My husband picked up a copy of Donald Bain's continuation of Margaret Truman's Capitol Crimes Series, Allied in Danger (#752). Donald Bain himself is now deceased, but oh, how I miss Margaret Truman's writing! Mr. Bain apparently worked closely with her during her writing career, but even so, I don't think his work comes anywhere close to hers.
Mackenzie Smith and his wife Annabelle, attorneys both, appear peripherally here, but the action in this story is carried mainly by Mac's friend Robert Brixton, a private investigator with whom he shares office space. Mac has a client whose father was caught up in a Nigerian financial scam, and after squandering all his savings, killed himself. His son wonders if there is any way to recoup his father's losses. At the same time, Robert Brixton's friend working security at the British Embassy encounters a Nigerian Security Guard wearing a unique bracelet belonging to his murdered son. Donald Portland had been told two years ago that his son was killed by rebels while on assignment in the Nigerian Delta. If so, how did the bracelet he wore at all times wind up in a London pub? Donald is determined to find out, and he enlists Robert's help.
I found that the book dragged in the beginning and middle, but ends rather abruptly, without tying up all the loose ends. It was a most unsatisfactory conclusion after a lot of work to get there. I could understand Donald Portland's motivation, but Robert Brixton's involvement to the point where he accompanies Donald on a dangerous trip to Nigeria strained credulity. Actually, I found myself heartily disliking Robert Brixton I failed to see why anyone, but especially his paramour (yes, he was proud of using that term to describe his live-in lover.) or the supposedly intelligent and discriminating Smiths would ever put up with him. I'm glad I never have to again. Not recommended.
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