Public Enemies

by Jess Money

The elite aren't afraid of laws or regulators or voters. The only thing they fear is an uprising of the people. That fear is about to be realized. The man who now calls himself Thomas Paine lived by the rules. He went to college, served in combat, raised a family, and paid his taxes. Then his employer went bankrupt, taking his pension and his wife's medical insurance with it. After her death he's vowed to bring about a Second Bill of Rights using targeted vigilante violence against those politicians, banksters, and sinister CEO's he considers the "real Public Enemies". Can FBI Special Agent Darren Medlin stop Paine, or will too many who have watched the American Dream turn into the American Nightmare join his "American Insurgency"? And what about ambitious but principled young talk show host Crystal Dickerson? By using her show to announce his threats and demands, Paine thrusts her into a spotlight she's not yet ready for, and into conflict with both Medlin and the entrenched special interests that stand to lose if these amendments are adopted. Which direction will the country turn? Can targeted vigilante violence really force true political reform and save democracy, or will it just provoke massive government repression, and perhaps even widespread martial law? Is it possible that the insurgency will spawn a successful non-violent third party, or will government squash that as well? What important decisions will Dickerson have to make, and how far will Medlin go before he draws his own line in the sand?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Ebooks

436 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 2013

Reviews

[Tulay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story.

This book must be read. Author knew about the 2016 election results and all what's happening right now. Very timely fictional story, this paragraph will tell you perfectly.
“The real public enemies are the members of Congress, the administration, law enforcement, and the lobbyists who’ve enabled the rich and the corporations to get away with stealing this country blind, destroying the rule of law, and crushing the middle class. People like the Attorney General are enemies of justice and democracy. People like him have made a mockery of our legal system and a shambles of our economy. We should change his title to Criminal General. Instead of Commander-In-Chief, the President is the Criminal-In-Chief.”

[Jim A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great political thriller. One that should appeal to anyone who thinks that government and corporations have gotten out of hand and the public is taking it in the shorts as a result.

One man has decided to try to remedy things. Using the nom de guerre Thomas Paine, he is killing those corporate officers and government officials, current and former, who he thinks have been more concerned with their own ends rather than working for their constituents or the public at large.

Along the way, an FBI team headed by ‘Doc' Medlin is using all of the resources available to them to track Paine down. While Doc is doing his job his feelings about what Paine is trying to accomplish change as the book moves along.

Members of the government opposed to any changes to the status quo use some false flag operations to try to swing the public’s sympathies away from those supporting Paine’s cause.

All in all if a reader enjoys political thrillers this one is well worth taking the time to read. If one is a member of Amazon’s Prime, it is one of those books that can be borrowed from Amazon.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an idea

I could hardly put the book down. it read as if is todays headlines. or a story of the future and not the far future.

[T.A. Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public Enemies by Jess Money readers are introduced Thomas Paine a man on a mission to get h is point across to the government. Thomas Paine has lost his insurance coverage and his pension. Thomas employer decides to take these benefits away causing Thomas to not be able to care for his wife. When his wife dies, Thomas decides to get revenge on those in authoritative positions. Thomas teams up with Crystal Dickerson, a talk show host to get his threats across to the public. Crystal soon realizes that she may be in over her head but it is too late to turn around. Will Thomas finish what he has started? Or will he be stopped before it is too late?

FBI agent Darren Medlin is assigned to the Paine case. Agent Medlin realizes that people of standing are being killed and he has to come up with some answers. This case will take Agent Medlin on frustrating rollercoaster ride. Will Medlin catch Paine in time?

