Living underground is not a bed of roses. But I'm living a dreamers life, with a dream, in a place, a time that makes a difference, when one is born in the Americas, and experienced growing up with ration cards, steel bands, calypso, Jazz bands, rock 'n' roll, free sex, passion, can-can in fashion, bomb scares, Coca-cola, Pepsi, bubble gum, all fought for and won, a place in the sun, while men walked on the moon.
Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, a prominent congressman is murdered, sparking a tense investigation. As authorities scramble to uncover the killer, a second member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is also found dead. The plot thickens as the investigation reveals hidden agendas and the dark underbelly of power, raising questions about national security and the motives behind the killings.
Facing an election campaign he dreads, Sheriff Conor Gifford relocates to Richmond to join friends in high political office. On his first day at the Office of Special Investigations, tragedy strikes with the assassination of Governor Martin and Attorney General Darrow. Marginalized by the State Police Commander, Gifford embarks on an independent investigation, delving into the murky waters of Virginia politics, where he encounters manipulative politicians from both parties vying for power.
The story follows a foreign correspondent who, after a sudden breakup with his fiancée, decides to take a sabbatical to write his masterpiece. However, his plans are derailed when he is drawn into a complex assignment that entangles him in espionage, a series of murders, and fierce competition for a Pulitzer Prize. As he navigates this treacherous landscape, the protagonist grapples with personal and professional challenges that test his resolve and ambition.
The plot revolves around a college professor's murder and the kidnapping of the Secretary of Homeland Security, triggering a national crisis. As foreign agents become involved, an FBI Special Agent and a Fairfax Detective embark on parallel investigations, showcasing their contrasting investigative styles. The tension between their approaches adds depth to the unfolding drama, highlighting themes of justice and the complexities of crime-solving in a high-stakes environment.
The story unfolds as Deputy Director Richard Thatcher finds himself in a heated confrontation with Senator Judy Gonzales, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Following their clash, Gonzales becomes the first victim of a serial killer, sparking a nationwide panic. The narrative explores the ensuing chaos and the efforts to uncover the killer as the stakes rise and the pressure mounts on law enforcement.
The discovery of a murder in a remote West Virginia cabin entangles realtor Poppy Gore in a complex investigation led by Lieutenant Chase Mansfield. As he delves into the case, tensions rise within the Scott family, particularly between matriarch Mary and the detached widow Barbara, who claims ignorance about the victim's cabin. With Barbara's alibi seemingly solid, the plot thickens when another family member, Clayton Scott, is found dead, complicating the search for the killer and revealing deeper family conflicts.
Set against the backdrop of Paris and the impending U.S. presidential election, the story follows FBI Director Richard Thatcher and his protege Barbara Collins as they investigate the assassination attempt on James Styles, whose wife is a presidential candidate. As they uncover a potential domestic conspiracy, Harriet Styles navigates a tumultuous campaign, criticizing the FBI's response. The narrative escalates when Thatcher identifies the shooter, revealing shocking truths that threaten to destabilize the American political landscape.
Vice President John Walker dies in the arms of his mistress on the same afternoon that a sniper kills President Harrison Tate. A coincidence? Inspector Colin Gifford and Tracey Schultz, the chairman of the task force appointed to investigate, do not think so. A thorough FBI investigation fails to develop a single clue, and the killer covers his trail with more murders. He eliminates the two people, the vice president's mistress and his chief of staff, who had information that could identify the conspirators. Gifford, a long time friend of the dead president, initially stands aloof, fearing that his relationship with Tate renders him too subjective to be involved. A cryptic note written by Tate before his death and an angry appeal from the grieving presidential widow draw Gifford into the case. In an attempt to identify the conspirators, Gifford focuses on motive. Who gained from the murders? Circumstances force him to look at the acting president and acting vice president. With the rampaging media tracking their every step, the investigation takes Gifford and Schultz into treacherous waters.