Book Review: The Devil's Bed

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Devil's Bed     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
William Kent Krueger
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller
Atria, Feb 2003, $24.00, 370 pp.

President Daniel Clay Dixon is running for reelection but his opponent leads in all the polls even those sanctioned by the incumbent. Daniel’s wife Kate feels estranged from him because he’s being influenced more and more by his father Senator William Dixon and the men associated with him. When Kate’s father, the former vice-president is hurt in what looks like an accident on his farm, she rushes to his bedside leaving the president in Washington.

Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen is in charge of protecting the First Lady when she’s in Minnesota and his instincts tell him her life is in danger as is that of her father. He finds proof that the ex-vice -president was deliberately injured and the person who is after the duo has a long time grudge against them. Bo is able to foil the first assassination attempt but the next effort has tentacles that reach into the highest levels of government making it nearly impossible to stop it in time.

THE DEVIL’S BED is an exciting thriller that starts off at light speed and never slows down. The president, his wife and the cabal members are three-dimensional characters who seem real with plausible actions on each of their parts. The hero is the kind of man one wants in office because he is honorable, patriotic and most importantly, trustworthy. William Kent Krueger, the author of the Cork O’Connor mystery series, has written his best work yet.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner