Term Limits: the 'brilliant and timely' political thriller

by Steve Powell

Alan Steele Nicholson, Former Press Officer - US Senator Jacob Javitz, New York

"Brilliant and timely political who-done-it. Having been a press officer for a US Senator for a number of years, I’ve had a front row seat to the inter workings of Capital Hill. To my mind, Powell has masterfully combined the timeliness of today’s political intrigue with a gripping detective story/who-done-it. By bringing the mind-boggling swirling mess that is Washington politics down to the level of one family’s pain he held me glued to the page.

"What I found particularly remarkable was how easily I found myself sympathizing with the ‘villain’, and how well-crafted and human was Powell’s plea that we need to finally bring common sense back to our government and its approaches to critical problems facing the country and the world.

"A deceptively easy read — given its thunderous message.  Term Limits should be require reading for every new politician heading to Washington."

Murder – week after week, month after month, across the country. Pushed beyond his limits, one man takes on the establishment, the gun lobby, and corruption at the highest levels. To break the power of entrenched elites, he leads the nation on a grisly hunt. He’s hunting them. And they’re hunting him. One side will have to blink. In the meantime, people are dying. Term Limits is a thriller from the front pages of our newspapers. It couldn’t be more topical.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Politics

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2018

About the author

Steve Powell is a retired bond trader. He has degrees in finance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He spent the first half of his career at Bankers Trust Company in New York and London. In 1994 he founded his own firm, Smith Point Investments. He ran Smith Point for fifteen years.
Steve is an avid runner and a struggling but optimistic golfer.
​
He is married with four grown sons and lives in Connecticut where he owns a small gym and writes.

The idea for his first novel, Charlie, developed from the brutal and still unsolved murder of a distant relative. His most recent book, Term Limits, was written in part out of frustration with the political situation in the United States.

Reviews

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I wish that I had written! I've had an idea like this kicking around in my head for quite awhile, and the author did a wonderful job of writing it. Kudos to him!
Powell writes about a man who was pushed to his limit by conniving businessmen and indifferent politicians. Several life-altering setbacks in his personal life tipped the balance of his sanity, and led him on to a crusade. I don't want to divulge the plot, suffice it to say that it could be very plausible. In fact, I am really surprised, with the state of our country today, that this has not happened.
I could not put the book down! It moves along very fast. The split timeline in the beginning perplexed me, but made sense midway through the book.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to expand the plot, to include the targets themselves and how they actually reacted to the threat facing them and their families.
A very good book!

[barry d giroux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot but hardly ever write reviews. This book has a 4.58 rating currently-this is probably too low. Read this book!! NOW!!!

[Christie Bane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book while looking for a non-fiction book on term limits, and honestly didn’t expect much from it. But it turned out to be not only a great read, but also surprisingly thought-provoking. It’s not an easy thing for an author to make the reader sympathize with a murderer, but I’m pretty sure anyone who reads this book will find themselves sympathizing with Greg Hopper. He was a good person whose insignificant but happy life was ruined by policies maintained by the mess that is American politics. If there’s anyone who finishes this book not rooting for term limits, I’d be amazed.

[Josh Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping! The writing was very emotionally effective- each victim scene had an intimacy about it that made for a very strong connection to the storyline. The political angle added interesting colour, and it was a unique experience to read about electoral candidates leveraging the manifesto of a serial killer. The decision to put the primary character development onto the murderer was also appealingly different, and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the seemingly unconnected chapters.
The political insight was also very commendable- the book was clearly written with serious understanding of the US political system, and whilst some of the issues covered moved the story away from realism, it meant the book could say more politically. Definitely recommended as a fresh approach to the detective story.

[John Boeckh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Steve Powell's Term Limits, which I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.
Powell does a really nice job of tackling a pair of relevant political and societal issues - gun control and term limits - that have popular support that has inexplicably never translated into practical legislation. It's apparent that Powell feels strongly about these issues, and he weaves his advocacy for them into a well-paced murder mystery. The characters and plot are well developed, the narrative moves along well, with a couple of cleverly placed curve balls that one doesn't really see coming.
I found this a very entertaining read. Powell entertained me, but left me feeling I better understood the gun control and term limits issues - and feeling better for the fact I did.
Well worth the read!

[Justine Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is very topical. It is restrained and direct in its delivery. The message is very clear from a few chapters in, and gets louder and louder as it comes to the crisis point. I found it interesting and well delivered but a curiously masculine book. I could be wrong, but it seems to me this would appeal more to men than women. At no point did I feel emotionally involved with the characters despite the protagonist's terribly sad life. However, I was nodding my head in agreement as I read. Definitely worth reading. Someone said it should be required reading for all today's American students and I couldn't agree more.

[Slight · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a well written quick read. Quicker for me because I have heard it all (need for gun control, term limits, stop lobbyist money, etc.) and in fact agree with all, so found myself skipping through the editorial opinions. In all fairness, I am into politics on a daily basis. Taking that alone makes a great political plan for
activist voters. But the main character being able to do what he did with such moral ease and always having money, fake ID's, no mistakes, felt like too much of a stretch. I knew what was up at 41% into the book. Just needed more cred and deeper suspense. After the ending I said, "oh I wish" out loud.

