Capitol Venture

The writing duo of Mikulski, a U.S. senator from Maryland, and journalist Oates send the star of their debut, Capitol Offense (1996) on the campaign trail in this sluggish second effort. Having previously been appointed to fill an empty senate seat, Pennsylvania's Eleanor ""Norie"" Gorzack now must run to keep her spot. Opposing her in the election is Hank Dugdale, a good-looking but predictably sleazy adversary who tries to trip her up. This political tale, about as thrilling as a congressional debate, places the squeaky clean Gorzack and her band of loyal supporters in the midst of murder and mayhem as a congressman and then a union biggie meet mysterious deaths. Both men had been preparing to impart information to Gorzack relating to her investigation of a unique form of leukemia which has struck some Vietnam vets who were also employed in the building industry. This development and the existence of a virulently anti-Gorzack web page sponsored by a paramilitary group has the incumbent campaigning, perhaps, for her life. Unfortunately, the characters are stick figures better suited to spouting political bromides than to moving forward this inert and unengaging plot. (Oct.)