Art & Part (John Cann Adventures)

Rating:
Summary: Grisham and Clancy rolled into one
Review: Jim Macomber's novel, "Art and Part", is his second novel about the exploits of one John Cann, a lawyer working for a firm that represents the CIA. Cann has a significant background in the military and intelligence which serve him well in the resolution of the dilemas he becomes involved in, and ultimately prove essential to his survival. The first book, "Bargained for Exchange", was a blockbuster in this regard, mixing the best attributes of both Grisham and Clancy into an intriguing legal, espionage thriller.

In "Art and Part", Macomber surpasses his previous excellent performance. He places us in the middlle of a fictional expose right out of recent world headlines dealing with the legal proceedings associated with Pan Am Flight 103 that was destroyed over Lockerbie, Scotland. When two of the terrorists responsible for that act are brought before Scottish justice, but by negotiated arragnement, on Dutch soil, Cann is sent to the Netherlands to monitor the proceedings. While there he winds up embroiled in assassinations, terrorism, murder, and political and legal intrigue that runs rampant from Amsterdam to Washington DC (with characters you may also recognize from recent history), and that takes its toll on those Cann works with, those closest to him...and on Cann himself.

The storyline never misses a beat and keeps the reader engaged from cover to cover. Islamic terrorism, such a huge part of every day life today, is woven into this novel like a fine seamstress produces a high quality garment. The vilians in this book are highly believable, fitting the mold of the types of terrorists we read about in the news today. The protaganists are equally intriguing. The imposing, but distinguished figure of Colin Hardie, a Scottish legal expert, himself with a significant "background", will leave the reader feeling as if though he knew the man personally.

My only issue with the book, and it is one common to his earlier novel, is that some of the scenes, particularly those involving the female hostage, Carin Day, who happens to be someone Cann cares deeply for, are too graphic for my tastes. This is not a novel you would want your minor children to pick up and read.

Outside of that, Jim has punctuated his growing reputation as a master story teller with "Art and Part". The intrigue, the action, the legal suspense, and the political intrigue in this novel all come together with a cast of great characters to produce a thriller you will find difficult, if not impossible to put down...and where the ending will surprize you and leave waiting for more.