Cardiac Gap

by Bill Raskin

The United States in the late 2020s enters a death spiral. Economic crisis spreads in a way not seen for ninety years. The jobless line the streets. An impoverished government cuts military forces and overseas presence to the bone. The Russians smell weakness and make a bold move for Middle East oil. Against this backdrop, Cardiac Gap follows the struggle of former Special Forces operator Mark Elliot. When Silicon Valley billionaire Courtney Simons pushes a mercenary solution to the Russian challenge, senior military officers implore Mark to join that effort in hopes of guiding a good outcome. Along the way, Mark discovers dark forces at play. He feels trapped and powerless. But when Mark learns the full details of a devastating plot, he has no choice but to risk it all and join one last, desperate fight to save his country. Woven into this fast paced story, Cardiac Gap What does it mean to stand together as citizens? Will we rally as a country when it matters most?

260 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2019

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story! In the near future, the US has suffered another massive depression. The majority of the US Military has been deactivated and outsourced to the private military corp known as Enterprise Performance, run by mega billionaire Courney Simons. When Simons hires newly unemployed Special Forces officer, Mark and his men, the SF operators realize that Simons' goals are not in line with their own, or those of the United States. Fast forward a few years, Simons is not a tyrannical president who has sealed off enclaves of "privilege zones" behind walls. Outside those zones exists an abandoned and lawless population, but also a strong resistance movement with the goal of removing Simons and restoring the constitution. It's a thought provoking look at a possible dark future, and just a great story.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and superior tactical knowledge

I bought this book as an impulse then stayed up all night reading it. As a former Army Intel soldier I greatly appreciated the depth of expertise with which this story is told. I look forward to more works from this author.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is great. The audiobook needs some help.

[Kurt Milby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a is great book with great characters. That's the first thing I'd like to say. I was swept up by this book because it has it has the kind of heart that is not par for the course with military fiction.

It does waver into other sub genres, I'd say it's a little bit speculative but very similar to the current state of the world, especially two-thirds of the way through. I won't say anymore than that. But, if you want a great military thriller book that manages to have a lot of emotional moments and action, then this is it.