When we last saw Major Sean Drummond, he had completed the mass murder investigation detailed in Secret Sanction. While vacationing in Bermuda, the infamous JAG lawyer is summoned to South Korea in relation to another suspicious homicide.
Thomas Whitehall, a young Army captain is accused of murdering and raping the son of the South Korean defense minister. It is rumored that the two were lovers, which is a big no-no in the military. Whitehall swears he's innocent, though the deck appears to be stacked against him.
The captain attains a civilian attorney named Katherine Carlson. She's a petite firecracker nationally known for her gay rights advocacy. She also happens to be Drummond's old law school rival. To make matters worse, Drummond is second banana on this defense team and must take orders from Carlson.
Further examination of the murder case reveals its complexities. Whitehall claims he passed out after an evening of partying and doesn't know anything. Because of the status of the deceased, the murder attracts vast political attention. Relations between the United States and South Korea are already strained. A great deal rests on the outcome of the pending trial. The events leading up to it are detailed in Brian Haig's second novel, Mortal Allies
Though it appears to be the case, nobody wants to admit that the defense minister's son was gay. Violation of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy seems as severe as homicide. Carlson is portrayed as bloodthirsty, entirely devoted to the gay rights cause over her client. Drummond is defined clearer than he was in Secret Sanction. Haig chooses to have his lead character struggle with his own opinion of homosexuality while vowing to provide Whitehall the very best defense. Also back for this installment is Imelda Pepperfield, the cranky aide who is brighter than her superiors.
Preparation for the trial is sidetracked when Drummond and crew find evidence that Whitehall may have been framed. The tale takes a significant turn with the revelation that this crime is much bigger than a single homicide. Haig does a great job of casting doubt on every character and raising the suspense level for readers.
When the prosecution's case starts to unravel, the pace slows down a bit. Mortal Allies could stand to lose about 50 pages. However, it is still an exciting legal thriller. Haig's background in military strategy is put to good use in this novel. Be ready for a couple of shockers at the end that will keep you guessing until the final page.
Mortal Allies is a successful sequel to Secret Sanction. Major Sean Drummond is a great character. He's cocky yet nice: an unfortunate combination that always leads to trouble. Brian Haig has written two good stories around this JAG lawyer. I anxiously await another one.
