Customer Reviews

The Khan Dilemma

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Ron Goodreau's "The Khan Dilemma" is a political thriller that hits home with domestic terrorism and political corruption. I found the story starting slow towards an ending that was well conceived and quite surprising. The characters were top notch. You have district attorney Rich Danko dealing with a federal investigation, prosecutor Max Siegel and his lovely wife Irina. Then there is Detective Dale Cox and Special Agent Ross and why is someone trying to kill Seigel? And then there is the Muslim factor. So much going on; one has to really sit down and delve into this story which wraps up quite nicely at the end.

Some cases are big breaks, others will break the lawyer. "The Khan Dilemma" is a novel telling of Max Siegel, as he faces the corruption of Las Cruces and a double homicide. It'd be like any other murder case to Max if it wasn't for the fact that the FBI and other people from Washington weren't showing up and paying way too much attention to what seems to be nothing more than your standard murder. Siegel soon finds that the rabbit hole goes deeper than what his eye sees, and he'll either gain much respect as a man of law, or find himself dead at the bottom of said hole. "The Khan Dilemma" is riveting reading that won't easy be put down.

The Khan Dilemma: A Review
A Review by [...] reviewer Jenna Arthur

In the Khan Dilemma the author shows he knows the corners of the
law and society`s fears of terrorism. Ron Goodreau brings us into the
hilt of a mysterious situation: Two men dead, an unsuspecting witness,
and a Pakistani suspect. Playing on the strings of our countries
fears, we follow Max Siegel- deputy district attorney, his confidant
Rappaport and their endless pursuit for the truth. Trapped in a
deadly game of cat and mouse, where no one knows the hero from villain,
the reader is forced to choose sides: Is the suspect guilty due to
race? OR Is the government not all it appears to be.
The book offers well written descriptive paragraphs and a
cohesive plot; however, with a slow start, unneeded vulgar sex scene,
and a character editing mistake (pg 71 \Felicia where should be
Leticia) the book leaves the reader a 50/50 chance of simply reading
the book not being able to move past small grievances OR loving the
plot and climax, about halfway through, which finally sends us down the
rabbit hole once again leaving us wanting more, and letting the reader
forgive small infractions in editing and speed. I was hesitant at
first but in the end the plot won me over, and I enjoyed the final
outcome. a good read for crime and political enthusiasts everywhere. I
hope you enjoy.

In my opinion, Ron Goodreau has turned out the best first novel I have ever read. He has mixed so many intriguing stories and characters into this book but there is no doubt where you are while reading. Some authors don't know when to stop introducing changing facets but Ron has worked it perfectly.

Bernard Harris was walking his dog in his quiet upscale California neighborhood when he heard a scream from a nearby house. As he got closer he heard shots fired followed by a noise like someone or something tumbling down the stairs. Then a loud noise came from the front door that sounded as though someone was trying to open the door but was having trouble in so doing. The door opened, out ran a man with a gun in his hand showing much surprise that someone was in the walkway blocking his escape. Harris carried an old police weapon called a sap, which was a hard object used in other times to persuade a victim to talk, but in this case Harris used it on the escaping mans head several times until he went down. The police came and arrested the man, Raheem Khan, not knowing what the fight or shooting was all about, only that there were victims in the house.

Detective Dale Cox was an old rugged cop that ran things by the seat-of-his-pants style. He arrived at the scene, got all the information he could from the first arrival cops, and from Mr. Harris. He was in charge and left no doubt regarding that fact. He spied a car in front of the house containing two men who he found out from the other cops were FBI, but they didn't go into the house. The house was very mysterious with little or no furnishings, clothing, or any lived in look. What was this Khan fellow doing in the house, what were the dead men's reasons for being there, and why the FBI guys outside? Before leaving the site, Cox went to the FBI agents car and discussed their part of this case. All they wanted at this time was for Cox and his bosses to cooperate with them in the case regardless of how it came out.

Richard Danko was the District Attorney for the county and was irate that Cox, a homicide cop, was visiting him in his office and bringing along two FBI agents. He was the DA and didn't want to have to associate with Cox or the FBI! Was it terrorism? He did agree to cooperate with them in this Khan case. Danko wanted to bring one of his enemies, former DA Max Siegel, in on the case because he wanted someone there to be the fall guy if needed. Max was married to a gorgeous woman, Irina, who also gets involved in the case.

I have gotten you into the story but I think this is far enough now that I have whetted your appetite. Believe me there is non-stop action right through the last page. There is intrigue, murder, cop vs. cop, DA vs. DA, and old friends and enemies trying to work together but still pulling in opposite directions. Who do you root for in this great novel? Who will end up working with who and who will turn on their fellow helpers?

The Khan Dilemma by Ron Goodreau is an interesting and exciting political thriller. Mr. Goodreau's plot subjects of are realistic enough to be seen daily in today's newspaper headlines. The plot moves at a good pace, and the story has a good blend of dialog and storytelling. People and place descriptions are thorough without being overdone.

The book started slowly for me, and although the character of Max was likeable enough, none of the characters really stood out. They were typical for this type of novel, but none of them had a boldness of personality that would create an intense interest for me. I was initially confused by the term "sap" and had never heard of this term referring to a weapon, so I guess I learned something.

I recommend The Khan Dilemma to anyone who likes a gritty crime/political thriller story.

At night in Las Cruces, California, Bernard Harris is out walking his dog near a house when a body flies through a window onto the street. A man rushes out the door waving a gun as he charges towards Bernard. Stunned but calm, Bernard takes out a sap from his pocket and conks the attacker on the head; knocking him out.

Police Detective Dale Cox arrives at the crime scene in twenty minutes, but to his amazement two FBI agents from the San Diego office are already there. Adding to his amazement is the apparent culprit Muslim Raheem Khan went after the passerby instead of shooting the outsider like he did two people; the one tossed through the window and one inside. Nothing adds up as the Clay County DA Rich Danko dumps the difficult prosecution on his most likely rival in the upcoming election Max Siegel as this high profile case is political suicide. Well aware what his boss is doing, Max is not prepared for attempts on his life, interference on his case from DC and much worse.

The Khan Dilemma is an exhilarating police procedural legal thriller that grips the audience from the opening scene until the final confrontation that will remind fans of a serious version of the Coen Brothers Burn After Reading. The story line is fast-paced but driven by the idealistic persistency of Max who refuses to give up as he peels away one concentric circle after another seeking the truth. Ron Goodreau provides an entertaining thriller with a strong cast as Cox immediately sets the tone with his logical observations at the crime scene in which 1 and 1 is not 2 and this is the binary system.

Harriet Klausner

This was such a great book! I couldn't put it down. I never saw the end coming, it was great! I enjoyed the development of everything. The writing was so good and descriptive I could picture the characters and the scenes so vividly in my mind as I was reading this book. This is a great piece of fiction. Pick up a copy first chance you get!!! I highly recommend it!