Elizabeth George pens captivating mystery

Doug Bowler

If you enjoy a good mystery, you have to read this one!

In “In the Presence of the Enemy” by Elizabeth George, Dennis

Luxford, the ultra liberal editor of London’s largest sleaze tabloid

receives a note demanding he publicly acknowledge his first born

child.

He assumes this is Charlotte, the illegitimate 10-year-old

daughter of Eva Bowen, the ultra conservative undersecretary of the

state for the home office. A girl they conceived during a week-long

wild sexual encounter at a political conference 11 years ago. Bowen

also gets a note advising her to contact Luxford if she wants her

daughter back.

Charlotte has been kidnapped!

Since both parties are convinced that no one knew about their

fling, Bowen in convinced there is no real danger to Charlotte

because Luxford is behind all this for political reasons and is

intent on destroying her career, embarrassing her party and refuses

to let Luxford print anything.

The next day Luxford gets a call demanding the story be printed or

Charlotte will be killed. Because of Bowen’s adamant refusal, nothing

is printed and Charlotte is found dead, drowned in the countryside

outside London.

Now this book becomes impossible to put down. With Charlotte’s

death the New Scotland Yard is brought in and Leo, Luxford’s

legitimate 8-year-old son is kidnapped and Luxford finally publishes

the details of his affair with Bowen. But wait, Luxford gets an

enraged phone call saying that his story is wrong and if not

corrected Leo will be killed, say what? Now what’s the motive, who

are the suspects? It’s a whole new ballgame.

The hunt to find Leo and the killer keeps you glued to this read

right up to the last few pages.

Check it out.

* DOUG BOWLER is a native Californian who, along with his wife,

has been experiencing the good life of Laguna Beach for more than 18

years.