As in real life, last-minute glitches appear. A magazine has learned of Kilcannon's affair with journalist Lara Costello, which ended two years earlier. Trouble is, he was married when he and Lara were lovers. If he admits to the truth, he loses his chance at the nomination. If he lies, then the threat of exposure is always there. And then there's the consideration of what this information will do to Lara's career. This double-edged sword philosophy is quite a conundrum.

A parallel plot concerns a right-to-lifer who has come to California to assassinate Kilcannon. We know he's capable. We met him as he killed three employees of an abortion clinic. So now we've got the Day of the Jackal theme to worry about, also.

Patterson is one of those stellar writers, a basic good read, much like Clancey, Grisham, Cornwell and some other superstars of the mystery/thriller genre. Unlike some of the others, Patterson's stories don't run together or have cookie cutter plots. I can remember them. Silent Witness is one I consider to be Patterson's personal best. Imagine my surprise and delight when Tony Lord of SW makes an appearance here.

I do think that Patterson does some editorializing. One of Kilcannon's pet projects is that of campaign reform. Using humor when he invites Lara Costello to dinner, he quips that he'll use campaign funds from foreign donors to pay the tab.

While I don't intend to editorialize myself, I do wonder if Patterson is blessed with clairvoyance or if he just saw the writing on the wall. This theme of no safe place pits the press and our need to know with the rights of individuals to their privacy. Plenty of thought-provoking ideas are present to make for lively discussions. Kilcannon's campaign speeches are works of art in themselves. Too bad Patterson doesn't write them for some of our current and future candidates.

You may find the end too schmaltzy, too conveniently wrapped up in a red bow to suit you. I grimaced a time or two myself, but I suppose that I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bottom line: No Safe Place is an apropos title. If you're in the national spotlight, then there is no safe place from the press's scrutiny. Good or bad, right or wrong . . . there it is.

--Linda Mowery