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Jim McGill #5
The Last Ballot Cast, Part 2
The Last Ballot Cast is a story so big it has to be told in two parts. This is Part 2.
With his son and his wife, the president of the United States, both near death, Jim McGill makes a choice that may save, or lose, both of them.
As McGill makes his agonizing decision, an old nemesis, Dr. Damon Todd, escapes from CIA custody. Breaking out with Todd are two former covert operatives whose past is so bloody the Agency had to retire them. Now, all three are targeting McGill.
In Patti’s absence, Acting President Wyman has to find a way to bring Reverend Burke Godfrey to justice without causing a massacre. Captain Welborn Yates draws a bead on the car thief who killed his best friends and travels to the Caribbean to set up an ambush.
All that is but the preface for the dirtiest, three-candidate presidential election in the country’s history.When all is said and done, every big question is answered, including one that concerns us all in an election year: Does one person’s vote matter?
With his son and his wife, the president of the United States, both near death, Jim McGill makes a choice that may save, or lose, both of them.
As McGill makes his agonizing decision, an old nemesis, Dr. Damon Todd, escapes from CIA custody. Breaking out with Todd are two former covert operatives whose past is so bloody the Agency had to retire them. Now, all three are targeting McGill.
In Patti’s absence, Acting President Wyman has to find a way to bring Reverend Burke Godfrey to justice without causing a massacre. Captain Welborn Yates draws a bead on the car thief who killed his best friends and travels to the Caribbean to set up an ambush.
All that is but the preface for the dirtiest, three-candidate presidential election in the country’s history.When all is said and done, every big question is answered, including one that concerns us all in an election year: Does one person’s vote matter?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2012
356 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Flynn
69 books197 followersJoseph Flynn has been published both traditionally — Signet Books, Bantam Books and Variance Publishing — and through his own imprint, Stray Dog Press, Inc. Both major media reviews and reader reviews have praised his work. Booklist said, “Flynn is an excellent storyteller.” The Chicago Tribune said, “Flynn [is] a master of high-octane plotting.” The most repeated reader comment is: Write faster, we want more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 18, 2024
Political thrillers can be quite strong or overly repetitive, depending on the writer. Joseph Flynn has come to impress me with this series, which is heavy on its politics, but also juggles other strong themes throughout. Five novels in and there is a great deal going on already. Series fans will know that this is the second part of a duology within the series, as a presidential election is in the making with three parties and candidates on all sides tossing mud at one another. Key political themes emerge and the electorate is at its core, though nothing is quite as it seems. Jim McGill, husband to the sitting president, has his own issues and is sure to keep his cool as best he can, though there is no time to rest on his laurels. Flynn weaves a story that keeps the reader front and centre, providing another great thriller that is sure to keep the story on point.
The story continues on nicely from the previous book, part one of the duology about the upcoming presidential election. Sitting President, Patricia Grant, is ready to face the nation and dispel many of the attacks that have been coming from two other parties. She is not quite sure how to approach some of the electoral systems, many of which she feels are broken. With two vacancies on the US Supreme Court, President Grant tosses down the gauntlet and makes her plan to run a clean and new approach election.
With the primaries in the rearview mirror, all three candidates will seek to grab the largest collection of the electorate, pivoting to garner the attention of many. While President Grant has her own views, there are two other powerful and well-experienced politicians ready to woo the electorate with their experience and new ideas. Smears and mud flinging is to be expected, but Jim McGill will have to try his best not to stymie his wife’s campaign by being too vocal.
All the while, three men are on the loose, still not having been captured by the CIA, with McGill in their sights to kill. This will surely cause a great deal of issues for the country, though thy do not yet know it. The election is but one storyline in this novel, as many of the returning characters advance their own situations and Flynn develops many plot lines to keep the reader highly entertained. Flynn does a masterful job and left me eager to reach for the next piece to see what’s to come, especiallywith another cliffhanger.
Joseph Flynn shows once more how much skill and strong writing he has with yet another political thriller. Working to connect one novel to the next, Flynn builds a well-crafted narrative that advances the ongoing story effectively, leaving the reader wanting to know more. Political development is at the core of the book, though there are many characters whose personal development are addressed and advanced throughout the novel, dazzling the reader with Flynn’s multi-faceted abilities. Series fans will be able to follow much of the advancement, as well as some of the added backstory keeping the novels tightly connected from piece to piece.
