Born to Run by James Grippando, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Life for lawyer Jack Swyteck had never been what most people would call uneventful. Defending death row inmates in Florida is never an easy job, especially when your father, the governor, is frequently signing the orders of execution for your clients. But as Jack reached forty, it seemed his life was finally slowing down: his father was retiring, and both his job and relationship were going well.

Yet, everything turns around with the death of Jack's father's friend, who just happens to be the vice president. When his father is named to be the new VP, Jack finds himself drawn into the Washington world of power politics, and before long it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. Drawn into a web of murder, intrigue, and deception, Jack finds himself inescapably involved in one of his most dangerous and fast-paced mysteries yet.

James Grippando shows that he is clearly a master of the thriller in Born to Run, his latest work featuring Swyteck. From its first pages, Born to Run is packed with action, making it a difficult book to put down. Readers who prefer a story that starts slow and builds gradually with clues will be disappointed, as the book fits an impossible amount of action into almost every scene and the story progresses quickly.

Despite being the eighth installment in this successful series, Born to Run is readable on its own. In fact, it's a great place to pick up this popular series, as Grippando doesn't skimp on his character development despite his work in earlier books. Jack Swyteck is witty and fun, and all of Gippando's characters have strong, believable personalities that jump off the page along with the action.

Born to Run is a fun and exiting read that fans of the genre will undoubtedly enjoy. The scope of the drama in this political thriller may feel a bit over the top at some points, but the fun of the book is suspending disbelief and hanging on for the ride. Born to Run is especially recommended for reading during a long bus trip or a day at the beach because it will immediately pull you out of your chair and into a world of blackmail, murder, and dirty political secrets.

Review Copyright © 2008 — Rebecca Henderson — All Rights Reserved
Reprinted with Permission

Intent to Kill
Harper (Hardcover), May 2009
ISBN-13: 9780061628689; ISBN-10: 0061628689

Born to Run

A Jack Swyteck Mystery by James Grippando