Evil Town

by John David Bethel

The wife of popular Florida Congressman (and prospective Senatorial candidate) Clegg Caffery is murdered. FBI Special Agent Matt Thurston begins an investigation that leads him from the Pentagon to the small town of Clewiston, Florida in search of a photographer responsible for the photo found in the murdered woman's hand. He arrives too late. The man has committed suicide. Although Thurston uncovers a strange and suspicious story about the dead photographer that he believes is worthy of continued investigation, he is abruptly steered away from the case by his superiors. Angered by this turn of events, Thurston enlists the assistance of two reporters. With their involvement, he begins to peel away layers of lies and deceit hiding the truth about the murder. Along the way, Thurston slowly unravels a complex weave of story lines that includes a sex for hire plot involving the President's wife; an attempt by computer magnate Norman Bremen to subvert the workings of Congress to ensure the survival of his sugar interests in Florida; and the revelation of a cover-up of a war crime in Vietnam that threatens the Presidency. Although Evil Town is a work of fiction, it is based on historical and current events. The Vietnam element of the plot delves into the massacre of Vietnamese villagers at Co Luy. This occurred on the same day as the My Lai killings and happened as described in the novel. The military and political cover-up of the incident detailed in Evil Town is an interpretation of actual events that relegated Co Luy to the back pages of history. The description of the political maneuvering related to the restoration of the Everglades, and to the "sugar wars" in Florida, is a dramatization of the intrigue currently being played out by power brokers, the media and Congress on this issue. While it should come as no surprise that the drug war can be managed and waged for political purposes - a subplot in Evil Town - it is the subtleties of international politics that often allow this to happen. The novel provides insight on how this is possible. Through it all, Matt Thurston and his allies match wits with the most powerful in Washington putting themselves in harm's way. Truth, honor and justice are slippery concepts in this story of politics and fragile human relationships.

406 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2015

Reviews

[Teresa McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent political thriller.

[John Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic political mystery. Entirely believable as well given the nature of the entire behind the scenes deal making that defines Washington. Bethel is an authority on the subject having worked in the abyss for 20+ years. This is a nonpartisan book and a page turner. It's been a while since I read a book this fast.

[Michael Allen Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is obvious that the author spent a good deal of time in Washington and knows the ins and outs of the nature of corruption there. This one kept you guessing and except for a couple of slow areas moved very quickly to an ending that was surprising. Nice even flow of the story, interesting characters and plot line.
It goes to show that even the good guys can be bad sometimes.

[Dee]

Did not finish at 25%. Just not my cup of tea.