The Silent Conspiracy

Two years have passed since investigative reporter Jack Logan and TV producer Taylor Parks exposed the Institute, a secret organization trying to control high-ranking political and media leaders, in 2019’s The Network. Now, in this so-so sequel from the pseudonymous Shaw (Lynne Constantine, coauthor with her sister of The Wife Stalker as Liv Constantine), Jack and Taylor are happily married in New York City and the doting parents of a toddler. Jack is following a story about 18 murder-suicides committed by normally nonviolent people, and Taylor is producing a story about a class-action suit against a national insurance company with ruthless policies. As their respective stories intersect, the couple combine their research. Meanwhile, they’re unaware that their old foe Damon Crosse, the Institute’s director, faked his suicide in the previous book, and, in disguise, controls Taylor’s TV station. Tedious plotting, dense prose, and bland characters mar the plot, which centers on Crosse’s efforts to collect the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for betraying Jesus to further an evil plan. Fans of James Bond villains and Dan Brown knockoffs may be satisfied. [em]Agent: Bernadette Baker-Baughman, Victoria Sanders & Assoc. (Sept.) [/em]