TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON

4 stars out of 5

You and your new husband are spending a couple of nights in Lisbon, Portugal, where he has business meetings scheduled during the day. You wake up the first morning to find him gone - with no clues as to his whereabouts. The police don't give much credence to your insistence that he's been kidnapped - even when his disappearance is caught on video and you're asked to pay a hefty ransom you can't possibly afford.

That's the situation Ariel Pryce faces, and as the police - and folks from the U.S. Embassy, the CIA and a pesky reporter - keep plodding along but getting nowhere, she knows the only person she can rely on is herself. Her ex-husband isn't wealthy enough to help find her missing husband, John Wright, but she knows someone who is: a very powerful man who is just about the last person on earth to whom she wants to be beholden. Asking for help is laden with visions of past experiences best forgotten, but Ariel has no other workable option.

As the story progresses, insights into the past lives and dark secrets of Ariel and (to a more limited extent) John are revealed by flashbacks - weaving in several twists that suggest that John's disappearance may be tied to one or both of their past lives. It is here, though, that I became a bit frustrated; the aforesaid flashbacks happened with regularity, but within chapters and with no warning - making it a little hard to follow when I suddenly realized I was reading about people and events that happened in a different time and place. Once I was well into the book it got easier to recognize the switcheroo, but I never totally adjusted to it.

Except for a fair amount of "filler" that sometimes reads like a preachy commercial for a specific hot-button issue, the action is pretty much nonstop and most of the twists are surprising. If you're one who believes the end always justifies the mean, you'll be satisfied with the ending; I'm sort of on middle ground in that respect, but overall I must say I enjoyed the entire experience and, especially as the end neared, really didn't want to put it down. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it.

Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone (MCD, May 2022); 450 pp.

BAG MAN

5 stars out of 5

Whining about a witch hunt? Pleading innocence while claiming fake news? Circumventing (or outright ignoring) the U.S. Constitution and attempting to obstruct justice? Hmmmm - has a familiar ring. But in this case, we're not talking about current events; rather, it was in the early to mid-1970s, and the person saying and doing all those things was President Richard Nixon's vice president Spiro Agnew - who was being investigated for a slew of crimes including bribery and extortion.

It's a story that brings back memories; as a relatively young wife and mother, I watched as Agnew's predicament unfolded - for the most part overshadowed by the concurrent unfolding of the Watergate scandal that ultimately brought down Agnew's far higher-profile boss. It was meaningful to me in another sense; what Nixon and Agnew did, I believe, marked the beginning of the end of my many years of staunch Republicanism. I'd never really paid a lot of attention to party affiliation - my focus was more on platforms, and my votes went to those with which I most agreed. On the other hand, I happily voted for Richard Nixon - not once, but twice - an admission I was now embarrassed to admit.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm now a left-leaning moderate, huge fan of Rachel Maddow and long-time career journalist whose blood boils when I hear those who unfairly (IMHO) call mainstream media "corrupt." So when this book came along, everything sort of came together as a story I wanted to learn more about - so I set aside my customary fare of free-for-review police procedurals, thrillers and blood-and-guts murder mysteries to give it a go. And by golly, it's a well-written, well-researched gem that's both informative and entertaining. Much of the overall story is familiar because, well, I lived through it. But the devil is in the details; especially surprising were a few involving former President George H.W. Bush and, to a lesser extent, crooner Frank Sinatra. Also of note are the "heroes" - those prosecutors and legislators who, unlike most of today's crop, were willing to put the Rule of Law above party politics.

The rest I'll leave for you to read. If you're a fan of the current (as I write this) administration, be forewarned that you'll run into a few spicy comments that mirror the kinds of things DR. Maddow says on her TV news show. Overall, it's a totally satisfying and easily digestible way to pack in some history that's relevant to the times in which we live. Kudos!

Bag Man by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz (Crown, December 2020); 304 pp.

