Review of Clifford's War

[Tejas Koli]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Clifford's War" by J Denison Reed.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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"Clifford's War: Without End" is the first installment in what promises to be an exciting new political thriller series by debut author J. Denison Reed. After a riveting opening chapter that thrusts the reader directly into the high-stakes drama, Reed skillfully weaves together multiple storylines to keep pages turning.

The core plot focuses on Clifford Dee, a retired Special Forces soldier, and his private investigation firm, known as Tye Brothers Security. When a United States Senator is murdered during an apparently intimate encounter, Clifford and his partners Sara, Daniel, and Bailey spring into action to uncover the truth. Reed dollops out tantalizing clues and plot twists to keep the mystery lively as the quartet races against the clock. Alongside the fast-paced central mystery, Reed also takes care to craft fully-formed characters that readers will find themselves quickly invested in. Clifford, the experienced team leader, exhibits laudable dedication to justice but also understandable human frailties as he battles a painful medical issue. Sara proves herself a capable second-in-command with admirable wit. Daniel offers comic relief with his charming immaturity. And Bailey, confined to a wheelchair, reminds us that true strength comes in many forms.

The editing of the book is well done; there are no grammatical errors, which gives a seamless read. Reed handles multiple perspectives smoothly, swapping between the investigators' viewpoints and those of suspects. Descriptions of settings like the DC suburbs feel convincing. Politically-minded readers will appreciate Reed's realistic touchstones around the workings of Congress. Perhaps most impressive is how Reed deftly constructs tension without resorting to gratuitous action or graphic violence. There are no negative points to mention.

With brisk pacing and an engaging central quartet of protagonists, "Clifford's War" shows great promise as an intellectual page-turner that will appeal to fans of stylish espionage thrillers such as Daniel Silva or Brad Thor. While the killer's identity remains shrouded for now, this opening volume lays an extremely solid foundation for what is sure to be a captivating new series. Political and mystery aficionados alike would do well to keep an eye on J. Denison Reed. I would rate it 5 out of 5.

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Clifford's War
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