Blue Ink Reviews

“Stephen L. Bruneau’s second Dimase Augustin thriller (following The MIT Murders) finds the homicide detective-turned-P.I. uncovering a deep-state conspiracy.

The novel begins when Ben Johnson learns that his clandestine lover of over 40 years, Acadia LaFleur, has been attacked in a home invasion and lies in a coma. Seeking justice for Acadia, Ben enlists his friend Augustin to investigate.

Meanwhile, an escort who goes by the name Daisy May sees a text she shouldn’t have on the phone of Senator Richard Monroe. She doesn’t understand it, but it has something to do with the recent death of a Supreme Court justice and a top-secret operation known as SCOTUS.

Augustin arrives in Louisiana and finds there’s been an attack on a second woman named Acadia LaFleur, this one fatal. As Augustin investigates to determine the killer’s motive, he comes up against the players in the SCOTUS conspiracy – who include not only Monroe but members of the FBI, CIA and other power players – as they scramble to salvage their increasingly botched operation.

Bruneau makes a refreshing choice to portray incompetent conspirators rather than slick stock villains. Monroe’s and his cronies’ antics are often mordantly funny as they turn on each other. The plot features enough twists to keep readers on their toes, without becoming too outlandish. And Ben and Acadia’s star-crossed love story makes a poignant counterpoint to all the mayhem.

Readers might appreciate more information about Augustin, however, especially as he’s a recurring character. Bruneau has given him an intriguing background, including immigrating to the U.S. from Haiti as a child and serving in the U.S. Special Forces, but offers little present-day character development. He’s something of a cipher compared to well-developed supporting characters like Rufus Manteau, the inept Louisianan hired to do the conspirators’ dirty work.

Overall, however, The SCOTUS Affair is an entertaining political thriller—one that should delight fans of the genre.”

Forward Reviews

“In the tight, twisting thriller The SCOTUS Affair, an affable detective pursues the truth about a far-reaching political conspiracy.

In Stephen L. Bruneau’s thrilling novel The SCOTUS Affair, Detective Dimase Augustin returns to confront a brutal mystery centered on the US Supreme Court.

Ben’s world was rattled when the love of his life—with whom he has been embroiled in a long affair, and who is from a powerful, wealthy family—was attacked during a botched home invasion and left comatose. Ben draws upon his extensive networking skills as one of the country’s premier entrepreneurs to find out why she was targeted. His last resort is his old friend, former detective Dimase Augustin.

The already intriguing case takes an unexpected turn when an elite escort with high connections is brutally murdered. The novel zooms out from this murder with calculated patience to tease out connections between the crimes. Augustin discovers a vast conspiracy—in which Ben is involved—that reaches from Louisiana to the halls of power in Washington, D.C.: corrupt people from one political party are trying to gain control of the Supreme Court by removing judges, hoping to extend and maintain their grip on power.

Augustin is witty and charming. Despite being retired, he maintains personal connections to police officers and other helpful allies, though his warm personality opens more doors than his proven skills. His dogged investigation style leads to the revelation of evidence that local police skipped over, and he woos a witness into giving him access to secret letters. Ben, meanwhile, is flawed but realistic—an adulterer who balances his desires with his drive to adhere to a moral code. The book’s secondary characters are developed to the extent that it’s never clear who might be pivotal to the story, making the whole cast dynamic.

Characters’ conversations are made believable in part because of shifting tones, and in part because of the subtle use of accents: a Louisiana native drawls, and a clever hit man speaks with sharp, precise inflections; and an exchange between Ben and his lover early in the book transforms from distant when they’re in the hearing of others to erotic when they’re alone. Meanwhile, sensory details—as of the sweat-drenched sheets of a hotel room, crunchy glass strewn across a carpet in an unexamined crime scene, and the vicious snapping of a fingernail during the reenacted assault—result in realism, particularly when regarded from Augustin’s critical eye. Because of him, evidence is processed and witnesses are tracked down with care, and the book is steady as it builds toward its dramatic conclusion.

In the tight, twisting thriller The SCOTUS Affair, an affable detective pursues the truth about a far-reaching political conspiracy.

