SID SALTER SYNDICATED COLUMN
Clarion Ledger Perspective Book Review
August 16, 2009
Ward's tale of corrupt lawmakers compelling
House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, has always given the popular but largely erroneous image of state legislators as drunken louts a hard time.
More than 25 years ago after I wrote a scathing column about lobbying expenses, McCoy and former state legislator and current U.S. District Judge Mike Mills invited me to join them for an evening at the old Sun-N-Sand - an evening in which I learned that tales of the nocturnal excesses of legislators were somewhat overblown.
A really good read
McCoy taught me a valuable lesson about buying into stereotypes about legislators. But even a quarter-century later, a few legislative country boys(and girls)-come-to-town war horses can still be found at Schimmel's or Tico's or the other legislative watering holes. There's a reception almost every night and lobbyists with fat wallets abound.
First-time Brandon author Rick Ward, a veteran retired law enforcement officer and Gaming Commission division director, plays off that image of out-of-control legislators and unscrupulous lobbyists to spin a wickedly entertaining fictional tale of public corruption in his legal thriller The Lawmaker (Spring Morning Publishing, $24.95). That's against the backdrop of the state's casino industry and an undercover federal sting operation.
Meet Wayne Lott
Ward's protagonist is
Ward's plot development is excellent and as with many of John Grisham's novels, Mississippians will love the fact that Ward writes authoritatively about
Like Mitch McDeere, the Tom Cruise character in Grisham's breakthrough novel The Firm, Wayne Lott is flawed and not always the most likeable character. But lest one make the mistake of assuming Ward's first novel is yet another poor imitation of Grisham's early works - as I did before I took the time to read it - Rick Ward is a fresh, exciting Mississippi writer who tells a great story in solid and unique voice.
Ward's The Lawmaker is his first book, but it almost certainly won't be his last. Ward is already hard at work on two other projects - the latest about an 1866 massacre in
Even old loyal Sun-N-Sand legislative alums like Speaker McCoy and Judge Mills would have a hard time not recognizing a few people in Ward's The Lawmaker - as I did - which made the compelling novel all the more fun.
..Author with Tunica roots brings novel to life
Peter Thomas 05.MAR.09
When Tunica County native Rick Ward announced that he had ventured into the world of writing, I wasn’t sure what to expect when asked to review the manuscript of his new novel The Lawmaker. After hearing that the story was based on the world of politics and gaming in Mississippi, and that it was written by a seasoned law enforcement officer, my interest level increased considerably. After just a few pages I found myself totally engrossed in a storyline that has the makings of a big screen thriller. I realized quickly that I was reading a book that was destined to become a winner!
Rick Ward is the youngest of eight children born to Homer and Emma Ward of Tunica, and he has spent his lifetime serving his fellow man.
After completing high school in Tunica, Ward signed up with the U.S. Navy. He entered the Vietnam conflict in 1971, then after returning stateside went on to secure an associates degree in law enforcement from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Criminal Justice from the University of the State of New York, and a Masters in Educational Administration from the University of Hawaii. Ward also graduated from the Mississippi State Law Enforcement Academy and the FBI National Academy. He has spent his life protecting the innocent and fighting crime by serving over thirty years in civilian and military law enforcement and security.
It didn’t take long to realize that Ward has a keen sense of justice and that his two year stint as Director for Charitable Gaming (Bingo) with the Mississippi Gaming Commission during the late 1990’s was a major influence in the motivation to write this book.
The story takes the reader into a fictional account of young legislator Wayne Lott’s climb into politics following the rise of gaming in Mississippi. Complete with an attempt on his father’s life, run-ins with dark criminal figures, and behind the scenes meetings with corrupt lobbyists and political figures, Lott makes an suspenseful and action filled journey toward realizing the true meaning of honor and integrity.
In Ward’s introduction to The Lawmaker he states, “Wherever there is a dollar to be made, there is someone out there seeking to monopolize and make all the money. These people will stop at nothing, and nobody is exempt from their grasp.” In a writing style that keeps the reader on edge wondering what amazing situation this young legislator will find himself in, Ward provides unique and attention-grabbing insight into the world of law enforcement, crime and political corruption. Ward hopes this novel will be the first of many stories in his writing future and wishes the citizens of Mississippi and Tunica County to know that his intentions are not to bash the casino industry or gaming agencies.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Ward said. “This is pure fiction.”
The author stated that he greatly appreciates the many contributions to infrastructure, jobs, recreation, tourism and other activities the gaming industry has provided. In addition, he respects what the law enforcement entity associated with gaming must go through.
“Mississippi Gaming Agents are some of the finest agents in the country. All of them are,” Ward said, adding that he would definitely wish to see better law enforcement in all areas of business and life in this country.
Ward stated that he intends to continue using his past experiences to motivate future writing projects. His topics may not include the gaming industry, but rather unrelated crime and corruption in a legal genre seen through a senior law enforcement officers eyes.
“I’ve been there, done that and seen it all. I don’t have to do much research or rely on ideas from other people. They have been embedded in my head for years waiting to be embellished and written with name changes to protect the guilty,” Ward said.
During our interview Ward noted the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere” as his favorite quote, and somehow I knew that this writer will utilize his lifetime in law enforcement and a deep-seeded desire to see justice served, to create more fascinating stories!
To pre-order your copy of The Lawmaker, which will go to press beginning this week, visit www.springmorningpublishing.net to get an autographed copy.
