Send Flowers

by Mike Crowley

John Griffin returns to work one night to find the pharmaceutical lab he manages engulfed in flames. When he and two coworkers confront the executive who ordered the fire, the three learn that they had been working on a drug for a disease that is more profitable without a cure. To ensure they won't interfere with quarterly profits, the executive has them placed on the government's terrorist kill list. On the run, John and his coworkers try to develop the cure while the military and the CIA use the full power of the US anti-terror machine to stop them. With the help of a freshman congressman from Pennsylvania and a few well-placed special forces, Shotgun John and Scorpion are forced to take on the unwarranted influence of corporate donors and the politicians they support. Along the way, John realizes that not even his allies' motives align with his - getting home to see his wife. SEND FLOWERS is a non-stop adventure pitting left against right, soldiers against contractors, and citizens against special interests in an all too plausible world where corporations decide who the CIA tortures and kills. The government's collusion with corporations to maximize profits at the expense of the governed seems insurmountable until this small group of committed citizens starts to fight dirty too.

350 pages, Unknown Binding

First published June 7, 2013

Reviews

[Emily-Jane Orford · Rating 5 out of 5]

John doesn't want to leave his wife and return to the office. He's a manager in a pharmaceutical company and the work load is very demanding, especially now that they've discovered and are developing a much needed cure for a very rare and deadly disease. Little does John know the chain of events that will lead him further away from his home and the one he loves: the fire that destroys the lab, the arsonist whom he unwittingly saves, the politics of making and selling drugs and the deeply crooked polities that makes it deadly dangerous to be a good guy in U.S. politics.

"Send Flowers" is an unlikely title for a terrorist-type plot, but the meaning behind the title does unravel as the story progresses. Mike Crowley has written a chilling tale of what's right and wrong and down-right dangerous in the world of high profile industry and U.S. politics. Money talks, that's the bottom line. But where the money leads is what scares the ordinary citizen. And that's what the main character is: John is just an ordinary citizen. He goes to work, he earns a paycheque, he takes care of his wife and his home and he loves his work. Why would he want to change that? As the character evolves, he continues to hold onto the belief that he can return to that good life. But will he?

This novel has so many twists and turns and the action-packed progression of the plot leads the reader on relentlessly. This is an outstanding mystery/thriller. I couldn't put this one down! Award-winning author and reviewer for readersfavorite.com

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced. Lots of action. Realistic and relatable characters. Plausible conspiracy grounded in reality. Its not about politics but to be clear the progressive freshman congressman is one of the good guys and the republican senator is one of the bad guys. If that sounds right to you, then you're going to like this book. I couldn't put it down.

[Francis S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tense thriller. Crisp dialogue, vivid scenes, plenty of action. I read this in three days and went straight into the next book. Relationship between Raquel and John is fun and relatable. Conflict between CIA contractors and progressive congressman is believable and chilling. Really enjoyed this one.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got a recommendation to read book 2 and decided to read this first. Fun read. Keeps moving. Plenty of action mixed with realistic D.C. intrigue. Reminded me of eary Clancy or Ludlum but with current events. FYI - The next book is fun too.