TRUST NO ONE

4 stars out of 5

Boy, what a collection of psychologically damaged and downright dangerous characters! The only two worth saving for another go-round are lead characters, Birmingham, Major Investigation Division detectives Kerri Devlin and her new partner Luke Falco. And to be clear, they've got their own background baggage (plus Kerri is in the midst of fighting with her ex-husband for the love, and custody, of their daughter), so even they don't get a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Needless to say, not all the characters make it past this book except Devlin and Falco - this is, after all, the first book in what I presume will be a series. Despite (or maybe because of) their flaws - I dare you to mention any series character who doesn't have any - I enjoyed my first "meeting" with them both and look forward to their next adventure. This one begins in the middle, sort of, with what I'll call a fatal blunder on Devlin's part. Backpedal to 10 days earlier, when she reluctantly meets Falco, who has a reputation for being incorrigible. Her boss makes it clear she's stuck with him, though - at least for the time being. 

They're called to a grisly murder scene where they find two bodies; a woman known to be living there is missing. Turns out the dead man is filthy rich and from one of the most politically powerful families in Alabama. As the investigation progresses  - with precious little to go on at first - we meet Devlin's sister Diana, her husband and daughter, their mutual friend Jen, and Devlin's daughter (the latter a teenager who's caught up in her parents' divorce and is playing it for all it's worth). We also see what's happening from the perspectives of other rich folks, including the dead man's parents and other of the city's power players. Not surprisingly, at some point, all become suspects.

Eventually, the clues begin to form patterns that lead to the culprit's identity. But as that happens and the bodies pile up, Devlin and Falco encounter unexpected obstacles as well as information that could totally upend - or maybe even end - Devlin's own life. All in all, it's the beginning of a solid series - and a great choice for an Amazon PrimeReads monthly offering.

Trust No One by Debra Webb (Thomas & Mercer, August 2020); 427 pp.

FEAR: TRUMP IN THE WHITE HOUSE

4 stars out of 5

In the interests of full disclosure, I'm squarely in the anti-Trump camp; as a self-described moderate to flaming liberal and long-time champion of overall human and First Amendment rights (not to mention a retired newspaper editor), his election to the Presidency has been a bitter pill that remains stuck in my craw. Almost every day, the man does or says something else that, IMHO, sets our already great country back at least 50 years. As such, reading this "inside look" compiled by a respected journalist was a must-read.

No doubt I'm not alone;  it's clearly a popular book among readers with my mindset, even though nothing much here struck me as something I didn't already know, or at least suspect. I'd guess that it won't have much appeal to Trump supporters; but that said, anyone looking for confirmation of his bullying people he doesn't consider to be "loyal" and bludgeoning anyone who gets in his way will find it in spades and call it a tribute to a [Make America] great man.

Detractors will, of course, cry "fake news," but I don't buy it; the author is reporting what others have seen and heard, with everything documented, footnoted and otherwise verified (a substantial portion of the book, in fact, consists of Source Notes). The story begins six years before the election and reveals Trump's pattern of "denial when needed or useful or more convenient." Or, as one Trump attorney reportedly said, "He's a professional liar."

It would be pointless to regurgitate all the insights from the book - you'll just have to read it for yourself if you want the down and dirty. Suffice it to say every page reinforces what I already believe with all my heart and soul: This is a man not even remotely qualified to be the leader of the free world (as a TV personality and businessman, I'll give him a pass, but not in our nation's highest office). This is an interesting and historically important book that deserves to be read - to be sure, I'm glad I did. Now bring on the mid-terms!

Fear by Bob Woodward (Simon & Schuster, September 2018); 449 pp.)

THE FORGOTTEN

5 stars out of 5

Subtitled "How the People of One Pennsylvania County Elected Donald Trump and Changed America," this book offers a look through the eyes of several residents of Luzerne County - many of whom voted for, and still support, #45. Why that matters is that of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the latter had the most electoral votes; Trump won largely because of his showing here - by a margin of nearly 20 points.

I had two reasons for wanting to read the book, the first of which is that it's really hard for me to comprehend why - other than to make sure Hillary Clinton wouldn't win, which I understand - anyone would want someone like The Donald in our country's highest office (which of course reveals my personal view on the subject). The second reason is that the Luzerne County is somewhat familiar; I've visited several times - a few to conduct employee development seminars at the community college in the county seat of Wilkes-Barre. The people I met were friendly and warm, and the surrounding scenery is, as I repeatedly told my seminar participants, close to breathtaking. Besides that, the county seems to somewhat mirror that of Ohio's Mahoning Valley - where I live - at least in terms of how the local economy has fared since the demise of heavy industry.

