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Deep Fake
Absolute Power meets The Manchurian Candidate in this explosive political thriller from USA Today bestselling author Ward Larsen, Deep Fake .
The Cold War is back―but for some it never ended.
Sarah Ridgeway is living the life she’s always envisioned. She has a devoted husband, a loving daughter, and a comfortable home. The path to reach it, however, has not always been smooth. For twelve years her husband, Bryce, served in the Army, deployed to some of the world’s worst trouble spots. After his service ended with a combat injury, the future had seemed precarious, but with Sarah’s support and that of his wealthy family, combined with his exemplary service record, he is elected to congress.
Then, in a moment, everything changes: at a drab Washington fundraiser, the junior congressman intervenes in a terrorist attack, and narrowly escapes with his life. When videos of his bravery go viral, he quickly becomes a national hero. The timing could not be more fortuitous. The presidential primaries are heating up, and Bryce’s party is desperate for a fresh candidate to challenge the vulnerable incumbent.
Amid the whirlwind, Sarah senses something amiss. Since the attack, Bryce has been forgetful and acting strangely. Could it be the stress? she wonders. Might the recent explosion have aggravated his combat trauma? For the first time ever, she finds herself doubting a man she has always trusted. Confessing her fears to her closest friend, together they quietly search for answers. What they uncover is stunning: the man who might soon be president has a deeply held secret. A secret that will likely destroy Sarah’s life―and certainly lead the nation to ruin.
Forge Books by Ward Larsen
Cutting Edge
The David Slaton series
The Perfect Assassin
Assassin's Game
Assassin's Silence
Assassin's Code
Assassin's Run
Assassin's Revenge
Assassin's Strike
Assassin's Edge
Assassin's Dawn (novella)
The Cold War is back―but for some it never ended.
Sarah Ridgeway is living the life she’s always envisioned. She has a devoted husband, a loving daughter, and a comfortable home. The path to reach it, however, has not always been smooth. For twelve years her husband, Bryce, served in the Army, deployed to some of the world’s worst trouble spots. After his service ended with a combat injury, the future had seemed precarious, but with Sarah’s support and that of his wealthy family, combined with his exemplary service record, he is elected to congress.
Then, in a moment, everything changes: at a drab Washington fundraiser, the junior congressman intervenes in a terrorist attack, and narrowly escapes with his life. When videos of his bravery go viral, he quickly becomes a national hero. The timing could not be more fortuitous. The presidential primaries are heating up, and Bryce’s party is desperate for a fresh candidate to challenge the vulnerable incumbent.
Amid the whirlwind, Sarah senses something amiss. Since the attack, Bryce has been forgetful and acting strangely. Could it be the stress? she wonders. Might the recent explosion have aggravated his combat trauma? For the first time ever, she finds herself doubting a man she has always trusted. Confessing her fears to her closest friend, together they quietly search for answers. What they uncover is stunning: the man who might soon be president has a deeply held secret. A secret that will likely destroy Sarah’s life―and certainly lead the nation to ruin.
Forge Books by Ward Larsen
Cutting Edge
The David Slaton series
The Perfect Assassin
Assassin's Game
Assassin's Silence
Assassin's Code
Assassin's Run
Assassin's Revenge
Assassin's Strike
Assassin's Edge
Assassin's Dawn (novella)
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2023
153 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Ward Larsen
30 books583 followersWard Larsen is the USA Today bestselling author of espionage thrillers. A seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award, his first novel, The Perfect Assassin, has been optioned for film by Amber Entertainment.
A former Air Force fighter pilot, he has also served as an airline captain, and is a trained aircraft accident investigator.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A former Air Force fighter pilot, he has also served as an airline captain, and is a trained aircraft accident investigator.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
March 14, 2023
Hats off to Ward Larsen, Deep Fake is so well written and one of the best political thrillers I've read in a long time.
Sarah is a freelance writer, wife of Bryce Ridgeway, a junior congressman from Virginia, and mother to a teen Alyssa. Life is good!