Kirkus Reviews

“A private eye’s investigation into the assault of a 70-year-old woman leads to murder and a political conspiracy in this thriller sequel.

Boston entrepreneur Ben Johnson is shaken by the news that Acadia LaFleur is comatose following an attack. He’s had business dealings with the LaFleurs, an affluent Louisiana family that Acadia married into. As Ben has loved her since the two had an affair decades ago, he asks his private investigator friend Dimase Augustin to find out what happened. Dimase makes little headway until he learns of a striking similarity between Acadia and an escort who recently turned up as a homicide victim in a nearby Louisiana town. They both have the same name. Not only are the crimes likely connected, but there’s another potential link to a political power move that involves an imminent assassination. Since the culprits are desperate to cover their tracks, they target others for murder as well, including Acadia, who may eventually be able to identify her assailant. A vague clue points Dimase and Ben to an unknown senator’s nickname. They’ll need to identify this senator to unravel a growing conspiracy while ensuring Acadia—and the two friends themselves—stays safe. Bruneau’s novel is concise and absorbing. The mystery is relatively simple, and most readers will have worked it out well before the ending. But suspense is ample in the latter half, particularly as escalating distrust among the villains makes them more unpredictable and dangerous. The story offers minimal insights into Dimase aside from his brief personal history beginning in Haiti. He’s generally by the book, even respectfully coordinating with authorities in the two places in which he operates. Still, his professional nature underscores his intelligence and tenacity while Ben and Acadia’s convincing love story provides the bulk of the tale’s strong emotional context.A diligent and appealing detective enhances this tense mystery.”

 Non Stop Action

“What a page turner. From the first page to the last I was totally immersed in this creative and suspenseful mystery. Although fictional, there were many story lines that seemed very plausible given the current state of our dysfunctional leaders and institutions. Great read just like the MIT Murders. Stephen Bruneau's name should be there with Patterson, Connell, Child, Cornwall and the rest!”

- Scott T Lauback

Fiction that is frighteningly non-fictional and compelling.

“Bruneau has the gift. Effectively and simultaneously building suspense while integrating characters, concepts and events all too familiar in this surreal non-fictional political climate in which Americans currently live. I'm a huge fan.”

- Ron S.

Riveting book and so interesting!

“What a great book found myself not wanting to put the book down. I love this detective Dimase Augustin. I hope there are more to come. Great read while on vacation.”

- Ramin Doorandish

Great Read!

“Without out missing a step readers will walk from today’s unreal world into the unreality of the SCOTUS Affair. And like today, dangerous politicians and government officials abound.”

We all know by now that what happens at the Supreme. Court determines much of our future and this is what drives the plot. Maybe as little as ten years ago the plot would have seemed far fetched. But today the reader will nod: Uk huh, that’s right, that’s how things work. In this book private citizens must set things right. Kind of like you in your Walter Mitte dreams these days.

Buckle your seat belts because before it is over you won’t know up from down, guilty from innocent, dead or alive.”

- Robert J. Hildreth

If there is an ounce of a conspiracy theorist in you, this read has your name on it.

I was hooked in by the first, very short chapter and this book gives new meaning to "page turner". It is such a book for our times, especially if you believe nothing is quite what it seems. Or there is so much more going on behind the scenes in D.C. than we can possibly conjure up. The characters are great and the story line makes you wonder where reality lies. Dimase shows he can negotiate his way around the deep south in sly ways which also makes this a delightful character study. This was a solid follow-up to the M.I.T. Murders and I can't wait for the next installment from Bruneau.

- Cindy C

I couldn't put it down, knocked it out in 24

“A great read and quite a thriller. From the beginning and through out the book the suspense was very stimulating and the end was phenomenal. Enjoyed it and can't wait for the next one.”

- Juan Maldonado

Can’t wait for what’s next!

“Read this thriller in a few days! So interesting and suspenseful. Enjoyed this thourouly!”

- Jackie Sealund

Could not put this down!

“Entertaining. Believable characters. Can’t wait for the next one!!”

- Patricia Wright