Emergency Powers: An Imogen Trager Novel

by James McCrone

Overview

The accidental president is no accident.

When the president dies in office, FBI Agent Imogen Trager knows that the conspiracy she chased down a blind alley still has life in it-and she needs to get back in the hunt. The old case may be the key to stopping a brutal, false flag terrorist attack meant to finalize the new puppet president's grip on power. Imogen doesn't know it yet, but she's running out of time.

As bodies pile up and leads go cold, the main target from that old case reaches out to her. He's still at large, and now he needs protection. Imogen doesn't trust him, and it's not only because he's offering intel that sounds too good to be true. He's already tried to kill her once.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780999137727
Publisher:	Faithless Elector
Publication date:	09/30/2020
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

James McCrone is the author of the Imogen Trager series-Faithless Elector, Dark Network, and the forthcoming Emergency Powers-"taut" and "gripping" political thrillers about a stolen presidency. Although not based on events now gripping the world, the Imogen Trager series resonates with them. He's a member of the The Mystery Writers of America, Int'l Assoc. of Crime writers, and Sisters in Crime network. James has an MFA from the University of Washington in Seattle. A Northwest native, James now lives in Philadelphia, with his wife and three children. You can learn more at http: //jamesmccrone.com/

Editorial Reviews

08/03/2020

McCrone’s second political thriller featuring FBI agent Imogen Trager (after 2017’s Dark Network) continues the dogged investigator’s probe into a far-reaching conspiracy targeting the office of the Presidency. Her prior work on the Faithless Elector Task Force thwarted the plotters’ first scheme to steal the U.S. presidency, and the White House is now occupied by Democrat Diane Redmond, whose vice president, Bob Moore, is a Republican. After less than two months in office, President Redmond is found dead of an apparent heart attack, making Moore the Chief Executive. Trager suspects foul play and a connection to the Faithless Electors case. She and trusted colleague Amanda Vega dive into an investigation to find the truth and preserve democracy.

It’s odd to read about an America where Barack Obama was not succeeded by Donald Trump, and some readers might find it a challenge to navigate the novel’s alternate present without reading the first installment. Given Trager’s success in the prior book, and the higher stakes in this one, it strains belief that she doesn’t encounter more resistance or complications as she slowly pieces together the conspiracy. Some of her success feels convenient, such as when the bad guys make a groan-worthy mistake that leads to an over-the-top climax.

McCrone could do more to distinguish this from other thrillers centered on a secret cabal with eyes on the White House. The fast pace and twists carry readers along, and some of the prosaic details of paper investigations—tracking the bad guys through audit reports and campaign filings—work unusually well. McCrone’s research and political insight are an intriguing backdrop to this tale, sometimes holding the interest more than the central plot does, and will be a pleasant surprise to readers used to more gunplay-style action.

Takeaway: Political thriller fanatics with an interest in following paper trails will be satisfied by this second Imogen Trager investigation.

Great for fans of Brad Meltzer, David Baldacci.

Production grades Cover: B Design and typography: B+ Illustrations: - Editing: B- Marketing copy: C

BookLife Reviews

"McCrone's research and political insight are an intriguing backdrop to this tale...Great for fans of Brad Meltzer, David Baldacci." - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"McCrone excels in crafting the unexpected, not just for Imogen but in the lives and deaths of those surrounding her."

- DIANE DONOVAN, Midwest Book Review

FBI Agent Imogen Trager is "a memorable protagonist-as tough as she is smart. Emergency Powers "has a highly cinematic quality to it, with plenty of action along the way." -KIRKUS REVIEW

"Three tough female characters that steal the show: FBI agents Vega, Sartain, and Trager...These strong women shoulder much of the burden in this novel and deserve a large credit in why it succeeds."

-T. LIEBERMAN, Independent Book Review

"The depth and breadth of research needed to create the believable political and law enforcement scenarios is a testament to McCrone's craftsmanship. The seamless writing doesn't distract from the flow...and readers will enjoy discovering the strengths and flaws of good guys and bad guys alike." -KATE ROBINSON, US Review of Books

"Highly recommended for fans of intelligent thrillers revolving around politics. The writing style is crisp and straightforward, keeping the pace moving swiftly. The mystery is tautly plotted from the first page to the last."- PEN & INK REVIEWS

From the Publisher