During a political convention at the Watergate Hotel rooftop, Bryce, a former Army Ranger thwarted a suicide bomber attack. His act of bravery is on every news channel. The video is shared and liked. Bryce becomes a national hero overnight. It's a no-brainer that Bryce would be a favorable candidate for the next presidential election.
Sarah, especially Alyssa is excited at the prospect of being the next first family. They are supportive of Bryce's decision to run. But lately, Sarah is concerned about her husband of 15 years. A subtle change in his behavior and a bit forgetful. Minuscule things. At first, she brushes it off as stress and perhaps the attack triggered something from his time during deployment. As days pass, Sarah becomes more suspicious, maybe he's having an affair? Sarah doesn't want to spy on her husband but maybe her good friend Claire can.
WOW! Larsen's standalone thriller caught me by surprise and took me on a wild rollercoaster ride. I finished this book a few days ago and couldn't write a review. I'm so afraid to f*** it up. I love the plot and the characters are worthy to root for. Deep Fake is engaging and filled with intrigue. The audio read by Braden Wright is terrific. I highly recommend this five-star thriller!
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Released March 14, 2023!
Sarah is a freelance writer, wife of Bryce Ridgeway, a junior congressman from Virginia, and mother to a teen Alyssa. Life is good!
During a political convention at the Watergate Hotel rooftop, Bryce, a former Army Ranger thwarted a suicide bomber attack. His act of bravery is on every news channel. The video is shared and liked. Bryce becomes a national hero overnight. It's a no-brainer that Bryce would be a favorable candidate for the next presidential election.
Sarah, especially Alyssa is excited at the prospect of being the next first family. They are supportive of Bryce's decision to run. But lately, Sarah is concerned about her husband of 15 years. A subtle change in his behavior and a bit forgetful. Minuscule things. At first, she brushes it off as stress and perhaps the attack triggered something from his time during deployment. As days pass, Sarah becomes more suspicious, maybe he's having an affair? Sarah doesn't want to spy on her husband but maybe her good friend Claire can.
WOW! Larsen's standalone thriller caught me by surprise and took me on a wild rollercoaster ride. I finished this book a few days ago and couldn't write a review. I'm so afraid to f*** it up. I love the plot and the characters are worthy to root for. Deep Fake is engaging and filled with intrigue. The audio read by Braden Wright is terrific. I highly recommend this five-star thriller!
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Released March 14, 2023!
April 4, 2023
Fake it till you make it……
Book Information
Deep Fake was written by Ward Larsen. It was published on March 14, 2023 and is 352 pages. I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by Braden Wright and is 12 hours and 21 minutes. Ward Larsen is a USA Today bestselling author, and seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.
Summary
Brice Ridgeway is a patriot. He is an Army vet. His service ended with a combat injury and he made the difficult choice to depart the service because he knew that at less than 100%--he would put others at risk. He continued to serve, however, but now as an elected member of Congress. He also continued to protect others, preventing a terrorist attack in a public forum—an act that catapults him into the race for President of the United States.
But something isn’t right. His wife, Sarah, begins to notice strange behaviors and memory failures—just little things, but enough to be concerning. Her search for that might be wrong uncovers secrets. It leads to revelations that could change her life forever—and have devastating impacts on the Nation. Does she really know Brice? Does anyone?
My Thoughts
The best book I have read this year. Perhaps even the best book I have read in several years. Pure awesomeness.
Deep fake grabs you right from the beginning. Larsen is a master at feeding you crumbs of information. He gives you enough to make you wonder. To make you think. To make you need to know more. His pacing is impeccable---you will keep wondering right until the very end and then he rewards you with an incredible finish.
This book is also a testament to Larsen’s storytelling skills. The story itself isn’t entirely unique. Variations have been told in other books and on TV or in movies. Frankly, it has the potential to be cheesy if not done right. But there is no cheese in this book. Larsen makes the premise his own and delivers a stunning political thriller that will likely be a contender for the best book in 2023 in this category. As someone who lives and works with politics every day and frequents the halls of Capitol Hill, I am not often impressed with political thrillers. I am somewhat jaded in this area but Larsen provides a fresh voice. I greatly enjoyed this book.
