugh-out-loud sequel to the McGrath House Indie Book Award-winning mystery, Ripped Tide.WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“My new favorite author! I love this series. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments. …I can't wait for the next book by this talented and quirky author. Love Lance Carney!” Bluesdiva, Amazon
“Enjoyed his first two books, now reading third book, Mantis Preying. His books keep getting better. They are peppered with humor and odd characters. Reminds me of Carl Hiaasen or the old Travis McGee series by John MacDonald.” Marty, Amazon
“I give Mantis Preying 5 stars because I just kept laughing out loud. Reading this book is like laying languid on a beach, dozing off, and waking up smiling about great memories of your high school years.” Whelan Woman, Amazon
“Lance Carney never disappoints! Great escape from life's problems! Fun characters and plenty of laughs...more books like these.. please…” Donna, Amazon
“Enjoyed it immensely. I particularly like the author doesn’t let little things like plot and such interfere with asides and digressions which are inherently more interesting. Douglas Adams type of writing. (Which is a huge compliment)” Jeff, Amazon
No Egrets - A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 2)
Novel, 2016
Welcome to No Egrets—Oak Island’s favorite watering hole, where the drinks are cold, the regulars are eccentric, and the mysteries have more twists and turns than a small intestine.
No Egrets is the highly anticipated second book in the humorous Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
At No Egrets, a quaint bar on Oak Island, North Carolina, bar staple Bobby Portis completely vanishes from his designated barstool. Then, things go from weird to worse when two other pub regulars suddenly fall ill with a bizarre, fast-acting blood disease. Is it a terrible coincidence, or is
something sinister brewing on the North Carolina coast?
No Egrets is owned by Glenn—a surgeon lured away from the medical field by a swordfish and island life—and his wife Glenda. They quickly find it takes a village to unravel a mystery. To find Bobby and solve the medical puzzle, the couple must corral their chaotic band of bar misfits to investigate.
The quirky characters include Matilda, an ancient barfly who travels the island on a dilapidated Vespa and has a different drink for each day of the week…a psychotic, card-carrying Communist goon named Otto…Richard Crabgrass, a never-say-die bit actor who auditions for every movie and
television part in Wilmington…the pungent fish cleaner from the Southport docks, Pinhead Paul…Joshua “Ism” McCarthy, surfer dude rumored to turn into his ancestor, Senator Joe McCarthy if a communist sets foot on Oak Island…and Daniel O’Dwyer, pharmacist hero from Ripped Tide.WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Funny, quirky, a good and easy read. Who needs a Margaritaville when you have No Egrets bar for your personal escape? Lance Carney is a good writer with a great, deliciously warped sense of humor! There is a lot of Hiaasen in him, and in his characters. And that's a very fun thing!”
Don Rich, author of the Coastal Adventure series
“Carney's books remind me of Jimmy Buffett songs. They're filled with quirky characters, inane circumstances, some stiff drinks, and lots of good hearts that balance out the crap in the world. Carney does a masterful job of creating a community of quirky characters in bizarre, but believable,
circumstances. This book is a great summer read -- or when it's winter and you want to feel like you're on summer break. It goes down well with a little rum on the side.” Lisa Shiroff, author of Show Up Dead
Ripped Tide - A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Mystery (Oak Island Series Book 1)
Novel, 2015
Watch out for that jellyfish!
Winner of the 2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award for Humor, Ripped Tide, the first book in the Oak Island Series, is a laugh-out-loud mystery that shines a light on a very serious issue.
Following the heartbreaking loss of his fiancée to a medical error, hospital pharmacist Daniel O’Dwyer flees to Oak Island, North Carolina. His recovery plan is simple: fresh sea air, fresh seafood, cold Fat Tire Amber Ale, and a total ban on anything resembling a healthcare institution.
But fate—and a poorly timed jellyfish sting—have other ideas. Reluctantly pulled back into the medical world, Daniel is pressured into going undercover at nearby Boiling Grove Community Hospital to stop a dangerous narcotic drug diversion ring.
With next to no help from Willie, his socially unpredictable sidekick, Daniel must navigate a minefield of dangerous situations and bizarre locals. From a brawny redneck sporting a Bob Marley tattoo to a bat-like foreign physician and a lackluster HR Director obsessed with Mai Tais, Daniel is in way over his head.WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"Rx, Drugs and Rock n' Roll...a fun, breezy read." - Christy Perry Tuohey, author of “Panther Mountain: Caroline's Story”
"Strong, quirky characters abound... Can’t wait until Daniel O’Dwyer’s next adventure." - John Martin
"Without a hard-boiled detective to lead the way, this whodunit is a refreshing detour from the ordinary and is sure to elicit a few smiles and chuckles along the way. Though I've never been to the North Carolina coast, I often felt quite at home. I look forward to discovering what lurks next in Daniel O'Dwyer's future." - L.F. Falconer
“Laid-back, wisecracking narrator weaves a deftly told mystery on the NC coast.”
- Bill Cokas, Author of “Ring of Fire”
Pirates for a Day
2014, Short Story
Winter in Chicago has been particularly brutal this year and it’s only March. An unlikely band of wannabe Buccaneer misfits decide to exchange cabin fever for beach fever and head south. What follows is a comedic quest for warmth, camaraderie, Spiritus Fermenti, golf and self. A short story by David Moss and Lance Carney
Fin & Tonic, Talon & Tombstone
2013, Short Story Collection
This collection of 13 short stories mixes suspense, science fiction, and horror into a nice cocktail, garnished with occasional humor. An Apothecary werewolf tries desperately to find a cure; hellhounds invade the old west; Physicians and Biotechnology Engineers Gone Wild; monsters in Memphis and on your windowsill; icy terror for Arctic explorers; the pizza man and an alien meet their match.
Press
Articles, Q&A's, and More!
Dec 22, 2026 - WSAZ Studio 3
Carney interviewed by Susan Nicholas and Martina Bills.
Carney is interviewed about his new book, Of Vamps and Vampiros and about his life and plugged punctum.
July 2016 - The Honest Apothecary
Carney is interviewed about his new book and about his work as a pharmacist and an author.
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