The Wall

by Joseph Hayes

Miguel Sanchez is a talented and dynamic attorney who has earned a reputation as a passionate crusader for immigration rights. His charisma and his accomplishments have made him a media darling and paved the way for his explosion onto the national political scene. But he is not who he purports to be. He is the nation’s most high-profile illegal immigrant, a secret known to almost no one other than his shadowy handlers. Together, they have an agenda - punish America for its past sins and undermine this country’s prosperity and way of life.

Since childhood, Sanchez has been conditioned to believe in that cause and to do whatever it takes to see that mission through. Now, he is on the cusp of acquiring the power to do exactly that. Only one person stands in his way - his unassuming, conflict-averse childhood friend, Bobby Rivera.

The Wall is an intelligent, fast-paced thriller that combines suspense with a thought-provoking exploration of one of the most controversial, sensitive, and far-reaching issues of our time - immigration. It examines the opportunities, fears, and challenges of recent immigrants and their children. It portrays the changing complexion of America in a way that is sensitive and hopeful. It contrasts life on opposite sides of the border wall, but more importantly, it vividly depicts the walls that exist in the minds and hearts of those trying to assimilate and those who resist.

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published October 10, 2018

About the author

Joseph Hayes is a native of Chicago, and grew up on the City's South Side. He and his wife Susan left there in the 1980s in search of sunshine and warmer weather. They found both, and now split their time between The Woodlands, Texas and La Jolla, California.

After obtaining his law degree from Berkeley, Hayes practiced law in Chicago, San Diego and Houston. He also served for many years as the chief ethics officer for a Fortune 1000 company. He now focuses on his writing, specializing in novels that combine page-turning suspense, compelling characters and a thought-provoking exploration of issues that matter -- both timely and timeless

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, it’s 3.75 stars

In his recent publication, Joseph Hayes touches on some current hot-button topics, sure to stir the pot. The wall erected along the southern border of the United States is supposed to quell illegal immigration, but has served more as a means of challenging those who seek a better life in America. Sal Rios and his father learned that as they trekked from Mexico over the border one night, as the novel opens. With dangers all around them on both sides, the Rios family snuck through and set-up in a Texas town, hoping for the best. While Sal is trying to acclimate, he meets Bobby Rivera and Miguel Sanchez, two other boys his age. Bobby is the brains of the operation, able to score high marks in school and the son to two visa-carrying parents in the medical field. Miguel has been forced to scrounge just to make ends meet, seen more as a independent teen, with a single mom trying to juggle all the responsibilities. These three boys soon prove to be inseparable, making a name for themselves around school and getting into trouble. Sal’s father may not be the naive illegal immigrant that he wants people to believe, as the boys find out one night when they notice him ‘conducting business’. However, it is an accident that sees Miguel die and Sal take over his life, all planned through some of the businessmen that control the immigrant population in this rural Texas community. Move ahead twenty years, where the new “Michael ‘Miguel’ Sanchez” has become a prominent lawyer fighting for the rights of immigrants. After a headline-grabbing decision at the US Supreme Court, Sanchez is riding the wave of popularity. With it, comes the politicos, wondering if he might put his name forward for office. While bandying around the idea of a Senate run, someone insists that his independent candidacy for President of the United States might be just what the country needs to focus on immigration issues, particularly those of the illegal variety around the Mexican border. While Sanchez is weighing his options, Bobby Rivera has been living a simple life, though is impressed to see that someone is making noise about immigration issues. With a good job and ties to the community, Rivera watches as this new face on the political scene seems to be rising in popularity at just the right time. However, Bobby knows the dark secret that could bring the Sanchez Campaign down. With a plan to see Sanchez align himself with one of the mainstream campaigns as a VP candidate, his political future seems firmly controlled by others, forcing him to remain quiet. As Bobby tries to help his friend dodge those mean him harm, he becomes entangled in a situation that could have dire consequences ahead of this important presidential election. A well-crafted piece whose political intrigue held strong for most of the novel, but waned in the last handful of chapters.

