The transformation and downward spiral of the political operative Ginnie is one of the highlights of James R. Callan’s lively and extremely likable novel, Political Dirty Trick: A Crystal Moore Suspense. As Ginnie’s mistakes compound, Callan explains her essential problem: “Try as she might, Ginnie couldn’t leave it alone.” Her inability to constrain herself drives this pulsing storyline. The novel opens with her stealing a Mondrian from the house of Texas gubernatorial candidate Ron Drake. That theft is part of the clever plan to scandalize Drake and to throw his campaign into turmoil.
And, indeed, following various machinations (some quite violent) that fill the reader’s head with an impending sense of doom, the turmoil arrives, ushered along by numerous unsavory characters, particularly the District Attorney and her aide, not to mention a cagey insurance adjustor. Luckily, the resourceful and resilient Crystal Moore is on candidate Drake’s side to investigate all of the shenanigans. Crystal’s grandmother Eula is also there to offer her advice, her shotgun, and some colorful expressions: “But that painting, I wouldn’t give you two cow patties for it.” Filling out this team of investigators is Sheriff Bill Glothe, who, aided mightily by Crystal’s vital contributions, slowly unravels the multitude of mysteries.
That unraveling, often presented in disarming ways, is one of Political Dirty Trick’s many pleasures. Another resides in the gathering understanding that these characters really are in no way extraordinary; they are so grounded and familiar as well-developed, realistic characters that the reader cares for them and finds them to be grand company. The one exception to these sharply recognizable characters is Ron Drake, the gubernatorial candidate, since he is the rarest of politicians – marked by authenticity, integrity, and, most remarkably, modesty. Drake is truly a figure that reader can root for.
With the backdrop of a bare-knuckled election campaign, Political Dirty Trick is relentlessly intriguing and satisfies right up to the memorable climax. Callan has bestowed on the reader a wonderful novel, entertaining and dynamic through and through.
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