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Mayberry and Garrett #2
Shakedown
Mayberry and Garrett, introduced in the thrilling Collusion, are caught in the middle of a deadly crisis with Iran in this action-packed adventure from the #1 New York Times bestselling authors.
Unlikely partners Valerie Mayberry and Brett Garrett are at loose ends. The obsessive and uptight Mayberry has left the FBI on bad terms. Garrett’s recent heroics have helped take a little of the sting out of his dishonorable discharge, but he’s got a way to go to find redemption.
When a former Iranian scientist is assassinated in Washington, D.C., the former counterintelligence agent and ex-SEAL are pulled back into the world of clandestine ops—and the fate of the entire East Coast is at stake. Joining ranks with a heralded Mossad agent, Mayberry and Garrett pursue an international killer whose motives remain a mystery.
But he isn’t the only threat. They uncover another planned attack—with too many potential enemies to track down and too little time. When Iran offers to help, the already tense political situation gets more complicated. Operating outside official channels, maneuvering between enemy powers, the two know they must tread carefully to prevent an international incident and keep themselves alive.
Is Iran playing us for fools, again? Or are they undermining some other enemy? Can a dysfunctional Washington do the right thing to protect the country? Will political infighting at the FBI grind the investigation to a halt? Will Mayberry and Garrett find the truth before innocent lives are lost?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2020
137 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Newt Gingrich
114 books545 followersNewt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in forty years. After he was elected Speaker, he disrupted the status quo by moving power out of Washington and back to the American people. Under his leadership, Congress passed welfare reform, the first balanced budget in a generation, and the first tax cut in sixteen years. In addition, the Congress restored funding to strengthen defense and intelligence capabilities, an action later lauded by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.
Today Newt Gingrich is a Fox News contributor. He is a Senior Advisor at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm with more than 6,500 lawyers in 50 countries and offices in more than 125 cities. He advises the firm’s world-class Public Policy and Regulation practice. He is also a Senior Scientist at Gallup.
From May 2011 to May 2012, Newt Gingrich was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, winning the South Carolina and the Georgia primaries. The campaign was especially notable for its innovative policy agenda, its effort to bring new coalitions into the Republican fold, and for Newt’s debate performances. His $2.50 a gallon energy plan set off a nationwide discussion about the use of America’s energy resources.
But there is a lot more to Newt Gingrich than these remarkable achievements. As an author, Newt has published twenty-nine books including 14 fiction and nonfiction New York Times best-sellers.
Non-fiction books include his latest, Breakout, in addition to A Nation Like No Other, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, To Save America, Rediscovering God in America, 5 Principles for a Successful Life, Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, Real Change, A Contract with the Earth, Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America, To Renew America, Lessons Learned the Hard Way, Saving Lives & Saving Money, Window of Opportunity, and The Art of Transformation. He is also the author of a series of historical fiction books including, Gettysburg, Grant Comes East, Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant the Final Victory, 1945, Pearl Harbor, Days of Infamy, To Make Men Free, To Try Men’s Souls, Valley Forge, and Victory at Yorktown. These novels are active history studies in the lessons of warfare based on fictional accounts of historical wartime battles and their aftermaths. His latest novel, Treason, is the sequel to Duplicity and is a thriller of Washington intrigue and international terrorism.
Newt and his wife, Callista, host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include The First American, Divine Mercy: The Canonization of John Paul II, A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, Nine Days That Changed The World, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, Rediscovering God in America, Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage, and We Have the Power.
In his post-Speaker role, Newt has become one of the most highly sought-after public speakers, accepting invitations to speak before prestigious organizations throughout the world. Because of his own unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Newt is able to share unique and unparalleled insights on a wide range of topics. His audiences find him to be not only educational but also inspirational. For more information about Newt’s speaking engagements, please visit the Worldwide Speakers Group.
Widely recognized for his commitment to a better system of health for all Americans, his leadership in the U.S. Congress helped save Medicare from bankruptcy, prompted FDA reform to help the seriously ill and initiated a new focus on research, prevention, and wellness. His contributions have been so great that the American Diabetes Association awarded him their highest non-medical award and the March of Dimes named him their 1995 Citizen of the Year.
To foster a modern health system that provide
Today Newt Gingrich is a Fox News contributor. He is a Senior Advisor at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm with more than 6,500 lawyers in 50 countries and offices in more than 125 cities. He advises the firm’s world-class Public Policy and Regulation practice. He is also a Senior Scientist at Gallup.