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powell’s thriller oscillates around a troubling series of murders striking at the heart of the US political establishment. A rapid and absorbing read, Term Limits gives a fresh look at seemingly inescapable issues like gun violence and campaign financing which continually dog Washington. The novel raises concerns about the limits we should go to in order to effect political change whilst remaining an adrenaline-inducing cat-and-mouse chase which refuses to compromise on suspense, drama or tragic backstories.

[Elliott Almqvist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Term limits is a thrilling pageturner; the pages fly by so fast that you don't know what's hit you, as if you yourself have been struck by the mysterious murderer. While at first it seems like a typical murder mystery, it soon becomes apparent that there is something much deeper going on. It's like a reverse whodunit; you know who the killer is but not why they're doing it. The book does a great job of highlighting why fundamental changes are required in American politics, yet it never comes across as preachy and keeps the reader in thrilling suspense for the entire ride.

[Sylvia Vetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

To create a simple clear structure may appear an easy thing to do but is in fact hard to achieve. Steve Powell has done just that. Crime novels are usually described as ‘Who Done It’ but Term Limits isn’t a 'Who Did It' because we soon know the identity of the murderer –this is not a plot spoiler -this is a ‘WHY Done It.’ While it is a good read Steve Powell raises important issues. For me that is the future of the novel .

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart beating story

I am not usually very interested in police stories, but for some reason this one struck my interest. Mr. Powell is one h*** of a story teller. Every time I thought I knew who the killer was he would throw a curve. I wasn't sure who the killer was until the author let be known. One other reason for liking the story is because I even though I do not condone any killing, I am certainly on the side of the killers reasoning.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading a lot of acceptably interesting books lately, but this one reminded me what it’s like to get sucked in. I forgot how much I missed that feeling!

The body count is high, but so is the entertainment factor, and the political elements are well-intergraded into the plot. Recommended for the politically minded and anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

[Gail Sarner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent well written novel; a quick and addicting read!

Just finished Steve Powell's novel, Term Limits and I loved it! Great story for those who like a book they can't put down as well as those disgusted by our Congressional LACK of Term Limits and the continued fallout from that...a MUST and super fun quick read!

[John Axtell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly exciting thriller, you won’t want to put it down! I really enjoyed reading Term Limits. The story kept me on the edge of my seat while feeling surprisingly sympathetic towards the main character, and the ending was awesome. I hope Steve Powell is already working on his next book!

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-stop action right from the start! The fact that the events in the story have not already happened is probably the strangest thought going through my mind as I read the book.An Everyman vigilante takes matters in his own hands when he is overwhelmed by current events.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great semi political read about a serial killer out to make a point regarding Congress. I saw the ending coming but still enjoyed the book. It was the perfect amount of thriller action packed novel while still having a great storyline that left you feeling sorry for the killer.

[Trudy Ennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good idea

Except for the murders, forcing term limits is a good idea. Encouraging voters to vote against all incumbents makes sense and would result in a Congress with no obligation to any lobbyist.

[Sandy Schmeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting!

I stumbled on this and what a bit of delightful serendipity. This one is a real page turner although initially the style is a bit confusing. I do not normally bother with reviews but this book is truly noteworthy.

[Ethan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found out about Vince Flynn's 1996-ish book of the same name after trying to find this one. Ended up reading Vince Flynn's first, and liked it a bit more. But this one was good, too. It just shows why Vince Flynn was a professional author I guess

[Victoria L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was one of the best books I've read this year. There are multiple twists and turns which it took me till the last 8 chapters to formulate my opinion of the killer.

I would highly recommend this book and author

[Julie Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down until I finished.

Great read and very timely issues.

I love the short chapters....makes you want to get to the next one to see what’s going to happen.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great suspenseful read. lots of unpredictable twists and turns.

[Barkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read of the summer!

[Melanie Izzo picciotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent facts brought out regarding the need for political term limits, the power of the NRA and greed.

[Matthew Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and depressingly poignant political thriller.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this one one cannot help but silently cheer for the bad guy.

[Isobelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intriguing read, it really kept me guessing! The characters were so alive, and every murder was so gripping and vivid.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The story was fast paced and enthralling, and it was so easy to root for certain characters because you really felt for their woes. The book made me think about politics and the possibility of improvement in a way I had never thought of before, and it did so by telling a fun catch-the-murderer story.

[John H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The clear, crisp prose swiftly draws the reader into the fast-paced plot. As the complexity of the story builds, the political and social commentary seeps into the story, enriching the refined tableau.

In my view, the well crafted political manifesto in the final pages represents the most nuanced, thoughtful showpiece in the author's consistently strong craftsmanship.

[Paul Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Powell has an attractively concise and efficient form of prose. He sets his narrative course and doesn't waver from telling a gripping tale without distractions . I loved reading the book and was sorry when it ended. It is a well thought out mystery with just the right amount of incredulity.