There are many plot points Flynn tries to address in this piece, effective in many of them. While the hunt to harm McGill is secondary, it is present throughout the novel and keeps the reader on edge. The political developments are great, though I felt some aspects were too rushed and skipped over. This was a great crossroads in the series that Flynn cold have dived in to create a multi-layered political classic. Rather, he sought to stuff a number of events into a single story. Perhaps this will be balanced it in future novels, but I had hoped to see a real battle between executive and legislative branches, which is diluted as President Grant tries to set the path for her re-election. I will leave it at that and am eager to get my hands on the next book, in hopes of remaining as intrigued with the entire political and personal progressions.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for a gripping election-based story.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
The story continues on nicely from the previous book, part one of the duology about the upcoming presidential election. Sitting President, Patricia Grant, is ready to face the nation and dispel many of the attacks that have been coming from two other parties. She is not quite sure how to approach some of the electoral systems, many of which she feels are broken. With two vacancies on the US Supreme Court, President Grant tosses down the gauntlet and makes her plan to run a clean and new approach election.
With the primaries in the rearview mirror, all three candidates will seek to grab the largest collection of the electorate, pivoting to garner the attention of many. While President Grant has her own views, there are two other powerful and well-experienced politicians ready to woo the electorate with their experience and new ideas. Smears and mud flinging is to be expected, but Jim McGill will have to try his best not to stymie his wife’s campaign by being too vocal.
All the while, three men are on the loose, still not having been captured by the CIA, with McGill in their sights to kill. This will surely cause a great deal of issues for the country, though thy do not yet know it. The election is but one storyline in this novel, as many of the returning characters advance their own situations and Flynn develops many plot lines to keep the reader highly entertained. Flynn does a masterful job and left me eager to reach for the next piece to see what’s to come, especiallywith another cliffhanger.
Joseph Flynn shows once more how much skill and strong writing he has with yet another political thriller. Working to connect one novel to the next, Flynn builds a well-crafted narrative that advances the ongoing story effectively, leaving the reader wanting to know more. Political development is at the core of the book, though there are many characters whose personal development are addressed and advanced throughout the novel, dazzling the reader with Flynn’s multi-faceted abilities. Series fans will be able to follow much of the advancement, as well as some of the added backstory keeping the novels tightly connected from piece to piece.
There are many plot points Flynn tries to address in this piece, effective in many of them. While the hunt to harm McGill is secondary, it is present throughout the novel and keeps the reader on edge. The political developments are great, though I felt some aspects were too rushed and skipped over. This was a great crossroads in the series that Flynn cold have dived in to create a multi-layered political classic. Rather, he sought to stuff a number of events into a single story. Perhaps this will be balanced it in future novels, but I had hoped to see a real battle between executive and legislative branches, which is diluted as President Grant tries to set the path for her re-election. I will leave it at that and am eager to get my hands on the next book, in hopes of remaining as intrigued with the entire political and personal progressions.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for a gripping election-based story.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 17, 2012
I've enjoyed the McGill series from the beginning, but I was very disappointed in this continuation.
With the introduction in Part One of Sheryl Kimbrough and the large amount of attention given her, combined with the title, there is no suspense as to how this is going to end. I'm not going to bother with the other things that were a turn off, but there were more than a couple.
On a personal note: Mr. Flynn, give us readers some credit for having some intelligence. If you want to charge more for your books, charge more. Don't assume we are all gullible enough to buy into "...a story so big it needs to be told in two parts." The K Street Killer is about 500 pages and Amazon lists the Kindle version of Last Ballot (both parts combined) at 600 pages. There certainly was enough 'fluff' that could have been edited out without losing anything from the story line. From a business standpoint I understand, from a reader's standpoint it was a turnoff.
With the introduction in Part One of Sheryl Kimbrough and the large amount of attention given her, combined with the title, there is no suspense as to how this is going to end. I'm not going to bother with the other things that were a turn off, but there were more than a couple.
