I have to admit, I was shocked to find out that National Review editor Rich Lowry had co-written a novel. I just didn’t picture him as the novel writing type. Of course, he had the help of literary agent Keith Korman. But still a surprising project. For thos unfamiliar with the book here is the PW set up:
Unlikely hero Peter Johnson, a mildly buffoonish writer working for the Crusader, a left-wing magazine, is recruited by CIA agent Stewart Banquo for the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist. Banquo figures no one would ever suspect Johnson, known for his drunkenness and willingness to take a bribe, to be working for the CIA. Johnson, who accepts the job for a variety of reasons, heads off to Iran. A series of double crosses lands Johnson in the hands of the Iranians and sets up the rest of the plot involving a chillingly plausible terrorist attack.
And so my curiosity piqued, I decided to give it a read. Banquo’s Ghosts turned out to be a entertaining thriller with a distinct political style to it. This part is not surprising. In many ways Lowry is following in the footsteps of the man he succeeded at NR: William F. Buckley; who wrote a number of espionage thrillers with strong contemporary political undercurrents.
For more see below.