The narration was also excellent. Braden Wright doesn’t read the book, he performs it. He brings the characters to life and helps build upon the excellent story. I don’t think you can go wrong with either the written or audiobook here….its fantastic.
Recommendation
If you like political thrillers, this is a must-read. Buy it, borrow it, steal it (well, don’t really steal it)---just get it now and read it. You will not be disappointed.
Rating
5 Genuine Non-Fake Stars
Book Information
Deep Fake was written by Ward Larsen. It was published on March 14, 2023 and is 352 pages. I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by Braden Wright and is 12 hours and 21 minutes. Ward Larsen is a USA Today bestselling author, and seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.
Summary
Brice Ridgeway is a patriot. He is an Army vet. His service ended with a combat injury and he made the difficult choice to depart the service because he knew that at less than 100%--he would put others at risk. He continued to serve, however, but now as an elected member of Congress. He also continued to protect others, preventing a terrorist attack in a public forum—an act that catapults him into the race for President of the United States.
But something isn’t right. His wife, Sarah, begins to notice strange behaviors and memory failures—just little things, but enough to be concerning. Her search for that might be wrong uncovers secrets. It leads to revelations that could change her life forever—and have devastating impacts on the Nation. Does she really know Brice? Does anyone?
My Thoughts
The best book I have read this year. Perhaps even the best book I have read in several years. Pure awesomeness.
Deep fake grabs you right from the beginning. Larsen is a master at feeding you crumbs of information. He gives you enough to make you wonder. To make you think. To make you need to know more. His pacing is impeccable---you will keep wondering right until the very end and then he rewards you with an incredible finish.
This book is also a testament to Larsen’s storytelling skills. The story itself isn’t entirely unique. Variations have been told in other books and on TV or in movies. Frankly, it has the potential to be cheesy if not done right. But there is no cheese in this book. Larsen makes the premise his own and delivers a stunning political thriller that will likely be a contender for the best book in 2023 in this category. As someone who lives and works with politics every day and frequents the halls of Capitol Hill, I am not often impressed with political thrillers. I am somewhat jaded in this area but Larsen provides a fresh voice. I greatly enjoyed this book.
The narration was also excellent. Braden Wright doesn’t read the book, he performs it. He brings the characters to life and helps build upon the excellent story. I don’t think you can go wrong with either the written or audiobook here….its fantastic.
Recommendation
If you like political thrillers, this is a must-read. Buy it, borrow it, steal it (well, don’t really steal it)---just get it now and read it. You will not be disappointed.
Rating
5 Genuine Non-Fake Stars
April 4, 2023
I wanted something for a change of pace and this political thriller seemed like it would do. It moved quickly and did well with twists and turns for the most part. The predictable balanced pretty well with the unpredictable, until the last third where it just went sort of haywire for me and I just couldn't hand wave it all away. It cost the story a star in rating but this wasn't a bad read.
It gave me the change of pace that I was seeking and the action scenes were well done and vivid. I could see this as a short run streaming series.
It gave me the change of pace that I was seeking and the action scenes were well done and vivid. I could see this as a short run streaming series.
January 26, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ward Larsen, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
New to the world of Ward Larsen, I was eager to see how this political thriller would sit with me. Larsen has a wonderful style of writing and ability to inject political flavouring into the text that left me able to see what was going on, while also witnessing some of the ‘new Cold War’ themes he wishes to put forward. The curious reader will surely enjoy the approach and the ease with which the plot develops. Ward Larsen is yet another author I need to add to my radar, as this was a wonderful first impression.
The Ridgeway household has been through a great deal of change over the last number of years. Bryce was a long-serving soldier in the Army, making his mark on superiors and earning a number of commendations before he was injured and sent back home. Thereafter, he agreed to run for Congress, easily winning a set in the House. His wife, Sarah, has always been the dutiful spouse, but secretly has wanted something a lot simpler. This is stymied when Bryce foils a terrorist plot at a Republican fundraiser and becomes a household name in an instant. Bryce Ridgeway is not only a hero, but may be the GOP’s answer for the upcoming presidential election. Bryce is not certain, neither is Sarah, yet both agree to let fate take them where it will.
