Andrews,
Russell. Aphrodite. Mysterious. January 2004. c. 352p. ISBN
0-89296-784-6. $23.95. Fiction.
In Washington, D.C., an intern waiting
to meet her married lover, a government official. In London,
an internationally esteemed scientist rushes from a lecture
hall to pick up an awestruck grad student. On Long Island,
NY, a perky journalist has just messed up the facts in an old
man’s obituary. All three are killed, but their deaths
remain unconnected until small-town cop Justin Westwood starts
investigating the journalist’s case. Westwood is unable
to stop doubts from kindling the last flickers of his dormant
professionalism—especially when the FBI shows up and
a team of killers starts wiping out his witnesses—but
he comes to regret his decision when he is set up. Now, solving
the puzzle (which means unraveling a conspiracy that involves
the government itself) becomes a matter of personal survival.
Featuring great villains, an intriguing protagonist, and action
as satisfying as a night with Aphrodite, Andrews’ third
thriller (after Gideon and Icarus) is a seductive read from
start to finish. Highly recommended.