For the past 20 years, Agatha Cardiff has lived a secluded life on the outskirts of D.C. She was once the chief of staff for Congressman Paul Paxton. But after covering up a potential scandal for him, one that would have ruined Senator Harrison Clark’s career, she left politics and swore to never get into a situation like that ever again. But now, her tenant Shelby goes missing. Feeling responsible for the young woman, she searches for answers. Only the truth is much more complicated than Agatha ever imagined. And by getting involved in Shelby’s rescue, Agatha risks her own skeletons coming to the surface. Especially now that Harrison is President of the United States, and Paul is calling in those favors from the past to secure a nomination to the Supreme Court. The Slate by Matthew FitzSimmons is a political crime thriller in which Agatha must dust off her political savvy and cut-through intuition to not only unveil decades-long corruption, but also keep her own involvement a secret – lest she pays the price herself.
Book
The Slate has a colorful cast of characters to keep track of, but their roles and connections to one another make everything that much better. Felix Guardo is a top aide to President Clark and has put his career above everything else in his life – including his marriage. Newly divorced, he still remains on speaking terms with his press contact and ex-wife’s friend, Isha Roy. Isha, a tenacious journalist, catches wind of Paxton’s possible nomination to the Supreme Court and wonders if there’s a nefarious reason for the last-minute, seemingly random name-drop.
Even though Agatha secured Shelby’s release and anonymity, someone leaked the information to the press. Naturally, this causes a media scandal, much to the detriment of everyone involved. Especially since those involved are highly visible players in politics. Agatha takes Shelby to her father’s house, hoping to shield her from the media scrutiny until things settle down. The safety is temporary, though. They know they’re not out of the woods yet. And as she continues to search for the truth, she never anticipated the answers she finds. By the time she prepares to make her move, other players make theirs as well, leading up to a showdown that leaves everyone’s lives hanging in the balance in The Slate.
Review
Matthew FitzSimmons delivers a well-paced and highly engaging story with The Slate. Readers know the crime and the perpetrators from the very beginning. The fun and suspense lies in watching how Agatha will handle the situation 20 years later, amongst high-stakes situations. The number of characters and their relationships with one another requires readers to pay special attention. But once we see how it all falls into place, the extra effort is worth it. The political aspect of the story is in full swing with decades-long relationships and closed-door deals that shape policy. Add in the clever and fierce protagonist and a gripping third-act that doesn’t quit, and readers will want to put The Slate at the top of their reading lists.
