The Duval Conspiracy

Given the author's ties to New England politics as the son of a former Vermont governor and as the Secretary of Labor's New England representative, it's not surprising that his depiction of the campaign maneuvering by Congressman Alan Duval to win a U.S. Senate seat from Vermont is convincing. Unfortunately, it's not particularly interesting or exciting-and neither is this first novel's account of a conspiracy by CIA operatives and big-time right-wing D.C. power brokers intent on discrediting or defeating liberal candidates such as Duval. One problem is that the scheme neither comes into clear focus nor seems appropriately grandiose, at least not until the epilogue, which packs a twisty punch. Another is that Davis's storytelling doesn't go for the gusto. At least one major, highly anticipated plot event takes place off-page, and there are no direct confrontations between the antagonists. Meanwhile, a romance between Duval's chief Vermont operative, Jack Marston, and travel writer Lila Maret, who is an innocent tool of CIA villainy, seems too pat; its one rocky moment slides by without passion or intensity. (Feb.)