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Category:
Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Strategic Media Books
ISBN-10: 1939521637
Type: Fiction
Pages: 422
Copyright: October 1, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781939521637
Once again, gutsy White House correspondent Lark Chadwick is in the right place at the wrong time.
In Bullet in the Chamber, White House correspondent Lark Chadwick is front-row center when the executive mansion is suddenly attacked. The president is missing, the first lady’s life is at risk, and Lark’s personal life is falling apart when the man she loves disappears. In this timely thriller about drugs, drones and journalism, author John DeDakis draws on his own personal pain – the sudden death of his 22-year-old son Stephen due to an accidental heroin overdose. It’s an un-put-downable page-turner.
Excerpt
Suddenly, I became aware of a deathly silence. I looked around. The White House briefing room was full to overflowing, everyone was standing, and all eyes were on me.
I turned around. Standing at the podium, an amused look on his face, stood the imposing presence of Will Gannon, the forty-ninth President of the United States.
“Oh, my God,” I blurted.
The entire press corps erupted in laughter.
The president spoke.
“That’s okay, Miss Chadwick. I’ll wait until you and Mister Ridgeway get things straightened out.”
“I’m so sorry, Mister President.” I slid away from the front row seat and Ridgeway eased into it.
“I’ll call you back,Lionel” I rasped into the phone and scurried to the side aisle and toward the back of the room.
I kept my head down, but could hear some clapping and sniggering as the reporters took their seats.
I’d only gotten past the second row when I heard the president say, “I suppose this is as good a time as any to introduce you to Lark Chadwick. Today marks her first day as a White House Correspondent for the Associated Press. I met Lark when I was Governor of Georgia campaigning for this job. Lark is an impressive young woman who wasn’t afraid to ask me some tough questions. So, welcome, Lark.”
By this time I was in the back of the room, as far from the president and the blinding spotlight as I could possibly get.
“Thank you, Mister President,” I hollered.
There was a bit more chuckling and then the room became silent again as reporters turned their attention to President Gannon.
The president cleared his throat, eyed the TV cameras just behind me, and began to speak. “During my campaign, I was asked many questions about what my policy as president would be on the commercialization of drones. As you know, my consistent answer has been that I want to study the issue before coming up with a plan. I’m announcing today my administration’s position on the subject, and I’m announcing our legislative plan to put it into place.
“First and foremost, as your President, it’s my responsibility to--”
Just then the door to the president’s right rear burst open and a torrent of Secret Service agents swarmed into the room.
“EVERYONE OUT. NOW!” shouted one of them. “OUT. NOW. SIDE DOORS. MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!”
Two agents grabbed the president and hustled him out of the room.
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Bullet in the Chamber sprints from the first page to the last as Lark steps into the White House briefing room on her first day as an AP journalist. The first page was so explosive I was sure the rest of the book wouldn't hold up but John never let me down. I am sure John's writing style, fast and to the point, is very similar to that of his CNN career. He does not mince words.
I am somewhat of a nitpick but I must say Bullet in the Chamber's editing is top-notch, the best of the five. And at times, John is downright funny in an odd sort of way. Here's one short excerpt. I cracked up:
"I'm calling to speak to Anne-Marie Gustofsen. Is she there?"
"She is so, like, not here?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Jennifer? I'm, like, the temp?"
"Uh huh. Where's Anne-Marie?"
"Good question."
"What do you mean?"
"She's, like, missing?"
"Missing?" I echoed Jennifer's question.
"Yeah. And Mr. Rogan is, like, freaking out."
"In what way is he freaking out?"
"I mean he's just, like, freaking out, y' know?"
I didn't, but I could tell that Jennifer and her limited vocabulary wouldn't be, like, much help?
The front cover of Bullet in the Chamber is just perfect, a large picture of a bullet in a syringe with a nice rendition of the front of the White House at the bottom right. The book won a Feathered Quill award, an award that stands out for its professionalism and its high standards. John's fourth book certainly meets those requirements. Strategic Media Books did a great job with choice of font and perfect spacing. I breezed through the book in less than three days. Thank you for allowing me to visit so many places and to meet Lark and all her friends. It was a great two-week adventure. Sadly, I'm a little bummed out because I know the next book I read will not be of the same caliber. Keep writing John and thanks again.
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In this skillfully written novel, which deals with serious issues, the author places the reader into Lark's professional and personal life as it spirals ahead at break neck speed. She is a remarkable and believable character. The compelling story lines are deftly introduced and expertly brought together. Fast moving, filled with surprises and engrossing, this book is well worth reading. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through AuthorsDen. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.