From May 2011 to May 2012, Newt Gingrich was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, winning the South Carolina and the Georgia primaries. The campaign was especially notable for its innovative policy agenda, its effort to bring new coalitions into the Republican fold, and for Newt’s debate performances. His $2.50 a gallon energy plan set off a nationwide discussion about the use of America’s energy resources.
But there is a lot more to Newt Gingrich than these remarkable achievements. As an author, Newt has published twenty-nine books including 14 fiction and nonfiction New York Times best-sellers.
Non-fiction books include his latest, Breakout, in addition to A Nation Like No Other, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, To Save America, Rediscovering God in America, 5 Principles for a Successful Life, Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, Real Change, A Contract with the Earth, Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America, To Renew America, Lessons Learned the Hard Way, Saving Lives & Saving Money, Window of Opportunity, and The Art of Transformation. He is also the author of a series of historical fiction books including, Gettysburg, Grant Comes East, Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant the Final Victory, 1945, Pearl Harbor, Days of Infamy, To Make Men Free, To Try Men’s Souls, Valley Forge, and Victory at Yorktown. These novels are active history studies in the lessons of warfare based on fictional accounts of historical wartime battles and their aftermaths. His latest novel, Treason, is the sequel to Duplicity and is a thriller of Washington intrigue and international terrorism.
Newt and his wife, Callista, host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include The First American, Divine Mercy: The Canonization of John Paul II, A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, Nine Days That Changed The World, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, Rediscovering God in America, Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage, and We Have the Power.
In his post-Speaker role, Newt has become one of the most highly sought-after public speakers, accepting invitations to speak before prestigious organizations throughout the world. Because of his own unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Newt is able to share unique and unparalleled insights on a wide range of topics. His audiences find him to be not only educational but also inspirational. For more information about Newt’s speaking engagements, please visit the Worldwide Speakers Group.
Widely recognized for his commitment to a better system of health for all Americans, his leadership in the U.S. Congress helped save Medicare from bankruptcy, prompted FDA reform to help the seriously ill and initiated a new focus on research, prevention, and wellness. His contributions have been so great that the American Diabetes Association awarded him their highest non-medical award and the March of Dimes named him their 1995 Citizen of the Year.
To foster a modern health system that provide
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 1, 2025
Another great book from Newt. This is the second in a series that has an odd couple working together on thrilling intelligence missions. The story and the action keep your attention, and the personalities are developed very nicely.
October 25, 2020
When an exiled Iranian scientist is killed, former SEAL Garrett receives a missive that set him on the case. When QUDS agents try to kill him, he knows he's into something, so he tries to recruit his old buddy Mayberry to help.
This gets them involved with Israeli agents, the Russian oligarchs, and a plot to take down America.
Not bad. Newt got a good ghost writer.
This gets them involved with Israeli agents, the Russian oligarchs, and a plot to take down America.
Not bad. Newt got a good ghost writer.
August 10, 2021
A good story that kept me reading to the end despite rudimentary dialogue and cliched characters. Is every ex-spy a bitter man with no finesse and every Israeli spy a sexy woman?
November 22, 2020
3.5 / 5 Stars
Shakedown was actually pretty good. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I did enjoy a couple of his non-fiction books (mostly historical non-fiction) so I thought, Why not? Especially when I saw he collaborated with Pete Earley, of whom I am a huge fan. This book was entertaining, and included some current political strife, but it did have some slow moments in it where I did have to put the book down for a while and pick up something else.
First of all, while I don't have a problem with multiple POV, I do think it can be overused and take away from the tension of a book. And I do feel this is exactly what happened in this one. Sometimes focusing on just one character (or two or three) and following their journeys, even if it is confusing and you have no idea what is happening, builds up tension and suspense. Flipping back and forth through EVERY POV really deflated the tension for me as there was no guesswork involved.as you knew exactly what was happening. That made is really predictable and I don't like predictable.
The plot itself was interesting, and I definitely liked the use of modern day politicking in this book, especially between old school and new school technology. That seems to be a common topic in suspense novels lately, whether technology is better than old school spying, and I am enjoying the debate that is going on. Where do I sit on this one? I think there is room for both as I feel that technology can never replace gut feeling and intuition of seeing things for yourself and not through a lens. Social interaction will always be important, in my view. Some of the plot was a bit far-fetched for me though, which is why I gave it the rating I did, so I just went along for the ride and enjoyed it for what it is, a thriller.
