" So Pennington trades his war years for a ticket to the White House and Engstrom plans the second American Revolution, Vail said." This is the premise behind Diehl s (Show of Evil, LJ 4/15/95) new Martin Vail novel. Illinois state attorney general Vail is called upon by President Lawrence Pennington to seek a trial case against one of the largest militia outfits in the country. The leader of this outfit, Gen. Joshua Engstrom, just happens to be an old adversary of the president, putting Vail in the middle of a dangerous situation. Vail must also relive the past when unwillingly faced with his nemesis from years ago, serial killer Aaron Stampler, who has now become blind Brother Transgression. The meshing of these storylines is intricate yet easily followed as the tension mounts. Diehl s exciting mystery teaches the reader never to think that it is over?until it is really over. Recommended for all public libraries.

-?Stacey Reasor, ITT Technical Inst. Lib.,Tampa, Fla.

Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.