The silent conspiracy A novel

Two years have passed since investigative reporter Jack Logan and TV producer Taylor Parks exposed the Institute, a secret organization trying to control high-ranking political and media leaders, in 2019's The Network. Now, in this so-so sequel from the pseudonymous Shaw (Lynne Constantine, coauthor with her sister of The Wife Stalker as Liv Constantine), Jack and Taylor are happily married in New York City and the doting parents of a toddler. Jack is following a story about 18 murder-suicides committed by normally nonviolent people, and Taylor is producing a story about a class-action suit against a national insurance company with ruthless policies. As their respective stories intersect, the couple combine their research. Meanwhile, they're unaware that their old foe Damon Crosse, the Institute's director, faked his suicide in the previous book, and, in disguise, controls Taylor's TV station. Tedious plotting, dense prose, and bland characters mar the plot, which centers on Crosse's efforts to collect the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for betraying Jesus to further an evil plan. Fans of James Bond villains and Dan Brown knockoffs may be satisfied. Agent: Bernadette Baker-Baughman, Victoria Sanders & Assoc. (Sept.)

Two years ago, Jack Logan and journalist Taylor Stevens fought and destroyed the evil Institute, a corrupt organization with ties to government and political figures at all levels. The two have settled down into married life with their two-year-old son, Evan. But a disturbing murder-suicide at a local Little League game causes Jack to question if the incident is linked to similar disturbances around the country. What makes these individuals go crazy and homicidal? Soon a pattern emerges. Meanwhile, Taylor is working on a story about a lawsuit against a national insurance company that could go all the way to the Supreme Court. Jack soon discovers that there may be a connection between the lawsuit and the suicides and murders happening all around them. They don't realize that they have uncovered a conspiracy beyond the likes of anything they have ever encountered before. VERDICT Shaw delivers a second action-packed installment in the "Jack Logan" series (after The Network). The characters are well drawn and the story amps up to a cliff-hanger ending that will satisfy most thriller lovers. This book will appeal to fans of puzzle-solving thrillers and catastrophe stories from authors such as Steve Berry, David Baldacci, and Robin Cook.--Bill Anderson, Scott Cty. P.L., Scottsburg, IN