Sirk TV Book Review: THE MALTESE ATTACK [East River]
The aspect of intrigue in recent political times balances in the life that specific characters involved lead. "The Maltese Attack" [Jay Perin/East River/334pgs] uses an aspect of economics in North Africa to fuel the idea that permeates its leads. The bulk of the story centers on Lilah, who is left orphaned along with her twin Dan when her parents, involved in the oil business, are killed. They are taken under the wing of a prominent family. However the head of the family sees Dan as his heir (he has a son but doesn't believe in him). Most of the story is structured around how to get the still-underaged siblings to allow the family to formally adopt them. Lilah sees the writing on the wall and does not want to be beholden the family. The prominent family head: Andrew Barron has higher connections to Washington and the CIA.
This first book is set in the early 70s (specifically 1972/73) and is mainly set in Libya. Lilah has a clandestine romance (long distance) going with Harry who is stationed with his parents overseeing their small ouil drilling business in Libya. Andrew needs to find a way to make Lilah cave to convince her brother. In the greater scenario, it seems to be a bit childish in its play but the effect it causes is fairly real. The most engaging aspect of this is not the mechinations but rather the journey that takes over most of the book. The notion of escape in a scenario where everyone wants these young adventurers/romantic partners killed is both dread filled, exciting (at times) and has stakes. The build, especially when a break of trust causes the breakdown of life and creates trauma, is very practical and makes what the book builds to at the end feel earned. Even the meshing of cultures and how that must be both respected and feared at times is well played and illustrated, especially when the book starts to show a sense of time. Again the world is not fair and while the end of the book seems almost wrapped up too quickly to prep for the next book. But what the book does do is almost create a YA approach to recent history in the Middle East (only 50 years back) which is both not a different world but still much the same. B
By Tim Wassberg
