Checkmate
by Karna Small Bodman
Published by Forge
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Reviewed by Laura Langer
(Romance/thriller)
Small Bodman was a Deputy Press Secretary and Senior Director of the National Security Council during the Reagan years. The heroine of her book, Dr. Cameron Talbot, was inspired to become a scientist while watching Reagan's speech on the Strategic Defense Initiative, aka "Star Wars." Small Bodman clearly has the background to understand Washington and the White House. She's written a fast-paced thriller that covers the defense industry, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent--and added and romance to it.
Cammie, as she's referred to by her friends, is pursued by a lecherous Senator, falls in love with a "square-jawed" Intelligence officer, and saves the world--or at least diplomacy, world leaders, and theTaj Mahal--with previously untested software that redirects missiles in mid-air. The action moves along at a brisk pace, the main characters fall in love on cue, and Cammie's life turns out so well that it's clear there will be a sequel.
Small Bodman's writing style is brisk. She has an unfortunate habit of using non-words like "ahold," and I'm still trying to picture the White House conference room she describes as designed to hold "a couple dozen people" and measures seven feet wide by 24 feet long. Her senior Intelligence officer, Lt. Colonel Hunt Daniels, is on an advance team for a major peace talk mission. Pressed to get things moving quickly in a dangerous situation, Daniels--the aforementioned square-jawed hero--talks of "heading over to Islamabad" after he finishes business in New Dehli.
Despite all that, the book moves quickly, and Small Bodman clearly understands the hot buttons in national and international security. However be aware that this book has a good story that would have been well served by better editing.
Armchair Interviews says: If you're looking for a quick read and a brisk tour of backstage Washington, try Checkmate.