I noticed this book on the Kindle Unlimited website and knew that I would have to give it my best effort. While I have never read anything by Joseph Hayes, there was a certain poignancy to this novel that I could not resist. In the early part of the story, Hayes depicts some of the stories that many Americans have likely heard about the porous nature of the US-Mexico border, though there is a great deal of danger, not a ‘welcome to America, come on in’ as certain blowhards would have us believe. While illegal immigration does occur, using steel and adding more bullets to guns will do little to solve the larger issue of illegal immigration, save for a silly stop-gap measure that ignores the root causes and only costs the taxpayer billions after being lied to throughout a political campaign. Hayes focuses his attention on the issue and uses some key characters to depict this story, through both a struggle and success. Bobby Rivera is the American-born first generation character, whose parents arrived legally and who sought a better life for their son. He has the brains to succeed and, given the chance, makes the most of his opportunities. A great contrast occurs between his youth and adulthood, where Rivera is standing on the sidelines and watching change occur. His backstory and character development are well documented throughout Hayes’ narrative, though he seems to be the unexpected spectator, with brains and persuasive capabilities one might expect of a political figure. Miguel Sanchez/Sal Rios is the wonderful rags to riches character who was forgotten in his youth and cut his teeth on getting into trouble without being caught. He appears to have risen above and earned his law degree, only to effect change in a country that needs it more than ever. Hughes shows his maturity through the twenty year flash forward in the early part of the book, allowing the reader to see a man ready to take on the political elites to advocate for much-needed policy change, though it will not be easy. However, the secret that hangs over him could bring him down at any moment. The story was developed well, keeping the reader enthralled throughout. With a little talk of immigration policy and the thrill of an election campaign, the reader should expect something exciting. However, the political campaign becomes secondary as Hayes flirts with having the narrative reveal the deep secret Miguel Sanchez has been keeping. I had hoped for something highly political with a cut-throat campaign, but perhaps Hayes will do so in another of his novels. Strong characters and a decent plot keep Joseph Hayes showing that he is an author to watch, even if the story took a turn I did not expect to become primary.

Kudos, Mr. Hayes, for a great story that has strong themes that are quite relevant. I look forward to reading more of your work in the coming months.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won an ebook of this in a goodreads drawing.

For most of the book, Bobby, Miguel, and Sal are kids in South Texas, in different forms of immigration trouble, are friends who have a big falling out.

Turns out, two out of three of them hate America and want to punish the country. Bobby is the only one who knows how they really feel, and what their plans are.

Moves pretty slow.

[Vivian Byfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

An extremely thought provoking read. I wonder if we will ever learn? There was so much that I could relate to. Whilst not being an illegal immigrant, being a person of colour ,resonates with attitudes in this story. A great recommendation Matt from Goodreads. You will not be disappointed

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for sharing this book with me for a honest review.

The book focuses on one suspicious person where Bobby must reflect on his past to discover the truth.

The book is full of character development, mysterious deaths, propoganda, and suspicions. It is a smooth read with little interruptions.

I'm giving a 3 star due to the unrealistic plot and very long book summary. Nonetheless, I would still recommend this book to my friends.

[Jim A · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay story. A times the writing and story line reminded me of Jeffrey Archer's tales of friendships and relationships, and the results.

The author gives several points of view into one of today's hot button subjects, immigrants, both legal and illegal. The story centers around several of each.

Those who enjoy political intrigue as well as corruption will like this tale.

[Jennifer Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

So a lot of things are not believable but I did enjoy the story. I did like the storybook ending. I did like some of the political points made in this book that are so very relevant today.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complicated tale of politics and immigration, from the immigrants view. Miguel or Michael Sanchez is a talented lawyer and crusader for immigrants’ rights and wants to see changes in how immigrants are treated and how they can become lawful citizens of the USA. He is charismatic and a media darling, having been the youngest lawyer to take a case to the Supreme Court. But he has a very important secret that no-one can ever find out. He is actually an illegal immigrant, the most high profile one maybe, with political ambitions at the highest position.

He has secret handlers that have shaped the life of him and his father before him and who have an agenda all of their own. They want to destroy America for the way it has treated its immigrants, especially from Mexico and South America. Their cause is one Miguel has been force fed by his father and later these hidden benefactors, to punish the US for their opulent lifestyle of the rich and famous, for its prosperity and to take away its power base in government. Soon he may very well be achieving his goal and stepping up into the political field.

The story starts back some twenty years, to when Miguel was known under a different name and was friend with another two young boys, both of whom were first generation citizens born of illegal immigrants. Booby Rivera was raised in South Texas, in the small town of San Mateo and was always taught to never make waves and to be careful as both his parents were in the US on only temporary work permits and lived under the fear of being deported for the slightest misdemeanour. He was lucky to have been born there once they arrived. He meets two other boys, Sal and Miguel, one illegal and one a legal citizen.

The first chunk of the story follows the boys and gives a lot of background to how they first met and how they became best of friends, ‘brothers’ as they call it, and what happens when two of them suddenly disappear without a word. This is not uncommon in the town as it is mostly illegal immigrants who have crossed over the border, from down south, either to find a better life or to escape persecution. Bobby never finds out what happened to them until twenty years later when he suddenly meets Miguel. The past was filled with tragedy before the sudden disappearance and questions have laid unanswered for years.

