Trigger City
By Sean Chercover
William Morrow, $23.95
ISBN: 978-0-06-112869-1

Wrapping up this novel, Chicago-based PI Ray Dudgeon asks: “What is going on?” The answer is complicated. The same could be said for the plot of “Trigger City.” It is a mystery with dark political overtones featuring what former President Eisenhower termed the military-industrial complex. Only the story is updated to today’s excesses of overcharging for military equipment and supplies, as well as companies like Blackhawk (thinly disguised as Hawk River).

Initially, Ray is retained by a “grieving” father to discover background on his murdered daughter. There is no dispute as to who shot her. In pursuing the case, Ray discovers she recently resigned from Hawk River, and was scheduled to testify before a Congressional committee. Thus begins the quest for truth, rather than the “obvious” facts.

Mr. Chercover writes a fast-paced, hard-boiled tale, with lots of action. The characters are overwhelmed by forces implicit in today’s society: The war on terrorism, government secrecy and the like. It raises the question of who are the bad guys and who are the good (and who is really running the show). Highly recommended.

Review by THEODORE FEIT

©2009 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.