On a personal note: Mr. Flynn, give us readers some credit for having some intelligence. If you want to charge more for your books, charge more. Don't assume we are all gullible enough to buy into "...a story so big it needs to be told in two parts." The K Street Killer is about 500 pages and Amazon lists the Kindle version of Last Ballot (both parts combined) at 600 pages. There certainly was enough 'fluff' that could have been edited out without losing anything from the story line. From a business standpoint I understand, from a reader's standpoint it was a turnoff.
August 7, 2013
For the first three books, McGill had me. Love the character, loved the plots, loved the whole world Joseph Flynn created. Not so The Last Ballot Cast Parts 1 & 2. Too wordy, too political (yes, I know it's a novel set in politics), not enough mystery. While I might love some of the ideas for bringing back an honest government, there was just too much of it. It didn't add to the story, it hid it.
I still love the character. I still love the dynamics between the President and the President's Henchman. I just didn't love the rest of it.
I still love the character. I still love the dynamics between the President and the President's Henchman. I just didn't love the rest of it.
March 28, 2015
This fifth and final book in the Jim McGill series was a blockbuster, as were the four that preceded it ... and did not disappoint. As Joseph Flynn promised, he tied together "all the loose ends", and even hinted here and there of some new ones ... hopefully!... for the future.
As political novels go, Mr. Flynn has a wealth of information on timely Washington and international politics and skillfully intermingles that with humor and believable characters into an intricate quilt of intrigue and suspense. This is done-throughout all five books-during his wife's first term of Presidential office. Not only does he dare to write of a woman President, he takes it a step further in this book with a surprise ... twist. Makes this reader beg for a continuation through her second term.
Light reading at it's best, with more than a sprinkling of political common sense, it gave me much to think about after the last page was turned about our American legislative system, and the possibilities when thinking outside the box.
As political novels go, Mr. Flynn has a wealth of information on timely Washington and international politics and skillfully intermingles that with humor and believable characters into an intricate quilt of intrigue and suspense. This is done-throughout all five books-during his wife's first term of Presidential office. Not only does he dare to write of a woman President, he takes it a step further in this book with a surprise ... twist. Makes this reader beg for a continuation through her second term.
Light reading at it's best, with more than a sprinkling of political common sense, it gave me much to think about after the last page was turned about our American legislative system, and the possibilities when thinking outside the box.
September 3, 2012
Joseph, your endings are a pain. but i cannot wait for the next book.
July 23, 2014
No cliffhanger ending thank goodness.
September 15, 2017
Part 2: The Last Ballot Cast (Jim McGill series)
Final debate time, election day coming, Todd Damon and his two CIA cronies are on the attack, and Jim is doing his best to Survive. During the final campaign days, both CIA cronies are eliminated, leaving Todd on his own. At the McGill home, Jim and Patti are watching the election returns, when Todd's final attempt fails. The election is looking like it'll be settled in the House of representatives, where Patti will lose to the True South candidate, Herbert, but as the electoral commission votes, Patti has 269, the other two, running less than 200, but the current Vice-president is running third with less than 150 votes until the last electoral vote in Indiana is cast for Patti Grant McGill. Hang on as Patti and Jim get ready for her second term as President. Thanks for another great experience.
Final debate time, election day coming, Todd Damon and his two CIA cronies are on the attack, and Jim is doing his best to Survive. During the final campaign days, both CIA cronies are eliminated, leaving Todd on his own. At the McGill home, Jim and Patti are watching the election returns, when Todd's final attempt fails. The election is looking like it'll be settled in the House of representatives, where Patti will lose to the True South candidate, Herbert, but as the electoral commission votes, Patti has 269, the other two, running less than 200, but the current Vice-president is running third with less than 150 votes until the last electoral vote in Indiana is cast for Patti Grant McGill. Hang on as Patti and Jim get ready for her second term as President. Thanks for another great experience.
September 2, 2023
Previous books in this series have been quick, kind of mindless reads, but this is a mess. Too many plots, too many people running around doing stuff for no discernible reason, and then there’s the politics. Bringing honesty back to government, great idea, except you have a president and her scheming chief of staff doing things that are borderline unethical, and then there’s McGill and his merry crew, doing things that are if not downright illegal, then hang right on the edge. And don’t even get me started on the murders, apparently committed for ‘the greater good’, but are, nonetheless, murders. Not sure on the message here - if someone’s a bad person, just go shoot them? Anyway, time for a break from this series. Disappointing.
