What do you think?
Rate this book
The Democracy Game
Populist political parties are increasing their influence
across the world. It couldn’t happen in New Zealand,
could it?
Journalist Grace Marks is investigating two unrelated
stories – New Zealand’s alt-right, and the emergence
of a new organisation, ProtectNZ. When she finds ‘dead
man’s hand’ stuck to her front door with a knife, it’s
obvious she’s ruffling some feathers.
Hiding in New Zealand after a mission went sour, former
US agent Marla Simmons learns Grace is in danger and
wants to help, but finding out who’s orchestrating the
threats won’t be easy.
The two stories collide as Grace and Marla’s
investigations deepen. When a body is found, the
question is not only who killed them and why, but who
was the victim?
As the ProtectNZ juggernaut steamrolls towards the
election, Grace and Marla race to expose those pulling
the strings. The voting public need to know the truth.
across the world. It couldn’t happen in New Zealand,
could it?
Journalist Grace Marks is investigating two unrelated
stories – New Zealand’s alt-right, and the emergence
of a new organisation, ProtectNZ. When she finds ‘dead
man’s hand’ stuck to her front door with a knife, it’s
obvious she’s ruffling some feathers.
Hiding in New Zealand after a mission went sour, former
US agent Marla Simmons learns Grace is in danger and
wants to help, but finding out who’s orchestrating the
threats won’t be easy.
The two stories collide as Grace and Marla’s
investigations deepen. When a body is found, the
question is not only who killed them and why, but who
was the victim?
As the ProtectNZ juggernaut steamrolls towards the
election, Grace and Marla race to expose those pulling
the strings. The voting public need to know the truth.
267 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2023
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 19, 2023
This is an interesting read by a new author for me , great to see such quality work from a New Zealand author .
Riley Chance has penned a riveting thriller which has very modern political themes relevant in New Zealand as well as the entire world.
Journalist Grace Marks is investigating two stories which seem to intertwine the more she delves into the New Zealand alt-right group and ProtectNZ.
Threats to Grace from these groups hit the news headlines and former US agent Marla Simmons travels to the North island to support the journalist and assist her with her investigations.
The writing is crisp and concise allowing the storyline to flow at a pace and when a body is discovered, the women acccelerate their research determine to reveal those in the background fueling the unrest and what their motives are.
So a very worthwhile read for those who enjoy a thriller with modern themes exposing corruption from wealthy business men, while still protecting the ordinary New Zealanders .
Riley Chance has penned a riveting thriller which has very modern political themes relevant in New Zealand as well as the entire world.
Journalist Grace Marks is investigating two stories which seem to intertwine the more she delves into the New Zealand alt-right group and ProtectNZ.
Threats to Grace from these groups hit the news headlines and former US agent Marla Simmons travels to the North island to support the journalist and assist her with her investigations.
The writing is crisp and concise allowing the storyline to flow at a pace and when a body is discovered, the women acccelerate their research determine to reveal those in the background fueling the unrest and what their motives are.
So a very worthwhile read for those who enjoy a thriller with modern themes exposing corruption from wealthy business men, while still protecting the ordinary New Zealanders .
July 2, 2023
I have just finished Riley's other book, Surveillance, and this one, The Democracy Game. This latest one can be read on its own, but it's more fun to read them both, as many of the characters are the same.
The plot is complex but well revealed and easy to follow. It has that wonderful ability to take you along the twists and turns of a well devised, problem solving, investigation.
It is set against the background of a new and increasingly popular political party. But who is providing the funding, and who is pulling the strings?
In these times of rampant social media, and distorted, or plain false, information, it's really worth the read. I couldn't stop reading and I blame the book for my very early morning this morning.
The plot is complex but well revealed and easy to follow. It has that wonderful ability to take you along the twists and turns of a well devised, problem solving, investigation.
It is set against the background of a new and increasingly popular political party. But who is providing the funding, and who is pulling the strings?
In these times of rampant social media, and distorted, or plain false, information, it's really worth the read. I couldn't stop reading and I blame the book for my very early morning this morning.
May 16, 2024
Can't decide who Seb Ball reminded me more of: Luxton, Peters or Seymour? I think maybe he was an unholy mix of all three.
June 9, 2024
Enjoyable near future thriller, very cool to see lots of local Manawatū scenery. Some fun characters from the first book get another outing.
February 10, 2024
This is a great local political thriller.
The central character of Grace Marks - the local journalist - and Marla Simmons, the former US agent, and excellent and give the book plenty of pace. Funny that this combination wouldn't have worked with a New Zealand spy or agent - we just don't have enough worth stealing or sabotaging to even need to have our own spies.
In one or two places Chance uses the names of real people - for example well know news reporters are quoted as saying things in their stories - and I wonder how much of a risk doing that is - given the possibility of being sued for libel. Some may think it's a risk, but I thought it made the story that much more credible and believable. And that is what is great about this novel - it is all entirely credible. It could have happened a few months back at the time of the real New Zealand election. Some of it could be unwinding right in front of our eyes right now.
There were one or two moments when I laughed out loud at some of the political observations, especially given the real result of our recent election and the awkward three-way that our electoral system has allowed to develop. Like some sort of John Key awkward World Cup handshake.
Anyway, this is a great thriller - the invented political party called ProtectNZ with its slogan of "Protecting the lives of ordinary New Zealanders" is inspired and, for my money, way too close to reality for comfort.
Love it - bring on the next book!
The central character of Grace Marks - the local journalist - and Marla Simmons, the former US agent, and excellent and give the book plenty of pace. Funny that this combination wouldn't have worked with a New Zealand spy or agent - we just don't have enough worth stealing or sabotaging to even need to have our own spies.
In one or two places Chance uses the names of real people - for example well know news reporters are quoted as saying things in their stories - and I wonder how much of a risk doing that is - given the possibility of being sued for libel. Some may think it's a risk, but I thought it made the story that much more credible and believable. And that is what is great about this novel - it is all entirely credible. It could have happened a few months back at the time of the real New Zealand election. Some of it could be unwinding right in front of our eyes right now.
There were one or two moments when I laughed out loud at some of the political observations, especially given the real result of our recent election and the awkward three-way that our electoral system has allowed to develop. Like some sort of John Key awkward World Cup handshake.
Anyway, this is a great thriller - the invented political party called ProtectNZ with its slogan of "Protecting the lives of ordinary New Zealanders" is inspired and, for my money, way too close to reality for comfort.
Love it - bring on the next book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews