Killer Politics

by Norman Brewer

A Trump-like president inspires a white supremacist who teams up with a wanted terrorist to attack civilians in a bid for civil war and martial law. They ruthlessly target soft targets - a rock concert, the food supply, people living downstream from an aging reservoir - using off-the-shelf products ranging from drones to contaminants to hacked computers. Heavy with political satire, Killer Politics is edgy, fast-paced and far too realistic.

Genres: Fiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2020

About the author

Norman Brewer is an award-winning reporter and editor who worked for The Des Moines Register and Tribune and for Gannett News Service in Washington, D.C. As a reporter, he covered Congress, the White House and federal agencies, and pursued investigative projects that earned recognition, including from the National Press Club. He was also Director of Employee Communications at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

His experience has given him a powerful perspective regarding the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, domestic terrorism and the political landscape. Exposure to terrorism
issues helped shape January 6: A Novel as well as two earlier novels, Blending In: A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism, and Killer Politics: A Satirical Tale of Homegrown Terrorism. Killer Politics can be read as a stand-alone book or as a sequel to Blending In.

Brewer lives in Portland, Ore.

Reviews

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer Politics is political satire at its best. Satire is like a mirror held up to society—but one that distorts just enough to make us laugh, cringe, or reflect. It’s a literary and artistic device that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly, societal flaws, or institutional absurdities. Think of it as storytelling with a sharp edge and a wink. Although a work of fiction, Killer Politics mirrors what is happening in society today. If you live in America or if you live elsewhere but keep up with world news, you will see that.

The purpose of satire isn’t just to entertain the reader, but to provoke the reader, to make him or her think. Killer Politics by Norman Brewster does this to perfection. As I read this awesome work of fiction, my mind kept flashing back to stories that I had read in the LA Times and in The NY Times, with flashbacks to TV news broadcasts. As a rule, I try to keep my reviews free of politics and/or religion, but my review of this page-turner calls upon the exception to that rule. President Towers and his tyrannical speeches and actions reflect the character of the man who today would like to become America’s first King or its first dictator.

Read this satirical novel for yourself and see if you don’t agree with me. Whether you agree with me or not, you will enjoy this tale if you love action-packed thrillers. Besides being an adrenaline-fueled, action-packed rollercoaster thrill ride, it will make you think.

[Books Forward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely a page-turner filled with non-stop action. The political satire throughout is well executed and timely with the election season in full swing. Thrilling and suspenseful with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humor. A must-read!

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself transported into the scenes with the main character, Stickman. That is the mark of a really good book, when the author manages to make you feel like you are there, walking alongside with the main character (in this case, not a hero, but a villain).
The plot was very good, very believable, and kept moving at a rapid pace. Basically, and to not give anything away, it revolved around Stickman, a domestic terrorist who travels the country creating havoc. And his two main sidekicks. And the manhunt to try to catch them.
The tie-in with the current political situation in our country, and the President (named Tower in this case, get it?) made the book feel even more believable. The author description of "Tower" and his antics was spot on!
And the ending! It's been awhile since I have been surprised. This one did it! Bravo to the author.
This book is the second in a series. I did not read the first, but did not feel like it mattered. This book works just fine as a stand-alone novel. BUT...I will definitely be buying the first!
I read and review over 100 books a year, thanks to places like NetGalley, who kindly provides me with ARC's. This one stood out. It's great to find new authors who can offer up fresh ideas. Even better when they can really, really write. This is one of the better ones I have had the privilege to read!

[Jackie Lantern · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pure trash.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. It grabbed me early and held my interest, read it in one sitting.

[Skip Ragland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed Norman Brewer's first book, Blending In:A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism and had hoped that he would decide to write another soon. Well he has and I just finished it. Now I have to be patient and wait for him to write his third.
I was hoping his second book would be written in the same vein as his first. I was delighted that it was a sequel and features a few of the memorable characters from his first effort. Brewer is exceptionally good at character development. it is interesting to be able to understand the thought process of a terrorist while still hoping that he is going to fail.
The character of the President is very familiar from the very beginning and the reader is drawn into the unbelievable workings of his mind. It is sometimes painful to think that a President as shallow, greedy, self-centered and narcissistic as this one can actually be elected president much less be competent enough to protect a country from terrorists.
Norman Brewer skillfully threads his story with humor, frustration, anger and compassion while surprising us time and again with plot twists that keep us turning pages far into the night.
I eagerly await his next effort. Read this book, and you will too.