The author visited the county four or five times, I believe, questioning numerous residents as to why they voted the way they did and then compiling the responses of about a dozen to form this book. In between are demographic facts about the county and its residents, such as an overall lack of college-educated residents and substantial increases in minorities moving in over the last several years. Also worthy of note to me, at least, is that Pennsylvania as a whole is home to more hate groups than any other U.S. state.

Honestly, I really didn't run into any "Aha" moments here; most of the reasons given for dissatisfaction I've heard many times before. Hillary seemed to "look down" on people like them; government-programs like NAFTA and support of a global economy have cost them jobs; and social programs make it too easy for people to stay on what appears to be an ever-expanding dole and, more to the point, live as well or better than many of those who struggle to make a living the old-fashioned way. So to a large extent, the support of Trump there simply reflects a desire to get away from the same old, same old. As one man noted, "Washington is broke, and I need someone to go down there with a sledgehammer."

Still, seeing their in-depth feelings in their own words is a bit eye-opening - especially on issues like immigration, which they claim not to oppose; after all, most of them come from immigrant parents or grandparents. At issue is legality; immigrants are welcome, but only if they follow the prescribed rules and are willing to "assimilate" into this country (meaning, for the most part, be willing to work hard and learn English) just like the residents' ancestors did. No, a wall isn't necessary, but some kind of effective border security certainly is - so Trump's get-tough stand on that issue came through loud and clear.

With few available jobs and little hope that things will get better any time soon, it's easy to see why the people here think they've been "forgotten," ignored and not good enough to count. On purpose, I did not use the word "disenfranchised" - a term more associated with political correctness. And if there is a recurring theme in this book, it is total disdain for having to tiptoe around others, particularly those who don't share their work ethic and family values. Cut to the bottom line, then, Trump was saying what they were feeling - even though many agreed that his actions, comments and tweets were (and still are) "over the top." And despite the fact that their support of Trump has destroyed friendships - and in some instances, entire families - those who voted for him aren't backing down. Almost to a person, they give him high marks after 18 months in office and insist they'll vote for him next time around.

As a self-described moderate-to-flaming liberal, I admit that most of the views expressed here are way outside my political wheelhouse (although I do share their concerns on some issues, like the need for immigration reform and maintaining Second Amendment rights - just not with quite the same restrictions in mind). Put another way, some parts of the book gave me hope while others scared the bejeesus out of me.

For anyone interested in expanding their horizons - or looking for confirmation and support of their own views - this is a well-written, important book that reflects the times that are a'changin'. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a copy for review.

The Forgotten by Ben Bradlee Jr. (Little, Brown and Co., October 2018); 304 pp.

THE WASHINGTON DECREE

4 stars out of 5


Honestly, I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this book. No question it's well written and attention-holding (though perhaps a hundred-or-so pages more than really needed). What amazes me most, I guess, is that it was originally published in 2006; that it so closely mirrors the worst that's going on - or what could yet go on if what's happening now is carried to extremes given the current U.S. administration - is positively eerie. Consider, for instance, this quote from the book's President Bruce Jansen:

"From now on we're letting the world take care of itself while we take care of each other here in God's own country. Reforming our way of thinking will pave the way."

It's impossible to believe the author could have known back then who would be the U.S. President in 2018, I have little doubt that the similarities are the impetus for the book's re-release now. It's also worth noting that the author takes aim at the potential for abuse of power - citing in his notes at the end of the book the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which he calls a "shadow government" that has "unlimited authority in all crisis situations." That unfettered power, coupled with corrupt government leaders, is an open invitation to disaster. 

But on to the story which, even if you aren't aware of what's going on in the United States right now, stands on its own quite well. Yes, it's a bit over the top when it comes to believability (especially given the time frame in which everything happens), but certainly not beyond the realm of possibility. The aforementioned Jansen, as the Democratic governor of Virginia, embarks on a trip to China with several of the other important characters in the book including "Doggie" Curtis, who won the trip and, as a Republican, somewhat reluctantly accepts. The two hit it off, and Jansen tells her to come to him if she ever needs help. Not long afterward, the unthinkable happens: Jansen's wife is murdered - sending him in an emotional tailspin.

