___Beckett becomes enraged when a longtime colleague is murdered for witnessing a child-pornography shindig.
___The author describes the ogres who exploit children: "Something happens when men of a certain type get wealth and status and it often ends up manifesting itself in activities like this. After all the striving, you finally reach an immoral nirvana where anything goes, and consequences are a thing of the past. You are above everything and no one can touch you."
___But this scam isn't a product of criminals per se. It's run by a black ops section of government. The author examines the old conundrum of secrecy for the sake of national security: "How can it be illegal when it comes from the very top? This is outside legality and illegality. Beyond good and evil, to quote Nietzsche. Besides, what the government say and what they do are two different concerns, as I’m sure you’re aware. It’s just that there are some things that the public are not ready to know about. Some things that they’re simply not bright enough to know about."
___Other than this the author has little to say about our current myopia of nation states. He offers no solutions other than the integrity of his resourceful private eye.
___Daniel Beckett follows several leads. At one point, he seeks the services of another PI. He finds an attractive sister of a famous porn star. Together, the sexy duo coaxes the black ops out from their government camouflage. That's when the fun begins.
___An intoxicating read. Recommended: 4.4 stars.
https://www.amazon.ca//dp/product/B08MCDRPTM/