Customer Reviews

Capitol Offense

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Fans of crime novels and detective fiction will find much to enjoy in Mike Doogan's Nik Kane stories. What sets Capitol Offense apart is its rare peek inside an Alaska few writers and no tourists ever see: political, urban Alaska. Mike's uniquely qualified to guide this journey, of course, owing to a deep background in Alaska journalism and politics. Has a sitting state legislator ever written a thriller like this one?

Some reviewers have criticized the plot as fanciful or overly rococo; they just don't know Alaska politics. An even more intercine scandal is unfolding on the front pages of the state's newspapers even as you read this...

CAPITOL OFFENSE (Unl. Inves-Nik Kane-Alaska-Cont) - Okay
Doogan, Mike - 2nd in series
Berkeley Prime Crime, 2008, US Paperback - ISBN: 9780425223024

First Sentence: Baby Santos got off the elevator on the fifth floor of the Alaska State Capitol.

Nik Kane is an ex-cop, ex-alcoholic, tying to rebuild his life and his relationship with his son. Nik has been hired as investigator for the defense of Alaska legislator Matthew Hope. Matthew was found, with the murder weapon in his hand, standing over the body of a scantily clad woman, aide to a conservative Senator. As Kane investigates, the threats on his life escalate proving that politics is a dangerous business.

Although written in 2007 this is a very timely book with it's subject of politics in Alaska, and it doesn't paint a very favorable picture.

For me, one of the most delightful things is chapter heading quotation by a political leader or journalist. The story starts off well, starts to crumble and falls apart at the end. It was predictable.

My other issue was that, other than the protagonist, I didn't really care for any of the characters. I have to have at least either plot or characters about which to care. Here, I had neither.

This was very disappointing.

Just under a decade ago in Juneau, he was considered one of Anchorage's best police detectives; than a night of off duty drinking led to his shooting a twelve year old boy, who a witness claimed was unarmed. Convicted he spent seven years in prison with the end of his reputation. Freed early because the witness admitted he lied as the kid carried, he recently was exonerated, but his wife who stood by him during the trial and incarceration is divorcing him and the APD refuses to take him back. Fiftyish Nik Kane has become a private investigator.

His former boss Police Chief Jeffords hires him to find proof that Native Alaskan state legislator Matthew Hope did not kill the beautiful young assistant. All the circumstantial evidence points in his direction. As he begins to dig around the capital, his estranged son, working as a summer intern there, rejects any contact with him. Meanwhile someone wants Nik to stop his inquiry and that someone has arranged beatings of the sleuth and threatens more than just bodily harm. Nik knows he has frightened the person he assumes is the real culprit.

Juneau is a refreshing change as most Alaskan mysteries showcase the stark beauty of the state's vast wilderness. The story line is fast-paced although the plot has been done many times before albeit in the Lower Forty-eight. Nik is an interesting acrimonious individual as he knows he needs to move past his bitterness but finds it impossible not to react with sarcasm and childish anger. Fans of Alaskan mysteries will enjoy his second escapade (see LOST ANGEL) even if he follows his gut more than the clues.

Harriet Klausner

Combines several of my favorite things: Alaska, the noir genre, murder mystery, police procedural, flawed yet heroic protagonist, fascinating characters, intricate and zippy-plotting, ... and, oh yeah, great writing! Doogan's a fun, quick-witted writer who offers up a story with soul balanced with a mystery that will keep you engrossed and guessing. Give it a try! (And be sure to look for the prequel "Lost Angel" and the third book in the series, "Skeleton Lake.")

Well done. Now that I know there are more from Mike Doogan, I will be putting
them on my new Kindle. Just a goood read!