[Mark Rohner]

Read Norm Brewer’s second novel for a damn good story, but remember it for shedding light on the ease with which motivated terrorists – foreign or domestic – could exploit the vulnerabilities in our modern civilization, from transportation to the food supply to the electric grid. As a former investigative reporter and Transportation Security Administration official, Brewer knows what he is talking about. His detailed research on how things work – from firearms to drones to bakeries – makes this cautionary tale all too real. You’ll recognize the cartoon-character U.S. president – hardly reassuring. This is a chilling read, and a compelling sequel to Brewer’s first book, Blending In.

[Louise Swartzwalder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a sizzler, that starts with action that draws the reader. The return character, Stickman, gets involved, as any leading character does, with a female. There are charming scenes by very high up people, including a President and his hapless helper, who seems to have trouble removing angst from everyday activities. Brewer is a seasoned reporter and writer, and he brings his familiarity with Washington, D.C. workings into play.
If you are a fan of authors like the Lee Child's of this world, this book is for you.
Louise Swartzwalder

[Lori Patano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman Brewer has written a fabulous book. While it's considered political satire, it accurately mirrors the current political landscape. It's unapologetic in showing the rude, demanding and narcissistic tendencies of the fictional President Tower. Sound familiar? The changing political climate leads Tower's followers to a cult obsession terminating in domestic terrorism. There are twists and turns to keep the reader fully engaged. I highly recommend this engaging thriller.

[Alexandra Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freaky But Good

This book was amazingly written and well researched. It also was very creepy because a lot of the things in the book could happen. I probably should not have read it so close to the election.
I will say the ending though kind of came out of no where for me. It was certainly a shock but also oddly satisfying. Me. Brewer did a great job overall of capturing our current political landscape.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts well but doesnt maintain the level of energy for long. It is a pleasant read but it was referenced as satirical and while the premise of the characters from different extremities coming together has potential for comedy, it didnt work in my view, leaving a story which was well written but lacked an engaging plit

[Santosh Chandran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killer Politics is the second book in the series by Norman Brewer where he explores aspects of domestic terrorism, of homegrown militia, especially white people, who hate the so-called other races and strive for a revolution. America's easy gun policy makes it easy for people to acquire sophisticated weapons and the knowhow to use the same.

[Jeneane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed with Norm's first book Blending In, and this sequel is better. He's grown as a writer which resulted in stronger character development and even crisper dialogue. It never rings false. I didn't care for the ending but would definitely recommend for action lovers.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced read. Stickman thinks up a number of events which cause terror across the county. He has been found by a family who is prepared to work with him. A very big pay-out on his head. What happens when there are people from all types of government after you.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure what to say in this one. A little slow to start, but it did ramp up. The portrayal of President Tower was darkly amusing. There’s nothing I can say was wrong with the writing or story itself. I guess it just didn’t pull me in.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to “Blending In: A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism”. Norman Brewer is able to write characters that I felt sympathy towards, even though they were horrible villains. I loved the ending, especially with the character of Mitch. Perfect, while being a little funny.

[Jim Scholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a satirical book loosely based on the politics of 2016 through 2020. The President of the United States unknowingly is encouraging home-grown terrorists to strike multiple sites in the United States.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a satirical book loosely based on the first term of President Trump. The President is named President Tower, and he unwittingly encourages home-grown terrorists to perform multiple terrorist attacks on the United States.

[Rebecca]

Did not finish. I wasn't able to get into this book...if I had read this when the book president more mirrored the actual president it may have been less painful, but now, I couldn't do t.

[Jud Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killer Politics by Norman Brewer is the sequel to the well-written Blending In. It opens with one of the chief characters of Blending In now on the run. So far, these terrorists have broken the “Muslim terrorist” mold by not targeting hard targets and sacrificing their own lives. Instead, they choose softer targets and implement complex plans which let them cause maximum damage while still making it out alive. This book was well-written and could well be a glimpse of America’s future. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rate it 4/5.

* An ebook copy of this book is the only compensation received in exchange for this review. *