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The Hope Not Plot: A Novel of Churchill’s Final Farewell
As 90-year-old Winston Churchill barely clings to life in January 1965, Great Britain and the world prepares for the funeral of the century. The long-planned grand farewell has a code Operation Hope Not. A “who’s who” list of world leaders plan to attend.
But Lyndon B. Johnson is a no show.
Why does the President of the United States, a consummate and ego-driven politician, who has just been inaugurated for his own term, following a landslide election victory the previous November, choose to stay home instead of making his presence known as the leader of the free world while 350 million people watch via new satellite technology.
And, why doesn’t President Johnson send his new Vice President, Hubert Humphrey, in his stead? Why also will the American Secretaries of State and Defense travel to London as part of the “official” US delegation, only to skip the actual service at historic St. Paul’s Church?
Why indeed.
With these verified historical facts as a backdrop, best-selling author DAVID R. STOKES takes us through the “looking glass” and into a world of shadows, mystery, and intrigue.
America and the world have not yet fully recovered from the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Yet, in a way that seems to connect back to that awful moment in November 1963, there are rumors of another conspiracy one involving a possible attack connected to Churchill’s funeral when more than 100 world leaders are assembled in one confined place.
President Johnson reaches out to a team of trusted operatives in the intelligence world all “off the record,” of course. These men some whose names will eventually become infamous have a singular to prevent a catastrophe that could change the course of human history.
The American agents uncover a plot more far-reaching than they could have ever imagined.
At the center of THE HOPE NOT PLOT is Winston Churchill himself. His accomplishments. His mistakes. His admirers. And his enemies.
THE HOPE NOT PLOT is fiction, yet it is saturated with historical details. You may wonder what is real and what is made up and be tempted to reach for your smart phone to check things out.
But Lyndon B. Johnson is a no show.
Why does the President of the United States, a consummate and ego-driven politician, who has just been inaugurated for his own term, following a landslide election victory the previous November, choose to stay home instead of making his presence known as the leader of the free world while 350 million people watch via new satellite technology.
And, why doesn’t President Johnson send his new Vice President, Hubert Humphrey, in his stead? Why also will the American Secretaries of State and Defense travel to London as part of the “official” US delegation, only to skip the actual service at historic St. Paul’s Church?
Why indeed.
With these verified historical facts as a backdrop, best-selling author DAVID R. STOKES takes us through the “looking glass” and into a world of shadows, mystery, and intrigue.
America and the world have not yet fully recovered from the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Yet, in a way that seems to connect back to that awful moment in November 1963, there are rumors of another conspiracy one involving a possible attack connected to Churchill’s funeral when more than 100 world leaders are assembled in one confined place.
President Johnson reaches out to a team of trusted operatives in the intelligence world all “off the record,” of course. These men some whose names will eventually become infamous have a singular to prevent a catastrophe that could change the course of human history.
The American agents uncover a plot more far-reaching than they could have ever imagined.
At the center of THE HOPE NOT PLOT is Winston Churchill himself. His accomplishments. His mistakes. His admirers. And his enemies.
THE HOPE NOT PLOT is fiction, yet it is saturated with historical details. You may wonder what is real and what is made up and be tempted to reach for your smart phone to check things out.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
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About the author
David R. Stokes
30 books29 followersThough creating compelling copy has always been a part of his work as a minister and broadcaster, it wasn’t until David R. Stokes moved into his fifties that he got serious about writing books. Since then, he has written several highly regarded works of fiction and nonfiction, as well as three screenplays.
His first book, THE SHOOTING SALVATIONIST: J. Frank Norris and the Murder Trial that Captivated America (Steerforth/Penguin/Random House, 2011), a narrative non-fiction thriller set in the 1920s, quickly became a national true crime best-seller. BOOKLIST, in a starred review, said: “The book is engagingly written, in an immediate, you-are-there style, and the story is as compelling and surprising as any Grisham thriller. Top of the line.”
His next book was an espionage novel. CAMELOT’S COUSIN: The Spy Who Betrayed Kennedy now has more than 300 enthusiastic Amazon customer reviews. David has also written a screenplay adaptation, and the story has been optioned in Hollywood. He has also written a sequel—it’s called NOVEMBER SURPRISE.
Two of his books are “based on a true story” novels. JACK & DICK: When Kennedy Met Nixon describes the very first Kennedy-Nixon debate which took place in 1947, thirteen years before the two men ran against each other for the presidency in 1960. David brings this long-overlooked story to life and recreates a fascinating conversation between the two future presidents that took place on an over-night train ride back to Washington, DC.
JAKE & CLARA: Scandal, Politics, Hollywood, and Murder, is a dramatized, but factual account of a fascinating story that captivated American in 1921. A wealthy oil man who bankrolled much of Warren Harding’s successful run for the White House, was shot and killed by his mistress before Harding could reward him with high office.
David’s flair for historical detail and accuracy evident in both his nonfiction and fiction reflects his life long passion for stories from the past. Most of the books in his personal library of more than 7,000 volumes deal with international, political, and military history.
David first began working in radio during college days in the mid-1970s. Since those days, he has had his own national XM satellite radio talk show and is a regular guest-host for talk shows in across the country. Over the years he has interviewed hundreds of political leaders, authors, media personalities, historians, and business leaders. In addition, he has done voice over work, including projects for a Smithsonian affiliate and a presidential library. Political commentator Bob Beckel says: “Here’s a preacher who can range from ancient history, to political history, to current events with ease.”
