The Conscripted Extremist

by A. Marc Ross

Gabe Bentley, a young lawyer, is seized by US government agents and forced to infiltrate domestic left-wing street activists to discover the Antifa’s hidden leaders. Unknown to Gabe, behind this operation is a cabal of right-wing extremist Congresspersons and federal law enforcement agency high level officials. To save his closest friends and himself, Gabe is placed in dangerous situations to entice secret leftist leaders to recruit him and reveal themselves. The government agents imprison Gabe with suspected leftists, none of whom are what they purport to be. Gabe seeks his cell mates’ true loyalties, while each tries to use Gabe for his own ends. Gabe is aided by his longtime close friend Jasminn, a computer expert who looks to uncover the truth about Gabe’s contacts as the pressure on them mounts. Their peril takes their relationship to a new level. Gabe is confronted by foes, and supposed allies operating under aliases and false allegiances, as he seeks to determine who is on which side and to extricate himself and his friends from dangers on all sides. Domestic political intrigues are waged, battles in the streets pit extreme right-wing and left-wing extremists against each other amidst the differing and shifting agendas of government agents. The twists in each faction’s plots test allegiances and demand choices between duty and loyalty versus moral convictions. Will Gabe be able to save his friends and himself and prevent a terrorist attack before being murdered or locked away by the government?

Genres: Thriller, Spy Thriller, Politics, Fiction, Contemporary, Action, Adult

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2023

About the author

A. Marc always meant to write novels, but it took him a long time to get to it. His first novel, THE CONSCRIPTED EXTREMIST, involving conflicts between domestic extremist groups, was a finalist in the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

His second novel, ATTACKING THE DRAGON, involving attacks on China's global expansion, was published in September, 2025 by Headline Books, the 2024 Independent Publisher of the Year. The book was named Runner-Up, General Fiction, in the 2025 Beach Book Festival and received Honorable Mention in the 2025 Paris Book Festival, 2025 San Francisco Book Festival and 2025 Hollywood book Festival.

A. Marc is a graduate of Stanford Law School and continues to practice as a corporate lawyer. He resides in Manhattan with his wife.

Reviews

[Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It’s an excellent novel and once started it was hard to put down. The pace is fast and entertaining and it is easy to get caught up in this very believable story. It has plenty of plot twists and its elegantly crafted settings make you feel like you are there with the characters. This is an intelligent read and does not disappoint. I look forward to Marc’s next book.

[Jonathan Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy I found this book. I read it in half the time I expected because I couldn't put it down!
Thrilling twists and turns.
Good pace and very well written.
Wish I could read it again for the first time!

[Holly Gluck · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cleverly scripted narrative keeps readers guessing, with unexpected twists and shocking betrayals at every turn. The novel explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the consequences of wielding power in a world where nothing is as it seems.

[Alan Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller for Today's Times
The story raises important questions for those in power and the voters who put them there. The characters are three dimensional. The emotions are real. It is an entertaining book that makes you think.

[Vincent Prezioso · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intelligent adventure. Marc does a fantastic job!

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful, action-packed thriller I couldn’t put down.

[Richard P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out John Grisham! A. Marc Ross sets the scene in this political thriller enmeshed with legal intrigue. As a corporate lawyer who has been in the trenches and the boardrooms, the author brings verisimilitude to the legal aspects. The pacing is heady, raw and suspenseful. A page-turner for these turbulent times.

[Will S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible read. Would reccomend to anyone interested in exciting, fast-paced, and cerebral reads. 5 Stars. This guy should be on Conan!

[Barbara Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great spy thriller with good character development. Takes place in NYC with excellent description of locations.

[A E DAN 1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADA

The book is a great read. It is a political thriller that offers plot twists that keep readers guessing. I could not put it down; highly recommended.

[Daniel Gutman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I burned through “The Conscripted Extremist” by A. Marc Ross on a cross-country flight. It’s a page turner, with plenty of twists, turns, good spies, bad spies, and spies who may be good or may be bad. And lots of didn’t-see-that-comin’ moments. But it’s also a story of love and friendship set in my beloved Manhattan. If you’re a thinking reader who enjoys trying to unravel a mystery, you won’t be disappointed.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisting page-turner that’ll leave you guessing until the very end.

[Debra Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was so relevant to what's happening today and had a great insights into extremists on all sides. I found it to be very well written. Would recommend it to anyone who is looking for an exciting story with lots of twists and turns along the way.

[Barry Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Conscripted Extremist is an exciting modern-day thriller featuring a likeable main character who finds himself in a seemingly untenable position. The plot keeps the action moving and maintains the reader’s interest. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense with a dash of humor.