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When Power Fails

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Suzanne Simpson thinks she has pulled off the biggest acquisition of her career, catapulting Multima Corporation into the upper echelons of international business.

But did she? Will her AAA-rated company get the $6 Billion loan it desperately needs? And why did strangers flee from her mountain home in the darkness of night only days after she signed the deal?

When Power Fails pits a powerful woman leading a successful global supermarket chain against nefarious forces that seek to ravage both the company’s resources and its reputation. From high-stakes borrowing to threats of crippling cyber security attacks, this story of human strengths and vulnerabilities sweeps across the globe like a violent tornado sucking in people, corporations and governments.

In vibrant cities like Singapore, San Francisco and Atlanta, the picturesque Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Suzanne Simpson battles those who seek to destroy her company. Will she and her company survive?

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2024

8 people want to read

About the author

Gary D. McGugan

9 books156 followers
About the author

I’m a former business leader, speaker and consultant who has always loved to read and tell stories.

I aim to write suspenseful and entertaining novels. I have seven published titles in a compelling series called The Multima Saga. Each plot is different, but each spins tales of the goings-on at senior levels of the fictional Multima Corporation.

Organized crime is another thread in all my stories. How criminal interests influence, infiltrate, and control many businesses around the globe has always fascinated me. My nefarious creation—The Organization—worms its way into all my novels.

Over the past fifty years, I’ve visited more than 50 countries and 650 cities on four continents, and when I left the corporate world, I had over 10,000 “contacts" from five different industries. So, I have no shortage of characters, stories, or life experiences when I write.

Join me as we travel the globe, peeking into the intriguing worlds of The Organization and Multima Corporation. I always recommend you start with Three Weeks Less a Day!

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Gary McGugan.
Author 9 books156 followers
September 9, 2024
Hello! I'm the author of this story, so I naturally rated it with 5 Stars. You wouldn't expect fewer, would you?

More importantly, the following readers rated "When Power Fails" with 5 Stars on the website Readers' Favorite. Here are a few highlights from their full reviews you can find here.
https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...

“Fast-paced and intense, "When Power Fails"takes the reader into an action-packed corporate world mixed with a crime ring hell-bent on destroying Suzanne and Multima Corporation. I loved Suzanne! She was smart, compelling, and resilient in her approach to protecting her company. Her character development was fantastic and her incredible, clever mind had me in awe of her. Author Gary D. McGugan ensured that the reader stayed interested and engaged with the story. The descriptions were outstanding and left nothing to the imagination. I was sitting on the edge of my seat and anticipating what would happen next. I was excited and entertained by everything. The plot was perfect, the characters were incredible, and the story was remarkable. I loved it!” ~Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorites

“If you are looking for a gripping, fast-paced crime thriller, Gary D. McGugan’s "When Power Fails"is just the right pick for you. McGugan once again weaves an intriguing plot and features a dynamic and exciting cast, all the way from business-savvy executives to conniving, ruthless crime bosses and scheming underdogs.” ~ Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite

“Gary D. McGugan's "When Power Fails" captured my attention from the beginning to the conclusion. This gripping story was action-packed, suspenseful, and full of thrills. I was always on the edge of my seat because I had no idea what would happen next. There were several surprising twists and turns in the plot that I did not expect. The events were described in an engaging and occasionally vivid manner. I could not put the book down, but I also wanted to take my time reading to avoid it ending too soon. The characters had deeper personalities than what a first glance revealed, and they were realistic. The story was brilliantly written and had several subplots that came together. I was engrossed in a world of espionage, power, and danger.” ~ Alma Boucher for Readers’ Favorite

“He creates encounters that will leave even the most ardent crime genre enthusiast speechless. Read as a stand-alone or as part of an incredible series, McGugan's "When Power Fails" is an exciting blend of business, pleasure, and violence that will captivate fans of crime and suspense.” ~ Essien Asian for Readers’ Favorite

“I was delighted to discover Gary D. McGugan’s "When Power Fails". This eighth novel in the Multima Saga reads perfectly as a standalone. I experienced the familiar exhilaration of my favorite thrillers by Arthur Hailey. Like Hailey, Gary focuses on a specific industry – a major international supermarket chain. But Gary’s novel offered the extra perks of being set in the current time and packed with all the tricks and treats of modern technology.” ~ Olga Markova for Readers’ Favorite
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4,816 reviews341 followers
August 15, 2024
"When Power Fails," book eight of The Multima Saga, is a gripping fiction thriller by Gary D. McGugan. In the story, a complex network of deceit and deep conflict threatens to topple a big acquisition by the fourth-largest supermarket chain in the world, which has operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Suzanne Simpson, Multima Corporation's largest shareholder and therefore holder of the most voting rights, is seeking the acquisition of Jeffersons Stores, a major player in the US Southwest. She sees this as a tremendous opportunity that will catapult Multima Corporation to the forefront of the global business world. The Jeffersons institution is currently owned and operated by the Suji Corporation, a Yakuza-affiliated organized criminal gang. Suzanne does not realize, though, how deeply embedded the Yakuza is in Jefferson culture.