An ordained minister for nearly 40 years, he has led congregations in Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and New York. Since 1998, David has served as Senior Pastor of Expectation Church in Fairfax, Virginia. In conjunction with his ministry work, he has written several books related to issues of faith and inspiration. For information about these resources, please visit the ministry website.
David has been married to his wife Karen for more than 40 years, and they have three wonderful daughters and seven incredible grandchildren.
His first book, THE SHOOTING SALVATIONIST: J. Frank Norris and the Murder Trial that Captivated America (Steerforth/Penguin/Random House, 2011), a narrative non-fiction thriller set in the 1920s, quickly became a national true crime best-seller. BOOKLIST, in a starred review, said: “The book is engagingly written, in an immediate, you-are-there style, and the story is as compelling and surprising as any Grisham thriller. Top of the line.”
His next book was an espionage novel. CAMELOT’S COUSIN: The Spy Who Betrayed Kennedy now has more than 300 enthusiastic Amazon customer reviews. David has also written a screenplay adaptation, and the story has been optioned in Hollywood. He has also written a sequel—it’s called NOVEMBER SURPRISE.
Two of his books are “based on a true story” novels. JACK & DICK: When Kennedy Met Nixon describes the very first Kennedy-Nixon debate which took place in 1947, thirteen years before the two men ran against each other for the presidency in 1960. David brings this long-overlooked story to life and recreates a fascinating conversation between the two future presidents that took place on an over-night train ride back to Washington, DC.
JAKE & CLARA: Scandal, Politics, Hollywood, and Murder, is a dramatized, but factual account of a fascinating story that captivated American in 1921. A wealthy oil man who bankrolled much of Warren Harding’s successful run for the White House, was shot and killed by his mistress before Harding could reward him with high office.
David’s flair for historical detail and accuracy evident in both his nonfiction and fiction reflects his life long passion for stories from the past. Most of the books in his personal library of more than 7,000 volumes deal with international, political, and military history.
David first began working in radio during college days in the mid-1970s. Since those days, he has had his own national XM satellite radio talk show and is a regular guest-host for talk shows in across the country. Over the years he has interviewed hundreds of political leaders, authors, media personalities, historians, and business leaders. In addition, he has done voice over work, including projects for a Smithsonian affiliate and a presidential library. Political commentator Bob Beckel says: “Here’s a preacher who can range from ancient history, to political history, to current events with ease.”
An ordained minister for nearly 40 years, he has led congregations in Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and New York. Since 1998, David has served as Senior Pastor of Expectation Church in Fairfax, Virginia. In conjunction with his ministry work, he has written several books related to issues of faith and inspiration. For information about these resources, please visit the ministry website.
David has been married to his wife Karen for more than 40 years, and they have three wonderful daughters and seven incredible grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 14, 2025
The Hope Not Plot gives you a glimpse into the hidden world of spies and conspiracies. The story involves real historical figures in a modern way, which helped with visualization for me personally. By adding historical figures into the plot, I was able to have clear image of what certain characters look like, which I enjoyed.
As the plot began to unravel, I was drawn in and almost felt the same adrenaline that the protagonists did. This book was thought provoking for me, as it made me consider how much might truly happen behind the scenes in our world.
As the plot began to unravel, I was drawn in and almost felt the same adrenaline that the protagonists did. This book was thought provoking for me, as it made me consider how much might truly happen behind the scenes in our world.
October 16, 2025
If you are looking for a thriller, then you have thrills. If you are looking for historical fiction then this is the book for you. Churchill is dead and a state funeral is planned ; but it will not go as planned. Spooks are afoot and they have evil plans. Throw in the IRA as stooges and you have a great premise for a thriller. It has a nation mourning a wartime hero, Soviet agents up to no good and in alliance with the IRA.
I suppose if you had to put this book into a genre, it would be alternative history where you take true life characters throw in some fictional characters and put them in a fictional setting that could conceivably be true and you have a good mix.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC for an honest review.
I suppose if you had to put this book into a genre, it would be alternative history where you take true life characters throw in some fictional characters and put them in a fictional setting that could conceivably be true and you have a good mix.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC for an honest review.
September 27, 2025
2.5 ⭐️, rounded up. I give it the round up because it actually started out really good. After reading a nonfiction book a couple of years ago about Churchill and the year of the Blitz, I was really excited to read some historical fiction about the end of this life. But, about halfway through it became obvious that it was HEAVY on the fiction, and not on the history. I am all for dramatizing around historical events. I am not for using a ton of real life people and creating a completely fictional plot that never happened. Or to make real life people into Russian spies when they were never proven to be that. So at that point it just lost my interest. Either give me pure fiction, or mostly stick to the facts.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Broad Run Books for the advance review copy for free. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Broad Run Books for the advance review copy for free. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
August 23, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, and I find Churchill's life to be fascinating, but somehow, for me, the two didn't quite gel. I found myself wondering if this is supposed to be a tribute to Churchill or a spy thriller, because each aspect overshadowed the other, rendering the final product to be lacking overall. Then there's the Johnson angst and self-absorption, which, for me, totally detracted from the intrigue of the plot. Just as the tension is building the scene switches to one of the leaders, and rather than leaving me hanging, the tension dissipates. The uncovering of the plot was all rather too easy and convenient, with the agents basically solving all the clues with very few missteps. The historical aspect is interesting, but I think the author tried too hard to incorporate it, rather than letting the plot unfold with history as the backdrop. My thanks to BookSirens for the opportunity to read it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews