Poisoned Politics By Maggie Sefton

⇧ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for the full issue ⇧

Cynthia Chow

---

If there was ever an arena ripe for deception, back-stabbing and murder, it is the political world of Washington D.C. In the summer of 2007, Molly Malone has returned to Washington to work as a staffer for the up and coming junior Senator from Colorado, John Russell. The daughter of a Virginian U.S. Senator and the widow of a Congressman, Molly retains a considerable network of connections amongst the political elite. This is fortunate when her good friend Samantha Calhoun, who has made a hobby of seducing and guiding promising politicians, finds herself the target of a scandal. Her latest paramour winds up dead in her bed and his widow is riding the wave of sympathy all the way to a position as his replacement.

While Samantha initially glosses over the intrusion by tabloids into her life, accusations by Quentin Wilson’s widow threaten to demolish Samantha’s reputation, even as she stubbornly refuses to reveal her alibi and possibly tarnish another Washington politician. The murky implication of drug use and involvement of sinister characters, who lead back to the death of Molly’s niece, have Molly relying on her Washington roots for support, information and guidance.

Image source: Midnight Ink

In Washington, gossip is as lethal a weapon as steel and Molly has learned through experience how to wield it effectively. After surviving the trauma and pity she garnered from the suicide of her husband and the death of her niece, Molly has built a considerable shield around herself, but this is slowly being chiseled down by the charming, loyal and very protective retired Colonel Daniel DiMateo. Molly’s Sober-and-Righteous conscience battles with her more impulsive Crazy Ass voice, the latter daring her to risk her heart and finally make a commitment to finding true happiness.

In this sequel to “Deadly Politics,” Sefton continues the mystery of the shadowy Epsilon Group that seems to have had a hand in influencing the fate of Molly’s husband, niece and currently, her friend. While having considerable power within numerous Washington offices, the Group members will find Molly and her friends more than a match, even though they are following just a few steps behind. An ominous ending will have readers clamoring for more as they become invested in learning about this insidious plot and need to discover how Molly will undoubtedly summon her forces to combat it.

While this series has a much more serious tone than Maggie Sefton’s knitting series featuring Kelly Flynn, the Molly Malone books are just as enjoyable and provide an extremely fascinating and detailed glimpse into the elaborate maneuverings of Washington politics.

Use this link to purchase this book and a portion goes to help support KRL:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).