Collateral Damage

Rating:
Summary: A well-designed "Closed Door" murder mystery
Review:

Today, Richard Michaelson works as a part-time political consultant, but for years he worked hard at trying to gain a slot in the government's top ring. Though semi-retired, he still looks for the opening that will grant him his desire. It appears that his dream might come true, when Phillips, a not so likable political acquaintance, asks him to obtain the real estate price of Culvert Mansion.

Richard attains the information, but concludes that the estate is clearly unsuitable for Phillips' clients. Richardson begins a bit of investigating so that he could possibly gain a political appointment, but also pay off a debt. However, before he can complete his inquiries, "a closed door" murder occurs. He realizes that Phillips has a hidden agenda tied to the mansion and Richard plans to learn just what that is.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE is an enjoyable "closed door" mystery that includes a clever who-done-it and an even more intelligent why it was done. Richard seems to be a poor man's 007, but that is enough for him to ooze charm that captivates the reader. The novel is loaded with puzzles that Michael Bowen smoothly converges into an exciting story line that turns into a thinking person's mystery.

Harriet Klausner