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A review by canada_matt
Guilty Minds by Joseph Finder
4.0
Bringing Nick Heller back for a third thriller, Joseph Finder pulls out all the stops and offers a wonderful story with just enough mystery to keep the reader hooked. When Heller is summoned to meet with a high-powered attorney under veil of secrecy, he cannot guess what might be going on. Gideon Parnell is a legend in the legal world, having made a name for himself amongst the Washington elite, but also spent his youth marching with Martin Luther King, Jr. and pushing the envelop. Parnell seeks to retain Heller's services, but won't divulge anything until he commits. As a matter of habit, Heller will not take the bait until he meets with the actual client, forcing an impasse between the two men. After much banter and a non-disclosure agreement, Heller agrees to head to Washington to meet with the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, who is being accused of sleeping with an escort on numerous occasions. A sleazy online rag is about to publish the story, offering 48 hours before they post it. While the Chief Justice has a strong alibi, he refuses to let it become public knowledge, for it relates to a medical condition. Heller must dig a little deeper, uncovering that many of the accusations do not hold up to basic fact-checking and that the escort has been hired as part of a large fabrication and paid handsomely by a mysterious group of businessmen. Before he can approach Mandy Seeger, the journalist who is penning this story, the article appears online early and the 24 hour news cycle begins. Acting quickly, Heller presents some concrete facts he has uncovered, forcing a retraction. The website's reputation is ruined and the journalist is sent packing. Case closed, as least as far as the Chief Justice and Parnell are concerned. With residual curiosity and the momentum of the investigation, Heller wants to know more about who might have put the escort up to this and greased the wheels for this erroneous story. Trying to protect her, Heller hides the escort away and seeks to get to the bottom of the entire scheme, only to return to the hotel and find her body in the tub, victim of an apparent suicide. Heller does not buy it and and reaches out to Seeger for some help, along with a rookie homicide cop who has some questions of his own. Working together,Heller and Seeger dig a little deeper and realise that there are people in positions of power who want to use political backers to bring down the Chief Justice, an everyday sport in Washington. They soon learn of a security firm that will go above and beyond to protect its clients, scrubbing out any issue rather than reacting to breaches. Heller finds himself up against a serious threat and in the crosshairs of a rogue cop, but will not stand down until he gets all the answers, even if it ends up killing him. Finder offers a wonderful thriller that gets better the further the plot advances. A treat for series fans and general thrill seekers alike.
Finder has mastered the art of the thriller through his years of writing and numerous novels. I am constantly impressed when offered the chance to explore Finder's work and this novel was no exception. Nick Heller has been well developed and his character fits perfectly into this story, quirks and all. The plot flourishes and takes quick turns, forcing the reader to remain attentive as the action stops for nobody. There is little idle time as the narrative takes Heller on his most daring adventure yet. While none of it is unique within the genre, its fresh approach keeps readers curious. Finder also uses a variety of great characters, developing those who play some role in the larger plot, but does not stuff chapters full of trivial names on which the reader will trip. Finder reveals little as he drops literary breadcrumbs towards possible future alliances, should Nick Heller live to see a fourth novel, which forces the reader to ponder. Full of fast-paced storytelling and a plot that mixes politics with nefarious criminals, Finder has a wonderful novel for readers to enjoy without cutting any corners.
Kudos, Mr. Finder for this wonderful novel. You always have a way to lure readers into your narratives so effortlessly.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Finder has mastered the art of the thriller through his years of writing and numerous novels. I am constantly impressed when offered the chance to explore Finder's work and this novel was no exception. Nick Heller has been well developed and his character fits perfectly into this story, quirks and all. The plot flourishes and takes quick turns, forcing the reader to remain attentive as the action stops for nobody. There is little idle time as the narrative takes Heller on his most daring adventure yet. While none of it is unique within the genre, its fresh approach keeps readers curious. Finder also uses a variety of great characters, developing those who play some role in the larger plot, but does not stuff chapters full of trivial names on which the reader will trip. Finder reveals little as he drops literary breadcrumbs towards possible future alliances, should Nick Heller live to see a fourth novel, which forces the reader to ponder. Full of fast-paced storytelling and a plot that mixes politics with nefarious criminals, Finder has a wonderful novel for readers to enjoy without cutting any corners.
Kudos, Mr. Finder for this wonderful novel. You always have a way to lure readers into your narratives so effortlessly.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/