Choosers of the slain

In the latest volume of the saga of ex-SEAL Mike Harmon, aka Ghost, he is now a freelance international troubleshooter. Most recently, he shot some troublesome Chechnyens with the aid of some tough Caucasian mountaineers who may be the last descendants of the Byzantine empire's Varangian guard. When a cabal of high-powered blackmailers threatens the U.S. government with revealing photographs of legislators engaged with their high-class hookers, Ghost has a new job. He and his Sons of the Varangians descend on the blackmailers, liberating both their women and their files. In the process, Ghost has a few sexual engagements of his own and quite a few intelligent discussions of the subject with the intelligent female characters. His success means that he now has the goods on a lot of VIPs the world over, which promises well for the future of the series. This is definitely vintage Ringo, and fans of the prolific writer of action tales will be gratified. --Roland Green Copyright 2006 Booklist

In Ringo's latest SF-tinged techno-thriller to feature former navy SEAL Mike Harmon, a well-placed Washington, D.C., politician asks the Keldara, the ancient Caucasus mountain tribe Harmon trained to fight Chechen guerrillas in the previous book in the series (Kildar), to look into the disappearance of a campaign contributor's teenage daughter into the international sex trade. The Keldara plunge into a sewer of corruption leading to the highest Washington power circles. All the while, Harmon struggles against his own darker side. Those who thought Kildar too static will find plenty of well-thought-out set pieces sure to satisfy the most demanding action junkie. While Ringo displays his characteristic wry humor and sang froid, keeping track of the many subplots and bits of backstory can be challenging. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved