Protagonist Dan Cahill is a former U.S. Secret Service agent who is tagged by some as “Mr. Not Involved” due to his palpable disdain for politics. When he inadvertently agrees to get involved in his daughter’s college professor’s run for the presidency of the United States, he immediately becomes embroiled in the campaign and the personal lives of a variety of people. Relationships play an important role in the plot of Andy Kutler’s HONORABLE PROFESSION, and two prominent ones are cultivated throughout the book—the one Dan has with his daughter Megan, and the one he has with presidential candidate, Walter Becker. Kutler skillfully navigates each relationship down a path that could branch off in a number of different directions. His strategic use of foreshadowing creates dramatic tension and sets up interesting expectations for readers.
Based on the author’s comprehensive and credible accounts of hearings, campaigns, and various collaborations among government officials, it is apparent that he has well-founded insight into federal operations. The quantity of detail he includes allows one to get an acute sense of the setting, climate, and mood in the distinct scenarios he creates. The characters in this book are unique, multi-dimensional, and believable, with each one coming to life on the page following layers of personality and history. They are unique—differing from each other in dialogue, thoughts, and values. Their strengths make them powerful. Their flaws make them relatable. The manner in which the characters strive to meet their goals, what motivates them, and how they evolve through the story are engaging.
While the plot in HONORABLE PROFESSION is imaginative and intriguing, the author takes a risk in including an abundance of description and back story. Some readers will enjoy this level of detail, especially those interested in government policies, procedures, job descriptions, and politics in general. But many readers don’t like being frequently pulled away from the story at hand and will skip over these. Obviously, details should be included when they are vital to moving the plot forward or when they add perspective to make for a deeper narrative. However, too much explanation usually means the characters’ actions aren’t sufficient enough to make the point. Similarly, the long passages of introspection in this book are an indication of the characters’ actions not being strong enough to stand on their own.
Andy Kutler’s Secret Service experience and positions under two senators enable him to portray an authentic depiction of federal government operations and how one man helps a relatively unknown college professor in his quest to become the next United States President in the gripping and creative HONORABLE PROFESSION.
~Florence Osmund for IndieReader