Bombing Chicago:

by Jerry Johnson

The North Koreans decide to bomb both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, to throw the United States into disarray by wiping out the leaders from both parties.

The Koreans create radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), and with Iranian help smuggle the bombs into the United States. Domestic terrorists then disguise the bombs and hide them near the convention centers where the two political parties will meet to choose their candidates.

Can the FBI, led by Chicago's new Special Agent in Charge Bill Peterson, find the bombs and disarm them before two cities are destroyed? The tension mounts as the conventions get closer on the calendar…

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2019

About the author

Jerry Johnson draws on a career most novelists can only imagine. Over years spent working across multiple federal agencies, several of which he remains restricted from naming, he operated at the intersection of national security, intelligence analysis, and counterterrorism. He held multiple security clearances and worked in environments that leave no public trace, developing a firsthand understanding of how real threats to national security take shape.

That experience became the foundation for his fiction. His Peterson Files trilogy, Bombing Chicago, Seven, and Six, follows FBI Special Agent Bill Peterson through a series of escalating domestic terrorism plots grounded in some of today's most credible threat scenarios: smuggled radiological devices, engineered bioweapons, and drone-based attacks on senior government leadership. His standalone thriller, CRUISE, follows a software engineer confronting an Iranian-backed submarine missile strike on the American coastline.

Critics and readers alike have described his work as "chillingly realistic" and "frighteningly plausible," with many noting that his novels read like classified briefings translated into fiction.

Johnson is also the author of One Heartbeat, a nonfiction account of the University of Texas Longhorns' 1983 national championship baseball season, reflecting his lifelong connection to the university and the program.

He holds an MBA and divides his time between Michigan, Florida, and Texas.

Reviews

[Kaye Nutman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your generic thriller - so realistic.

The style of writing is explanatory, but picks up dialogue and action as it proceeds between the two major cities, different situations and the lives of those involved.

Characters are believable and even likable (or not). The situation is one we hope never happens but are so aware that it could. This guy certainly writes a convincing thriller. He knows his stuff, and with the attention to detail and research I am convinced he must have been good at his former occupation, if the acronyms stand for those that are hinted at.

This is a ‘hero saves the world’ story where the he isn’t the only one doing the work. The protagonist works well with others and shows a respect that many other heroes don’t.

Can’t wait for more in the series!

[Susan Howel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of thrillers. Enough to know that most of them gesture at realism without ever quite achieving it the plots are too clean, the heroes too capable, the villains too theatrical. Bombing Chicago does not have that problem. This book feels uncomfortably real from the first page to the last and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
The premise alone is the kind that keeps you up at night. Dirty bombs hidden near both national convention sites, a three nation conspiracy involving North Korean intelligence and Iranian operatives, domestic terrorists already in position Johnson does not ease you in gently. He drops you straight into the middle of something enormous and then tightens the clock with every chapter.
Bill Peterson is exactly the kind of protagonist this story needed. No superhero theatrics, no impossible skills pulled out at convenient moments just a sharp, experienced agent working a case that is bigger than any single person should have to handle and doing it with the methodical urgency of someone who understands exactly what failure means. You believe in him because Johnson clearly knows what this world actually looks like from the inside.
That insider knowledge is what elevates this above standard thriller territory. The procedural detail feels authentic without ever slowing the pace. The intelligence community dynamics, the interagency friction, the specific texture of how a real investigation moves under extreme pressure all of it reads like someone who lived it rather than researched it.
The dual city structure keeps the tension constantly splitting your attention in the best possible way. Every scene set near one convention makes you anxious about what is happening at the other and Johnson exploits that anxiety ruthlessly.
Gripping, grimly plausible and absolutely relentless. A stunning start to the trilogy.

[Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute powerhouse of political and military suspense. From the very first page, the tension never lets up. The premise North Korea and Iran collaborating on a terror plot to cripple the United States by targeting both major political conventions feels chillingly plausible and ripped straight from tomorrow’s headlines.

