Review by Zelinda -- Veterans Day by J. J. Jorgens

Zelinda · Post by **Zelinda** » 16 Aug 2017, 20:43

[Following is a volunteer review of "Veterans Day" by J. J. Jorgens.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The guidelines say not to give a book four stars if the editing is not up to snuff. Well, in Veterans Day, a compelling mystery by J.J. Jorgens, the editing isn't up to snuff. But I still have to give it four stars; it’s that good. Hopefully, it will be re-edited before it is grabbed up by some savvy book publisher. None of the editing typos and grammos caused more than a flicker of annoyance and none were enough to slow me down as I guzzled down this exciting and entertaining novel, the first of the Mary Jane Morris mysteries.

The milieu of Mary Jane Morris is Washington DC and its environs. The theme of corruption in government is timely and nothing she describes in her story is out of the realm of possibility. On a mission to explore the death of her former partner, Davy, a death ruled as a suicide, Mary Jane uncovers much more than a murder skillfully disguised as a suicide, one which leaves some troubling questions and evidence that points otherwise.

As she follows up on clues left her by Davy, Mary Jane begins to learn about a plan involving illegal and broad access to funds meant for the Department of Veterans Affairs, to be effected through a plan to revamp the agency. In collusion with the DC Mayor, a Virginia Senator, an Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs, a business owner who is a former vet, a financial bigwig, and a strongman looking out for the group, the leader of the group manipulates all of them to achieve his own power goals and add to his already amassed billions.

Other law enforcement agencies also appear to have been corrupted: the FBI, the Coast Guard and the DC Police. This makes Mary Jane’s investigation not only dangerous but possibly futile. Enlisting the help of some of Davy’s other friends, groups like Vets Helping Vets, close family members and two very smart computer hackers helps her investigation move along, but puts many of those helping her into the path of danger. As she finds herself, along with some of her supporters, targeted on more than one life-threatening occasion, Mary Jane begins to rethink her methods of bringing the criminals to justice and avenging Davy’s murder.

Readers who live in the Washington metropolitan area will recognize or perhaps learn about some of DC’s roadways, paths, and waterways. Mary Jane’s love of kayaking, as well as some of its risks, is explored. The role the different media play in unwittingly covering up and/or uncovering the real story is also amazingly apropos to our current national events. The description of neighbors standing up for her provides a look into the spirit of the community that turns out to support Mary Jane when she is accused of being an unhinged conspiracy theorist as well as Davy’s killer.

If you are a lover of fast-paced intrigue-filled mysteries, you will enjoy this book. I give it four out of four stars and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

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Veterans Day
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Chris Jablonski · Post by **Chris Jablonski** » 25 Sep 2017, 23:47

This is exactly my cup of poison laced tea. After reading your review I am compelled to seek this book out and devour it. Thank you for this excellent thumbnail sketch.