Sleeping Dogs -- Ed Gorman

Seems as if James Reasoner and I read a lot of the same books, and we often share the same opinions of them. I certainly share his admiration for Ed Gorman's latest novel. In fact, I might even like it more than James does. My feeling is that if this book had been published by someone like, say John Grisham, it would have been given a big push, some great promotion, and a big first printing. Reviewers from the big publications would have gushed over it. It's better written than a Grisham book, though, and, sad to say, it won't sell nearly as well as one of those. That's what they get for using Ed's picture on the cover. (Just kidding, Ed!)

The book is a mystery novel, but that's only secondary. What it really is, is a look at a political campaign from the inside. Nobody comes off very well, not the liberal senator that Dev Conrad, the narrator, works for, and certainly not his opponent. Everybody wants to win, and if that means playing dirty, so be it.

Nearly every page of this book has some sharp observation or some penetrating insight into the political system. Sometimes both. If this is the first of a new series, I'm all for it. By all means, check it out.