Bobby loves the county that has given him and his parents a good life, but is still not one to make waves. He doesn’t realise the danger of rekindling their relationship and the secrets that go with it, will do to him and those he loves. He is happy in his job as a funeral director and doesn’t want to rock the boat. But Miguel’s political rants are at odds with his love for the country he lives in and leave him wondering if he can still be loyal to his old friend. You are left wondering at times if the events that threaten him and others are directly from Miguel or those that control the strings behind him. The start of the book shows Miguel and is father in a different light and the stories told are quite gruesome in detail.

A conflict of those immigrants, legal or illegal, that have embraced all that America has to offer and those who resent it’s power and influence on events in their former countries. The land of golden opportunities does not always bring what people seek and those who wish to cause it harm, are often those with power and influence themselves, gained from the very lifestyle they condone. America has been built on immigration, as have various other countries around the world and flourished because of it. But there are still prejudices around on both sides and unequal treatment of people dependant on their actual ‘status’ as citizens or not.

The book gives you a couple of very extreme and opposite views of being an immigrant, legal and illegal, and first generation immigrants and how they adapt or don’t to their new surroundings. Some find it too difficult to get over the fear of discovery or deportation, whilst other flourish in their new lives. Their hearts and minds are both with their old lives and country, and the new life they hoped for. Some succeed and some don’t, but that is due mainly to their application and hard work. It shows some of the conflicts that immigrants can experience and how different these can be from person to person. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wall by Joseph Hayes is the story of two grown men, Bobby Rivera and Miguel Sanchez, immigrants from Mexico who grew up together in Texas, along with another friend named Sal Rios. While their family history and circumstances vary, their entry into the United States – both a blessing and a curse – all have faced the same divider that still, even as Rivera and Sanchez propel into adulthood, separates them from the rest of us...and that is The Wall. Rivera has been fortunate in his status where Sanchez has been less so, the latter finding fame in the public while harboring the secret of his immigration status at any cost. But as the price continues to rise, so too does the elevation and unfurling of a deeply ulterior motive.

Joseph Hayes has written an intriguing novel that peels back the layers on the experience of first generation immigrants in The Wall. The characters are exceptionally well developed and the plot delivers enough savory morsels to keep a reader biting, even when the action slows down a tad. Overall the writing is crisp and clean, with some truly spine-tingling moments and a relatively high body count early on. I liked the way Hayes is able to string tension through each scene and, despite the rise of a strong anti-hero that I just loved to hate, he's able to maintain the trajectory of an ambitious plot as it evolves almost organically. The book is timely and I imagine it will find the wide audience it deserves when it's unleashed on a legion of suspense fiction lovers who will certainly be as pleased as I was to plow right on through The Wall.

Review written for Readers' Favorite.

[Jennifer Kellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Genre: Political thriller

Summary: Three teens grow up in southern Texas. Two are first generation Americans and the third is an illegal. Tragedy strikes during their first year at high school and they end up scattered, likely never to see each other again. Jump to twenty years later and Mike is a successful lawyer looking to run for president. His backers will stop at nothing to keep his dark secrets and ensure his victory.

Review: This book is long and it feels long. It spends a lot of time setting up the premise. The jump to twenty years later takes way too long to get there. The "twist" is so planned out that it is obvious from the beginning.
But my biggest problem is that the main plot point is that if anyone found out that 'Mike' is not a citizen his run for prez would be toast. But he wouldn't have been able to run even if he was legal! You have to be American born. If the author had tweaked the plot so that Miguel was worried someone would find out he was an immigrant, then the whole story would have made more sense. And it would have allowed for some commentary about how some naturalized citizens would make great presidents because of their work ethic and patriotism
Also, for a professional cleanup man, Vargas is super sloppy. There is no way anyone would have believed that those deaths were accidents.
Bobby is adorable though. Oblivious, but adorable.

[Ria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the review copy of The Wall by Joseph Hayes.

Bobby, Sal and Miguel are childhood friends. They live in a small community in the USA, which is full of people who have crossed the border from South America. Some are living there legally, whilst others are living under the radar, having made the crossing illegally. After a tragedy occurs, Bobby thinks he’ll never see his friends again.

Fast-forward 20 years and Bobby is living a happy life, doing a job he loves. When one of his old friends unexpectedly re-enters his life, bringing lots of drama with him, Bobby’s life is turned upside-down.

