4 out of 4 stars
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The Wingman is the second in David Pepper’s series about political reporter Jack Sharpe. Full disclosure; I haven’t read The People’s House, the first in the series, and there are events and characters referenced in The Wingman which are obviously from that story. However, I didn’t find that my lack of knowledge regarding the first book was an impediment to enjoying this one. The story stands perfectly well alone.
Now a high-flyer at a political news station, Jack Sharpe sees something strange while moderating his first TV debate between the Democratic candidates vying to be their party’s nominee for the presidency. One of the candidates is distinctly uncomfortable with talking about events during his military career which earned him a Silver Star, and Jack’s journalistic instincts take over. There’s a story to be found, and he and his team of intrepid researchers will follow, no matter where it leads. Through the complex world of special interest groups and dark-money SuperPACs, Jack must follow the story, even when it leads into terrible danger, because nothing less than the future of the free world may depend on it.
The author is the current Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, and his knowledge of politics and the law really shines through in his writing. As a British-born Australian, the American political system appears opaque and quite bizarre to me, but the process of electing a Presidential nominee at least is a lot more understandable after reading this book. David Pepper never overwhelms you with jargon, but includes explanations and procedure seamlessly within the structure of the story.
This is an absolutely riveting read. I couldn’t put it down until the very end, because the action just kept on coming. I won’t spoil the ending, but suffice it to say there were several intriguing little twists I didn’t see coming, and I finished the book musing on the aphorism “if you lie down with dogs, you’ll get up with fleas”. Considering the current events in American politics, this couldn’t be more timely, though any politicians with a scandal hidden in their pasts might find it hits a little too close to home!
I’d strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good political or action thriller. I’m an extremely picky proofreader, but I didn’t find a single spelling error or typo to distract from my enjoyment of the story. I have no hesitation in rating The Wingman four out of four stars.
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The Wingman
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