January 4, 2022
I have read the first 5 books in the series and could not stop to write a review. Simply because I enjoyed the books so much that I could not wait to start the next book.
That should be proof that I truly enjoyed reading the books. Wish that the good guys also win all the battles in real life. All the characters in the books, especially the main characters, come to life on the pages of the books.
Now looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you and congratulations to Joseph Flynn with this series.
That should be proof that I truly enjoyed reading the books. Wish that the good guys also win all the battles in real life. All the characters in the books, especially the main characters, come to life on the pages of the books.
Now looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you and congratulations to Joseph Flynn with this series.
March 23, 2019
2.5 stars. There is a good book buried within this one, but there is too much trash to spend my time continuing to read this series. At times, Flynn’s writing excites me; at others, I feel like I am reading hurriedly written fanfic based on C-SPAN or a news channel. I would like to read what I believe is the only remaining book in the series, but it won’t be for a long time. There are too many books I want to read; no sense in wasting my time on books that tend to disappoint me.
May 7, 2020
Jim McGill is my hero
Most of the varying threads from book 1 were resolved by the end of this book. It was actually amazing the fast pace this had but still the characters, conniving, and humor were standout. The ending was nail bitting for several reasons and well worth the 2 book wait. This series reminds of James Bond books without the gadgets. The problems posed are real and some get solved and very tongue in check at times
Most of the varying threads from book 1 were resolved by the end of this book. It was actually amazing the fast pace this had but still the characters, conniving, and humor were standout. The ending was nail bitting for several reasons and well worth the 2 book wait. This series reminds of James Bond books without the gadgets. The problems posed are real and some get solved and very tongue in check at times
July 20, 2020
The Last Ballot, Part 2 was great. It seamlessly continued from Part 1 and wrapped up everything toward the end. The antics of Jim McGill are somewhat exaggerated but fun to read. The inclusion of his family, particularly the children is very interesting and personalizes the book. His interaction with the President of the United States (who happens to be his wife) makes the story more complicated and interesting.
April 6, 2021
Review of The Last Ballot Cast
The conclusion of The Last Ballot cast was awesome, the First Female POTUS switched parties a year before her reelection. The author also understands the power of The Right Wing Media and how much da6has been done by them lying to and misleading the Public. The author makes you understand the Power and damage done to our Democracy by the Lobbyists and the need to remove Big Money from our Political System. Great storyline .
The conclusion of The Last Ballot cast was awesome, the First Female POTUS switched parties a year before her reelection. The author also understands the power of The Right Wing Media and how much da6has been done by them lying to and misleading the Public. The author makes you understand the Power and damage done to our Democracy by the Lobbyists and the need to remove Big Money from our Political System. Great storyline .
August 30, 2021
Another excellent Jim McGill story
Patty Darden, POTUS,is running for a second term, her former party the Republicans turned against her so she is now running as a Democrat. Jim McGill, husband and "President's Henchman", for Patty, has his own problems, an enemy seeking to kill him. Jim is too much in the spotlight to hide and as a former law officer as well as a private detective, also unwilling to do so, tries to taunt his enemy into open warfare.
Patty Darden, POTUS,is running for a second term, her former party the Republicans turned against her so she is now running as a Democrat. Jim McGill, husband and "President's Henchman", for Patty, has his own problems, an enemy seeking to kill him. Jim is too much in the spotlight to hide and as a former law officer as well as a private detective, also unwilling to do so, tries to taunt his enemy into open warfare.
September 24, 2025
Same As It Ever Was
Political thriller (with remarkable foresight), highlighting how many of the policies of the present actual government could have brought different, beneficial, less dystopian results in a country less polemically divided. Also, running concurrently and relatedly, an action thriller with highly trained, suitably equipped, assassins (on both sides) willing to die for their cause.
Political thriller (with remarkable foresight), highlighting how many of the policies of the present actual government could have brought different, beneficial, less dystopian results in a country less polemically divided. Also, running concurrently and relatedly, an action thriller with highly trained, suitably equipped, assassins (on both sides) willing to die for their cause.
July 18, 2023
A Great Run for Patti!