Public Enemies is a well thought of story about how the government works. It will be an eye-opener for those who don’t normally get into politics. This was too political for me at times but got its point across. The author is very versed with knowledge in politics and it shows throughout the book. I am not a big fan of reading political themed novels and even though this one started off slow it picked up keeping my interest until the end. I recommend Public Enemies to those who love politics and political issues.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews

[K.T. Waltzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Either the author has spent some time in various covert acronym-ed state departments. Or he just knows how to write a really great story about the deeply corrupt dark recesses that connect our government and Big Business. I felt like a fly on the wall as this vast and frightening investigation unfolded. Action packed with tight and edgy story-telling and an awesomely intricate plot, Money grabs us from page one with gripping visuals as a car crashes into a railing and over a viaduct followed by a chilling meet up with our ordinary man Tom Paine in the course of his mission. Not since DeLillo's Libra, have I been so aware of the experience of looking through a scope and aiming a bead at someone's unsuspecting head. This disquieting series of tumultuous events is offset tenderly by the intimacy of Doc, a wise-beyond-his-years SAS agent and Crystal, a grounded, smart and under-stated sexy radio talk show host whom Doc interviews after she broadcasts a live phone call from terrorist Tom.

Riveting and satisfying to the end, It gives us lots to think about. The upcoming hardcover will have a place on my bookshelf.

[ElaineY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the slow parts and too much domestic political stuff that I, a non-American, am unfamiliar with, this was a surprisingly enjoyable read. I would have given it 5 stars if some of the political talk had been cut down.
The last third was good as the story sped up and, especially, the last 10%. It definitely made up for the slow half.

The romantic relationship between Crystal and FBI special Agent 'Doc' Medlin and the sex scenes, was another surprise. I haven't come across this much sex/romance in an action/thriller before and I would even categorize this as a Romantic Suspense. Some reviewers mentioned how the sex was too explicit for them, but if you're a Romance Reader, you won't find it so. It's not graphic, just slightly more explicit.

The HEA ending for Crystal and Doc is also something more in line with a Romance novel but don't let that deter you. If you enjoy political thrillers and want something different from Muslin terrorists, this would not be a bad choice.

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poor socialist version of "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross.

[Jocie McKade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this amazing first novel and I LOVED it. Mostly. The characters were great, well-defined and human. I was cheering the bad guy, as he reminded me of Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Mr. Money did an amazing job with the minute details of American politics, and political process. I do enjoy a good political thriller, especially one that is as believable and as close to reality as this one.

It didn't give it a five-star only because I don't give 5-stars too often, and occasionally I really wanted to the author to 'get on with it'. The sex scenes were too graphic for my liking, but that's just me. Other than that - it was one helluva read and it will stick with you long after you've finished.

I hope Mr. Money has more books coming.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great political thriller. A little scary how easily believed some parts were about corruption in the system. Corporations and money run the system, which I believe is how it works for real, right?

The only major drawback is the crude sex. I am all for a good romance, just check my other reviews, however I have never in my life thought to myself, "I need a good boning." The romance was great, the sex, totally teenage boys locker room talk. I am willing to admit to being a bit prudish, but this was beyond my ability to just skip.

The story more than makes up for this, and hopefully the next book will be just as good with better "romance."

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 4 out of 5]

one lone man starts a revolution through assassination of enemies of the public: plutocrats and oligarchs. others take up the cause but when the originator is killed by orders of the president the people take to the streets. the originator, calling himself Tom Paine had formulated a new bill of rights, called for every voter to ratify it after a constitutional convention. there are many casualties but it's a brief revolution with fewer than a thousand deaths. and the new bill of rights is passed.

[Gary Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this book, vigilante removal of corrupt politicians. Character calling himself Thomas Paine. It's another view of where we are headed if government continues to grow more corrupt. In many ways Jess is a polished writer that makes description and action sound completely real. Great first book! Note: The sex scene is probably for 18+ audiences.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is topical, given the current presidential election circus. There were, however, too many characters to keep track of, and it was too long. Several sections midway through the book could have been cut, and it would have been a better read. Decent if you like political thrillers and have some patience.

[Angie Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the storyline but thought that it moved too slowly.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spectacular take on fighting back against government and corporate overreach.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last 100 pages or so we're the best part. Until then it seemed slow going...so many characters, so it was a little difficult to keep them straight.