Girls, Crimes & the Ruling Body: A Novel by Barry R. Ziman follows Ryan McNeil, a man with wonderful ambitions of getting married and developing a career in politics, but a character with a tragic flaw that seems to stalk him in dangerous ways — infidelity. At an unfortunate moment when he is unfaithful to the love of his life, Caroline Tierney, Ryan becomes a witness to an abduction and when he reports the incident to the police, it leads eventually to Caroline walking out of his life. After seven years, he has a successful career with his former boss, now a Congressman. He is married to Annie, even if not fulfilled in the marriage. Again, while committing an act of infidelity, Ryan witnesses another kidnapping. This time it is in Virginia, and he becomes the prime suspect. Caroline resurfaces in his life, but can he prove his innocence, reclaim his life, and reconnect with the love of his life?

This is a novel with an explosive ending that will surprise readers. Ryan is a protagonist — some will call a tragic hero — that will leave readers asking if he really deserved it. It is a story of love, corruption, and manipulation, and readers will adore the way the author shows how people in power can use money and sex to manipulate and subjugate others. Characters like Somatos and Annie are not what they seem to be, and the twists in the story will surprise any reader. Barry R. Ziman plots intelligently and writes characters that are fully developed and realistic. I found it hard not to feel some sympathy for Ryan, a man who seemed to have been punished in a proportion that far outweighed his crimes. Girls, Crimes & the Ruling Body: A Novel has good pacing, a huge dose of drama, and manifold surprises to keep the pages turning.

Girls, Crimes & the Ruling Body by Barry R. Ziman is a political mystery/thriller that follows the trials and tribulations of Ryan McNeil. An aspiring politician working under Assemblyman Somatos, Ryan had idyllic views of life, love, and politics. He thought he would stay with his sweet Caroline forever, but that changed when he cheated on her. Ryan became a witness to the kidnapping of young Kathy, who was later found dead. He goes to the police with his testimony, which was the beginning of a terrible future Ryan never foresaw. Years later, now married to someone else, Ryan was on an all-time professional high and but at his lowest in his personal life. However, it was witnessing another young woman being abducted that did it for him. Going to the police with his testimony only brought suspicion on him, and before he knew it, Ryan was a prime suspect in the case. Now it was up to Ryan to prove his innocence, or else he could lose his political future.

Perhaps one of the most unique political/mystery novels, this exceptional story had me hooked from the first chapter. Barry R. Ziman opened the story with a literal bang and kept the momentum going from there. The pace never slowed down, the action was an integral part of the story, and the narrative set the right tone for the plot. However, this novel was more than just a murder mystery and a political thriller. The themes of family, infidelity, and searching for the truth played a vital role in moving the story forward. Ryan was a typical politician, someone who had big ideas and even bigger ideals, but he gave in to his vices. However, that does not mean he was a bad person. The author shared his growth at a pace that suited his character and didn’t rush anything. I was surprised that I could not guess the ending. It surprised me. Girls, Crimes & the Ruling Body was pure entertainment.