Ben Rehder Gun Shy

Gun Shy

Ben Rehder

St. Martin's, May 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0312357524

Blanco County, Texas Game Warden John Marlin, a member of the National Weapons Alliance (NWA), believes that people cause trouble not guns as he supports the right of citizens to bear arms. However, he also understands why his lover, police officer Nicole disagrees as she has been hurt by misuse of guns.

Their personal dispute turns heated when Rodolfo Domingues, a Mexican illegal immigrant, working the garden outside of popular country singer Mitch Campbell's home when he is shot dead by the famous crooner. John gets involved when the corpse is found and he realizes that the victim was moved from the homicide site to the new location. Digging a bit deeper John finds a link to NWA spokesperson Mitch, who hides the fact that he is Norman Kleinschmidt of snowbound Middlebury, Vermont. Concerned, John feels strongly he better solve the complex case before the NWA annual convention fingers point towards the group in light of the Campbell connection and much more.

Though somewhat convoluted with too many sidebars (especially Mitch's past), GUN SHY is a fine irreverent look at the Second Amendment debate over gun control. The arguments are at two levels, with groups on both sides making their case irregardless of valid information as neither side wants to hear the facts that support the opponent; while also inside the John-Nicole love nest is a battle over those same rights. Fans will enjoy this fine mystery as the ethical Marlin, unlike many of his NWA cronies, and the moralistic Nicole, unlike many of her gun control supporters, refuses to allow personal beliefs prevent them from uncovering the truth.