Book Review - When The Devil Whistles

When The Devil Whistles by Rick Acker - Allie Whitman is a whistleblower.  In fact she's figured out how to make a career out of it.  With the help of an inevitably good looking male attorney they've set up a shell company called "Devil to Pay" and are working their way through California corporations that are bilking the government out millions of dollars.  Through a process called "qui tam" (where an individual sues on behalf of the government) she gets to keep a percentage of whatever the recovery is.  It's made for a comfortable living.  Unfortunately for her the next target does a little research (an incredibly obvious move) and discovers that, what do you know, EVERY company sued by Devil to Pay had a temp named Allie Whitman in the months prior to being hauled into court!  The result is blackmail and the near destruction of the relationship between client and  counsel that is prepared to blossom into something more intimate if it could.

The book is published by Abingdon Press which is a Christian publisher.  Like their previous offerings I was surprised at the end when I realized that it was Christian fiction.  The faith matters are handled beautifully as simply part of the personalities of the characters.  I'm not sure I would have pegged it as CF at all if there hadn't been the discussion group questions at the end.  Acker writes a story that is about character and integrity not about faith.  Perfectly balanced.

Rick Acker does a great job laying out the story between Allie and Connor Norman the attorney.  In real life he is a Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice who pursues corporate fraud cases.  So the legal bits ring true.  His characters are fully developed real people that will draw you in.  And he knows how to tell a good story.  Other than the head scratcher about using her real name over and over again mentioned before there's only one other clinker in the whole book.  A secondary story line about North Korea trying to salvage Russian nuclear weapons feels tacked on.  Since it never really connects with Allie and Connor you never really care too much about it.  But even that is well written.

In the end this is the same kind of legal thriller that made John Grisham famous.  Think "Pelican Brief" for a parallel.  Great writing, characters to root for (and who have character themselves!) and action to keep you turning the pages.  This book can compete with any of the big name best sellers of the genre.  And if your church book discussion group is looking for something different the perfect book for you as well.

Rating - **** Recommended Read