Political Suicide

This is great. Good story, interesting people, wonderful dialog. People we can identify with. What's not to like? I rate 8-10 books a month, of this genre, based on a 0-5 scale. This book rated Characters: 4.25. Realism: 3.00. Descriptions: 3.00. Ah Ha: 3.50. The Read: 4.25. Overall, it rated #40 out of 359 books.

This is one of the best books I have read this year. Russell grabbed my attention on the first page and kept it for the remainder of the book. His use of McArthur's Farewell speech in the early part of the book softened my heart and reminded why I spent 31 years in the Army Reserve. Russell's use of a flawed hero makes the book real to all individuals. Everyone thinks like the main character from time to time. Russell's dry wit and knowledge of politics, as well as scandals in DC, is well rounded and is important in understanding the tenor of life in the capital. I highly recommend this book as one of the best of the year.

Alan Russell has written noir private detective novels, comedic crime fiction, an outstanding police procedural, a fascinating psychological thriller and a thriller from the world of entertainment. He now takes a turn at a political thriller.Political Suicide features private investigator Will Travis, a different kind of "hotel detective". With his near photgraphic memory, Travis evaluates restaurants and hotels, reporting on service issues and employee theft or neglect to his clients. During one of these evaluations he witnesses a man slipping something into his woman companion's drink. Travis rescues the woman, Claire Harrington, inserting himself into a twisted plot of suicide/murder and presedential politics.One of Russell's hallmarks is to educate his readers on any number of subjects. In past novels he has written about teaching ASL to gorillas, papparazzi, fencing as a true blood sport, redwoods and environmentalism, and any number of other topics. In this book, Russell takes us into the closed world of a military academy, West Point, as well as dueling.Will Travis, who can trace his family tree back to Colonel Travis of Alamo fame, leaves West Point because of a violation of the honor code. His life has been one of always seeking redemption and forgiveness. A rich, complex character.This book is a fast read. Entertaining, tightly plotted, with a cast of strong characters. As to the tree...well, I'll let discover that one for yourself.

Have been waiting for this one and afraid it might not live up to the last one (EXPOSURE). But it did! Maybe even better. I like intelligent fiction written with a sense of humor, and Russell fills the bill. You could call this book a political thriller, but that wouldn't do justice to the character story underneath or the many philosophical and witty asides. Will Travis, the main character, has a way of looking at the world that is engaging and fulfilling. Putting him in one exciting situation after another is almost unnecessary to make the book interesting. The author must be a very careful researcher. For sure he's one of the best craftsmen of mysteries.

His license says he's a private investigator but his job calls for him to evaluate the services of client hotels and restaurants. While evaluating the service of the Blue Crab Inn in Maryland, he notices a man put something in a woman's drink at the bar. When she turns drowsy and disoriented, they try to hustle her out but Will Travis pretends to know the woman and gets her away from them. A shootout occurs and a man is dead at the hands of his victim Claire Harrington.The two escape and team up to get away from the scene of the crime. Claire confesses that her father recently died and the police think it was a suicide but she believes it was murder. The perpetrator is one of the candidates running for President of the United States. Suddenly, Claire and Will are wanted by the state and federal agencies on bogus murder charges and it is clear that the candidate is manipulating events.Alan Russell's political thriller POLITICAL SUICIDE takes off at light speed and doesn't slow down until the unbelievably exciting climax. The hero is a true patriot, honest to the core and thoroughly likeable thus endearing himself to the audience. The author's story is an indictment of a political system where one needs money, image, spin control, and charisma to ever having a chance of winning office. This political thriller is both timely and exciting.Harriet Klausner