Warren Adler is a prolific and talented writer of books, plays, and screen plays. His play and subsequent movie, the highly successful “War of the Roses,” earned numerous awards and he has sold film rights for another 12 of his books, a testament to the appeal of his writing. “American Quartet” was the first of 8 in a series featuring Detective Fiona Fitzgerald, an unlikely presence on the Washington, DC police force that’s known for its rowdy male domination. Fitzgerald fights through the expected disdain held for a white woman cop and earns respect for her sharp mind, fearlessness, and smart mouth. She also enjoys a lusty roll in the hay as is often pointed out by the author.In “American Quartet” a killer roams the streets of the nation’s capital and frustrates investigators with an agenda that seems random but has a strange sense of order about it. Along with a wildly opinionated and unconventional black detective, Jefferson, the pair often finds themselves in trouble with departmental brass because of their unruly techniques that are seemingly unproductive. But through persistence and mind numbing investigation techniques, Fitzgerald comes to the conclusion that the random killings all have distinctive similarities to the assassinations of three American Presidents. The current President is still alive but for how long? Another assassination plot is likely but can she find the assassin before the killing takes place?Adler takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of Washington, DC. Many famous landmarks are tramped through by both the killer and his pursuers. Ethnic neighborhoods and their citizens are also portrayed as well as the politicos, who frequently show their underwear.Adler is a gifted essayist, writer, poet and playwright credited with about 50 original works whose themes touch brilliantly on human relationships, love and attraction, corruption, aging, and family unity under stress. Insight and intelligence are endemic in his precise writing that incorporates superb word choice and impeccable grammar. Before his success as a writer, he owned radio and TV stations, an advertising and public relations firm, and created a literary magazine. It all comes together as foundation for his rich literary sense.I recommend this book as an entertaining and worthwhile read. I enjoyed it and will be checking out more of Adler’s work.
REVIEW OF AMERICAN QUARTET. BY WARREN ADLERFiona Fitzgerald needs no introduction if you have a penchant for suspense, thrills, murder and mayhem. Warren Adler is making her a must read for lovers of this genre. A cop with impeccable connections on the social scene, her place in the hierarchy of the MPD is tenuous. She is a white woman in a force dominated by black male officers. She has to really prove herself to gain credence with her superiors and the author has produced a plot worthy of this career policewoman.Early on we are introduced to the villain of the piece,Thaddeus Remington. We know what he is doing, but why is he so obsessed with the history of past Presidents who were assassinated.To top it off, her lover has political ambitions and tries to manipulate Fiona for his own ends. I hope this is enough to whet your appetite for this gripping thriller. I enjoyed every minute of the book and look forward to reading more of Fiona Fitzgerald's exploits.
What do You think about American Quartet (1981)?
With all the ingredients for an absorbing and fast-paced mystery, American Quartet is faithful to the DC scene and portrays the light and dark sides of Washington very well. The interplay between the characters is very real and substantially contributes to the power of the book. It is definitely a story that is hard to put down. The many mini-mysteries within the story are icing on the central story of a psychotic killer who recreates assassinations from the past using innocent victims. Fiona Fitzgerald is a brilliant construct. She is not a super-hero but a real person, with all the angst that a human has. I'm looking forward to seeing more about her. This book is a great read!
—Jay Williams
I would say 3-4 stars. This was an interesting book once I got into it. It really isn't so much a mystery as it is a novel about crime and politics. It was also a really great history lesson! It made me want to know more about presidential assassinations. The killer kind of reminded me of Dandy from American Horror Story and Norman Bates from Psycho. He had some serious issues. SERIOUS ISSUES!!! There were a few graphic scenes that disturbed me, mostly involving him. There was a lot of sexism and racism involved, a lot of talk about what it is to be a man or a woman. It was written in the early 80's so times were different back then. But overall, Warren Adler is a good writer and it was a fun read! If you do any in depth research about presidential assassinations you will see how much research Adler did and how every single thing in the book had meaning.
—Rachel
American Quartet, by William Adler was more a historical/societal book than a classic "whodunit," mystery. That is not said to bring the book down in any way. As I read the book I did not realize I had read the author before, in a better book (The TransSiberian Express). Anyway, as many reviewers have stated already you are introduced to the killer right away and we go along for the ride as the police, Fiona Fitzgerald, tries to place the pieces of the puzzle together. If you like Washington DC, this author, or assassinated US Presidents hisotry, this is the book for you. Recommended for sure!
—Jay
