White Smoke

Victoria Emerson, Book 3

By: John Gilstrap

Narrated by: Kate Forbes

THE STAND meets William R. Forstchen’s ONE SECOND AFTER in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author John Gilstrap’s third pulse-pounding thriller set in an America ravaged by global conflict.

As a community of survivors strives to rebuild all they have lost, they look to one woman–single mother and former West Virginia congressional representative Victoria Emerson—to balance survival with justice…

“One of the most compelling heroines to come along in years.”—Jeffery Deaver

One-time congressional representative Victoria Emerson has received a request from the deposed president of the United States—come to the bunker at Hilltop Manor, where the remnants of the U.S. government have been imprisoned. A ruthless band has seized power, leaving civilians to die of starvation and untreated injuries. The self-appointed leader, Roger Parsons, plans to punish the former rulers for thrusting the country into Hell Day, the devastating war that changed the world in just a few hours.

Victoria is reluctant to leave Ortho, the West Virginia town she has developed and defended. But as a born leader, she feels the call of duty. Forging her way through a landscape terrorized by local warlords and desperate scavengers, she arrives at Hilltop Manor to find a powder keg of battling factions.

The lofty ideals on which the Republic was founded and the values that once held society together have devolved into anarchy. Calling on her deepest personal resources and her unwavering convictions, Victoria must somehow return the rule of law to a society where many of the old rules and laws don’t matter anymore.

©2023 Swift River Books, LLC (P)2023 Recorded Books

Missed a few steps

Nice feel-good story.

It made too big of a leap forward from book 2. The lack of detailed ‘playfulness’ was lacking as well as the character development of the key roles.

Great series

Great series and performance. I've been reading and listening to John gilstrap's books since I was a kid starting with Nathan's run I think the series is among his best I look forward to his next works

Fast pace and entertainment

Thoroughly enjoyable and suspense around every corner. Couldn’t stop listening as I heard it all in one sitting.

..another 'must read' thriller by Gilstrap!

Book Review – White Smoke – John Gilstrap
“White Smoke,” the third book in the Victoria Emerson series by John Gilstrap is some wonderful eye-opening fiction. It's suspenseful, well written and scary relevant. The story moves along at a decent pace and the characters are all interesting and appealing. It’s a very intense action-drama encircled by unimaginable circumstances. Gilstrap’s narrative points out human behavior during times of crisis. He paints a picture that's both uplifting and horrifying at the same time. This story brings main character Victoria Emerson back to the government bunker where the remaining members of Congress and other government officials are being held captive by a group of bandits. The security of the bunker was penetrated by the bandits who took for themselves after the nuclear attack and terrorized struggling survivors. Roger Parsons, a former professional wrestler, has taken charge of the raiders making himself judge, jury and executioner of the remaining government officials/politicians and has vowed to put them on trial for their roles in causing the nuclear disaster. The former Speaker of the House, now acting President manages to get a message to Victoria Emerson asking her to come help save what's left of the United States government. Victoria and her loyal followers answer the call, and the story leads to a final showdown between the two leaders of a post-apocalyptic environment – Victoria Emerson and Roger Parsons. White Smoke is a riveting and engrossing story that makes the reader take a hard look at the nature of humanity. The concept of leadership and putting the good of the overall over immediate sentiments and personal ambitions is very telling in this well written novel. Gilstrap’s penning of the effectiveness of partisan politics in a time of crisis is brilliant and Victoria Emerson’s moral character and leadership is amazing! One could only hope that there's a ‘Victoria Emerson’ around if something like this ever happens in real life! Intense. Shocking. Heartbreaking. Stressful, and way too close to reality, White Smoke is a ‘must-read’ action-drama thriller! I thoroughly enjoyed this series and recommend all three books to any thriller enthusiast.

Book hangover number 3 from series

As with the other two books, book hangover after I am done. Loved it and felt it was very well done. The story was great and found it hard to stop listening, reader does an excellent job. Will definitely listen to all of them again in the future. So worth the credit and thanks for the great story!

Loved it!

Want more from this series. Scary but realistic, could be happening now! Maybe we should take notes!

Boring, I could not relate to characters enough to care about them. Did not like, but liked others I read of his.ialredy wrote 1

Did not care for this bool. Boring and did not hold my interest not like others I have read of his