The Rule of Nine by Steve Martini Search Amazon for other books by or about Steve Martini. Rating: Reviewed by: Bob Walch

In his latest thriller Steve Martini pits San Diego defense attorney Paul Madriani against a lethal pair of individuals who plan to rock the nation's capital.

One of the deadly duo, The Old Weatherman, has devised a swan song, that, if successful, will drive a stake through the heart of the right-wing establishment and bury it once and for all. Not only does he have the funds and the perfect weapon, but the deranged domestic terrorist also has a professional who can carry out the attack.

Featured in Martini's last novel, Guardian of Lies, a professional assassin known as Liquida has also resurfaced and is implicated in the murder of a Washington, D.C., political staffer. An individual with a score to settle with the U.S. government, this shadowy killer, who has been dubbed "the Mexicutioner", has the expertise the Old Weatherman is looking for.

Both these vendetta driven individuals would love to strike at the very seat of the United States government in the heart of downtown Washington. What they plan to do, destroy the entire Supreme Court, will be chronicled in history books alongside the horror of "9-11."

Fresh off diverting a similar disaster in San Diego, will Madriani and weapons control expert Joselyn Cole be able to stop this threat to the nation's highest court? The answer resides in their ability to decipher the enigma that is "the rule of nine"!