I was not particularly fond of the B-plot in this one, the plot involving the actress. And I thought the mystery was pretty straight forward. Yet the A-plot, Carmichael, sure gets the screws put to him. It is a subtle slide downward. I really like what she is doing and I can see the influence of Orwell. Although I didn't like it as much as the first, I bought the third as soon as I finished this one.