Second Term

A Novel

By: J.M. Adams

Narrated by: Cindy Piller

A lame duck president's desperate power grab threatens democracy in the United States—can former intelligence operative and single mother Cora Walker prevent catastrophe?

September 2012. Cora Walker, a DIA defense operative, learns of a terrorist plot in Benghazi and rushes to a secret installation to stop it. When her superiors ignore her warnings, she’s forced to mount an unsanctioned attempt to thwart the attack. Her team barely repels the large force of invaders determined to kill Americans.

Sixteen years after her heroic actions in Benghazi, Cora is the press secretary for the Speaker of the House. As a single mom, she’s struggling to balance her demanding job and her home life. Soon, things get more complicated at work as the lame duck president suspends habeas corpus and begins arresting members of Congress in a desperate attempt to retain power.

Cora springs into action to save the Speaker and prevent catastrophe. She’ll have to work strategically to keep everyone safe—alliances turn sour, and her trust in others begins to falter. It’s an uphill battle for Cora until an explosive finale exposes what can really happen to democracy when political extremism reaches new heights.

©2023 J. M. Adams (P)2023 J. M. Adams

Great first novel.

I enjoyed the book. The story flows well. Hope I get the chance to talk with the author about it. The narrator was top notch.

Excellent first novel from the author.

I fell in love with the protagonist Cara Walker immediately, a strong woman in a male dominated field whose no BS style cuts through like a knife. I found myself cheering her on. She is not the only strong female in the book either.

The novel is set in the not to distant future and dovetails into events in the USA's recent past. If this book had come out 10 years ago it wouldn't ring so true, but there it is the seal has been broken. That simple fact smacks you in the face as you read and realize that this work of fiction can actually happen.

In the world of Political/Spy Thillers there's a few names that rise to the top. Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, David Baldacci, James Patterson, just to name a few. I think that J.M. Adams is off to a great start and deserves to be in the company of those trailblazers. I truly hope the next Cara Walker book isn't far behind.

On a sidenote... The performance of the narrator, Cindy Pillar, was awesome! When I sampled the narration I was turned off by her voice, but it was short-lived, her vocal inflections and different voices really make the audiobook.

Five well-earned stars!

Loving contemporary political thrillers as I do, I have to say SECOND TERM did not disappoint. Even though sometimes it came a bit too close to reality for comfort (it could be pulled from tomorrow's headlines). But I wasn’t really looking for comfort - I was looking for thrills, and I got them. Cora is a powerful character, and much to be admired. She is given the perfect voice by narrator Cindy Piller, who provides a phenomenal performance as the former DIA operative. This is a fast-paced thriller with a highly admirable and strong female protagonist. The author has written her well, and the narrator brings her stunningly to life in a top-notch performance. Highly recommend! Five well-earned stars!