Inquisition

By Jack Eddinger

Book Overview

INQUISITION Set in the time of paranoia in American politics, Inquisition, examines the power game in which innocent lives face ruin when they become entangled in a politician's cynical ambition. It explores the corrosion of human relationships arising from egotism and the relentless pursuit of power. The protagonist, Zachary Taylor Harris, a powerful politician, plays a deadly game of Russian Roulette with the lives of anyone entering his orbit. To keep the lid on his secret he must appear to possess all of the knowledge and certitude, which comes with being a senior member of Congress and chairman of its most powerful investigative committee. Manipulation and chicanery are his tools for dominating anyone in his way. The cast of characters includes: - His wife, a woman of intelligence and passion, whose fortune has supported his career, but who now stands as an obstacle to his ambition, - A senior State Department officer with unorthodox political views and his avant-garde wife, a gifted abstract expressionist, who stumble into his path and become perfect targets in his cover-up scheme, - A cunning and powerful bureaucrat, who sees opportunity and personal advantage in a new investigative scenario, - His beautiful and sultry mistress, who loves him, but naively becomes a pawn in his power game, - A crusading young antagonist who closes in on the well-kept secret, - A canny, veteran newspaperman who understands power and its limitations, and puts the machinery of justice in motion, - A disgruntled detective whose career swings 180-degrees when he turns a humiliating defeat into victory, - The incorruptible Speaker of the House, the one man he cannot afford to alienate, who upholds the Constitution and the rule of law against his scheming ambition. The author employs his understanding of Congress, Capitol Hill and the many dimensions and nuances of the American political process to weave a story of power, ambition, courage, love and other virtues and vices imparted by the game of politics.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1418477478
• ISBN13: 9781418477479
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Infidelity, political corruption and treachery!

Genre: political intrigue/mystery Title: Inquisition AUTHOR: Jack Eddinger Congressman Zachary Taylor Harris is a man with considerable political clout in the 1950's. However he faces a major dilemma. The ambitious Tom Daley, District Attorney is conducting an investigation into political corruption and Harris is threatened by the potential outcome. Can he use his own connections to discredit Daley and thus end the investigation? First and foremost he must protect his own secret, the secret to his rise to power. Communist suppression becomes his tool as he tries to target Professor Burnham and his wife, Elaine. The two find themselves having to defend their lifestyle and their past. How will Harris' attacks on Daley play out? Will Marion Harris Zachary Harris' wife have her own secret exposed and what about the Congressman's mistress? How does newsman Charlie Miller fit into the scenario? Infidelity, political corruption, subversion and treachery are embroiled into a fascinating plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Make sure you are comfortable when you pick up a copy of Inquisition, because you won't be able to put it down until you reach the last page. A story set in the 1950's but one that could easily apply to the current political scene. Author, Jack Eddinger is originally from Pennsylvania. He has been a newspaperman, City Hall press secretary and Capital Hill aide, all of which contribute to his knowledge of political corruption and intrigue. Recommended by Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.

RIVETING!! A CEREBRAL "COUP DE GRACE"!!(Pardon the pun!)

I was totally engulfed in "INQUISITION". The brilliant command of the English language, vivid descriptions, in-depth character development, attention to the minutest detail, and the geographical scope, are overwhelming. It spans the rich industrial life of the Lehigh Valley, and the sophisticated political manueverings of Washington DC, during a profoundly complicated era. Only someone who has conquered these areas could present this revealing insight into the soul of Congressman Zachary Taylor Harris. I thoroughly enjoyed it; was devoured by it. "INQUISITION" is the kind of book you won't want to put down!

History Comes To Life...With A BANG!

History comes to life as Jack Eddinger mixes murder mystery, romance, politics, and espionage into a thriller that won't let you stop reading until the last page. I lived through the McCarthy era, and it's fascinating to see the machinations that might have gone on behind the scenes during this very intense period of American life. As a former politcal reporter, the author shows that he knows his stuff from the inside out. If you like to learn something while you're having an exciting time, read this book!

Engrossing!

Mr. Eddinger grew up in Pennsylvania and worked on the Hill, and this background shows in this compelling novel. His diligent research also evokes the Mafia and even the OSS. While a bit slow at the beginning INQUISITION becomes a real page turner in the second half.

Joe McCarthy and the Mafia, too!

Any novel that can combine Joe McCarthy and the Mafia has got something going for it. On top of this, Inquisition provides a rich evocation of politics in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley and Washington in the 50s. Congressman Zach Taylor Harris maintains his hold on his Democratic seat in Bessemer City (read: Bethlehem) through an alliance with the Mafia and an agreement with the red-hunting FBI director (read: J. Edgar Hoover). In return Taylor keeps his house committee investigation into the red menace going. With all these characters to hate, it's a real page-turner.