Royal thinks that the Aryan Command’s plans include killing Preston Switcher, a conservative radio talk show host. Royal’s wants Jake to go undercover and infiltrate the Aryan Command to learn the specifics of their plans in order to prevent them from bringing their goals to fruition. Jake is light skinned with light brown hair, but he is also Jewish, so it strikes a raw nerve for him to even pose as a potential member of the Aryan Command. He feels some responsibility to his friend Artie to help Deeanne, so he agrees to do as Royal has suggested. The fact that Royal will pay him handsomely does make the job seem a bit more attractive.

Although the main characters are reasonably well drawn and believable, with their own inherent flaws, the most memorable aspect of Royal Flush is the mood the author creates. The reader easily identifies with Jake as he infiltrates a strange group of people whom he fully believes capable of committing totally inhumane acts against anyone whom they believe is not a member of the chosen race. A feeling of utter terror permeates the book. At any moment Jake’s real identity could be revealed, which would probably mean death not only for Jake, but for Deeanne, Royal and Rosie, the legitimate half of Jake’s detective agency.

The Aryan Command is composed of some very strange people, some of whom may also be ringers like Jake. These people are presumably planted by law enforcement. The mystery in Royal Flush is Jake does not know which of the group are true believers, and which could be supportive to his cause. When one member of the group is killed, Jake wonders whether the victim was a loyal group member who failed to discharge his duties to the satisfaction of the management, or whether he was discovered by the Command as a spy.

Royal Flush is definitely not a book to pick up if you want a light, fluffy, entertaining read. It is much too disturbing. It is too believable. The actual possibility that people such as the members of the Aryan Command could really exist is frightening. Royal Flush is an entertaining and thought provoking book.

--Andy Plonka