THE PRESIDENT'S ASSASSIN by Brian Haig
Brian Haig is the author of several political thrillers. His latest is THE PRESIDENT'S ASSASSIN and it is a better than average read - up until the last fifty pages. Then it just all falls apart. The plot starts out at a break-neck pace and carries the reader on a wild adventure through the streets of Washington, DC. But in the end, when Haig has to tie his plot together, well it just all falls apart.
As in Haig's previous novels, Sean Drummond is the central character and he is a good one. A JAG Officer on loan to the CIA, Drummond is smart, resourceful and a bit of a smart mouth. He has a quip for every situation and a retort for every comment or question addressed to him. In short he is a terrifically amusing character who makes Haig's stories sing.
As this book opens he has been summoned to join a group from the FBI as they go to investigate a murder(s). The head investigator is Jennifer Margold, and she does not appear happy that Drummond is along for the ride. But once they get to the scene of the crime she develops an appreciation for his talents.
It seems there is a deranged killer in Washington, DC who is targeting members of the President's staff. Later it is learned there is a one hundred million dollar bounty on the President's head. As the body count increases Drummond and Margold race through the streets of DC trying to explore every lead and stop the killings.
Haig has a unique perspective on the political inner circle in DC. He does not let his lead character be easily impressed, and he paints a picture of politicians and bureaucrats who are more interested in keeping their jobs safe than in catching a killer. These aspects of the story are the most telling and impressive.
Still it is that nasty requirement to keep the story logical up to the end that is Haig's undoing. He just can't make his first two thirds of the novel and the last one third jive. It comes close but eventually there are just too many plot holes to keep it credible.
Maybe by not expecting a logical ending you can now enjoy this book. It is a good read until that final failure. And a good two thirds is worth something.
THE PRESIDENT'S ASSASSIN is published by Warner Books. It contains 404 pages and sells for $25.95.