Review: Excitement, action, adventure!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 28, 2013
A Date with Death, Episode 1 in Ace Collin’s new series called In the President’s Service, is an exciting race against time to free an innocent pastor and find who really committed the crimes he is sentenced to die for.  Detective Helen Meeker, who works directly for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is delightfully clever, having noted the discrepancy that the investigators who examined the evidence that backed up the pastor’s confession.The writing and descriptions are, for the most part, matter-of-fact; occasionally the descriptions are humorous, and every vehicle was described for the reader who appreciates the classic cars and trucks.One thing that I appreciated was the respect given to the office of the President.  While Helen had audience with the President when needed, she did not take it for granted that she reported directly to him or could go to him with the challenges she faced – even when trying to negotiate with the bank robbers who were in the way of their progress on the case.  I tried to remember a time when I saw the office of the President as the greatest leader of the free world and could not.  Perhaps President Kennedy was the only one I remember during my lifetime as an important world leader; it bears considering that we do need to respect the office of President as well as Vice President and other national, state, or local leaders.Helen’s work with FBI agent Henry Reese is professional and at times showing that they are two old friends who enjoy working together and bouncing ideas off of each other.  One would like to see romance develop between the two, and the hint of jealousy is evident when the very attractive woman had to be act as hostess and date during British Corporal Nigel Andrews’ visit to the United States.Corporal Andrews did not seem like a man who was esteemed by his government – a bitter, tired man who should have been retired so he could return to his lady friend and home.  He certainly did not seem to have the respect for his deceased commanding officer, Reginald Fister, that one would anticipate.  Learning that Fister had actually survived the German gunfire to which he was subjected while allowing his men to escape was a stunning turn of events.  Reggie a lady’s man, went to great lengths to woo Helen, even wanting her to marry him.  One of these two men is a traitor – which one is it, and will Helen be able to discern the truth?  Will she be able to find the truth so that the pastor can be free before his scheduled execution?  Pursuing the solution plunges Helen in a race against time through harrowing events in which her courage and brilliant mind are tested.If you like WWII novels, espionage stories with clever detectives and a hint of romance, wrapped up in a nice, neat package that arrives to your e-reader each month, this series is for you!  Thank you, Ace Collins, and Fred and Norma St. Laurent for the privilege of reading this first episode of this new series!*Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.