Fast-forward to 2008, when Doggie is 30 years old and working on Jansen's presidential campaign. She and friend Wesley Barefoot, who was on the China trip as well, expect to get jobs in the White House - and they do. Jansen has remarried, and his wife is pregnant with their first child. And the unthinkable happens once again: During a victory celebration at a hotel complex owned by Doggie's father, the president-elect's second wife is murdered. Worse, Doggie's father, once an outspoken opponent of Jansen, is arrested for the murder and sentenced to death.

Emotionally shattered once again, the new President makes his acceptance speech, in which he surprisingly deviates from his prepared text to announce "great and radical" changes. His proposal, in fact, pretty much kills the U.S. Constitution; and it's pretty clear he's serious. To say that all hell breaks loose from this point on would be an understatement. The media is gagged, military folks roam the streets to maintain order and "fringe" groups threaten uprisings. Worse, the political leaders and staff in Jansen's administration who don't agree with what he's doing either claim to support him outright or refuse to voice their objections in fear of retaliation.

Doggie finds herself at odds with the "new" laws as well as not at all certain that her father really is guilty as charged. But can she prove it? A direct encounter with Jansen's vice president not only puts her at odds with the powers-that-be, but on the run and not knowing who to trust. It's a wild ride with many twists and and a very surprise ending (as an aside, I think this would make a very good motion picture).

My conclusion? If you read this book wholly as a work of fiction - or if you don't give a hoot about current politics or don't live in the United States - it's likely you'll find it a very intriguing story on its own. While I've always leaned toward the no-hoot position, what's going on today has me in such a dither that it was tough for me to not worry even more that my country is headed down a slippery slope similar to what happens here. Now all I can do is try to put everything in these pages behind me and continue to hope that there is hope.

The Washington Decree by Jussi Adler-Olsen (Dutton, August 2018); 592 pp.

THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING

5 stars out of 5


Truthfully, I figured this would be a so-so book - cobbled together simply because two very well-known names would be a sure thing sales-wise. Well, folks, I figured wrong; I absolutely loved it!

Make no mistake, though - there's plenty of political "stuff" in here. I've read that when Patterson writes with a co-author, they send chapters back and forth for additions, corrections, etc. In this case, it's fairly easy to spot the Clinton influence. In fact, for those who don't share his political bent, I'd strongly suggest skipping the final chapter entirely (President Jonathan Lincoln Duncan's address to a joint session of Congress). I happen to agree 1000% with what he says, but even so, it's a bit heavy on the rhetoric. In contrast, though, are insights as to the inner workings of government at the highest levels and even a few bits of humor, such as when the aforementioned President muses, "God, I sound like an ass. Worse yet, I sound like a lawyer."

Political leanings notwithstanding, it's the story that kept me on the edge of my seat - first and foremost because it tackles an issue that concerns a ton of other folks: Our country's nearly total dependence on the Internet. Remember the y2k scare back in 2000? Well, multiply that by a hundredfold. President Duncan is right in the middle of the situation, having been sent a dire warning about what's to come via his daughter in Paris (his wife died of cancer a year or so earlier and he's personally dealing with a serious blood disorder, adding a bit more tension as the story progresses). 

The warning comes as the President is facing a House Committee hearing that his enemies hope will end in impeachment (hmmm, that, too, has a familiar ring to it). The hearing comes because he's accused of preventing the almost certain capture or killing of an international terrorist named Suliman Cindoruk (think Osama bin Laden).  Duncan is acutely aware of what really happened, but for national security reasons, he cannot reveal the truth. And as he learns more about the imminent cyberattack that would effectively shut down the entire country for years to come, he discovers that there's a traitor in the worst possible place - his own cabinet.

Can the President and his carefully selected team find the solution and save the world for democracy? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out. Highly recommended!

The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton (Little, Brown and Co., June 2018); 528 pp.

COUNT TO TEN

3 stars out of 5

I've read and for the most part enjoyed almost all of the "Private" series (this is the 13th), but this one was a bit of a disappointment. Release of the book in November 2017 also raised a question: Earlier this year, I learned of upcoming publication of a book titled Private Delhi. I put it on my must-get list, but the release date came and went and I was never able to get my hands on it. When I saw this one, a "Private" set in Delhi with the same co-author, I wondered why there were two.