I look forward to the next book by this author. I am tucked by this first group and Patti becoming President while Jim kept his profession alive with his skills vey up to date. Politics is always going to have lives and creative fiction as well. I only wish that the luck of Patti was going stronger.
I look forward to the next book by this author. I am tucked by this first group and Patti becoming President while Jim kept his profession alive with his skills vey up to date. Politics is always going to have lives and creative fiction as well. I only wish that the luck of Patti was going stronger.
June 5, 2017
The Last Ballot Cast: Part 2 review
The Last Ballot Cast: Part 2 is second part of the fourth book in the Jim McGill series written by author Joseph Flynn. Exciting series so far, some political traits mischaracterized, great ending. Hard to believe it was published in 2013.
The Last Ballot Cast: Part 2 is second part of the fourth book in the Jim McGill series written by author Joseph Flynn. Exciting series so far, some political traits mischaracterized, great ending. Hard to believe it was published in 2013.
August 22, 2017
Still a. Ail biter
Oh my goodness this series is so good. Still a nail biter I just have to keep on reading these books, the character's are family friend's now and I have to know they are all OK .
Oh my goodness this series is so good. Still a nail biter I just have to keep on reading these books, the character's are family friend's now and I have to know they are all OK .
March 13, 2018
Too many plots. Too much silly editorializing.
For ex, he said something like "thanks to global warming, fall was warm in Illinois." Silly and distracting. Don't like we have to read the next book to find out what happens.
For ex, he said something like "thanks to global warming, fall was warm in Illinois." Silly and distracting. Don't like we have to read the next book to find out what happens.
July 4, 2018
It was too big for one book
Another good read about Jim and Patti. The characters continue to grow and develop. New faces appear. The villain remains really nasty. The politics still feel like they were taken from today’s headlines. Definitely recommended.
Another good read about Jim and Patti. The characters continue to grow and develop. New faces appear. The villain remains really nasty. The politics still feel like they were taken from today’s headlines. Definitely recommended.
September 23, 2018
I'm having fun reading this series- you do have to suspend reality a bit- but no more than if you're reading good sci fi. Considering when it was originally written/published and the current state of affairs in the US right now- I think I'm enjoying it a little bit more than I might have!!
November 21, 2018
Multifaceted mayhem!
This is one story that you need to stick with to keep all the different story lines from getting too confusing. It ends up all coming together and, hopefully set up further stories in the series.
This is one story that you need to stick with to keep all the different story lines from getting too confusing. It ends up all coming together and, hopefully set up further stories in the series.
October 25, 2021
Good series
Well into my read of Jim McGill series … primary story lines are solid and entertaining. Weaving in other story lines from president Pattie and others would seem to dilute things. But it doesn’t. Fun read.
Well into my read of Jim McGill series … primary story lines are solid and entertaining. Weaving in other story lines from president Pattie and others would seem to dilute things. But it doesn’t. Fun read.
July 28, 2023
When is the threat to your life more than a sound byte?
James J. McGill is a continuing target of Dr. Todd the name changer, psychiatrist, wannabe CIA agent and molder of perfect spies!
James J. McGill is a continuing target of Dr. Todd the name changer, psychiatrist, wannabe CIA agent and molder of perfect spies!
February 5, 2018
Another good installment in this series.
May 4, 2018
Another Winner
I truly enjoy this series. Page turner, heart stopping action throughout. I can't wait to start reading the next book
I truly enjoy this series. Page turner, heart stopping action throughout. I can't wait to start reading the next book
May 19, 2018
Yawn
Not enough action and way too much inane politics. Not what I want from a thriller. Sorry but that’s it
Not enough action and way too much inane politics. Not what I want from a thriller. Sorry but that’s it
July 26, 2018
This series is gripping. This is the 4th or 5th book in the series, and I’m reading them as fast as I can.
September 9, 2018
Thrilling to the end!!!
Well plotted and twists and turns that blew me away. Glad that some of the the loose ends were sewn up! I look forward to reading the next book.
Well plotted and twists and turns that blew me away. Glad that some of the the loose ends were sewn up! I look forward to reading the next book.
August 31, 2019
I just didn’t like this book as the first 3 in the series. To much violence. The f word used too many times and little time spent with the characters I have grown to love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews