What do you think?
Rate this book
Splintered State
When a series of unusual murders within the Washington, D.C. mafia leads some to suspect something more sinister is taking place, former mobster Franklin Holt is dragged into a world he’d sworn to leave behind forever. Needing to know the truth, he joins forces with an estranged ex-partner and his federal agent ex-wife, which reignites old feelings and familiar pains. They soon uncover a much more dangerous threat simmering beneath the surface, one with national—and even international—consequences.
Franklin must battle his past and fight to stay alive while keeping his family and loved ones safe in a race against the clock. A clock they didn’t even know had been set. A century-old, believed-defunct terrorist group from old Russia is re-emerging from obscurity with connections in high places and global aspirations.
Franklin must battle his past and fight to stay alive while keeping his family and loved ones safe in a race against the clock. A clock they didn’t even know had been set. A century-old, believed-defunct terrorist group from old Russia is re-emerging from obscurity with connections in high places and global aspirations.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2018
12 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
J. Robert Kinney
4 books13 followersDr. J. Robert Kinney is an award-winning mystery/suspense author. He has four published novels, including the newly complete Volya Series. The second of the series, Ring of Conspiracy, was named the Best Suspense Book of 2020, winning the Silver Falchion Award from the Killer Nashville International Writers Conference.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Kinney has a PhD in political science, with specialties in international relations & terrorism studies, as well as degrees in psychology and forensic science. Kinney has spent time working in research for a government contractor, in federal public policy in Washington DC, taught university courses on global politics, and lectured on crime scene investigation. Currently residing in Tennessee, he enjoys reading, playing basketball and tennis, traveling the world, and teaching on international politics, foreign policy, and terrorism. He also enjoys podcasting on international political topics & current events, having hosted a show called Nutshell Politics, which can be found on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and more. Check it out!
Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award winner - 2021 (Ring of Conspiracy)
ScreenCraft Cinematic Book competition semifinalist, 2021 (Splintered State)
Born and raised in North Carolina, Kinney has a PhD in political science, with specialties in international relations & terrorism studies, as well as degrees in psychology and forensic science. Kinney has spent time working in research for a government contractor, in federal public policy in Washington DC, taught university courses on global politics, and lectured on crime scene investigation. Currently residing in Tennessee, he enjoys reading, playing basketball and tennis, traveling the world, and teaching on international politics, foreign policy, and terrorism. He also enjoys podcasting on international political topics & current events, having hosted a show called Nutshell Politics, which can be found on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and more. Check it out!
Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award winner - 2021 (Ring of Conspiracy)
ScreenCraft Cinematic Book competition semifinalist, 2021 (Splintered State)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 30, 2021
Great book from a relatively new author. Intriguing premise (an old terrorist group from the 1800s never actually died out, but survived underground for a century before re-emerging) and Kinney handles it well. It sent me down more than a few Wikipedia rabbit trails reading about the real-life group! Fascinating!
Strong characters and character development. It's definitely a character-driven story, which I love.
He keeps the plot moving, as well. I read the whole thing in two days. Kept me up at night wanting keep turning the next page. I could definitely see this book (series?) being turned into a movie someday. It has the feel of a big screen thriller/suspense.
I'll be very curious and interested to continue to follow this author as his career develops and grows!
Strong characters and character development. It's definitely a character-driven story, which I love.
He keeps the plot moving, as well. I read the whole thing in two days. Kept me up at night wanting keep turning the next page. I could definitely see this book (series?) being turned into a movie someday. It has the feel of a big screen thriller/suspense.
I'll be very curious and interested to continue to follow this author as his career develops and grows!
May 14, 2019
Excellent Character Development and easy story to follow with the depth of a Dan Brown or Koontz novel. An engrossing thriller with intensity which keeps one on the edge of their seat. Can’t wait to read the continuation of this epic adventure. Good always wins.
January 15, 2020
Engaging story and interesting characters. Appears to be a relatively new author, but he's a strong too. Looking forward to the sequel, whenever he publishes that!
April 11, 2020
Who are the good guys?
I couldn’t stop reading. Lots of twists and turns. It’s hard to know who to trust. And a touch of the Gospel leaving you wanting more. Well done!
I couldn’t stop reading. Lots of twists and turns. It’s hard to know who to trust. And a touch of the Gospel leaving you wanting more. Well done!
September 16, 2025
This story grabbed me right from the start. The mix of gritty mafia intrigue and high-stakes terrorism makes it feel like a blockbuster movie on the page. Franklin Holt is a compelling protagonist flawed, haunted, but determined. The D.C. setting gives everything a sharp, political edge that kept me guessing until the end.
April 7, 2021
I save my 5 stars for my favorites of all time but I had a great time and couldn’t put this down. Excited for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews