Book Review - Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin
Category Book Review Phillip Margolin Executive Privilege
Phillip Margolin is one of my favorite crime novelists, partly due to the fact he lives in my hometown of Portland, Oregon and usually places his stories there. I had the pleasure of finally getting to the top of the list at the library for his latest book Executive Privilege. I personally feel this is one of his best novels. It grabbed my attention and didn't let go until the final page.
The story starts out with private investigator Dana Cutler taking what appears to be a simple job from a high-powered attorney. All she has to do is follow around a young college student and report on her whereabouts. But the assignment, though odd, takes on a whole new level of danger when it leads Cutler to the doorsteps of the President in a wooded cabin, apparently the participant in a tryst with her target subject. That's not the kind of information that keeps you healthy and alive for very long, and she has a past that brings back dark and unpleasant memories of trying to survive. Meanwhile, Brad Miller, a young attorney just starting out at the bottom rung of a large legal firm, is asked to take a pro bono case for a death row appeal. It's assumed that he'll go through the formalities and the appeal will be denied, but Miller turns up some evidence that would clear the convict of that particular murder (even though there are still others that the killer did confess to). The head of the legal firm is not very happy with this turn of events, and tells Miller in no uncertain terms that he is to back off. When Cutler tracks down Miller and starts comparing notes about their particular cases, the paths converge and appear to lead to murder committed and sanctioned by the highest office of government.
Everything in this novel just worked for me... the characters, plot, pacing. I started reading one evening and had a horrible time trying to find a lull in the action to set it aside. Needless to say, it was finished before I turned out the light the next evening. With all the conspiracy theories and muckrakers these days, this seemed to be a plot that wouldn't have been horribly out of place on some websites and alternative media sources. Bottom line is that it was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to his next novel.
Phillip Margolin is one of my favorite crime novelists, partly due to the fact he lives in my hometown of Portland, Oregon and usually places his stories there. I had the pleasure of finally getting to the top of the list at the library for his latest book Executive Privilege. I personally feel this is one of his best novels. It grabbed my attention and didn't let go until the final page.
The story starts out with private investigator Dana Cutler taking what appears to be a simple job from a high-powered attorney. All she has to do is follow around a young college student and report on her whereabouts. But the assignment, though odd, takes on a whole new level of danger when it leads Cutler to the doorsteps of the President in a wooded cabin, apparently the participant in a tryst with her target subject. That's not the kind of information that keeps you healthy and alive for very long, and she has a past that brings back dark and unpleasant memories of trying to survive. Meanwhile, Brad Miller, a young attorney just starting out at the bottom rung of a large legal firm, is asked to take a pro bono case for a death row appeal. It's assumed that he'll go through the formalities and the appeal will be denied, but Miller turns up some evidence that would clear the convict of that particular murder (even though there are still others that the killer did confess to). The head of the legal firm is not very happy with this turn of events, and tells Miller in no uncertain terms that he is to back off. When Cutler tracks down Miller and starts comparing notes about their particular cases, the paths converge and appear to lead to murder committed and sanctioned by the highest office of government.
Everything in this novel just worked for me... the characters, plot, pacing. I started reading one evening and had a horrible time trying to find a lull in the action to set it aside. Needless to say, it was finished before I turned out the light the next evening. With all the conspiracy theories and muckrakers these days, this seemed to be a plot that wouldn't have been horribly out of place on some websites and alternative media sources. Bottom line is that it was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to his next novel.
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Comments
skip
Posted by skip At 04:21:29 On 05/09/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 04:34:50 On 05/09/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by skip At 05:23:20 On 05/09/2008 | - Website - |
I'm normally up by 4 am on weekdays, and work 6 to 3. In bed and lights off usually around 9:30.
Contrary to popular belief, I *do* sleep... just not as much as I'd like to.
Posted by Duffbert At 05:58:15 On 05/09/2008 | - Website - |
Know how to tell if we are having company for Thanksgiving?...................
I am painting!
Have a good holiday.
Skip
Posted by skip At 07:54:00 On 12/11/2008 | - Website - |