A Book A Week

The current news headlines vividly illustrate American politics' intense and dysfunctional state. While political contention, tit-for-tat exchanges, and a self-serving approach have always been characteristic of the political landscape, the emergence of Donald Trump elevated these dynamics to an unparalleled level. Author Robin Peguero is intimately familiar with this environment. He recently played a pivotal role as an investigative counsel on the historic Select Committee Investigating the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. Observing the hearings unfold, the entire spectacle seemed almost surreal, undoubtedly providing Peguero with ample inspiration for his latest novel, One in the Chamber. Having had the opportunity to review his debut novel, With Prejudice, a compelling exploration into the dynamics of a jury during a murder trial, I was eager to delve into his newest work. 

The novel begins with gripping intensity. On the eve of the presidential election, the nation is on edge. Supporters from both political divides believe a loss could signify a dramatic shift in the country's direction. On Capitol Hill, influential congressmen and their large teams of interns anxiously monitor the  election results. By night's end, two undeniable truths will emerge: a new president-elect will be chosen, and a well-known U.S. Senator will be found dead, the victim of a shocking murder.

Peguero rewinds the narrative from its explosive opening, taking us back several months before the fateful election night. Here, we meet Cameron Leann, a modest young man from Iowa who lands an internship position at the Capitol despite lacking significant funds or political experience. He soon finds himself amidst the grandeur of the Capitol building, about to serve as an intern for one of the Senate's influential "Gang of Six."

In this elite circle, Cameron is introduced to a tight-knit group of fellow junior staffers, each assigned to a different member of the Gang of Six. These twenty-somethings, diverse and representative of the nation's population, are remarkably intelligent. Diverse, though they may be, they all share a singular sentiment. Each of them harbors a deep disdain for their respective bosses. As the political landscape heats up, with debates surrounding a controversial Supreme Court nomination and the looming election, tensions within the group intensify. Alliances are tested, deceit becomes commonplace, and emotions are boiling. While readers are privy to the story's eventual tragic outcome, the journey to that pivotal night is equally tumultuous and riveting.

In One in the Chamber, Robin Peguero masterfully refines the character-driven storytelling and intricate plotting that distinguished his debut novel. The book seamlessly blends personal dramas, political maneuverings, and a gripping murder mystery into an irresistibly engaging narrative. Peguero offers readers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the American political system, navigating its complexities without drowning the reader in tedious details. He strikes a perfect balance, providing enough insight into the legislative process to lend authenticity to his tale while skillfully grounding the more salacious elements of the plot.

Each chapter concludes with a tantalizing glimpse into the future, presenting snippets of the characters' interrogations following the shocking murder. This narrative device heightens the suspense, propelling readers to eagerly turn the pages. One in the Chamber evokes the suspenseful political intrigue of the show "House of Cards" while channeling the dramatic twists and turns reminiscent of "How To Get Away With Murder." The story culminates in a satisfyingly unpredictable finale that had me glued to the pages until the very end. Once again, Robin Peguero delivers a standout novel that captivates and thrills.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 25)

As a society, we take on many civic responsibilities as a necessary burden of being part of a functioning community. For example, we begrudgingly pay our fair share of taxes each year, understanding that we all must do our part to fund the things like infrastructure and schools a reality. There are slight annoyances with each of these obligations, but nothing compares, in my mind at least, to the pure stress of being summoned for jury duty. We take off from work, struggle to find parking, and then sit in a room for hours until we are mercifully deemed unfit for the jury and sent home. The banality of it all really gets to me. For author Robin Peguero, however, the potential of being part of a jury marks the impetus for his take on a legal thriller. 

The case in question is the murder of a young woman, Melina Mora. She was last seen with a man who happens to match Gabriel Soto's description. When the police search his house, they find strands of Mora's hair, just enough evidence to charge Soto with killing her. The prosecutor and defense teams both have a heavy motivation to win this case. A conviction in this high-profile trial would all but secure the political aspirations of prosecutor Sandy Grunwald. Public defender Jordan Whipple has just as much on the line. He also happens to have an ace up his sleeve, a hail mary piece of evidence that was recently discovered which he believes has the potential to turn the tables in his client's favor. First, though, he'll have to convince the honorable judge Tackett to admit it. 

The fate of the entire trial ultimately rests in the hands of the jury, a group of ordinary citizens tasked with deciding the fate of the man in front of them. The group runs the gamut from the taxman, to the physician, to the head of the neighborhood watch. Each juror comes with their own story, a unique run at life that leads them to the courtroom. A combination of histories, biases, and values will ultimately converge, reaching a verdict that will impact the lives of those involved for years to come. 

In his debut novel With Prejudice, author Robin Peguero proves that sometimes the people deciding the outcome of a trial can be as compelling as the trial itself. Peguero presents the crime and those involved and then shifts his focus to that of the jury. He jumps around from person to person, often skipping between past and present in the process, methodically building a portrait of each individual who will ultimately impact the trial. This character-focused approach to deep diving into the backgrounds and motivations of everyone involved in an event reminded me of Noah Hawley's Before the Fall. Like Hawley's novel, the separate pieces of With Prejudice are ultimately more impactful as individual components than they are when they come together. Still, the way with which Peguero carefully reveals each character's past in conjunction with the unfolding trial is proof of his narrative mastery. I really enjoyed the way that this novel took a different approach to a normal courtroom drama, and I'll be eager to read whatever Peguero comes up with next. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2022, 31)