THE LAKE EFFECT

by Les Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 15, 1994

A double departure for industrial-security specialist Milan Jacovich (The Cleveland Connection, 1993, etc.): To repay a favor from slimy, well-dressed Victor Gaimari, he signs on as security chief for novice Barbara Corn's underdog mayoral campaign way out in the pristine suburb of Lake Erie Shores. Uncomfortable with both the turf and the job (""This was the first time I'd ever been hired to keep anyone from hurting my client's feelings"") -- not to mention his queasiness about the Gaimari connection, which screams setup -- Milan soon finds that the campaign faces even bigger problems than Barbara's pathetic intimidation by Princess True, gimlet-eyed sister of long-term incumbent Gayton True. One: Barbara's take-charge husband, Evan, won't let her use the dirt about Gay True (ballot-tampering son, kiddie-porn brother-in-law) dug up by her savvy campaign manager, Cassandra Pride. Two: Somebody is sending threatening notes and calls to Barbara and Milan. Three: True's chief of security is a vindictive ex-cop who hasn't forgotten that Milan got him tossed off the force. Four: Princess True gets killed by a hit-and-run driver just days before the election. Milan sorts out these problems with vigor and occasional flashes of style, but his work is mostly dutiful, as if he were finishing a dubious four-course meal just to be polite. Even the political setup, which is indeed a fix, is a letdown, and the hit-and-run is from hunger. A pleasant couple of hours -- well, more hours than usual for Milan -- but don't be fooled: This ragbag of subplots is untidy rather than complex.

Pub Date: Dec. 15, 1994

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Dunne/St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1994

Categories: FICTION