Robert S. Levinson, Where the Lies Begin

Where the Lies Begin

Robert S. Levinson

Five Star, May 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 159414432X

Federal chief of the Department of Domestic Terrorism, legendary Rupert Bachman asks former LAPD chief turned County Board of Supervisors Daniel "Duke" Marion to help them. Apparently, terrorist Bruno Guy is willing to turn himself in, but only if his friend Duke is there to ensure his safety. Rupert further explains, that in exchange for amnesty Bruno will provide the location of seven bombs at seven government buildings in seven cities planted by the Freedom Militia. Duke agrees.

Duke and Bruno are to make contact with one another at the Lifetime Achievement Award gala honoring legendary actress turned Princess Nell Fontanne. However, Duke is forced to kill an assassin who was trying to shoot Nell. Thus he fails to meet Bruno. Current Police Chief Paul Crescent leads a media blitz condemning vigilante justice, which leads into a Grand Jury investigation that Rupert manipulates. A distracted Duke realizes he needs to meet with Bruno, not just because they are pals, but more so because the clock ticks away with many lives in jeopardy.

WHERE THE LIES BEGIN is a complex espionage thriller in which it is impossible to tell who the good guys are, at least from the vantage point of Duke. For instance Rupert's men are zealots in which means does not matter, only the ends; if innocents die so what, as collateral damage happens. This makes the tale even more complicated and that much more fun to read, as the audience tries to determine who's on whose side. Robert S. Levinson writes an interesting tale of deceit in high and low places that his fans will appreciate.