Frankie, was murdered right in front of KC. Now Liam McClory, Frankie’s brother, has asked her to help the Thirty Two with their plan to assassinate an international political figure on US soil. KC is to be a mule for their weapons from Ireland to Pasadena, California.

When KC was a teenager, her parents were killed. Afterwards she went to live with Judge Noah Osborne and his family. KC has been gone for six years and the fact that the Osbornes live in Pasadena gives KC the perfect cover.

On the train to California, KC is forced to kill to protect herself from a hired gun after her. The detective on the case of the train murder is Peter Osborne, the judge’s son. KC and Peter had a love affair many years ago which ended badly. Peter’s investigation pulls him into the Thirty Two’s path.

KC continues to contact her boss Walter Burkes, TRIAD leader, but her love for Frankie puts her loyalty in question. Is KC still part of the TRIAD? Has she been turned to the Thirty Two? Will the TRIAD be able stop the assassination?

What Ask a Dead Man is severely lacking is sympathetic characters and realistic relationships.

The judge and his wife love KC as if she were their own. Or so the reader is told multiple times. But the relationships don’t ring true. KC married an IRA terrorist, yet no one says anything about it. I know if I had married a terrorist my parents would have been very, very, VERY vocal. Also KC brings the Thirty Two’s weapons and Liam McClory into their home. This obviously puts everyone in danger. What happened to protecting those you love?

KC and Frankie had a pretty warped love. KC asked Frankie if he’d ever murdered anyone. He tells her that no one was killed by his hands (a lie, by the way), then he tells her that he gives the commands which result in others dying. As long as he hasn’t killed himself, KC figures she can accept that and still love him. Who cares if he did it himself of not? He still had people killed. That sounds like being ok with loving Osma Bin Laden, who “just” gave the order. Frankie also happens to be a bigot. There’s not one redeeming value about the guy that explains KC’s love for him.

Then there is KC’s moral fiber – or lack thereof. Cops, FBI, CIA, military, etc. sometimes have to kill to protect the USA and its citizens. Usually people who love and who are loved feel some remorse or regret over taking another life, even when it’s necessary for the greater good. KC doesn’t feel any guilt or remorse at having to kill in her job. She got the TRIAD job after killing the man who caused her parents’ death. KC doesn’t seem to care about protecting the country, which is what one expects in a heroine.

Lastly, Peter Osborne’s issues with women got old. He and his partner Annie have had a relationship for a while. Annie is in love with him. Peter is convinced that he can never love again because no one measures up to what he had with KC. His holding onto the memory of their relationship years ago was stereotypical of a commitment phobic man.

The book moves along at a fast pace due to twists and ulterior motives. But that is not enough to recommend Ask a Dead Man.

--Terry Lawrence