The Bottom Line: A fast-paced and timely thriller about the outsized influence of wealth in American politics.
Reporter Tarryn Blue secured her dream job right out of Georgetown graduate school – an investigative journalism role that landed her in the White House Press Briefing Room. Overall, Tarryn’s life seems to have nothing but upside. An impending marriage to the man of her dreams, access to powerful people who will accelerate her news career, and chess matches at Georgetown, where Tarryn still spends time, all await her.
But everything goes awry just after her first byline is published. Georgetown Professor Hall seems concerned about the piece, indicating that he’d like to chat about it. Soon after, her fiance abruptly breaks up with her. And moments later, in the park, a stranger threatens her: “Stay away from the investment story. Do not write about it. Do not talk about it. It does not exist for you.”
Set in Washington D.C., author Terri Greening’s appetizing setup about a young journalist unwittingly uncovering widespread financial fraud doesn’t take long to pay off. Just after confiding in FBI agent Brock Spencer, someone close to Tarryn is murdered. With no idea how much help Agent Spencer will be able to deliver, she realizes if she wants to keep her journalistic integrity, figure out who the killer is and stay alive, the hard work will be up to her.
Journalism has always been a dangerous job, but Greening’s concept seems more plausible today than ever. At a time when billionaires exert more political power in America than ever before, the development of Leo Harrington couldn’t be more apt. Elsewhere, the chemistry between Agent Spencer and Tarryn is convincing enough to provide a satisfying subplot.
At a time when flashbacks and flash-forwards are grossly overused in contemporary fiction, murder mystery fans will appreciate Greening’s straightforward narrative technique. While the story ends a bit sooner than expected, we actually prefer a taut thriller that can be read on a coast-to-coast flight to the overstuffed fare dominating airport newsstands. Let’s hope Greening has more plans for her intrepid heroine.
