Flashpoint

A cynical view of the electoral process enlivens Gorman’s entertaining fourth mystery featuring political consultant Dev Conrad (after 2012’s Blindside). At a major fund-raiser in Chicago, incumbent Sen. Robert Logan fails to heed Conrad’s warning to stay away from stunning Tracy Cabot, who’s been following Logan’s campaign all over Illinois. Four days later, Logan’s re-election chances plummet after the discovery of Cabot’s body on the floor of his remote cabin. Conrad picks up a hint that “political saboteur” Howie Ruskin was connected with Cabot and perhaps behind her involvement with Logan, but is flummoxed when Ruskin turns to him for help with a problem. Conrad has a full plate with Logan’s fractured family, including his emotionally fragile wife and his womanizing younger brother. Meanwhile, a contrite, ready to resign Logan still holds something back. Everyone has secrets, and Conrad has to unravel enough of them to find a killer and salvage a candidate. Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary Agency. (Sept.)