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In Jay MacLarty's fictional universe, Simon Leonidovich is the best at what he does, which is to make deliveries of just about anything --- documents, computer discs, whatever you want --- quickly. MacLarty has infused his character with a unique appeal. By no means is Leonidovich a tough guy, which makes him more believable than many in the thriller genre. He doesn't drop kick through doors or scissor-jump his way out of cars the way I saw someone else in his chosen field do in a movie recently. What Leonidovich can do, however, is think on (and with) his feet, a skill that has served him in good stead and that he utilizes once again in LIVE WIRE.
LIVE WIRE is the third of the Leonidovich novels, and it is possibly the most ambitious one to date. Leonidovich is retained to transport different sets of documents back and forth between the United States and North Korea. The whole setup seems a little bizarre to him, and sure enough, he's been selected as both the vessel and sacrificial lamb as part of a plot to carry out a coup d'etat upon the U.S. government. Leonidovich doesn't sacrifice well, however, and the plot begins to unravel almost from its unfortunate beginning. The problem is that Leonidovich knows much more than is good for him, even though he really doesn't know much at all.
One thing he doesn't know is that an old and deadly adversary of his has been unleashed, one who will stop at nothing to avenge himself upon Leonidovich and who is greatly looking forward to getting the job done. Leonidovich may have the might and majesty of certain elements of the United States government against him, but he is not without resources of his own. Big Jake Rynerson is there to help, of course, as is Victoria Halle, Leonidovich's intrepid assistant. And, interestingly enough, resolution is obtained on at least one front with assistance from a somewhat unexpected source.
LIVE WIRE is perhaps not quite as tight a novel as its predecessors, THE COURIER and BAGMAN, but it's still great fun and a rapid read that will give fans of MacLarty and Leonidovich their money's worth. This is a series that should continue to enlarge its fan base for quite some time to come.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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