Review:COLLATERAL DAMAGE by Michael Bowen
Harriet Klausner
St. Martin's June 1999; $20.95 hardcover 224 pp; ISBN 0-312-20289-X
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