Special Agent Bill Peterson is a fantastic protagonist: smart, grounded, and human. As the new FBI Special Agent in Charge in Chicago, he’s thrown into a nightmare scenario that tests his leadership, instincts, and resolve. The race against time to locate and disarm radiological bombs hidden in two American cities is heart-stopping, and the author does an incredible job weaving together intelligence work, political intrigue, and human emotion.

What makes this novel stand out is its authenticity the procedural detail, the interagency dynamics, and the psychological toll on everyone involved. You can feel the pressure as each chapter builds toward an explosive climax (pun fully intended).

If you love Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, or Vince Flynn, this book will be right up your alley. It’s a fast paced, high stakes thriller that delivers on every front: compelling characters, geopolitical realism, and nonstop suspense.

[Kelly Houle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books that claim to be thrillers, but few deliver on that promise the way Bombing Chicago does. It’s a nail biting, heart pounding ride that keeps you invested from page one.
What makes it stand out is the balance between technical authenticity and human drama. You’re learning about smuggling operations, explosives and FBI procedures, but you’re also caring deeply about families, communities and the people who risk everything to stop disaster.
The writing is sharp and accessible. Johnson doesn’t overwhelm you with jargon, but he also doesn’t dumb things down. It’s a rare balance, and it’s one of the reasons this book works so well.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves thrillers that feel both cinematic and deeply personal.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book gripped me from the very first page. Jerry Johnson blends high stakes action with a chillingly plausible scenario and I found myself holding my breath through so many of the chapters. The smuggling sequences alone were enough to make me forget the world around me.
What impressed me most is how real the characters felt. Pete Hanson, the fisherman turned smuggler, was fascinating both sympathetic and unsettling. The way Johnson layered the domestic terror plot with everyday Americana made it all the more haunting.

[Lee McMillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Jerry Johnson novel and it will not be my last. Bombing Chicago takes the frighteningly real issue of terrorism and turns it into a heart pounding thriller that never feels sensationalized. The pacing is flawless I finished it in just two sittings.
I especially liked the attention to detail in law enforcement and intelligence procedures. It gave the story a ring of truth that elevated it far beyond a standard thriller.

[Alice Brunelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hits you right in the gut. Super detailed, almost uncomfortably real—like, I finished it and honestly started side-eyeing the news, wondering what kind of loopholes we actually have in our own backyard. The writing? Sharp as a tack. It moves fast, doesn’t mess around, and yeah, it’s absolutely terrifying. I couldn’t put it down, but now I kinda wish I could sleep.

[Antonio Rauch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mix of small town life and global stakes in this book was phenomenal. Johnson takes us from quiet marinas and local cops to international plots with North Korea and Iran, all without missing a beat. It felt cinematic.
The tension builds beautifully and by the midpoint, I couldn’t put it down. This book is terrifying in its plausibility, but that’s exactly why it’s so powerful.

[Henry Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bombing Chicago is the kind of thriller that makes you double check the locks at night. The writing is sharp, the characters believable and the plot chillingly realistic.
I was amazed at how Johnson captured both the intimate moments of family life and the large scale terror threat. It gave the book a human heartbeat amid the chaos

[Christopher Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of thrillers, and this one stands out for its authenticity. You can tell Jerry Johnson did his homework on smuggling, explosives, and FBI procedures. It’s scary because it feels like something that could happen tomorrow.
At the same time, it never loses sight of the people at the center of the storm. Chief John Bradley is a standout character ordinary yet heroic.

[Daniel Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every chapter in this book felt like it ended on a cliffhanger. I literally had to force myself to stop reading so I wouldn’t finish it all in one night. The suspense is that good.
But beyond the action, Johnson writes characters you care about. Even when you know disaster is looming, you’re invested in what happens to them.

[Tim Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by how Bombing Chicago moves between local law enforcement in Michigan and global politics. It’s a book that feels both big and intimate. The tension is sustained throughout.
This is storytelling that entertains while making you think about real world vulnerabilities. A scary, riveting read.

