Through his Tom Bethany character, a private investigator with no clear clientele, but an intense focus on righting wrongs, Doolittle lets readers know immediately-NO, NOW!-what's wrong with bureaucrats, lots of businessmen, some cops, lawyers and many others whose very existence makes others suffer. And, oh, yeah. Lots of Republicans.

Now, to be fair, he also tackles dopey Democrats and their occasional, in Doolittle's view, misdeeds. Jimmy Carter comes in for a regular swipe for having refused to allow the United States to participate in the 1980 Olympics because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. (Even as I write this, that move does seem to be rather dumb, and I like Jimmy Carter). But the Republicans really take a pounding, regularly and incisively, almost to the point of wincing, which I maybe, just might do if I could stop laughing and nodding in agreement. Not just any Republicans, mostly just the indicted ones.

While Doolittle is making clear his views, he works them very cleverly, though not stealthily, into the storyline of each of his books.

And, now, the storyline for Strangle Hold.

Tom Bethany is a low-key, somewhat paranoid but very human private investigator in Cambridge, Mass.

Bethany takes on a job investigating the death of Morty Limbach, who appears to have committed suicide. Limbach was the son of extremely rich parents, who think he was a total failure for having gone left in his politics. His main work in life was funding a group of troupe of actors, whose flaws as individuals is on display throughout the story.

Limbach may have been engaged in auto-erotica when he died, which helps feed the urge to cover up how he died. An insurance policy payoff worth a quarter of a million dollars rides on the determination of how he died.

Needless to say, Bethany figures out the case--it's murder--and who did it and why. Using a minimum of violence, though more is implied, he confronts and captures the bad guy.

The story moves along nicely, building in little subplots, painting character portraits and mixing in a nice blend of people, from the wife of a retired bishop, to a female med student with a string of boyfriends to a cop with a strong sense of duty to a girlfriend married to a late-blooming gay man. All are characters rather different from the usual folks found in crime stories. Bethany doesn't live in an aha-gotcha! world. He lives by his wits. It's Doolittle's writing and depiction of people that sell the story, because, after all, how interesting is one poor little rich guy whose parents didn't love him? We're sympathetic but heck, missing interns and dallying congressmen provide more exciting possibilities. His insight into people, their character flaws and their motivation, and his running social commentary, make the reading far too good to pass up.

If you're a Republican, you can still read this book, because after all, foibles are foibles, and you can shift them over in your brain to any number of Democrats if you'd prefer. I just happen to find them extra hilarious because his comments happen to target real people.

The first novel to introduce Tom Bethany, a quirky, enigmantic PI, with a mysterious past, ex-Air America, Ex-CIA, ex-Harvard, and a Semi-Pro Wrestler, now acting as Left Wing Muscle. The character is very much like the Writer in background, and if you missed Doolittles books you are in for a suprise. They really predate the Lehane, Burke, Hiasson, Harlan Coben and Crais books, Very funny, ironic, Trageic but ultimately uplifting. Great Dialog, and very paranoid.

The story centres on Bethany being hired to check up on the mysterious death of a wealthy weirdo, who appears to have died in a bizzare sexual ritual, like the guy from INXS (Mike Hutchincene). The wills benefactor is the ACLU, wo are the sole benefactor form a weird Insurance policy, while lowlifes appear representing the familiy, and a house of wired misfit actors, and only Tom Bethany can uncover the truth behind the death.

Great Characters, I laughed out loud at ?The Hocker? one of the best. Do read as soon as possible. Like all his books catches you on Page one, and then the squeeze is on. Thankfully back in print.

Architect Matthew Gray has his hands full. He's dealing with the loss of his father, and trying to find the saboteur at his
family's mining operation. The unexpected arrival of lovely Bethany is one more complication he doesn't need. Nevertheless, the two work well together, forming a realistic bond that will last through time.

Another Susan Plunkett winner. I can't wait for Caitlin's story!

Architect Matthew Gray grieves the loss of his father when Bethany lands at his feet. Matthew, who believes someone is sabotaging his family's mining operation, wonders what to do with this bewildered witch, who soon takes over the local teaching position. As they fall in love, will Bethany be able to make the commitment to Matthew; an emotion she never could do in what was her birth decade.

The second River of Time tale is an engaging time travel romance that will excite the audience with its insightful look at the gay nineties in Alaska. As with the lead female in the first novel (ALICIA'S SONG), Bethany adapts too easily to a less technological era. Still the audience will admire her courage to overcome her demons (from a car accident that injured her and killed her parents) to find love with Matthew. BETHANY'S SONG is a winner that will leave sub-genre fans wanting to quantum leap into the future to read the concluding tale starring Caitlin.

Harriet Klausner

Private Detective Corbett calls his friend Hawkshaw to ask a favor. An anonymous assailant is stalking Corbett's client and the signs seem to indicate the individual is about to explode, placing Kate Kanady and her young son Charlie in grave danger. Corbett wants Hawkshaw to hide the widow and her child until the danger passes. Reluctantly, Hawkshaw agrees because he owes Corbett for saving his life during their Secret Service days together.

Hawkshaw meets Kate and Charlie at the Key West Airport. He then drives them to his isolated home at Cobin Keys. A frightened but brave Kate knows this is a temporary haven until she can resettle elsewhere. However, Charlie and Hawkshaw immediately become pals as the youngster worships the older person as if he was his father. Kate begins to fall in love with her recalcitrant host as she watches his patience with Charlie. Still, he wants to reconcile with his ex-wife and Kate has to deal with a stalker and the future of her child.

Readers rightfully hold Bethany Campbell in high esteem for her tremendous romantic suspense dramas. Her latest entry into the sub-genre, THE GUARDIAN, strengthens her standing even as it appears to be another best seller. The story line is filled with stratospheric levels of suspense as Ms. Campbell manages to cleverly place her heroine in a soup stirred by a stalker seemingly of mythological proportions. The blossoming of the love between the lead protagonists feels warm even as both have their doubts. Finally, the wonderful relationship between the two males adds depth because Charlie's attention deficit disorder seem trifle to Hawkshaw. This story validates the belief that Ms. Campbell has become synonymous with the best in romantic suspense.

Harriet Klausner