Brief

A special agent, tasked with investigating excessive force in violent gang killings, uncovers a sinister plan from within to overthrow the United States government. He and the CIA must jump into action with their own form of excessive force to stop the nefarious plot.

What We Liked

- There is a lot of intrigue and a bit of suspense. It is also incredibly realistic, so much so, that it could conceivably be based on a true story. The characters are patriotic, selfless and loyal to their country. It is very salable and will most likely appeal to audiences on a large scale.
- A feature adaptation of this story would be intriguing with potential to bring in a big fanbase. It is tailor-made to foster interest in creating a media franchise.
- Adapting this book into a limited television series could be fostered with the investment of a high end cable or emerging media company.
- Key points: Topical; Patriotic; Franchise potential; Realistic; Action-filled.

Synopsis

In Denver, Colorado, an elderly couple is enjoying a meal at a local diner. While in the parking lot attempting to leave, they become pawns in a violent gang confrontation which leaves the husband dead from a heart attack and his wife in a coma, from which she will never wake. The sad and needless murder of the innocent couple reaches the highest echelons of the United States government. The United States President is in his first term and is anxious to come up with a solution to the problem of escalating gang violence in Colorado as well as in many big cities in the United States. the country’s leadership is looking for a way to combat the problem. The Director of Homeland Security, General Blanton, who is often very critical of the president, mentions a highly classified provision within the FEMA special charter. Under the acronym, STARDUST, the program allows for top secret military operations to be carried out without informing or obtaining consent from Congress. The President is desperate for a solution so he allows Blanton, and George Stiles, the Director of FEMA, to implement the secret program.

Special Agent Dave McClure, is about to leave his wife, Karen, behind and embark on a European mission, when the CIA reassigns him to Colorado. The investigation he is heading was sparked when organized street gangs are being killed in a manner that looks professional. Advanced weapons are being used and the casualties are always from one gang, making it seem as if the lethal violence is not being initiated by rival gangs, but potentially the military. Dave is a valuable asset and the assignment comes down from his friends, CIA Director, Jack Barrett, and his Deputy Director, Pete Novak. Meanwhile, Lester, an elderly man out on a daily hike with his dog, Bax, unexpectedly runs into some aggressive military men. They murder him when he refuses to turn around on the trail. After he is shot, they move his body and truck to another location. When it’s discovered and reported to him that the body was moved, it raises Dave’s suspicions.

While chatting with a local grocery store manager, Dave discovers that the store is providing weekly food and supply orders for the military. Under the cloak of night, military trucks come, load up and go back to a secret location. As Dave does some sleuthing, he discovers the area where the secret base is located. Posing as an ICE agent, Dave goes to the site where he talks with Captain Daryl Chilton. Dave also discovers the remains of Lester’s dog in the area which ties up the mystery of where and why Lester was killed. Dave is not determined to sort out the purpose of the underground military base hideaway. As Dave gets closer to the investigation, his wife Karen, feels insecure in their house. Pete Novak sees to it that she is protected. He calls in Agent Tony Robertson and his team to the McClure house. Karen is whisked off to a safe house while Tony and his team, lay in wait. When the house is broken into, they foil the attempted kidnapping and kill the perpetrators. Upon examining the bodies, it is clear that they are military. Dave realizes that he must be getting close to something pretty big if a kidnapping attempt on his wife was carried out.

Chilton contacts Dave with some frightening news. Chilton has information that tips Dave off about a plot to use the military from the Colorado secret base in addition to two others across the country, in a coup overthrow the United States government. Blanton and Stiles are behind the plot and when they learn that Chilton may have ratted them out, they have him killed. Dave knows that he has to move quickly and with the greatest force possible in order to stop the effort to overthrow the United States President and his administration. With his own life is in grave danger, Dave has to rely on help from Barrett and Novak to get him the resources he needs for the important task of keeping the government intact. They amass the military help that they need to secure the White House and get the administration to safety. Dave, with the help of Tony and his team, get into a battle to the death with Blanton and Stiles. Dave manages to finish both characters off with a bit of help from some state of the art drones before going unconscious from his wounds. The President is safe and the over throwing of the United States government is stopped all thanks to the quick action of Dave and the CIA. When Dave recovers and is able to leave the hospital, he and Karen are taken directly to a meeting with the President. Dave’s heroics are recognized by hardily the President even though the American people will never be able to know what happened behind the scenes to protect their government.

About The Author

Award-winning author Andrew Ceroni served a distinguished career as a Senior Supervisory Special Agent focused in Title 18 U.S.C. Chapter 37 espionage investigations as well as counterespionage and antiterrorism operations throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. Ceroni grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he attended public schools. He was accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating with a B.S. Degree, and received his M.A. Degree from Case Western Reserve University. Ceroni also completed studies in the German and French languages at the University of Maryland. He is a graduate of numerous intelligence and law enforcement training forums. An author of four award-winning novels, his poetry has also been published in several magazines. He is a member of Authors Guild.