Executive Force is poorly written. The story jumps all over the place. I feel bad for the North Korean characters who disappear for long stretches. We are not given a clue as to why we bounce back to them once in a while. The author does not credit his readers with knowing his topics, so we have periodic lectures to help us along, or bore us to sleep. This is a very long novel, and I gave up at 40%. I just have better books to read.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Special Agent Scott Roarke and his fiance, Katie Kessler, Assistant to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Leopold Browning, are tasked with what initially looks to be separate issues: Roarke to determine who is killing off up and coming political appointees with no clear sense of pattern; and Kessler to dig into "The Declaration of Clauses" to determine just how much worry there may need to be on the federal level of state succession activities that are being pumped into specific states by an "independent", Lucas Burke. But Burke's strings are being pulled by his political strategist, Clay Lindstrom. Both issues collide with frightening rapidity as key political figures are assassinated by a man only known as "The Phantom" and the depths of Lindstrom's betrayal toward his own gain...and the destruction of the United States of America...is a connection that runs well into his past with an explosively unstable world leader as partner. A fascinating and frighteningly complex look at the deepest of divisiveness within our country and the potential fallout world wide. Could not put it down!

Fantastic,, if you love political thrillers this is most definitely one of the best I’ve read , totally gripping action packed, conspiracy, felt I was there, a must read,

One of the best books I have read in a while. A story about a grand plan to destroy America through targeted assassinations of influential lawmakers. A well thought out plot that seems somewhat feasible during these contentious times. I don't know how I missed this author before but I plan on starting with this series from the beginning. Pick up this book and you will not be disappointed. Thank you Netgalley, Gary Grossman and Diversion Books

"Executive Force" eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Gary Grossman (https://www.garygrossman.com). Mr. Grossman has published four novels. This is the fourth in his "Executive" series. 

I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the contemporary US. The primary characters are Secret Service Agent Scott Roarke and his fiancée Katie Kessler, a lawyer and assistant to the US Supreme Court Chief Justice.

A series of assassinations of political leaders is driving the US into chaos. A growing secessionist movement is being fueled by this and threatens the US. Roarke must find the assassin and stop him before there are more deaths. Kessler is looking into the secessionist movement for the Chief Justice and goes undercover within the leading organization. Both find themselves in danger and on trails of evidence that lead to the same conclusion. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the 10.5 hours I spent reading this 448-page thriller. While this is the fourth book in this series, it reads well on its own. I liked the characters and the plot created by the author. The cover art is kind of bland. Something related to the story would have been better in my opinion. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/. 

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

The whole USSS Agent on loan while my girl is an assistant to the SCOTUS is a huge mouthful of mush but it is fiction. Other than that I liked the story and the plot. There were some writing jump cuts that kept me from making a early prediction. I enjoyed this one

Executive Force
By Gary Grossman

5 stars

Engaging from the first page to the last.

In the genre of Tom Clancy, the Executive series by Grossman are action packed, imaginative thrillers that take the reader on a journey to the very last pages.

Executive Force is the fourth book in the series, which features Secret Service Agent Scott Roarke on a serial assassin’s trail—one that leads to a clandestine North Korean plot and a nuclear standoff. The assassin is picking off American political figures, one by one, creating uncertainty and havoc.

Meanwhile, Roarke’s fiancée, an assistant to the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, is tasked with researching the separatists. Attorney Katie Kessler goes rogue to gather evidence for the court. Roarke hunts a lone assassin across two continents. Their paths lead them both to a decades-old plot hatched at a private school in Switzerland, now leading to North Korea.

The plot is tight, so that even the build up encourages the reader to keep turning pages to unravel what is coming next.

While this is the fourth in the series, it can be read by itself. Although a warning, reading it will encourage you to go out and buy the first three books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#ExecutiveForce #NetGalley

Reviewed by Heath Henwood
www.books-reviewed.weebly.com

Executive Force by Gary Grossman
Publisher: Diversion Books
ISBN: 9781635764420

Never a dull moment.

World-wide and domestic intrigue utilizing current issues, technologies, and some fictional characters who seem to share characteristics and habits of some of today’s real leaders.

What secret and devious plots drive America to unleash its entire domestic and counter-terrorism agencies and black opts to defend and attack?

There’s Separatist movement trying to break up the USA – multiply by ten the confusion and attention caused by the recently experienced charge to separate California once again, this time into three entities. While this chaos is driving a split in America like we haven’t seen since the Civil War and has the active attention up to the Supreme Court level, prominent politicians and many with promising futures are being assassinated. But, who is behind this?

Scott Roarke, a Secret Service agent, his fiancée Katie Kessler, and his boss President Morgan Taylor lead the intense measures to discover this answer and counter the never ending attacks from even more directions. The story constantly jumps between the numerous mysteries and plans, but in a way that enhances comprehension while building links to plot’s eventual grand finale fireworks.

I’m not a car chase fan, and toward the end there is a rather lengthy one. However, because I have visited Washington D.C. many times, I enjoyed the detail and accuracy of the individual traversed areas, the realistic description of the environment, and the historical features. It was a come-visit-D.C. commercial in the disguise of an action-packed, get-the-bad-guy romp.

Enjoy the hidden motives and plans of governments and leaders. Appreciate the tact employed to ensure the world continues improving and avoiding even more major conflicts. This book is thought provoking. An exceptional read.

Reviewer: Rich