Shortly after Jack’s article is published in the newspaper, Hillary Kane is murdered. Jack immediately suspects that the information he was given was incomplete and led to her death. He is determined to get to the bottom of the story. While surreptitiously (and illegally) searching Hillary’s apartment, he meets her sister Maggie.

Surveillance cameras in the mayor’s apartment building show Hillary entering with the mayor but leaving alone with papers stuck in her purse. Jack learns that Hillary had shared the information in those papers with her sister. Now Maggie’s life is also in danger.

Meanwhile, Jack’s life is coming apart. His live-in lover Elizabeth has accepted a position in Los Angeles, and their relationship seems to be coming to an end. He has never gotten over the death of his wife and unborn daughter in childbirth four years earlier. His friend and former policeman Hank Sweeney is avoiding him. Vinny Mongillo, fellow reporter and friend, reveals a hidden appreciation of art and is making plans to leave the newspaper for public relations. If that’s not enough, there’s the problem with his dog Baker.

This is the third Jack Flynn novel following The Nominee and The Incumbent. It is not as successful than its predecessors. The mystery seems convoluted and attenuated –events happen that seem more to extend the confusion than to add dimension to the story line. Jack’s messy personal life only increases the gloomy atmosphere. Is there anyone who isn’t going to desert Jack?

In the first book Jack’s grieving over the loss of his beloved wife and unborn daughter added dimension to the character. In Dead Line it seems primarily an excuse for Elizabeth to move out and Maggie to move in. Neither woman comes across as a fleshed-out character. They’re around to prove that Jack’s heterosexual but not much else. Actually, Jack’s closer to and more interactive with Vinny and Hank and his dog than either of the women.

The strongest aspect of the novel is the realistic insight into a working newspaper. When Jack’s working on a story and his editor is badgering him to get it filed on time, there a vitality to the narrative that’s lacking in much of the story.

This is an acceptable suspense novel, but it should appeal primarily to readers who are already familiar with Jack Flynn. It’s not the best introduction to the character.

--Lesley Dunlap