Information regarding another renegade organization controlling Suji emerges after the acquisition. Suzanne is apprehensive that the organization will be outraged by Multima's small payment to Jefferson's Stores' book value. Soon after, there are allegations that its leader has been slain and that a new leader has taken over, who intends to breach Multima's computer networks with the help of a dedicated technological team that works around the clock. According to an FBI source, he intends to launch the biggest known coordinated security assault in history and demand a ransom, which may cripple Multima Corporation. When information on an unexpected player becomes available, Suzanne is horrified to see the scope of the conspiracy and realizes she is going down a path she has long feared.

This tale revolves around profound betrayal, charm, guile, and resistance. The main character is an extraordinary woman with unwavering financial acumen, a readiness to take calculated chances, and a fierce desire to build her firm to new heights. Her path is fraught with difficulties, yet she remarkably seeks help. However, she has a tendency to trust the wrong people.

Notably, this is a compelling novel that plays on the reader's deepest fears. Bombs that almost go off, mysterious letters that emerge from strange places, and plans to kidnap women from developing nations all give the reader the impression that someone somewhere is surreptitiously pulling numerous threads to inflict even more havoc.

The book's plot is tightly wound and intricate. The writer possesses a skill for crafting precisely timed, intricately woven moments of suspenseful drama that build to an unexpected climax. Although the first installment is the recommended place to start, "When Power Fails" by Gary D. McGugan may be read as a standalone as well. This novel and the entire The Multima Saga series are perfect for fans of action & adventure, suspense, and crime stories.“When Power Fails” is a corporate thriller about a powerful businesswoman fighting to save her AAA-rated company from cyber-attacks and organized crime as she attempts to expand her global supermarket chain through a major acquisition. As book eight in The Multima Saga by Gary D. McGugan, readers can expect a high-stakes narrative blending international suspense and complex character dynamics in the world of global commerce.

Suzanne Simpson is about to pull off the biggest acquisition in the Multima Corporation’s history. The only thing standing in her way is obtaining a $6 billion loan from a banking consortium. Well, perhaps that’s not quite everything blocking her success – she also discovers that the company she’s acquiring has deep ties to the Yakuza, Japan’s notorious crime syndicate.

A malicious chain of events, including a potentially devasting cyber-attack on Multima’s networks, further complicates her efforts.

Suzanne must be ever diligent, fighting external forces intent on destroying her company while also dealing with internal conflicts and misplaced trust. As the pressure intensifies, Suzanne finds herself in a fight that goes above securing the acquisition. She’s battling to ensure Multima Corporation’s survival and to protect her own hard-earned position within the company. The stakes have never been higher, with every decision carrying potentially dire consequences.

And, while the high-stakes and looming threats form the backbone of “When Power Fails,” for me, it’s the characters who truly bring this thriller to life. To name a few:

Suzanne Simpson is the prominent lead in this story; her ambitions soaring to bring the Multima Corporation to new levels. She’s one of the most powerful female characters I have ever met, and it’s all in her subtle management style. She has a knack for delivering even the toughest messages with a calm that’s almost unnerving to get her point across. The measured tilt of her head, the slight arch of an eyebrow – there’s no mistaking, she means business.

Serge Boisvert is Suzanne’s partner in both life and business as Multima’s chief security officer. Serge brings a necessary intensity to his role. His responsibilities have multiplied in this story to extend far beyond typical corporate security, demanding constant vigilance as threats lurk physically and digitally. Together, Suzanne and Serge form a “power couple” if you will, at the pinnacle of the corporate world.

Meanwhile, Fidelia Morales, the shrewd leader of The Organization, finds herself in an unusually precarious position with unseen forces threatening her control. She proves early on she can handle as much punishment as she gives, but as she plots against Multima, she must also navigate treachery within her own ranks and counter the moves of the elusive Shadow.

Secondary characters like Gordon Goodfellow and Amber Chan spice up the story with betrayal and revenge, their actions twisting the plot in unexpected ways. All in all – a stellar cast of characters!

Relevant themes in the story include corporate power and ambition, organized crime in the business world, cyber-security and technological threats, and trust and betrayal. But McGugan’s characters also address a growing real-world concern: the rising cost of groceries. The story reveals that it’s not simply a case of greedy CEOs inflating prices for profit. Instead, we’re shown a complex web of factors such as global market shifts, climbing production costs, supply chain hiccups, and even climate change’s fingerprints on agriculture. I thoroughly enjoyed learning what I’m sure was meticulously researched on the author’s part about this sobering yet enlightening look at an issue that affects us all.

Gary McGugan continues to raise the bar with each new novel, and his fans are fortunate that he has been consistently delivering a new adventure every year. “When Power Fails” is no exception and may well be one of the strongest entries in the series. The novel maintains a brisk pace, balancing corporate intrigue with personal drama. McGugan ratchets up the tension; the stakes are higher, the drama more intense, the betrayals cut deeper, and the antagonists are more ruthless than ever.

