The Last Surprise: A Washington Mystery

Moore's first novel is based on affairs disturbingly like illegalities featured in the news in recent years. Washington, D.C. private detective Russ McGarvey is hired by Leslie Harmon to investigate the death of her husband, Senator Warren Harmon, at the hands of a mugger. Her belief that her husband was murdered to prevent his testimony about a new ``Koreagate'' is confirmed when the mugger is killed. McGarvey gathers evidence against high government officials who sell classified information to South Korean agents. After conferring with Harmon's colleague and friend, Congressman Whittington, the detective focuses on the late senator's mistress, her mob contacts, drug dealers and other suspects. As time passes, corpses accrue, hardening McGarvey's will to make the criminals pay the limit for their treason. The ``last surprise'' is an immensely satisfying outcome of the scam McGarvey devises to bring the traitors to justice. (Apr.)