In The People’s House, a modern mystery that exposes the all-too-real corruption of today’s American political system, David Pepper tells a riveting story filled with betrayal, intrigue and a heavy-handed dose of government conspiracy.
The hero of The People’s House is Jack Sharpe, a middle-aged reporter for The Vindicator newspaper, who, when first introduced, is stuck in a rut. Growing up in a political family, Sharpe not only writes about politics, but follows politics closely and is thus shocked to learn that Lee Kelly, the “never loses” congressman, has lost the most recent election. And he is even more stunned to hear that shortly after Kelly’s election loss, he is killed in a car accident. But perhaps the most surprising revelation of all: Just before she died, Kelly left a voicemail on Sharpe’s cell phone.
It is this voicemail that first allows Sharpe to uncover a cleverly planned voter fraud scandal on a global scale. Through a combination of information left via voice mail and meticulous research of his own, Sharpe comes across a company called Abacus, which manufactures mass voting machines. Closer investigation leads Sharpe to discover that Abacus voting machines were used in dozens of Ohio counties that, in the previous election, voted for candidates who were not expected to win.
In alternate chapters, the reader meets the powerful, deadly, and cunning Russian energy tycoon Oleg Kazarov, whose combination of money and scare tactics have allowed him to buy his way into American politics. Through his dubious Energy 2020 initiative, an environmental effort reminiscent of the real-life Keystone XL pipeline, Kazarov first catches the Washington lobbyist Ariens, and later, after he kills Ariens for disobeying his wishes, the still friend. most sinister of Ariens, House Majority Leader Stanton. A true embodiment of the sleazy, womanizing politician, Stanton uses a potent mix of power, intimidation and favoritism to get what he wants.
But it is Stanton’s exploitation of his junior employee Joanie Simpson that first brings Sharpe to him. When Joanie mysteriously dies, Sharpe is able to put all the puzzle pieces together and connect the treacherous triangle of Kazarov, Stanton and Abacus. In a thrilling race to the finish that includes kidnappings and humiliations on live television, Sharpe emerges as a worthy hero as he uncovers the Watergate of the new millennium.
While at times unapologetically pessimistic about American politics, David Pepper’s The People’s House is ultimately an engaging and enjoyable read for any mystery fan or reader of books on modern American politics.