Kaylee McDouglas has long dreamed of escaping her predictable, unfulfilling small-town life in Mount Miffsberg. So, when her boyfriend Stan proposes, she’s over the moon. Finally, an opportunity to reinvent herself and live the life she always wanted. But her two longtime best friends, Tiff and Angie, struggle to share her excitement. With Stan’s mysterious “import/export” business and his consistent mistreatment of their friend, they can’t shake the feeling that this engagement is a huge mistake.
Still, despite their initial reservations, they decide to support Kaylee’s decision. However, their resignation soon turns to panic when Kaylee—who’s always glued to her phone and eager to stay in touch—suddenly goes radio silent on her trip to Europe to meet Stan’s family. Her last message, a chilling cry for help, “ANG, HELP ME!!” leaves Tiff and Angie fearful for their friend’s safety.
Refusing to wait for answers, Tiff and Angie immediately take matters into their own hands. They board a plane to Bulgaria, armed with nothing but Kaylee’s previous posts and messages as clues, and are determined to bring Kaylee home safe. As Tiff and Angie backtrack Kaylee’s footsteps, they find themselves on the tail of the most dangerous crime organization in Bulgaria—The Thracian Brotherhood.
Will they be able to save Kaylee before it’s too late? Or will they all be victims of the biggest sex trafficking operation in Eastern Europe?
Daryl Kulak’s debut novel, THE BULGARIAN BARTENDER, is an entertaining blend of danger, suspense, and humor spearheaded by three courageous, defiant women. The first book in the Country Girl series builds on themes including friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and politics, offering an intriguing and gripping story.
At the heart of the novel are Tiff and Angie, a beautiful and dynamic duo. Their friendship and loyalty to Kaylee are raw and unwavering, as they courageously risk their lives to save her. Tiff is an impulsive stripper who refuses to see her own self-worth and continues to deem herself a worthless failure. Angie is a welder and part-time karate teacher with a no-nonsense attitude and quiet confidence. They complement each other perfectly, and their contrasting personalities add layers to their deep bond.
Despite their differences, both women are smart, resilient, and embody strong female characters whom the reader can’t help but fall in love with. The novel brilliantly explores the depths of their friendship as they create plans, navigate a new country, narrowly escape death, and fight against the odds to rescue Kaylee. Their journey also becomes one of personal growth and self-discovery for each character as the story progresses. Even though their growth is subtle and a little slow, it is inspiring and powerful to watch them have such a remarkable impact in the world and see themselves as more than just college dropouts or failures. Especially Tiff, who is given encouraging words like these: “And you are a wonder, Tiffany. You are a wonder. You can defuse a tense situation with ease and grace. You have skills like our best hostage negotiators. You learn complex things quickly and completely. And you are the most wonderful distraction any agent could ever ask for.”
Kulak evenly paces out the suspense in the book. Even with the high stakes and constant danger, he ensures that each plot twist feels natural—never rushed or sudden. The tension builds steadily, allowing readers to feel the urgency and gravity of the situation without feeling overwhelmed.
Daryl Kulak’s THE BULGARIAN BARTENDER is more than a mystery novel. It’s a fast-paced, sharply written debut that blends humor, danger, and friendship into an unforgettable, action-packed adventure through the heart of Eastern Europe with three powerful women as its leading characters.
~Tomi Alo for IndieReader