Everybody Wants to Rule the World

A 14-year-old boy’s suspicion that his mom’s boyfriend might be a Russian spy ignites this busy comedic thriller from Atkins (Don’t Let the Devil Ride). In 1985 Atlanta, Peter Bennett worries that his scientist mom’s new flame, Gary—who has a funny accent, is not in the phone book, and keeps a gun in his car—is less interested in romance than in gaining access to her work for a government contractor. Peter knows that nobody in authority will take a high school freshman seriously, so he gets in touch with his favorite author, crime novelist Dennis “Hotch” Hotchner, whose writing career flamed out a decade ago. Hotch agrees to help, but trouble soon follows: a Russian hit man appears on the scene, a coworker of Peter’s mom is found murdered, and the FBI gets involved. When Peter’s kidnapped, Hotch and his sidekick, a brawny drag queen named Jackie Demure, shift into high gear. Atkins peppers the exuberant action with colorful references to ’80s pop culture, but as the cast of characters expands, the book’s many subplots start to stall the narrative momentum. It’s hard not to admire his ambition, but Atkins has done better before. Agent: Esther Newberg, CAA. (Dec.)