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The plot of Allen Eskens suspenseful novel THE GUISE OF ANOTHER revolves about solving a mystery of identity theft, a focus described by the title. Minneapolis detective Alexander Rupert becomes involved in the case almost by accident. He has been demoted to a low profile desk in the fraud division because of his possible connection to a police corruption ring. A lawyer he knows presents him with an interesting case. The lawyer had been contacted by a woman, Ianna Markova, who wanted help in securing the assets of her wealthy partner, James Putnam, killed in a head-on collision. They had not been married, so the lawyer went in search of next of kin. He discovered that the dead man had a brother, currently in jail. But when he visited, the prisoner told him that the man in the photo the lawyer showed him was not his brother and that he had not heard from his brother in years.
Alexander begins to believe that this accident victim had stolen the identity of James Putnam. Where was the real Putnam, and who was the person killed in the car crash? As Alexander delves deeper, he discovers that an event in New York some years earlier seems to have been the beginning of Putnam's career. Wanting to become involved with a high-profile case to regain his reputation, Alexander travels to New York City and meets with a detective there. Meanwhile, a New York businessman contacts ruthless Balkan assassin Drago Basta to warn him about the on-going investigation. Basta, who has a gruesome personal history and places little value on human life, takes an immediate flight to the United States to deal with those who are trying to solve the Putnam mystery.
Other intriguing characters fill out the novel. Alexander's older brother Max, also a police detective, is most concerned with Alexander's upcoming appearance before the grand jury and is frustrated that his brother shows little interest in preparing for it, since it is a chance for him to prove his innocence. Desiree, Alexander's wife, has grown cold toward him since he lost his elite status, and he suspects she may be carrying on an affair. The plot has many twists and turns, and the author is not afraid to sacrifice characters. Truth hides behind many cover-ups, and by the book's end we may discover that others besides James Putnam are not who they at first appear to be.
§ Anne Corey is a writer, poet, teacher and botanical artist in New York's Hudson Valley.
Reviewed by Anne Corey, October 2015
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