I like the development of the relationship between Garrett and Mayberry, and I really liked how they supported one another. Mayberry was nursing a possible career-ending injury and I liked how Garrett was trying to show her that her career can follow a different path from the one she was expecting and still be highly useful in her job. I think it's important for books to show the negative effects of these jobs and the mental stress that people in these positions go through to protect us from dangers of which we are not even aware half the time. One of my favourite scenes in this book was Garrett's interactions with the homeless man in front of his building and how he went out of his way to help him. Such a nice touch in this book.
Shakedown had an interesting, if not necessarily believable, plot, and I definitely liked Mayberry and Garrett as main characters. I do wish more of the focus was on them and not the many multiple POV that kind of take away from the overall suspense of the book. How much influence Pete Earley had on this book is hard to say, but I definitely recognize his style of writing in this book. Maybe it's time Earley wrote more of his own thriller/suspense series too? I do recommend this book, and I will definitely pick up the next book in this series.
Shakedown was actually pretty good. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I did enjoy a couple of his non-fiction books (mostly historical non-fiction) so I thought, Why not? Especially when I saw he collaborated with Pete Earley, of whom I am a huge fan. This book was entertaining, and included some current political strife, but it did have some slow moments in it where I did have to put the book down for a while and pick up something else.
First of all, while I don't have a problem with multiple POV, I do think it can be overused and take away from the tension of a book. And I do feel this is exactly what happened in this one. Sometimes focusing on just one character (or two or three) and following their journeys, even if it is confusing and you have no idea what is happening, builds up tension and suspense. Flipping back and forth through EVERY POV really deflated the tension for me as there was no guesswork involved.as you knew exactly what was happening. That made is really predictable and I don't like predictable.
The plot itself was interesting, and I definitely liked the use of modern day politicking in this book, especially between old school and new school technology. That seems to be a common topic in suspense novels lately, whether technology is better than old school spying, and I am enjoying the debate that is going on. Where do I sit on this one? I think there is room for both as I feel that technology can never replace gut feeling and intuition of seeing things for yourself and not through a lens. Social interaction will always be important, in my view. Some of the plot was a bit far-fetched for me though, which is why I gave it the rating I did, so I just went along for the ride and enjoyed it for what it is, a thriller.
I like the development of the relationship between Garrett and Mayberry, and I really liked how they supported one another. Mayberry was nursing a possible career-ending injury and I liked how Garrett was trying to show her that her career can follow a different path from the one she was expecting and still be highly useful in her job. I think it's important for books to show the negative effects of these jobs and the mental stress that people in these positions go through to protect us from dangers of which we are not even aware half the time. One of my favourite scenes in this book was Garrett's interactions with the homeless man in front of his building and how he went out of his way to help him. Such a nice touch in this book.
Shakedown had an interesting, if not necessarily believable, plot, and I definitely liked Mayberry and Garrett as main characters. I do wish more of the focus was on them and not the many multiple POV that kind of take away from the overall suspense of the book. How much influence Pete Earley had on this book is hard to say, but I definitely recognize his style of writing in this book. Maybe it's time Earley wrote more of his own thriller/suspense series too? I do recommend this book, and I will definitely pick up the next book in this series.
November 10, 2023
Former seal Garrett's Iranian neighbor is killed and when he opens his mailbox, he finds a letter from the man giving him info on a pending terrorist attack in the US.
He brings the info to Mayberry in the FBI and she is reluctant to get involved. After reading said letter, she feels it's important enough to bring to the FBI director who punts the info to the CIA.
Not having read the first book in the series, there is history between the two the might be informative here. He spends the entire book trying begging her to continue to investigate and she is constantly "done with this". It's a theme in the book and just annoying. Either she's in or out.
Its a complicated tale of Iran, Israel, Russia etc and there is a sniper with a personal agenda against Garrett.
Needed more background about Mayberry/Garrett for those of us who hadn't read book one and a bit less of Mayberry's whining.
He brings the info to Mayberry in the FBI and she is reluctant to get involved. After reading said letter, she feels it's important enough to bring to the FBI director who punts the info to the CIA.
Not having read the first book in the series, there is history between the two the might be informative here. He spends the entire book trying begging her to continue to investigate and she is constantly "done with this". It's a theme in the book and just annoying. Either she's in or out.
Its a complicated tale of Iran, Israel, Russia etc and there is a sniper with a personal agenda against Garrett.