Apparently, I wasn't wrong about an original version. I found it listed on Amazon with a totally different cover, a different publisher, just eight customer reviews and available only through third-party sellers. I don't know what happened, but I'd have to guess there were serious issues that resulted in rewriting and reissuing. Curious!

As for this installment, I'm honestly not sure why it didn't quite measure up (especially when I'm assuming a rewrite was done to make improvements). For one thing, though, I admit it was hard to keep all the names straight. Because I always review books I read, I keep notes on the main characters - and thank goodness for that, because it's the only thing that kept me at least somewhat on track here. The story, too, was a bit hard to follow, with two different investigations going on which - when coupled with the confusing names - more than a few times left me lost and backtracking pages to see what I'd missed.

The "star" of this one isn't Jack Morgan, founder of the global investigation agency; rather, it's Santosh Wagh, whom Jack installed as head of the new office in Delhi, and his assistant Nisha Gandhe. Shortly after the opening, a bunch of human remains that are in various stages of being dissolved is unearthed. It seems the Delhi powers-that-be may be trying to cover the whole thing up, and Jack gets called in by another government official (an enemy of the aforementioned powers) to learn why the incident is being withheld from the press. After passing the baton to Santosh, Jack turns to other tasks and makes only the occasional reappearance.

Meanwhile, other mutilated bodies are turning up right and left (there's no shortage of blood and gore here, BTW), and questions arise as to whether they're connected to the original bodies or the work of a serial killer. As all this plays out, more questions crop up along the who-can-you-trust lines, further complicating Private's ongoing investigation. Everything comes together at the end, but not without serious disruptions in the (ahem!) private lives of Santosh and Nisha.

All things considered, it's not an awful book - but if you're a newbie to this series, I suggest that you start elsewhere.

Count to Ten by James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi (Grand Central Publishing, November 2017); 416 pp.

THE CANDIDATE

4 stars out of 5

Count me as one who's never been a fan of the political scene; I'd sooner pull my fingernails out one by one than watch more than a few minutes of a debate (never more true than in this election year). Still, the process is interesting to me if only because of my background in journalism and psychology, so the description of this book was too intriguing to pass up when I was offered the opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.

And my honest opinion is this: While the plot doesn't rank at the top of my believability scale, it's a fast-paced, suspenseful and well-written story that I had trouble putting down and polished off in a day-and-a-half of spare time. It is, I should add, the second featuring network news host Erica Sparks (it follows The Newsmakers). But while there are a few references here to events in the other one - and it's probably a good idea to read it first - this book stands on its own quite well.

Erica, it seems, is in the throes of a rather conflicted life. She loves her job, but her significant other is off building a TV network in a faraway country. Erica's 11-year-old daughter Jenny has agreed to leave her father and come to live with her, but especially because Erica's work takes her away so often, the two are having a tough time really bonding. That issue is exacerbated when, faced with a ratings drop and the need to land a really big story, Erica turns her attention to the Presidential election. Mostly to help with Jenny, she hires Becky, a young aspiring journalist, as her personal assistant.

One of the two candidates, Mike Ortiz, has capitalized on his war hero status to become the favorite. He's got a gorgeous, wealthy and never far from his side wife, Celeste, who in turn has a beautiful, powerful close friend and adviser, Lily Lau, who's a real piece of work (in the authors' words, "her sangfroid has sangfroid").

As the final debate of the campaign approaches, Erica begins to notice that something may be amiss in the interaction between Ortiz, his wife and Ms. Lau. As she investigates, questions also arise about what really happened to the candidate during the nine months he claims to have spent in the Al Qaeda prison. But as Erica lines up people who might offer insights, her efforts are thwarted by a string of unexpected deaths and questions about who can be trusted. In between are hints of media manipulation, mind control, conspiracy theories and, of course, the threat of personal danger to Erica and those she loves.

It's a thoroughly captivating story, though as I mentioned before, more than a little far-fetched. Erica's powers of perception go far beyond those of mere humans (even those of a seasoned journalist), and others around her are far too quick to buy into her suppositions. Toward the end, the pace picks up to get to the finish but crosses the line of credibility (well heck,  this is a work of fiction, after all). The bottom line is it's a fun, enjoyable way to spend a few hours, and I look forward to the next installment.

The Candidate by Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart (Thomas Nelson, October 2016); 348 pp.