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MAN IN THE MIDDLE
by Brian Haig
Warner Books, January 2007
416 pages
$25.99
ISBN: 0446530565


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Sean Drummond has several hats, a mouth the size of Washington DC and attitude to match.

I'd read one previous Brian Haig book before MAN IN THE MIDDLE, and my reaction was identical – good plotting and a memorable hero, but hellfire and damnation, can't he shut up now and then?

I felt with MAN IN THE MIDDLE that Haig's focus on building a contrary and annoying character with a heart of gold really did bog down the action at times. In the first 100 pages a body is found, departments argue over territory and the dead man's ex-wife is interviewed. And that's it. The rest is back-chat which slows down what should be a strong opening.

Amidst a backdrop of the war in Iraq and upcoming presidential elections, Cliff Daniels, a high-ranking defense department official, is found dead in his apartment. Army lieutenant colonel Drummond, also with CIA responsibilities, finds himself paired with Bian Tran, a military policewoman, and they start to unravel Daniels' links to an Iraqi exile who wants to overthrow Saddam Hussain.

Once Sean and Bian are in Iraq, though, that's another matter. Haig finally proves less is more with some tense action as the ill-matched pair are smuggled into Falluja and an absolutely stunning scene between Sean and a nurse, where they're surrounded by soldiers with body parts blown off.

The book could certainly take a cut or two to tighten up the action, but ultimately it's likely to stand or fall by your views on the hero. Sean's not quite as smart as he thinks he is, and if you like a main character who resembles a pub bore (or boar, come to think of it), he's your man. In fact. Most people stuck in his company for more than a couple of minutes would be likely to tip a pint of beer over his head.

I found the book to be an enjoyable read, but couldn't help thinking that it didn't quite deliver what it claimed to. Most of the book has the theme of corruption in high places. And then suddenly there's a twist from out of a clear blue sky that takes the book in a different direction. It takes what might have been a strong topical and political thriller into the personal, and I'm not sure it worked for me.

Haig has plenty to say about American politics, foreign policy and what passes for truth and lies in wartime. But these points are often buried beneath Drummond's waffle and wise-cracking.

If this is a series you've enjoyed to date, then MAN IN THE MIDDLE will no doubt do you fine. If you're new to Haig, I wouldn't start with this one.

Reviewed by Sharon Wheeler, January 2007

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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