The Omega Network

When's the last time you read a good clean mystery? Unfortunately most mystery writers are a little short on the "good" side, or else short on the "clean" side. In "The Omega Network", Thomas Locke excels on both points. Chase Bennett works for the chamber of commerce in a Florida town, but as a result of his connections he soon finds himself uncovering a major criminal network, with money supplied by narcotics being used to corrupt politicians and force the establishment of a mega casino. The big boys behind the bad business are prepared to go to any lengths to make sure their ambitions to bring gambling to Florida succeed. But as Chase discovers, behind the big money of the casinos are bad people. Soon Chase finds his own life threatened because of the corruption and connections he has discovered. The ending is somewhat weak, and Locke doesn't capitalize on the suspense that he has built up. But that aside, it's a good mystery story, liberally sprinkled with a tinge of romance.Not only is it good, it's also clean. The language is decent, and the main characters are church going people who strive to live decent lives not marred by adultery or violence. Locke is himself a Christian, and he brings across a subtle Christian message without being superficial or preachy. There are no artificial conversion stories, but just the ordinary struggles of believers living in a corrupt world. The focus of the corruption that Locke exposes is the evil of legalized gambling. In the process of reading this mystery, you'll be confronted with some shockingly accurate facts about gambling, the corruption it creates, and the destruction it causes in the lives and communities of "ordinary" gamblers. Locke shows convincingly that because legalized gambling is a great money-spinner for the government, the authorities often turn a blind eye to the moral and social destruction it inevitably results in. Not only is "The Omega Network" a great read, but this good clean mystery will leave you with a new perspective on gambling. You won't be gambling by reading this book, because it's a guaranteed winner.

This is an excellent book. I'm not sure I would call it a mystery. I would more properly classify it as an adventure. You as the reader are totally aware of what is going on except for a few sub plots. The ending was a little weak as some fantastic rug pulling is done and the reader is not informed as to what it is.