John Sandford’s second Letty Davenport novel, Dark Angel, is so convoluted that the descriptions online are confusing. I’ll admit that my review may sound a little messy as well because there are secrets that Letty doesn’t know that would reveal too much if I revealed them in the review.
Let’s start with one of the fun aspects of the novel, the Washington Ladies Peace-Maker Society. When Letty works a short assignment dealing with large thefts from FEMA, she’s teamed up with Barb Cartwright, from an unspecified agency. Barb sees that Letty receives an invitation to meet with the “Ladies”. It turns out to be a shooting club, of sorts, for women. As she’s told, “We’re all good with guns and we’re all killers. Letty remembers that late in her next assignment.
Although the National Security Agency asks Letty to take her next job, she actually works for Senator Chris Colles. Letty partners with Rod Baxter who knows computers and codes as they head to California, trying to infiltrate a group of hackers called Ordinary People. According to their NSA contact, Ordinary People has plans to shut down the natural gas supply in some city. But, Letty tells Rod that they’re lying about something.
She’s right. The hackers’ earlier target involved trains from Russia. And, the NSA has a bigger target in mind than the natural gas supply. Letty is going to have to call in reinforcements to go against Russian tough guys. She can’t protect a dozen hackers all by herself.
As I said, this is a convoluted plot. But, I love some of the humor in the book. At one point, someone says, “Would we be better off splitting up?” The response? “Have you ever even watched a horror movie?”
Read Dark Angel for Letty and her friends, the high-octane explosiveness and the black humor. Don’t worry about the plot. Does the government ever have a good reason for doing anything anyways?
John Sandford’s website is http://www.johnsandford.org/
Dark Angel by John Sandford. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2023. ISBN 9780593422410 (hardcover), 384p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley from NetGalley to review for a journal.
I enjoyed it as I did the first. This one seemed more convoluted to me. I honestly thought it was my mental state when I was reading. Glad it seemed that way to you as it means I was not as out of it as I thought I was at the time.
Not at all your mental state, Kevin. In fact, I’m running your review tomorrow. Thank you!
Loved this one…better than the first IMHO. Typical Sandford Syndrome; once you start reading I can’t stop. Already waiting for the next installment. I truly believe Lucas and Flowers are near retirement.
You’re right, John. I think Lucas and Flower are near retirement. I did enjoy the funny moments in this one, but agree with Kevin. It seemed convoluted at times.