The Omega Network (Thomas Locke Mystery) [Paperback]

Thomas Locke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995 | Series: Thomas Locke Mystery

Chase Bennett is a troubleshooter for a chamber of commerce on the Florida coast. Visiting an old friend, a woman detective, he unwittingly becomes the critical link in a chain of criminal evidence stretching from a narcotics raid in Washington to telecommunications fraud in Miami.

Back home, a series of mysterious events unfolds. His boss threatens his job, a shady entrepreneur coerces him on a land deal, the detective disappears. As the Omega Corporation curries his favor, new pressures force him to take sides in the debate to legalize casino gambling. When the beautiful but ambitious Sabine seeks to rekindle an old romance, Chase is haunted by the suspicion that he is being lured into a dangerous conspiracy.

As he struggles to untangle the web of intrigue, Chase discovers political corruption and money-laundering. The suspicion solidifies into fear for his life.

THE OMEGA NETWORK-IS NO ONE BEYOND THEIR REACH?

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

When Chase Bennett agrees to retain a set of computer disks seized in a drug raid by his friend, D.C. undercover officer Carlotta Krepps, little does he dream that he will soon find himself caught in a web of political corruption in his home state of Florida. With the help of his lawyer friend, Matthew, Bennett is able to trace phony real estate transactions and telephone fraud to a national network called the Omega Development Corporation of Miami, which is run out of the governor's office. While the villains here are complex and convincing, Bennett's goodness is superficial and unremarkable in the face of such powerful evil. Still, the novel will appeal to fans of Grisham.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

size : 5.4 x 8.3

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Pub (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556615027
• ISBN-13: 978-1556615023
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,697,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good clean mystery., October 10, 2001

By 

Godly Gadfly - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Omega Network (Thomas Locke Mystery) (Paperback)

When's the last time you read a good clean mystery? Unfortunately most mystery writers are a little short on the "good" side, or else short on the "clean" side. In "The Omega Network", Thomas Locke excels on both points. Chase Bennett works for the chamber of commerce in a Florida town, but as a result of his connections he soon finds himself uncovering a major criminal network, with money supplied by narcotics being used to corrupt politicians and force the establishment of a mega casino. The big boys behind the bad business are prepared to go to any lengths to make sure their ambitions to bring gambling to Florida succeed. But as Chase discovers, behind the big money of the casinos are bad people. Soon Chase finds his own life threatened because of the corruption and connections he has discovered. The ending is somewhat weak, and Locke doesn't capitalize on the suspense that he has built up. But that aside, it's a good mystery story, liberally sprinkled with a tinge of romance.

Not only is it good, it's also clean. The language is decent, and the main characters are church going people who strive to live decent lives not marred by adultery or violence. Locke is himself a Christian, and he brings across a subtle Christian message without being superficial or preachy. There are no artificial conversion stories, but just the ordinary struggles of believers living in a corrupt world. The focus of the corruption that Locke exposes is the evil of legalized gambling. In the process of reading this mystery, you'll be confronted with some shockingly accurate facts about gambling, the corruption it creates, and the destruction it causes in the lives and communities of "ordinary" gamblers. Locke shows convincingly that because legalized gambling is a great money-spinner for the government, the authorities often turn a blind eye to the moral and social destruction it inevitably results in. Not only is "The Omega Network" a great read, but this good clean mystery will leave you with a new perspective on gambling. You won't be gambling by reading this book, because it's a guaranteed winner.

4.0 out of 5 stars A nonstop read, July 5, 2000

By 

Marc (IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Omega Network (Thomas Locke Mystery) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. I'm not sure I would call it a mystery. I would more properly classify it as an adventure. You as the reader are totally aware of what is going on except for a few sub plots. The ending was a little weak as some fantastic rug pulling is done and the reader is not informed as to what it is.