With a weak incumbent, the race is on and Bryce seems to be the easy choice to secure the nomination and a spot in the White House. However, Sarah begins to feel something is off about her husband and the campaign in general. His memory loss is worse than it ever was when he returned home after his injury and Bryce appears to be acting even more strangely than usual. Sarah seeks some advice from a friend with connections to research and surveillance, opening up a private investigation into Bryce Ridgeway, candidate for US President.
Soon, Sarah comes to realise that her fears may not have been that far off, as Bryce’s actions are completely unlike the man she married. Sarah will stop at nothing to get to the truth, even as those around her try to dismiss her claims. But there is more to the story than this, as a group of Russians hiding in the shadows are watching their plan unfold and the future of the United States crumble, one day at a time. They must ensure solidarity to the cause, which means silencing anyone who could spoil things. Sarah Ridgeway might be their greatest hurdle, but with her bombastic comments, she’s sure to be laughed out of any situation she faces. Still... one can never be too careful. A chilling story by Ward Larsen that had me wondering if this could happen with ease, even more subtlety than the Trump ‘puppet of Russia’ scenario.
I enjoy a well-crafted political thriller as much as the next person, but there has to be an element of reality to hold my attention. While Ward Larsen’s story does appear to have a fanciful element on its surface, reading the book proves just how subtly the actions could be to have ultimate success. Larsen builds his story with ease and keeps the reader guessing until the final piece falls into place. I was hooked and could not stop myself from binge reading, just to see how things would play out. Truly a sign of a great writer who knows his stuff.
With a strong narrative flow, the story builds in all the right places and keeps the reader wanting more. Momentum develops throughout and keeps the reader riding the wave, with strong characters who offer side-stories and flavouring the main themes. Plot twists are key to this piece and Larsen knows just when the develop them and how to tease the reader. While I did not enjoy the original story about which this book is surely based, I can see how Ward Larsen has adapted it to make it work and proves the new Cold War could be even more troubling.
Kudos, Mr. Larsen, for such a great novel. I can only hope that other novels you have penned are just as intriguing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
New to the world of Ward Larsen, I was eager to see how this political thriller would sit with me. Larsen has a wonderful style of writing and ability to inject political flavouring into the text that left me able to see what was going on, while also witnessing some of the ‘new Cold War’ themes he wishes to put forward. The curious reader will surely enjoy the approach and the ease with which the plot develops. Ward Larsen is yet another author I need to add to my radar, as this was a wonderful first impression.
The Ridgeway household has been through a great deal of change over the last number of years. Bryce was a long-serving soldier in the Army, making his mark on superiors and earning a number of commendations before he was injured and sent back home. Thereafter, he agreed to run for Congress, easily winning a set in the House. His wife, Sarah, has always been the dutiful spouse, but secretly has wanted something a lot simpler. This is stymied when Bryce foils a terrorist plot at a Republican fundraiser and becomes a household name in an instant. Bryce Ridgeway is not only a hero, but may be the GOP’s answer for the upcoming presidential election. Bryce is not certain, neither is Sarah, yet both agree to let fate take them where it will.
With a weak incumbent, the race is on and Bryce seems to be the easy choice to secure the nomination and a spot in the White House. However, Sarah begins to feel something is off about her husband and the campaign in general. His memory loss is worse than it ever was when he returned home after his injury and Bryce appears to be acting even more strangely than usual. Sarah seeks some advice from a friend with connections to research and surveillance, opening up a private investigation into Bryce Ridgeway, candidate for US President.
Soon, Sarah comes to realise that her fears may not have been that far off, as Bryce’s actions are completely unlike the man she married. Sarah will stop at nothing to get to the truth, even as those around her try to dismiss her claims. But there is more to the story than this, as a group of Russians hiding in the shadows are watching their plan unfold and the future of the United States crumble, one day at a time. They must ensure solidarity to the cause, which means silencing anyone who could spoil things. Sarah Ridgeway might be their greatest hurdle, but with her bombastic comments, she’s sure to be laughed out of any situation she faces. Still... one can never be too careful. A chilling story by Ward Larsen that had me wondering if this could happen with ease, even more subtlety than the Trump ‘puppet of Russia’ scenario.
