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You might remember a book from 1996 titled THE LAST FAMILY, John Ramsey Miller's debut novel. Miller, a journalist and photographer of some renown, had a winner on his hands. A fast-paced thriller dealing with retribution and rough justice, THE LAST FAMILY left its readers wanting more. It was published to critical and popular acclaim, and more and even greater things were expected from Miller. Readers waited. And waited. And waited. It appeared as if Miller had retired. Fortunately, that was not the case.
INSIDE OUT introduces U.S. Marshal Winter Massey, a somewhat unassuming gentleman who attempts to balance the twin duties of job and single parenthood while keeping his priorities straight. At the beginning of the novel, Massey is reluctantly inducted into a team assigned to protect Dylan Devlin, a contract killer who is taking a turn as a Federal witness against Sam Manelli, possibly the last of the old-school gangsters. Manelli's reach doesn't stop at his cell bars; knowing that Devlin's life is the only thing that stands between him and his freedom, Manelli arranges a contract hit on Devlin. The resulting carnage leaves the government's case in a shambles, and the reputation and life of Greg Nations, Massey's best friend, tarnished.
But the contract is not quite complete. Devlin's beautiful wife Sean escaped the hit as the result of Massey's intervention. She apparently was blissfully unaware of her husband's occupation, yet she too is now the target of a group of seemingly omnipresent assassins. Meanwhile, Massey is attempting to salvage Nations's reputation, despite orders from his superior to the contrary.
He soon learns that all of what has happened --- the contract on Devlin, the apparent culpability of Nations --- is minor compared to a major clandestine operation being carried out by a shadowy organization that answers to no one but itself. Massey quickly finds himself alone, unable to trust anyone, with only his wits and talent to guide him through a labyrinthine puzzle where the first misstep will mean death not only for himself, but also for his loved ones.
Readers who fondly remember THE LAST FAMILY will find INSIDE OUT to be well worth the long wait. Massey is a believable hero, one who is a balance of lethal talents and real-world compassion. More importantly, Miller is a first-rate author, plotting and writing with a muscular confidence that draws the reader in almost from the first page while slowly weaving layers of intricacy around what initially appears to be a deceptively simple plot. Readers who become addicted to Massey will not have to wait long for another dose --- UPSIDE DOWN, a second Winter Massey novel, will be published in late June 2005, with yet a third, SIDE BY SIDE, scheduled for publication in the fall. Clear your calendar now, and jump on board.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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