Review and interview posted on My Book Musings! It was fun :)Gary Grossman might be new to the political thriller scene, but Executive Actions can be ranked right up there with other household thriller authors. It has the right amount of action, espionage, mystery, and a hint of romance, coupled with a dashing hero in the form of Secret Service Agent Scott Roarke. *Copy provided by publisher for an honest review*Executive Actions is a multi-layered plot, with a lot going on leading up to the finale or expose of the story. While everything does get tied up eventually, the way to the ending was a little bit tiring for me. I, as the reader, was able to put things together faster than the pacing of the book. Furthermore, there were times when the descriptions felt unnecessary and tedious, making the book feel longer than 384 pages. However, I marveled and appreciated the complexity of the book. It must not have been easy making all of these little actions by a lot of different characters, and making sure they all contribute to the real big secret that is slowly exposed. Each character is developed, with their own personality and brief backgrounds. Each was distinct, and yet actually complementary. I say it again, it was marvelous to read Gary Grossman's ability to craft a tale of this complicated magnitude with a satisfying ending.The main protagonist, Scott Roarke, was different from the usual portrayal of Special Agent men. He actually showed warmth towards others, and he wasn't the macho type who thinks he can do everything on his own. It was a little different from what I'm used to, since the political thrillers I usually read are about CIA agents or spies, but I actually enjoyed the different perspective.The story takes place also in an interesting choice of country: Libya. It's not the usual antagonist country for political thrillers, which just added to the excitement. Gary Grossman's portrayal of the inner workings of the antagonistic country was also multi-layered: one country divided by two brothers, both spying on each other, with one pro-Western and the other brilliant enough to get this long-brewed complicated plan into action.One of the most interesting, and very important, character in the story is the secret assassin. He was able to create a different persona depending on the job or situation at hand. It was also intriguing to see his cunning and planning into every move he makes, which makes him such a challenging adversary. I am looking forward to reading his further encounters with Special Agent Scott Roarke in the next books in the trilogy.Executive Actions has a lot of twists and turns, and it was great following one theory then finding your train of thought blocked. You have to go back again and think about it differently just so you can continue on to the next piece of the puzzle. I especially liked the twist about Jenny Lodge, which was one of the things that got me guessing right up to the characters' hypothesis and grand presentation of the whole political agenda.The plot is unusual. While most books or even TV shows depict the villains as creating a body double for certain political characters and trying to get control of America illegitimately, Executive Actions takes it even further and enters the American political system legitimately, as aided by majority of the Americans. You can't get any more legit than a valid electoral process, after all.I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, and I look forward to their further development in Gary's other books. Executive Action hits just the right note in the political thriller genre, and I'm glad I gave it a chance.
A fantastic thriller. I received this book as part of a first reads giveaway here on Goodreads. I remember signing up for the giveaway because I enjoy thrillers. I think they are my favorite genre to read, and I like finding new authors in that genre. Gary Grossman did not disappoint me at all. His book has excellent pacing, a great setup, and a plot that slowly twists to reveal something even bigger than the initial direction of the book.The story focuses on a presidential race and an assassination attempt on a congressman running for office. During a speech the congressman is giving, his wife ends up being shot instead of him. The current president decides to assist in the investigation in the murder of the congressman's wife by sending in Scott Roarke, a special secret services agent who works personally under the direction of the president. During his investigation, Scott starts to discover that there is more to the death of the congressman's wife and the assassination attempt than people realize. He quickly discovers that it is part of a bigger plot to change the course of America for good.I knew this was going to be a good book early on when the author began the hints of the possible assassination on the congressman. A lot of imagery was put into the book to link Congressman Lodge in the story to President John F. Kennedy. As you read about the similarities between the two and then start reading about the assassin, you can't help but draw conclusions that Congressman Lodge is going to die. I think my mind had it made up so much that when one of the characters in the book exclaims that Mrs. Lodge is dead, I thought it was a typo in the book. I had to go back and reread a few pages to see if I missed anything.If you like thrillers and enjoy reading authors like David Baldacci or Brad Thor, you will enjoy a book like this. I recommend picking up a copy. Gary Grossman also has two other books that I've already received as well that I can't wait to start reading. If they are as good as Executive Actions, I will enjoy my reading time over the next couple of weeks.
Do You like book Executive Actions (2013)?
An assassin takes aim at a Presidential candidate during aprimary speech. Democrat Teddy Lodge the upcoming candidateisn't killed but his wife is. As a result he emerges as the man to beat and the greatest threat to President MorganTaylor. Special Agent Scott Rourke delves into this case andbegins to unravel a plot that has been brewing for more thanthirty years. It is designed to alter America's alliances inthe Middle East. This is a plot that began in the old days of the Soviet Union and continued to grow to fruition in the handsof a power hungry Middle East heir to the throne. At the corea sleeper is awakened to take a prominent role in Americanlife. This book really makes you think my lord this couldreally happen all you need is a lot of time and a ton of money.It also delves into the electoral college which I absolutelyhate. I think that only the American people should be ableto elect a President not something that can easily bemanipulated.
—Tom Tischler
Gary Grossman is a fabulous author! I absolutely loved this novel by this superbly talented man! His skills are beyond great and his characters are highly complex. The plot line is a whirlwind of action filled suspense and intriguing mystery, and keeps you hooked from the start. By the end of the book, if you don't already have the second book, Executive Treason, you'll be hunting it down to jump into immediately. With all the hoopla arising about election time, this is the perfect book to read. It's centered around a campaign, elections and presidency. When an unexpected murder takes place, the campaign takes on a new, twisting suspense. A Service agent is sent to unravel the truth while the murder victim's husband gains new ground in campaigns. What Roarke, the Service Agent finds, is beyond a simple assassination. What he uncovers is a plan that is beyond just a crime....it's something that could change the world, and the people within. From start to finish, I was lost between the pages. I was picked, thrown around, and jostled to the point of feeling as if I was the center of the story. I felt the action of the investigation, I felt the intensity of the assassination and campaigning. The plan to awaken the "sleeper", was absolutely edge-of-your-seat gripping, and I felt every emotional moment of this thriller. I definitely recommend this with 5 Books and two thumbs up. Grossman is an author whose ranks will rise to the top with novels like this. I can't wait to dive into Executive Treason and get right back into the action,thrills and unknowns of a fantastic political thriller. From a new forever, well done Mr. Grossman!
—Molly
Suppose the president elect is actually a sleeper planted by the old Soviet Union 30 years ago? Only now these sleepers are being controlled by rogue members of Libya. That is the premise of Gary Grossman’s Executive Actions, the first of a series featuring Scott Roarke as the president’s ‘go to’ guy for trouble shooting and problem solving. The plot combines a couple of oldies but goodies, Flynn’s Act of Treason and Nelson DeMille’s Charm School. I’m sure there have been others with the same theme, but those two came to mind while reading this novel.For the fans of the late Vince Flynn and Mike Lawson, I think you might see the Roarke character as I did, a little of Rapp and a little of Joe DeMarco. All in all, a very good read for those who like political thrillers as well as procedurals in trying to identify and chase down the assassin.
—Jim A