While “When Power Fails” stands as a gripping read on its own, I highly recommend starting with “Three Weeks Less a Day,” the first book in the series and my personal favorite. Experiencing the series from its inception allows readers to fully appreciate the character development and intricate plot threads McGugan has woven throughout this remarkable series. For those who enjoy corporate thrillers with depth and complexity, McGugan’s work is not to be missed.
Profile Image for Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
450 reviews60 followers
August 12, 2024
When unrelenting enemies are determined to bring your empire down, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Let’s find out more in When Power Fails, the 8th book of the Multima Saga by Gary McGugan.

The story opens with Suzanne Simpson, the CEO of the multinational conglomerate Multima, having just negotiated a transformative acquisition of Jeffersons Stores, a major supermarket chain in the American Southwest. With the ink barely dry on the contract, Suzanne and her top team must confront a daunting array of challenges, from integrating the new business to securing the financing required to close the deal on an impossibly short timeframe.

Complicating matters further is the looming threat of a devastating cyberattack orchestrated by Fidelia Morales, the head of a ruthless criminal organization known as "The Organization." As Suzanne and her chief of security, Serge Boisvert, work tirelessly to fortify Multima's computer systems against the impending cyberattack, a new complication arises - the discovery of a troubling connection between one of their most trusted executives, Gordon Goodfellow, and Amber Chan, a rising executive brought in to lead the Jeffersons Stores integration. Unknown to Multima’s management team, Amber is secretly colluding with the Japanese Yakuza crime syndicate, plotting to sabotage Multima. Torn between loyalty to his employer and his growing affection for Amber, Gordon finds himself descending down a treacherous path of moral compromise, his judgment clouded by passion and the lure of personal gain.

As the deadline to complete the Jeffersons Stores integration approaches, Multima faces a series of attacks - a bombing at one of its stores in Houston, an attempted drone strike on Suzanne's home, and relentless hacking attempts on their systems. It becomes clear that Suzanne and her team are facing a convergence of nefarious forces, each with their own agenda - the Yakuza, a Russian crime syndicate, and a sinister American figure known only as "the Shadow."

When Power Fails by McGugan is the 8th installment of the Multima Saga, a thrilling series that delves into the high-stakes world of the fictional global conglomerate, Multima Corporation. In this latest book, readers are plunged into a battle for power and control. Set against the backdrop of a global conglomerate, this novel delivers suspense, intrigue, and thought-provoking examinations of power and greed, the limits of loyalty, and the price of ambition. McGugan's narrative balances the high-stakes corporate drama with the deeply personal struggles of its characters, particularly Suzanne's journey as she navigates the sacrifices and compromises required to wield power in the modern business world. Her relationship with Multima's chief of security, Serge Boisvert, adds an emotional depth to the narrative as the couple navigates the challenges of their personal and professional lives.

While the intricate web of plot threads and character perspectives can at times feel overwhelming, McGugan's storytelling remains compelling, transporting readers into the treacherous world of corporate espionage, international organized crime, and the devastating consequences of technological vulnerabilities.

Quill says: A thrilling addition to the Multima Saga, When Power Fails is a corporate espionage thriller that serves as an examination of power, greed, loyalty, and the price of ambition in the highest echelons of the business world.
180 reviews11 followers
August 7, 2024
This tale revolves around profound betrayal, charm, guile, and resistance. The main character is an extraordinary woman with unwavering financial acumen, a readiness to take calculated chances, and a fierce desire to build her firm to new heights. Her path is fraught with difficulties, yet she remarkably seeks help. However, she has a tendency to trust the wrong people.

The book's plot is tightly wound and intricate. The writer possesses a skill for crafting precisely timed, intricately woven moments of suspenseful drama that build to an unexpected climax. Although the first installment is the recommended place to start, "When Power Fails" by Gary D. McGugan may be read as a standalone as well.  This novel and the entire "The Multima Saga" series are perfect for fans of action & adventure, suspense, and crime stories.
1 review
October 17, 2024
I just finished Gary's last book, ‘WHEN POWER FAILS’ and I believe this to be the most exceptional book of the series. All of his previous books were suspenseful and action moving but this latest one was full of uncertainty and excitement. The conflict and intrigue kept flowing throughout the story and kept me waiting for the next outcome to follow.

After reading the entire series, I feel that I have participated in an outstanding and descriptive guided travel experience around the world. His novels not only include a sensational and thrilling story but also gives the reader a thorough understanding and detailed description of his worldly travels and business knowledge. I would highly recommend reading the entire Multima series.
Profile Image for Peter Pontsa.
7 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2024
Suspenseful and thoughtful. Gary spends a lot of time preparing his stories. His past experience as an international business leader adds credence to his characters and their powerful identities. Well done!
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