I enjoy a well-crafted political thriller as much as the next person, but there has to be an element of reality to hold my attention. While Ward Larsen’s story does appear to have a fanciful element on its surface, reading the book proves just how subtly the actions could be to have ultimate success. Larsen builds his story with ease and keeps the reader guessing until the final piece falls into place. I was hooked and could not stop myself from binge reading, just to see how things would play out. Truly a sign of a great writer who knows his stuff.
With a strong narrative flow, the story builds in all the right places and keeps the reader wanting more. Momentum develops throughout and keeps the reader riding the wave, with strong characters who offer side-stories and flavouring the main themes. Plot twists are key to this piece and Larsen knows just when the develop them and how to tease the reader. While I did not enjoy the original story about which this book is surely based, I can see how Ward Larsen has adapted it to make it work and proves the new Cold War could be even more troubling.
Kudos, Mr. Larsen, for such a great novel. I can only hope that other novels you have penned are just as intriguing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 18, 2024
The book started out with some interesting openings. You are drawn in and start to be aware of a subplot...then slowly the book takes shape and you can't stop (in my case) listening to it. I had an audio version (though it says hardcover-couldn't find audio version). I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to all who enjoy thrillers.
January 16, 2023
I didn't see it at first but this one was a standalone by Ward Larsen. Deep Fake will sure go down in history as one of the best books of 2023. I don't know what to write without spoiling this suspense filled thriller. It kind of starts with a political decision about what route a congressman should take and then it gets complicated on so many levels and in so many layers it actually surprised me a couple of times. Larsen has done a wonderful job of putting this story together and I strongly recommend that you get a copy as soon as it's available. Thanks to Forge Books and Macmillan who made it available through Edelweiss . Finally to Ward Larsen, well done sir.
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August 28, 2024
3.0-Stars "I Really liked it... Until I Didn't!"
Frankly, as a reluctant outlier, for me "Deep Fake" was ultimately a bummer, but I won't reveal any of my reasons because I fear they will serve as spoilers for those who don't have the same reservations as I do. After all, it currently rates 4.35/5.00, which is indicative of a very popular book on Goodreads.
Confined to my bed, I commenced hearing "Deep Fake" on August 24, 2024, listening with enthusiasm to the first 50% (6:00 hours) in onesitting 'lying'. Unfortunately “Deep Fake” started out with great promise and then sadly faded away over the remaining six+ hours into a disappointing ramble for which Larsen apparently could not devise a satisfactory conclusion.
From my Listening Activity:
@ 50% - Aug 24: "Fortunately I was confined to bed yesterday, Saturday, 24/8. I say 'fortunately', because having just dnf'd my first (and last) Romantic Suspense novel, I started "Deep Fake" and listened to half the book in one sitting, ie, lying, and I think this is going be a great book!"
@ 91% - Aug 25: I have read/heard a few books by Ward Larsen over the years, including ratings of: 1 x 5-Stars, 4 x 4-Stars, and 1 x 1-Star. “Deep Fake” started out with great promise but sadly faded away into a disappointing ramble for which Larsen apparently could not devise a satisfactory conclusion."
Frankly, as a reluctant outlier, for me "Deep Fake" was ultimately a bummer, but I won't reveal any of my reasons because I fear they will serve as spoilers for those who don't have the same reservations as I do. After all, it currently rates 4.35/5.00, which is indicative of a very popular book on Goodreads.
Confined to my bed, I commenced hearing "Deep Fake" on August 24, 2024, listening with enthusiasm to the first 50% (6:00 hours) in one
From my Listening Activity:
@ 50% - Aug 24: "Fortunately I was confined to bed yesterday, Saturday, 24/8. I say 'fortunately', because having just dnf'd my first (and last) Romantic Suspense novel, I started "Deep Fake" and listened to half the book in one sitting, ie, lying, and I think this is going be a great book!"
@ 91% - Aug 25: I have read/heard a few books by Ward Larsen over the years, including ratings of: 1 x 5-Stars, 4 x 4-Stars, and 1 x 1-Star. “Deep Fake” started out with great promise but sadly faded away into a disappointing ramble for which Larsen apparently could not devise a satisfactory conclusion."
