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Volcanic Winter
President of the United States Angus Probin does not believe in playing fair; he only believes in winning. To him, it matters little whether he has friends or long-lasting relationships. Everyone is disposable if they don't meet his needs. He is cunning enough, though, to know that he must keep a close watch on anyone who might betray him. Vice President Robert Jenkins has always been a respected politician and lawmaker. Unlike Probin, he is a man of high moral principles, a defender of conservative values, and a staunch evangelical Christian. Jenkins is of great concern to the president, as Probin is beginning to think he has no power over his VP and betrayal is imminent. Now, Probin has been fed an insane idea. He is convinced that global warming can be reversed through military action and guarantee his reelection. It's madness-and Jenkins realizes it. He has a week to save humanity. To do so he must survive political attacks and even attempts on his life.
286 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2020
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 30, 2025
Volcanic Winter is a political thriller that doesn’t just entertain it provokes, challenges, and lingers with you long after the final page. From the very beginning, I was gripped by the chilling presence of President Angus Probin, a man so consumed by power and ego that he’s willing to unleash chaos on the world just to secure his reelection. He’s not a cartoon villain, he’s frighteningly real, and that’s what makes him so disturbing. His worldview, his manipulations, his disregard for life all of it hits hard because it mirrors so much of what we see in global politics today.
In sharp contrast stands Vice President Robert Jenkins, a man of principle, grounded in faith, values, and a sincere desire to do what’s right. He isn’t perfect, but that’s what makes him human. Watching him try to navigate the toxic waters of Washington while uncovering a plot that could bring about environmental disaster was both nerve-wracking and inspiring. The tension between these two characters is masterfully built, and their ideological and personal conflict drives the story forward like a freight train.
Mark Rutherford’s writing is confident and immersive, with dialogue that crackles and scenes that play out like a high-stakes thriller movie. But beneath the political drama and pulse-pounding action is a deeper message a warning about what happens when ambition overrides morality, and how the future of humanity can be decided by just a handful of people behind closed doors.
This is not just a thriller, it’s a statement. A call to vigilance. A story of courage in the face of overwhelming corruption. If you enjoy books that blend smart plotting with real-world relevance, Volcanic Winter will not disappoint. It’s one of the best political thrillers I’ve read in years, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know.
In sharp contrast stands Vice President Robert Jenkins, a man of principle, grounded in faith, values, and a sincere desire to do what’s right. He isn’t perfect, but that’s what makes him human. Watching him try to navigate the toxic waters of Washington while uncovering a plot that could bring about environmental disaster was both nerve-wracking and inspiring. The tension between these two characters is masterfully built, and their ideological and personal conflict drives the story forward like a freight train.
Mark Rutherford’s writing is confident and immersive, with dialogue that crackles and scenes that play out like a high-stakes thriller movie. But beneath the political drama and pulse-pounding action is a deeper message a warning about what happens when ambition overrides morality, and how the future of humanity can be decided by just a handful of people behind closed doors.
This is not just a thriller, it’s a statement. A call to vigilance. A story of courage in the face of overwhelming corruption. If you enjoy books that blend smart plotting with real-world relevance, Volcanic Winter will not disappoint. It’s one of the best political thrillers I’ve read in years, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know.
June 1, 2025
Volcanic Winter by Mark Rutherford is a frighteningly plausible political thriller that had me hooked from the very first chapter. Rutherford crafts a compelling narrative centered around a power-hungry president and the high-stakes chess game he plays with his principled vice president. The tension between Angus Probin and Robert Jenkins is palpable and brilliantly written.
President Probin is one of the most chilling antagonists I’ve read in recent memory not because he’s overtly evil, but because of how disturbingly real he feels. His reckless belief in using military force to manipulate climate change is a terrifying echo of real-world megalomania. The idea is so outrageous that it would be laughable, if not for how well Rutherford builds the logic behind it.
Rutherford’s prose is crisp, intelligent, and laced with urgency. This isn’t just a story about politics, it’s a story about humanity, power, and the peril of unchecked egos. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys politically charged fiction with heart and brains.
President Probin is one of the most chilling antagonists I’ve read in recent memory not because he’s overtly evil, but because of how disturbingly real he feels. His reckless belief in using military force to manipulate climate change is a terrifying echo of real-world megalomania. The idea is so outrageous that it would be laughable, if not for how well Rutherford builds the logic behind it.
Rutherford’s prose is crisp, intelligent, and laced with urgency. This isn’t just a story about politics, it’s a story about humanity, power, and the peril of unchecked egos. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys politically charged fiction with heart and brains.
June 1, 2025
Volcanic Winter is a rare novel that successfully blends speculative political fiction with sobering commentary on the real-world consequences of environmental negligence. Mark Rutherford writes with the precision of someone who’s done his homework and the result is a gripping, high-concept thriller that left me both entertained and disturbed.
The central idea that a sitting U.S. president would resort to military geoengineering to manipulate climate change is chillingly plausible. Rutherford presents the science and politics behind this premise in a way that is easy to understand but never dumbed down.
This book should be required reading for anyone concerned about climate change, authoritarianism, or the fragile balance of power. Mark Rutherford has written something important here, don’t miss it.
The central idea that a sitting U.S. president would resort to military geoengineering to manipulate climate change is chillingly plausible. Rutherford presents the science and politics behind this premise in a way that is easy to understand but never dumbed down.
This book should be required reading for anyone concerned about climate change, authoritarianism, or the fragile balance of power. Mark Rutherford has written something important here, don’t miss it.
May 30, 2025
This book blew me away. “Volcanic Winter” is more than just a political thriller it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of ego, unchecked power, and blind ambition.
President Probin is a masterfully drawn villain: manipulative, narcissistic, and terrifyingly believable. In contrast, Vice President Jenkins is the kind of character you root for with your whole heart a man of conscience, fighting not just for his life, but for the future of the planet.
Rutherford’s writing is tight and immersive, and the pacing never lets up. If you like your thrillers with real-world relevance and ethical complexity, you’ll love this book.
President Probin is a masterfully drawn villain: manipulative, narcissistic, and terrifyingly believable. In contrast, Vice President Jenkins is the kind of character you root for with your whole heart a man of conscience, fighting not just for his life, but for the future of the planet.
Rutherford’s writing is tight and immersive, and the pacing never lets up. If you like your thrillers with real-world relevance and ethical complexity, you’ll love this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews