Lost Lake    by Phillip Margolin Order:  USA  Can HarperCollins, 2005 (2005) Hardcover, Audio, CD, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Phillip Margolin is the storyteller personified. With his eleventh novel, Lost Lake, he has created a tale that defies belief. Even so, it is a good book, with excitement on almost every page. That is, if you don't mind many of said pages being covered with blood and littered with dead bodies. Carl Rice is discovered by his high school sweetheart, Vanessa, in the act of murdering a public official. He claims to be on a secret mission. Vanessa asserts that he is being used by her father, General Wingate, the director of a clandestine, almost terrorist, group of soldiers. Life moves on, as it always does. But not without subterfuge on both Vanessa's and Carl's part. They rescue each other at various times, and they plot the downfall of the General. The characters ring true, unfortunately in some cases. The plot moves at a fast pace. Though descriptions of the war scenes are ones I could have done without, they seem accurate, as though the author had lived them. Suspense reigns in Lost Lake. A brutal world evolves. Some people don't survive it. Others use it for their own gains. This novel intensifies the lack of trust one might have for the shadowy figures who lurk behind the scenes of political life. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews