Loose Ends: A Jack Taggart Mystery

Henry G. MacLeod teaches sociology at Trent University and the
University of Waterloo.

Loose Ends gives readers an authentic glimpse at the life of an
undercover RCMP police officer. Its author, Don Easton, worked as an
undercover Mountie for 20 years and had several contracts taken out on
his life while living under various false identities. His highly
readable first novel draws on his real-life experience.

The story opens with the tragic drug-related deaths of Jack Taggart’s
niece and nephew. Unable to be directly involved in the homicide
investigation, Taggart, an undercover RCMP officer working organized
crime, persuades his boss in the Intelligence Section that he should do
surveillance on Satans Wrath, a biker gang. Suspense mounts as Taggart
closes in on the murderers of his niece and nephew.

Meanwhile his new partner, Danny O’Reilly, has been asked to spy on
Taggart, whose unorthodox methods have attracted the attention of the
department’s superintendent. Taggart follows a code based on unwritten
rules with organized crime, such as families are left alone. Breaking
these rules means a loss of respect and war where anyone can become a
casualty.

Easton has created a gritty, engaging whodunit. Both the lead and
supporting characters are strong and well developed. This reviewer is
looking forward to a sequel.