Warner, May 2002, 24.95, 485 pp.
ISBN: 0446530263
Three American soldiers apparently raped and killed a Korean soldier Le No Tae, the son of the South Korean Armed Forces Defense minister. The tumultuous situation is filled with riots and protests especially surrounding the ninety five American camps in the country. The Organization for Gay Military Members has hired civilian lawyers to defend the three soldiers. Still wearing his shorts from his aborted Bermuda vacation, Major Sean Drummond learns that his former law student enemy Katherine Carlson is co-counsel, or more descriptive lead council, as she reads the riot act to the Commander in Charge and Drummond.
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Drummond as the token military on the defense team feels like the outsider arguing principals and law every step the way. As Carlson bashes diplomats and the military, the press finds her a delight while Drummond finds her dangerously seductive even as he feels his first homosexual case has tanked his career. Just when it seems nothing could get worse, Drummond realizes he must learn why Carlson selected him before he gets drummed out of the service.
MORTAL ALLIES is an action-packed thriller that uses humor to accentuate an exhilarating story line. As he did in his debut appearance, SECRET SANCTION, Drummond employs amusing self-deprecation as a protective device since no one in the military befriends a JAG officer. Carlson is a fantastic counterpoint to Drummond and hopefully returns to antagonize and entice the hero. The twisting plot provides an insightful look at the Korean Peninsula situation. Readers will tell those who ask that Brian Haig is the secretary of state when it comes to strong military legal thrillers.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner