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DEAD LINE
by Brian McGrory
Atria Books, January 2004
384 pages
$25.00
ISBN: 0743463668


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Columnist and reporter for the Boston Record, Jack Flynn, is enjoying watching the Boston Red Sox game when he is joined by Tom Jankle, an FBI agent. Jankle feeds him an exclusive story that Toby, the renegade son of Boston's mayor Daniel Harkins, is implicated in an art heist. It is the biggest art heist in American history -- a dozen priceless masterpieces stolen from Boston's Gardner Museum 17 years ago and still unsolved. The story is printed with implications of the mayor's connection.

Government lawyer, Hilary Kane, fired from her job, has an alcoholic-fueled tryst with the mayor. When fleeing in disgust from his condo she accesses his computer and finds a file which reveals that he is still in contact with his son, a fact which he has denied for years. A day later her body is found in the Charles River. The police rule it a suicide caused by despondency over the loss of her job.

Jack breaks into Hilary's apartment seeking clues to her death and is discovered there by her sister, Maggie. Maggie accuse Jack of causing Hilary's death with his front page story.

When one of the stolen masterpieces is delivered to Jack's office he suspects that Maggie's suspicions may be correct. He investigates a conspiracy that involves the FBI and the mayor's office, with betrayal in the highest levels. His pursuit of the truth leads him to Rome and Paris with help from Maggie, a fellow reporter, Mongello, and Sweeney,an ex-cop in security. His findings lead him to a final deadly confrontation with Toby.

This is a gripping political thriller with a believable plot with a real art heist to add to the interest. There is much about politics and news reporters and the newspaper world. The riveting story is full of twists and turns. It is full of suspense and excitement, The characters are realistic, developed in depth with their strengths and weaknesses. The episode about Jack's dog, Baker, is heart-rending, told with feeling and sympathy. Anyone who has had a similar experience with their dog will be touched.

Reviewed by Barbara Buhrer, February 2004

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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