Quantico Rules

Rating:
Summary: Skullduggery in the FBI.
Review: FBI agent Puller Monk, the Washington-based protagonist of Gene Riehl's thriller, "Quantico Rules," has been around the block a few times. He has worked both in the field and behind a desk, and he knows how the system works. He also knows how to work outside of the system when necessary. Monk's latest and most urgent assignment is to dig out background information about a Supreme Court nominee. With the help of his beautiful assistant, Lisa Sands, Monk discovers that the nominee may have some embarrassing skeletons in her closet. Furthermore, there are some powerful people who are willing to kill to make sure that these skeletons remain hidden.

Monk is an intriguing character. He is an excellent agent, but his personal life is a mess. He is a compulsive gambler who bets money that he cannot afford to lose, and he harbors a bitter grudge against his elderly father who abused him as a child. In addition, Monk's love life is nothing to write home about. However, his biggest concerns are keeping his job and staying alive, not necessarily in that order.

Riehl, a former FBI agent himself, knows this territory well, and he provides fascinating information about the history and culture of the FBI. I loved the details about the sophisticated gadgetry that agents use these days to catch the bad guys. The only downside is that, as often happens in thrillers of this type, the villains are nasty stereotypes instead of real people. Overall, however, "Quantico Rules" is entertaining, action-packed, and well worth your time.

Rating:
Summary: Rules Are Meant To Be Broken...
Review: Quantico Rules is a suspenseful thriller set in Washington, DC at FBI Headquarters. Special Agent Puller Monk is a wonderfully flawed lead character - he is a chronic gambler and professional liar who actually studies to defeat the lie detector tests to hide his illness from his superiors.

When the novel opens, Puller is leading the SPIN (Special Inquiries) squad that is conducting a routine background check for an African American Supreme Court nominee who has lied about a three-week unaccountable absence nearly thirty years ago. Puller's instinct propels him and a trusted rookie agent to dig further despite direct orders from the Assistant Director to wrap up the investigation within seven days.

When the college roommate of the nominee admits to keeping a diary which could provide incriminating evidence is murdered and Puller is attacked at the scene of the crime; he chooses to engage Quantico Rules - moreso the breaking of conventional rules and application of unorthodox techniques - to get to the bottom of the conspiracy. What happens next leads to more murder, mayhem, blackmail, and clues that point to a very unlikely and equally powerful culprit.

Puller is a troubled lead character who makes bad decisions but he is a likeable, wounded hero whose actions are well intentioned. The conspiracy theory within the novel is plausible and the plot is intricately laced with clues and filled with tense moments. The author delivers solid character development which allows the reader to clearly understand their actions and motives. This was an enjoyable read - hopefully this will not be the last time we read about the adventures of Puller Monk.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, The Nubian Circle Book Club

Rating:
Summary: Powerful investigative tale
Review: The FBI Special Inquiries Squad (SPIN) conducts the usual thorough background check on a presidential nominee, Judge Brenda Thompson, the first African-American woman nominated to the Supreme Court. Hooverite Kevin Finnerty tells his subordinate SPIN chief Puller Monk to provide the report yesterday. Though unfair, Puller figures this is such a straightforward case, he plans to go a Connecticut Indian reservation for some serious gambling. However, Special Agent Lisa Sands has found a falsification on Judge Thompson's personal security questionnaire.

Lisa persuades her boss to forget the gambling and help her follow up on the judge's prevarication. Though not easy for a compulsive gambler like Monk to ignore the pull of the casino, he agrees. However, the deeper inquiries soon lead to attempts on their lives and successful murders. To Monk his professional life seems under control compared to his personal life starting with his Alzheimer's dad and his drunken girlfriend. He mentally wagers with himself, which one will cause his next crisis?

QUANTICO RULES will rule the FBI thriller set with its powerful investigative tale. Monk is a great protagonist with flaws and troubles that overwhelm him at times. Lisa is a dedicated agent who still believes although the conspiracy has shaken her foundation. The romance subplot slows down the exciting investigative novel, but is limited so fans receive a strong tale that demonstrates Gene Riehl's real skills to spin an exciting story.

Harriet Klausner