Review: Very clever storyline and holds your attention!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 31, 2012
An interesting story of greed, deception, and political corruption.  It starts a bit slow, but later in the book you understand the circumstances of the beginning.Although this book is a work of fiction, it is based on the state of Florida's amendments allowing the state to sue tobacco companies for the reimbursement of payment made to Medicaid on behalf of Medicaid patients who were receiving treatment as a result of tobacco related illnesses.Treacherous Obsession, is written as if the state of Florida would retain the services of `select private attorneys' for representation and on a contingency payment of attorney fees. It seems this legislation which allows the state to recover the medical expenses of Medicaid patients was created with a plan of cashing in on a legal windfall of money for the state and for the private attorneys which were involved.Kevin Charles is an attorney with basically honest integrity.  He is approached to buy in on a lawsuit with other select attorneys in cases which allow court awarded money to the State of Florida from tobacco companies. It was presented to him as a sure thing for a large amount of money.  He would be required to contribute $500,000 to the operation expenses for the group of lawyers to proceed. Of course for this to work, certain politicians have to be poised to make sure the legislation is passed.  After a couple of meetings with other participating lawyers Kevin feels a hesitancy about this whole set-up and questions the venture with Phil Griffin and Frank Dunn, a couple of his associates who are in 100 percent.In a private meeting, Phil and Hugh Benson have been reassured by the state Attorney General Sean Goodnight, that the Governor and the Senate and Speaker of the House are in agreement in extracting money from the tobacco companies using private trial attorneys rather than using the state attorneys. This will allow for accounting practices which are not audited by the state.Kevin's reluctance is a matter of worry for attorneys, Phil and Hugh. They want to make sure Kevin will not present a problem later.So a secret plan is put into place which should give the men some leverage against Kevin if it is needed as the process proceeds. This plan has no regard for his personal integrity, his family relationship, or his professional career.As you go further into the `plots' in this story, ask yourself, "Does everyone have a price?""How much money would it take for you to agree to frame an innocent person for your own personal gain"?Very clever storyline and holds your attention!(adult situations)