While I was reading this book, I kept returning to the blurb that accompanied it. For the most part, that blurb and the book I was reading felt totally different. Only in around the last 20% of the book did the storyline in any way match up to the description. For example, I was at 37% before the boys became adults - I understand the need for some scene-setting, but that was far too much.

If I hadn’t been reading this book for review purposes, I would have given up on it by the time I reached 25%. Very slow-paced, very hard work to read, and not at all what it was described as.

1 star out of 5

The Wall is out now.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novel to jump start your brain into thinking about the immigration issue. In the beginning three Texas border town high school friends are introduced, all with different histories regarding their American citizenship. Following two murders our story jumps ahead twenty years and we find one of the three as a potential candidate for national office. Those murders come back to haunt the candidate and those closest to Himes as “The Cause” becomes more important than the people in the way. I received an advanced digital copy through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very interesting story and especially for the times we are living in now. Miguel Sanchez is an immigration attorney who wins a case before the Supreme Court on immigration. His background is rather unusual. Twenty years ago he was a different young man. This story takes you on the changes in his life and his friend, Bobby. It also shows what powerful men behind the man can make happen. Well worth the read.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad slice of today’s reality

I’m a born American. I have mixed views of my country today. This nation is built on GOOD immigrants. There is no doubt that today’s immigration laws are pathetic. I have very close friends who have traveled the LEGAL immigration road and have contributed immensely. Replacing the pathetic crowd populating circle of lawmakers with GOOD people is the most important job of today’s electorate.

[Barbara Tsipouras · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story about legal and illegal immigrants tries to show different kinds of immigrants from Latin America, their goals and morals, mixing in the immorality of politicians who's only goal is power. But it seems as if the writer had only two colors. There's the model immigrant Bobby, totally integrated and proud to be American - and there's Sal, reckless, remorseless and full of hate for the USA.

[Hildegart · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems as though this is a book you will either enjoy a lot or not enjoy. There really doesn't seem to be much middle ground. I would suggest downloading a sample before purchasing this novel to make sure it is something you would enjoy. The major downfall (in my opinion) is the slow pace of the novel.

I received a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Janet Cardillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of today's world

I really liked the underlying issues in this book. It goes past immigration into graft and corruption at the highest level. It made me think about our current president. Was he placed into office as a figurehead for other people's agenda but he thwarted their attempts to control his action and verbiage. I like books that make me think.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Timely Story of immigrant and the US/Mexican border

Preachy but interesting look at border crossing, particularly about dreamers. A look at extremes of the legal/illegal immigrant experience , the border, and need for a wall

[billy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Profanity!!!

This could have been a great story. Mild cursing in a few spots but the real profanity started about a quarter of the way through. I thought that Mr. Hayes was going to be an exception but his vocabulary proved me wrong. Such a shame!

[Joy H. Lee-Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of Surprises

This book full of surprises -- twists and turns galore. Interesting questions at end. I loved it; however, anxiety was at times higher than comfortable for this reader. Yet I do not want to miss this writer's other works.

[Theresa Vonada · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author has nailed the US political climate. The story is okay, could this or does this really happen??? The questions at the end are the best, thoughtfully consider them.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting look at both sides of a controversial topic

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Diane Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on the border crisis.

[LiA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not always logical, but full of suspense.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of this story - most unfortunately - is true as many latinos (from Mexico downwards) try to cross the border to the US on foot accross the desert. The wall partially already exists and continues to be built but does not slow the influx of people looking for the American dream, the land of opportunity. Decades of bad government and natural disasters have plagued quite a few countries in South and Central Americas leading to immigration to any country that offers better chances of life. We all know that money plays an important part in political campaigns and that corporations may have a strong influence in government decisions but I do prefer to believe that the influence and modus operandi shown in this story is just a story..... It´s entertaining although sometimes difficult to read but it does reflect today´s reality. Above all it highlights what many people don´t even think about - the worst walls are those that we build around ourselves and our minds. This books really brings food for thought and discussions.

[Paul Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wall was an interesting story of immigration and dirty politics.

[Glenn E Grigsby · Rating 1 out of 5]

An ok book could not keep my attention or desire to keep reading every day

[John Flick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still reading

[Steve Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read that was both well researched (from the spot on details of the funeral industry to the descriptions of the South Texas and San Antonio area) and thought provoking. The author does a nice job of keeping the reader interested through the development of each of the primary characters while moving the story along seamlessly. A great prequel follow-up would be a deeper dive into the Vega character and his background. Both entertaining and politically timely. Very well done.