The Kappa File

by Oliver Sands

What does a mysterious file have to do with a multi-million dollar construction contract, the election of a county commissioner in Florida, and Attorney Mark Stone’s new client? Mark has weeks, if not days, to locate the file and find out. However, no one who has seen the content of the file has lived to tell about it.

The Kappa File is an action-packed legal thriller set in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where the winner in a special election for County Commission casts a tie-breaking vote to award a multi-million dollar construction contract to a client’s competitor. However, Mark has some doubts about the circumstances of the contract award. Why did a commissioner abruptly resign to pave the way for the special election? If the new commissioner’s win was a true upset, why did his opponent already know that the commissioner would win the election in spite of the commissioner being far behind in the polls?

Mark knows that the answer may reside in a mysterious file, called the Kappa file, that his client’s former attorney was looking for. Knowing what’s in the file or who created it may solve the mystery. However, if made public, the content of the file may shake the political establishment in Florida and beyond. As a result, a killer is out there determined to stop Mark.

Genres: Thriller

Unknown Binding

First published March 16, 2012

About the author

Oliver Sands is the pen name for the author of the new legal thriller, The Kappa File. He is an attorney who handles government litigation.

Reviews

[Tracey Madeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the first chapter I did not think the book would be worth reading. However, you should never let first impressions put you off. The great strength of this book is its structure, it is extremely well planned with plenty of twists and turns and suspense built in.

We are not introduced to all the characters in the beginning, infact I was over half way through and new characters were being brought in, but this is a thriller and not a whodunit, so I guess its alright to widen the intrigue with new people.

This novel is plot driven rather than character driven, you read to find out what happens in the end, not how the characters get on. The protagonist, Mark, is a lawyer turned private detective. In this role he appears a little inept and out of his depth. His pursuit of Daniella appears more wishful thinking than purposeful. Do we need a strong character in a novel which is plot driven? Well Arthur Conan Doyle seemed to manage it with Sherlock Holmes. No one would doubt his eccentricity and character, yet this did not detract from the plot.

I assume the Kappa File is the first novel by this author as I can not find anything else. It is a good and worthwhile read, as the plot is very well structured and many writers could learn a lot from reading it. Going forward I would personally like to see more character and atmosphere from this writer. This is definitely someone to watch in 2013.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attorney Mark Stone is playing the detective more than his role as attorney as he tries to discover what the Kappa file is.

Though a matter of rigged elections makes for a good story, I didn't find anything great in this book and I found I wanted it to be over. It was annoying hearing Mark whine about his like for Daniella.

There was an unexpected twist at the end.