Editorial Content for Storm Rising: A Hayley Chill Thriller
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
STORM RISING, the third book in Chris Hauty’s series featuring intelligence agent Hayley Chill, takes us to West Texas, where an insurrection is brewing. But Hayley is there to find out what really happened to her father, and only stumbles on the broader story as she tries to determine if he died a bigoted traitor or a hero. The “deeper state operative,” as Hauty insists on referring to her, is ostensibly an aide to a US senator, but is given free rein to dig deeper into the motives and operations of the group behind the secretive “Storm” movement.
"The denouement is as bloody as much of the book, with a few twists that flesh out Hayley’s personal saga..."
In the course of her investigation, the operative --- who works for powerful politicos intent on preserving democracy --- manages to murder and maim her way into the house of the mastermind behind the movement, Senator James Woodside. Needless to say, she and her guide arrive just as a literal storm is brewing. Will they find what they need in time to stop the impending mayhem? Do they have any allies among the gathering crowds? Will Hayley find out the truth about her father’s death?
The denouement is as bloody as much of the book, with a few twists that flesh out Hayley’s personal saga, but it doesn’t make up for a story that seems cobbled together. The characters have thoughts like “At least I can go down fighting” and ask questions like “What are you going to say to your boss?” only to get answers like “The truth.” Tenses, mostly in the present, move to the past whenever anything has to be explained, or to the subjunctive for some foreshadowing of events, as in “this activity would come to haunt X a decade down the road.”
Hauty tackles big questions in his books, from Russia’s influence to cyber attacks and treason. But STORM RISING, which takes on a stew of topical themes, including white supremacy, survivor’s guilt, immigration and dissention within the military, has a hard time getting beyond superficial explanations. The same is true of its characters, who resemble --- not surprisingly, given Hauty’s screenwriting credits --- action heroes and villains rather than human beings.
Teaser
Intelligence operative Hayley Chill is pursing the truth about her father’s mysterious fate, which government officials seem determined to hide from her. But when she stumbles upon a ciphered document under the floorboards of her father’s house, it becomes impossible to ignore the questions about his death. Was it suicide, or was it murder, designed to protect a deeper secret? She fears that what she has discovered may be connected to current rumors of a dark conspiracy, one that no one will substantiate. With permission from her handler to probe deeper, Hayley is led into a terrifying subculture of white supremacy within the United States military. As her investigation intensifies, she uncovers an expansive conspiracy to bring about the secession of several states from the country.
Promo
Intelligence operative Hayley Chill is pursing the truth about her father’s mysterious fate, which government officials seem determined to hide from her. But when she stumbles upon a ciphered document under the floorboards of her father’s house, it becomes impossible to ignore the questions about his death. Was it suicide, or was it murder, designed to protect a deeper secret? She fears that what she has discovered may be connected to current rumors of a dark conspiracy, one that no one will substantiate. With permission from her handler to probe deeper, Hayley is led into a terrifying subculture of white supremacy within the United States military. As her investigation intensifies, she uncovers an expansive conspiracy to bring about the secession of several states from the country.
About the Book
This instant national bestseller leads a young intelligence operative into the depths of a dangerous white supremacy conspiracy that threatens to tear the country apart in a “high adrenaline adventure” (Booklist).
Intelligence operative Hayley Chill is pursing the truth about her father’s mysterious fate, which government officials seem determined to hide from her. But when she stumbles upon a ciphered document under the floorboards of her father’s house, it becomes impossible to ignore the questions about his death. Was it suicide, or was it murder, designed to protect a deeper secret? She fears that what she has discovered may be connected to current rumors of a dark conspiracy, one that no one will substantiate. Hayley has been loyal to Washington. Has it been as loyal to her?
With permission from her handler to probe deeper, Hayley is led into a terrifying subculture of white supremacy within the United States military. As her investigation intensifies, she uncovers an expansive conspiracy to bring about the secession of several states from the country. It’s up to Hayley to stop a second Civil War before it starts while also confronting the ultimate truth about her father’s harrowing deeds in this “timely and terrifying read” (Nick Petrie, author of THE RUNAWAY).
Audiobook available, read by Lisa Flanagan
