Sean Drummond and Imelda Pepperfield are at it again. Sean’s old flame from years ago has called for help. Her husband General Morrison, is arrested and has asked Sean to work the worst case of treason in history. This time, Sean is left to unconventional methods of hired help. Katrina, a non-military lawyer, who is the only one available that speaks Russian and much like Sandra Bullock in Erin Brockovich, but don’t be fooled by appearances! Sean’s rival and JAG prosecutor, Eddie, does not let up when it comes to evidence. He is sneaky, vindictive and arrogant to the point of sending baseball bats to the defense team after he wins. Tons of twists and turns as Sean and Katrina delve into the evidence trying to make sense of their client’s charges as they watch them pile up. Treason, conduct unbecoming, adultery, murder, espionage and the list goes on and on. Once again, a frame up theory is possible, only this time, from the highest source. Everyone is involved. The CIA, FBI and yes, even the White House staff as well as Moscow, the SVR and KGB. When Sean and Katrina interview dozens of people, it is evident that their client is guilty but there is ONE mistake even the CIA didn't catch and then all hell breaks loose. Sean and Katrina are running for their lives as they desperately try to find anyone they can trust. They must out-think their players and it all becomes a chess game, who will be the last King standing. Foreign policy between countries is scary stuff. I think I learned a few things about that in this book and I can say one thing for sure. Ignorance is not only blissful but much much safer. This book would jar or disquiet even the most perceptive individual who tends to think a lot. Good god, I love this series. I felt so angry by the end I wanted to throw something. Not because this story was awful but because of the way - ends, justify the means - in governments. The way whistleblowers are treated, the cover ups to keep the peace between nations. Kill 10 innocents to save a million others and my own list goes on and on. Like I said in the first review of this series. These stories test the very foundation of your own morals and ethics so much that you are staggering for reason, cohesion, and most of all righteousness. It asks you - What would you do? What decisions would you make? We need a woman president damnit. *chuckling*
This is the third book in the Sean Drummond series. This time, Sean's old girlfriend begs him to represent her husband General Morrison, who is being accused of treason and critical information with the Russians. And it gets worse. Sean Drummond is up against his arch-enemy, Fast Eddie - who's had six months to sort through evidence. Hmm. Not looking good. So Sean snags a sexy Russian-speaking lawyer, Katrina Mazorski, to help him with the case (she wears skintight pants and bellybutton rings. tact required.) Together they begin pawing through the dirt on Morrison. Turns out there's a lot of dirt. Morrison is, of course, looking guiltier and guiltier. Of course, Morrison claims he was framed. In the face of overwhelming evidence, espionage, super geniuses, and muder-by-Bic-pen, can Drummond prove his client's innocence? I'd have to say this is one of my favorite of the Sean Drummond novels. It's classic. Everything you want or expect is here - the self-depreciating humor, the attempts on his life, the insurmountable odds, and the two or three twist endings that leave you gape-jawed going "whoah..." I can read pretty much any Sean Drummond novel and now matter how sucky things get, I know Sean will seriously one-up the badguys. That's what makes this series so great. But "The Kingmaker" has a slightly different flavor than the first two books. The ending was interesting, and the romance was refreshingly different than Sean's own little thing. Plus there was a little less talk about how crappy/uptight/hilariously petty Washington can be, and a little more cloak-and-dagger. Final Opinion: Another fun Sean Drummond novel that rises slightly above it's peers. 4 stars.
What do You think about The Kingmaker (2003)?
I love the Sean Drummond character series by Brian Haig. I think there are six of them, this is the third one in the series. Sean is a JAG lawyer for "special circumstances" so he only handles special cases. His character is funny and stubborn, but usually does the right thing. He also has a way of making everybody he works with mad and is a major headache for his boss. His boss tends to lend him out to other agencies as much as possible just to get rid of him. If you love books about lawyers and their cases you will love these books.
—Kay Miller
4.5 stars ✨
—Kelly Stewart
This is one of those quick reads that feel like a break from deep thought. This isn't to say its a mindless read because some - ok most - of this espionage and Russia stuff is over my head. This is a book about a JAG lawyer, Sean Drummond, who is hired to represent General Morrison who is accused of "the worst case of treason in U.S. history". To complicate matters, Morrison's wife, a CIA boss lady, is an old girlfriend for whom he still has feelings. What Drummond finds is "this simple case of treason is actually a chess game being played at the highest levels by the best and brightest-one in which Morrison is merely a pawn."The narrative is funny and delightful. I really enjoyed reading Drummond's story from his clever, flawed point of view. This view lends to a very one-sided development of only the main character, however, but I'm not sure it would have been as fun to read otherwise. Ultimately a typical spy thriller with not too much of a surprise ending. Same suspense, same romantic tensions, same conspiracies, same action. So not a favorite, not one I need to own, and I'd likely not recommend it, but it was a delightful read.
—Kim Mack