Needed more background about Mayberry/Garrett for those of us who hadn't read book one and a bit less of Mayberry's whining.
February 22, 2025
I didn't know what I was getting myself into before reading the book, but I was intrigued by summaries and descriptions online. However, halfway through the book, there were some obvious red flags. The story was written very suspensefully, full of action and thriller, and I enjoyed the writing aspect of the book, however, the plot itself contained so many stereotypes that I wasn't comfortable when reading it. I did finish the book, but the number of times I had to pause and stare into an invisible camera to make sure I read right was a lot. If you want to just read for the action of the book, sure go ahead, but just a heads-up about the overwhelming societal stereotypes the book upholds that are dangerous to our unity as a society!
September 13, 2025
SHAKEDOWN by Newt Gingrich -- Yes, THAT Newt Gingrich. This is the second of his political thrillers I've read, the first being COLLUSION. SHAKEDOWN again partners FBI agent Valerie Mayberry and CIA agent Brett Garrett from the first novel, but SHAKEDOWN is not a sequel and can be read as a stand-alone work. There is great political intrigue, a threat from an international killer, a stolen obsolete submarine that may be loaded with a nuclear weapon made by Iran, used as a threat to strike the eastern USA and killing millions, billionaire Russian oligarchs, and political maneuverings among USA elected officials, politicians, and agencies. It's filled with action, tension, and chaos, and mostly a good read.
March 21, 2020
A great thriller about Iran and a Russian oligarch.
May 2, 2020
Outsranding
Story that used a political o entire to create a very interesting story line.not sure there will be additional books with these characters. Recommend everyone.
Story that used a political o entire to create a very interesting story line.not sure there will be additional books with these characters. Recommend everyone.
May 24, 2020
Shakedown
Another excellent story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope they will write more. I highly recommend this and look forward to the next adventure !
Another excellent story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope they will write more. I highly recommend this and look forward to the next adventure !
December 25, 2020
Not my type of book.
espionage
so many characters
espionage
so many characters
August 17, 2021
Very fun spy fiction.
February 2, 2022
Overall good thriller
February 10, 2023
Loved the characters and story. Want to read the next in this series
February 17, 2023
Much better than the first book in this series.
September 28, 2023
Excellent follow up to Collusion. Left me wanting more, but a third book is not available. Will it ever be written?
October 15, 2023
Mystery just grab me and make me want to finish the book. Read over 1/4 into it …
November 26, 2023
So much stuff just happened in 350 pages
July 7, 2024
This book was great from start to finish. There was never a dull moment or drag.
June 6, 2025
Another dreadfully good unserious sky thriller.
There was not a single woman who wasn’t hot but also really clever and/or a man who wasn’t a badass.
There was not a single woman who wasn’t hot but also really clever and/or a man who wasn’t a badass.
April 23, 2020
Mayberry and Garrett work together to avert a nuclear bomb attack. They pursue a skilled killer hired to murder an Israeli. Their pursuit draws them into a Russian oligarch intent on terrorism.
Good pacing and character build up. Great thriller and touches on many modern day problems between russians and iranians. Who would have thought that Newt Gingrinch would go on to write thrillers... I look forward to reading more books from Gingrinch.
Good pacing and character build up. Great thriller and touches on many modern day problems between russians and iranians. Who would have thought that Newt Gingrinch would go on to write thrillers... I look forward to reading more books from Gingrinch.
July 17, 2020
If anyone ever told me I’d really enjoy a Newt Gingrich thriller, I would have called them crazy. That said: Garrett and Mayberry are a superb duo. The stories are exciting, fantastic and fun. I’m looking forward to volume 3.
March 31, 2020
Gripping novel with all the important elements of a thriller, also including real current issues regarding dangerous Russian oligarchs and Iranian Jihadists. Highly recommended!
April 10, 2020
Loved the first one and love the second one. I have really enjoyed all of Newt's books!
May 5, 2020
Very enjoyable book. Obviously ending with the idea of a sequel to look forward to
October 22, 2020
Newt!
Another great read from Speaker Gingrich and Mr. Earley...full of insight and knowledge many of us take for granted but need to be aware of and think about.
Another great read from Speaker Gingrich and Mr. Earley...full of insight and knowledge many of us take for granted but need to be aware of and think about.
October 8, 2020
This series really went off the rails for me. The plot is just too difficult to believe. The characters are basically from a James Bond movie. Hard pass on book 3 for me.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews