Tag: Debt ceiling

It’s not very often I take part in an audiobook blog tour. However, it’s made a fun change. Today’s review is for a different genre book as well, keeping things fresh. It’s helped, to be honest. My reading pace has been slow of late. But, it’s made a refreshing change to try something new. The biggest plus I have taken away from this book is that it was both fun and entertaining, but also somewhat educational! 

Before I share my thoughts on Debt Reckoning, I always like to thank Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources and the author Jack Meyer for the opportunity to read and review the book. Full disclosure – I’ve been provided with a copy of the audiobook for the purpose of reviewing it. However, my thoughts expressed on the book are entirely my own.

Let’s recap the essential info and then I’ll let you know what I really thought of Debt Reckoning. 

Debt Reckoning: Teetering on the Brink – Jack Meyer

Debt Reckoning: Teetering on the Brink

What if the greatest threat to America wasn’t war, terrorism, or China…but the trillions of dollars of debt we’ve pretended doesn’t exist?

U.S. Senator Rick Taylor has been warning anyone who’ll listen: the national debt is no longer a spreadsheet problem-it’s a ticking bomb. But in Washington, truth is toxic. Colleagues dismiss him, constituents scream about “cuts to my benefits,” and the media paints him as the villain who wants to gut Social Security.

Then the blackmail begins.

A shadowy network led by a ruthless operator making huge profits from unchecked government spending will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens the status quo. After Taylor’s wife is targeted in a terrifying swatting attack and a sniper’s bullet nearly ends Taylor’s life, the message is clear. Shut up… or die.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/Debt-Reckoning-Teetering-Wayward-Patriot/dp/B0H6N9R7ZD/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Debt-Reckoning-Teetering-Wayward-Patriot/dp/B0H6N9R7ZD/

My Thoughts… 

Plot

Debt Reckoning balances a high-action, drama rich narrative with a setting that is all-too-familiar. I had a hunch that aspects of the narrative were based on real facts and concepts. I was right! Dear Reckoning is both educational and entertaining to read. You can absolutely read the story at face value and enjoy the tension and conflict within. On another level though, you can look at the parallels with our reality and appreciate the truth in the tale too. 

This book deals with the darker and grittier aspects of humanity. Threats, blackmail and murder abound. This book also makes reference to suicide, so if you aren’t a fan of that, skip the first chapter. 

Debt Reckoning technically follows on from the previously published A Higher Betrayal. However, picking up that book is not mandatory to understanding Debt Reckoning. Truthfully, Debt Reckoning is my first political thriller from Jack Meyer. It won’t be my last either… and I wouldn’t say it’s a genre I love or have much affinity for otherwise. Debt Reckoning has encouraged me to broaden my horizons and try new things. 

Characters

Now admittedly, I’m not a fan of politicians. I understand a lot of the negative feelings expressed in the book. The frustrations of trying to get things done. A lack of progress. All that jazz. However, Jack does a fantastic job of also converting the human side through the character of Taylor. There are some individuals who want to do good, not just get the most out of their position. The humanity of Taylor comes through in the glimpses into his private life. His battle against the impenetrable machine that is the US Government. 

I’m always a fan of books with multiple perspectives. For thrillers like Debt Reckoning, it helps a long way to making the action interesting and keeping some characters in the dark whilst allowing us to see the wider picture.  

Setting

I’m not well versed in the structure and runnings of the US Government. However, that didn’t matter! There’s plenty of explanation in the book to convert the relevant information without going overboard. 

The same would be true for readers if they were unfamiliar with some of the concepts in the book. Thankfully, with a background in fund administration and investment admin, I do have some background knowledge. I understand the concepts of investment market behaviour and sentiments, and what some of those consequences could be. Personally, I appreciated the steer these concepts have on the attitudes and actions that drive the plot. It is cleverly juggled to make the premise believable and plausible. 

Broadly speaking, the book is set in a world that starts very much like our own. If you like to stick to a realistic setting with your reads, then Debt Reckoning certainly fits that bill. It explores the potential consequences of a real world issue in a way that doesn’t quite feel doom and gloom. The light and resilient spirit of many characters in the book bring hope, even if the situation is dire. 

Narrative Style

Debt Reckoning does a fabulous job of conveying the action and thriller aspects of the plot with the realistic setting. Short snappy chapters and swapping perspectives keep events and revelations fresh and punchy. Jack does a fantastic job of incorporating the meat of the story, the issues and ideas for fixing it, with engrossing drama. 

I listened to the audiobook version of Debt Reckoning. Naturally, that does make my experience of the book different from reading a physical copy. That said, I’m going to do my best to make my comments here that should apply to the physical book as well as the audio version. The pacing of the book works very well, regardless of the format you choose to read in. It’s fast paced, but not at the expense of explaining the wider context of the book. The language is also pretty approachable. Sure, a book that focuses on a particulate topic has its niche terminology. However, this is explained very well, if it’s needed, so the book is approachable to most readers. 

I’m going to wrap-up here with just the audiobook commentary here. The audiobook is narrated by Dannul Daily. He does great job of voicing the different characters to make it easy to follow who our perspective sits with. The ’non-character specific’ aspects of the book are also well narrated and clear to understand. I personally enjoy listening to audio at faster than x1 speed. I was able to do that and the narrative flowed well and was easy to understand. However, I can also confidently say that I would say the converse would be true to. 

Summary 

Debt Reckoning is an engaging, fun read that we can also learn something from. You can take as much as you wish from Debt Reckoning. Fortunately, I went into this book with an understanding of some of the concepts behind the storyline. However, that’s not necessarily something you need prior knowledge of or to be personally invested in. The wider storyline adds credibility to the book, even if you just enjoy the action this background facilitates at face value. 

Have you ever read a political thriller? Do you fancy giving Debt Reckoning, or any of Jack Meyer’s other political themed thrillers, a try? 

Author Bio

Jack was introduced to thrillers when Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October was published.  However, for most of his life, he was a reader rather than an author. During the 2000 Presidential election as he watched TV coverage of the Florida recount with ‘dimpled chads’ and ‘hanging chads,’ he thought an election conspiracy would be a great basis for a thriller. It wasn’t until 2020 when he retired from his career, which included management positions in corporate America and small business ownership as well as a brief stint in ministry, that he sat down to write Wayward Patriot: Preserving the Vote.

His unique approach to political thrillers rips headlines from the news and weaves them through a thrilling tale of patriotism, political corruption and crisis. He says, “when I see some major new issue or technology in the news I want to learn more about it. I enjoy sharing what I learn with others by wrapping a story around it that will engage and entertain readers.”

He and his wife, Barbara, have three grown children and seven grandchildren and divide their time between Colorado Springs and Tucson.

Social Media Links: 

https://www.jackmeyerauthor.com

https://twitter.com/jackmeyerauthor

https://www.facebook.com/JackMeyerAuthor