The Commission

Michael Norman
Poisoned Pen Press (2007)
ISBN 1590583590
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/06)

“The Commission” is a powerfully written suspense mystery novel that takes place in Utah.  The story takes you from a sleazy local strip club into the prison system.  When the chairman of the Utah Board of Pardons is murdered the investigation reveals that there is extensive corruption within the prison system.  It isn’t the prisoners that are the problem, it is the employees.  The Commission is the name for a group of corrupt prison employees that use their positions to either sell favors or to violate the right of the prisoners.

Chief of Special Investigations, Sam Kincaid and homicide police detective Lt. Kate McConnell work together to solve this murder.  As the plot thickens and it is discovered that the murders involve prison employees they become endangered themselves.  They also begin to develop a special personal relationship.  This adds dimension to the story.

As the investigation continues, more murders occur to try to cover up the evidence.  One murder is made to look like a suicide.  The safety of Kincaid’s family also becomes threatened.  The story moves along quickly and we discover the depths of the sleaziness of some of the characters and the degree to which they will act in order to cover up what they have done.  They also don’t feel too remorseful about their involvement with abusing the prisoners.  Their depravity adds to the enjoyment of the story.  I didn’t feel too sorry for them when they get what’s coming to them.

Author Michael Norman has an extensive background in criminal justice.  His educational and professional experience adds a great deal of credibility to his writing.  “The Commission” was so well written that it is hard to believe that this is the author’s first novel.  I enjoyed the twists and turns that he incorporated into the plot.  I am looking forward to reading the sequel to this story.  I highly recommend this novel.  I think that readers looking for new authors will be pleased to discover Michael Norman.

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