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Jock Boucher, born and bred in Cajun Louisiana, has just been appointed as a US District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana. His heart belongs to New Orleans; despite (or perhaps because of) his modest beginnings, he is a connoisseur of the local architecture and cuisine. He lives in a wonderfully restored home. Widowed a few years earlier, he is involved in a long- distance relationship that has been satisfying in every way until recent events have posed a threat. As a new appointee to the federal bench, Jock is expected to go along with the actions of his predecessor. One of the first cases that he presides over deals with a man named Bob Palmetto, who has been a fugitive for over twenty years. Palmetto alleges that the judge in his case took bribes; he has never been confident that he would receive justice if he came out of hiding. Bob is a scientist who discovered a process for using methane hydrate ("ice fire") to replace other expensive energy sources. A leading energy company was stealing his ideas and using the federal court to do it. Jock agrees that Palmetto was not treated fairly and rules in his favor; as a result, Boucher is forced to take a leave of absence. He uses his time away from the bench to investigate Palmetto's claims. He soon finds that Rexcon Energy is using some of Palmetto's results to mine ice fire from the ocean floor and engages in a double cross to provide justice for Palmetto. The situation is fraught with danger, with Rexcon preparing to cause an environmental disaster of the highest magnitude. The stakes are high—it's extremely lucrative for whoever can harness ice fire. Lyons has provided a real inside look at the politics and culture of New Orleans. Jock's love of the city shines through, and he serves as a knowing tour guide of its points of interest and cuisine. He does a passable job as an investigator, but it didn't seem realistic that a man of the bench would fit into this role so well. He is aided by Detective Fitch from the police department and a woman who works for Rexcon, which was convenient for the plot but not necessarily believable. It also struck me as odd that given Jock's formidable background and skills, he didn't really use his legal knowledge in the situation. However, the science in the book seemed entirely accurate. ICE FIRE is the first in a series. Jock Boucher is an interesting character—I wonder whether the focus in future books will continue to be on his prowess as an investigator or his power as a judge. § Formerly a training development manager for a large company, Maddy is now retired and continues to enable the addiction of crime fiction fans as owner of the online discussion group, 4 Mystery Addicts(4MA), while avidly reading in every possible free moment herself.
Reviewed by Maddy Van Hertbruggen, July 2012
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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