[Rebecca Freitag · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! Bombing Chicago blends small-town police drama with high-stakes global terrorism in a way that feels frighteningly real. The detail about smuggling operations and bomb construction made it chilling, but it never lost its human heart thanks to characters like Chief Bradley. Couldn’t put this book down

[Eileen Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired Army intel officer, this hit way too close to home. The smuggling scenes, the sleeper cells, the planning — it was all terrifyingly real. Jerry Johnson doesn’t just write fiction, he writes warnings. This is the kind of book that makes you think twice about how secure we really are.

[Katelynn Bogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The water heater bombs? Absolutely genius and horrifying at the same time. This was not your typical shoot-em-up thriller — it was quiet, intelligent, and methodical in a way that sticks with you. I was fully locked in by Chapter 2 and couldn’t look away.

[Rafaela Block · Rating 5 out of 5]

The realism in this book is what makes it so powerful. It’s not just a 'what if' — it’s a 'this could easily happen.' The scenarios feel like something pulled right from a red-team Homeland Security briefing. Scared me more than anything I’ve read in years.

[Chelsie Block · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is smart and well-researched, but I wanted more emotional stakes with the characters. That said, I couldn’t stop turning pages. The domestic terrorism angle feels disturbingly relevant. If you care about national security, it’s worth the read.

[Davonte Kovacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what happens when someone who actually understands threat logistics writes a novel. The fish box scenes, the radiation shielding, the communication via email drafts — chilling. If you work in counter-intel or just love tight thrillers, grab this book.

[Rhonda P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! I was completely hooked from the first smuggling scene in Port Hope. The multi-layered realism, the geopolitical layers, the tension created, made this a real page-turner. This is one of the best thrillers I have read all year.

[Angela M.Angela M. Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! This kept me up all night. Jerry Johnson clearly knows his stuff - explosives, espionage, when the government could actually get involved - all done to accuracy. The Rheem water heater disguise - pure genius!

[Rebecca Ertl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt disturbingly real. I could easily see this happening in the political climate we have currently, which surely heightened the suspense. The writing was crisp and the tempo was relentless. It is a must read for any national security buff - expect the edge of your seat!

[Terry Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total thriller masterpiece. Think early Vince Flynn meets Homeland. The mixture of science, politics and narrative was seamless and made the reading experience perfect. Highly recommended to anyone who likes multi-layered plots, imperfect protagonists and serious threats to society.

[Victoria Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The combination of Middle Eastern operatives, North Korean masterminds, and American extremists was clever. It is a timely story and felt like it was measured on an actual threat analysis. Sometimes a little dense but could definitely be worth the read.

[Marcela White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the story had promise, especially with it's smuggling plot and dirty bomb set up, but it really dragged in spots. I did find the technical mumbo jumbo interesting, but at times, it took over the story. Not bad, just uneven

[Estelle Pouros · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It’s more than just a story about violence it’s about survival, resilience, and choices. The characters felt authentic, and I found myself caring deeply about them.

[John Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Johnson has crafted a page turner with real bite. I started Bombing Chicago late one night, thinking I’d read a chapter or two and suddenly it was 3 a.m. The stakes just kept climbing.
It reminded me of the best Tom Clancy novels, but with a more personal, human touch. Highly recommended.

[Jewel J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting! From the very first page, I felt like I was in the middle of a real domestic terror investigation. The plot was fast, tense, and terrifyingly believable. Johnson’s writing makes you feel the stakes at every turn. One of the best thrillers I’ve read in years!

[Orland Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, thought-provoking, and action-packed! This book grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. The characters feel real, and the danger feels like it could happen tomorrow. I especially loved the detailed planning of the terrorists—it was chillingly authentic. Five stars without hesitation!

[Sara N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those thrillers that stays with you long after you close the book. The pacing is perfect—steady tension building into explosive moments. I loved how it combined small-town policing with big-picture national security. This is exactly what political thrillers should be.

[Kenny Denesik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Johnson nailed it! The mix of real-world threats and fictional twists was brilliant. I appreciated the balance of technical detail and human drama. The Chicago setting gave it a gritty edge, and the stakes felt incredibly high. Could easily see this as a movie or series.