THE LADYKILLERS WAR

In this fifth installment of a series, a New York City private eye hunts a murderous group targeting newly elected female politicians, including his wife.

Max Christian has supported his wife, Meridew, during her congressional run and eventual triumph, though he’s dreading the New York to Washington, D.C., commute. But the private investigator has good reason to worry after a call from police detective Tina Falcone, his friend and former partner at Manhattan South homicide. Tina tells Max of an active-shooter incident in the Bronx in which the victims were a just-elected congresswoman, her family, and her campaign manager. The shooter, who’s currently in the hospital, had a note indicating he’s a member of an organization that is after “man-hating females” in Congress. Suspecting his wife may be a target, Max enlists the help of Florida-based PI pal Nick Testa, who sends his trusted private detective colleague Ray Peterson to keep an eye on Meridew. Nick, meanwhile, chases a bail jumper, Lanny Griggs, who happens to belong to the same group of domestic terrorists—called the LadyKillers Liberation Army. This band has already murdered another congresswoman, along with her family, considered “collateral damage.” Max, Tina, and Nick gather information and track down other members of the so-called army, who, along with an incel mindset, have a fear of women “taking over the world.” The three detectives, joined by Max’s PI partner, who calls himself Ahab, employ occasionally brutal techniques to get some people to talk. They hope to stop the group as well as its elusive leader, “the Colonel,” before Meridew or any other female politician dies.

Goldman, who wrote the novel with PI Malatesta, offers a sharp and focused series entry. For example, despite numerous characters, who include Nick’s goddaughter, Dani, acting as a bodyguard for another congresswoman, the tale rarely strays from the main plot. As in preceding installments, various conversations dominate the pages. In this case, Max and others are determined to extract intelligence from suspects, which entails such acts as physical abuse and unlawful detainment. But readers won’t likely sympathize with these men or the loathsome statements they brazenly make about women. Standouts in the story’s cast are female characters, particularly Meridew and Tina. The former’s refusal to “hide” or cower from the terrorists isn’t stubborn or reckless; it’s instead sheer tenacity, as she affirms that she represents the people who voted her into office. Similarly, Tina, who’s more by-the-books than Max and Nick, displays an impressive amount of restraint when questioning a suspect who insults her both as a woman and a lesbian. Tina also has some of the best lines, which are indicative of Goldman’s keen dialogue. While complaining about the FBI, she asserts: “These feebs are a bunch of suit-and-tie guys with spit-polished black Florsheims. You’ve seen ’em work—they only move around in pairs, like Siamese twins checking up on each other.” Even if tracking down terrorist suspects involves minimal mystery and investigation, there are still surprises in the final act and ultimate wrap-up.

An exceptional series entry with a remarkable private detective and strong supporting characters.