This novel is very much in line with the stories like "Seven days in May" only difference being [and this is applicable also to modern thrillers where antagonists are either terrorists from all over the world or standard Cold War [like] Russia] that main concern here is not external enemy but internal one - crime.

We follow acting Attorney General Christopher Collins as he slowly (and entirely by accident) comes across a conspiracy that aims at changing the way country works using raising crime rates as a pretext.

It is a scary book - not as much because of the plot but because of the possibility. People trust their elected officials for guidance and if officials abuse their power (or are intentionally misled in their actions) then people will end up in a situation where they become oppressed party. Interesting thing here is that their oppressors [who are doing what they are doing always under the pretense of helping people] are now surprised because did not that same people vote for their current state of affairs - so why are they raising their voice now, are they the rebellious element of society? Dictators rarely see themselves as despots - they see themselves as parental figures (yes there were female dictators too through history) who guide their people because these people is always viewed by dictators as children that do not know better and need their's [dictator's] guidance at all times (famous excuse).

Very good book. Unfortunately it is also as relevant today as it was in 1970's when it was initially published. ( )

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Though written 30 years ago, it seems somewhat new in this era of The Patriot Act. ( )

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