March 16, 2023
Ominous, action-packed, and twisty!
Deep Fake is a well-executed, sinister tale that takes you into the life of Sarah Ridgeway, a mother and congressman’s wife who, after sensing something is just not right, decides to ask her friend for help figuring out what’s really going on with her ex-army husband who hasn’t been acting like himself since surviving a terrorist attack and then quickly announcing he’s running for president.
The prose is brisk and tight. The characters are vulnerable, resourceful, and persistent. And the plot is a thrilling tale full of greed, power, deception, coercion, manipulation, corruption, espionage, politics, and murder.
Overall, Deep Fake is a menacing, edgy, satisfying tale by Larsen that highlights just how easily the line between right and wrong can be blurred and reminds us that sometimes there are no limits to the lengths that people and countries will go for control and power.
Thank you to Forge Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Deep Fake is a well-executed, sinister tale that takes you into the life of Sarah Ridgeway, a mother and congressman’s wife who, after sensing something is just not right, decides to ask her friend for help figuring out what’s really going on with her ex-army husband who hasn’t been acting like himself since surviving a terrorist attack and then quickly announcing he’s running for president.
The prose is brisk and tight. The characters are vulnerable, resourceful, and persistent. And the plot is a thrilling tale full of greed, power, deception, coercion, manipulation, corruption, espionage, politics, and murder.
Overall, Deep Fake is a menacing, edgy, satisfying tale by Larsen that highlights just how easily the line between right and wrong can be blurred and reminds us that sometimes there are no limits to the lengths that people and countries will go for control and power.
Thank you to Forge Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2024
I love a good political thriller. I actually don’t know why I don’t read more of these.
January 28, 2023
READ THIS NEXT! I CANNOT RECOMMEND A MORE INTRIGUING, LIKABLE, FUN, SCARY, THRILLING NOVEL!!! YES, I SQUEEZED IT IN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
I havent read anything by this author, but I loved the description and was intrigued, so I asked for an audio ARC on NetGalley. I had no idea if the first paragraph would bore me or would be too macho - but NONE of the above. Ward Larsen, knocked it out of the park with this thrilling, compelling, crime story. And when a novel is unputdownable, this novel should be at the top of that list.
From the first few minutes of this audiobook, I was hooked... all the way to the end of the novel. I don't say this lightly as I am picky and don't suffer draggy-ass verbage. I was entranced with the plot, characters, detailed and interesting settings, etc. So many creative, illuminating, and interesting details to help us imagine it.
I was enthralled with DEEP FAKE throughout the novel...and that rarely happens to me. I'm usually ready for a book to end because: 1) it was good but I'm ready to move on; or 2) I'm getting slightly bored and want it to end; or 3) I feel the story or characters have made their point, and I feel it's dragging, etc.
Did I suspect or predict any of it in my head - yes, but it was so well-executed that it didn't matter. Ward Larsen is a very classy, talented, and enlightened dude, and/or he knows the formula to reach all genders and non-genders, as well as how to keep a wide variety of readers intrigued and held until the end.
The male narrator, Braden Wright, did a fantastic job, voicing well both male and female characters, some with slight/gentle accents,such as an Irish woman, a Norwegian, and a Russian male. I'd like to make a small recommendation to this terrific narrator: not every female has to talk in a very soft, gentle, high-pitched female voice. Some of us have one octave lower, or blunter, or more direct, but nonetheless, I'm a fan.
Even with some of my typical concerns, this novel rocked it throughout. For instance: The novel has Russian bad-guys....NOT an issue bc so well done; Some tough military men as a theme and many characters....NOT an issue; it has a "realistic" political landscape in DC and Russia...NOT an issue. Again, so well done. I LOVE THIS NOVEL...every aspect of it suited me.
The important things to me in every novel: Was it intriguing/captivating, very believable, with great, relatable, characters, who I respected and believed??? Did it have a mix of both female and male, strong, characters, without patronizing or diminishing them? No fluff. No BS. There wasn't a lot of diversity pointed out, but it treated people right.
Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillian Audio, and Ward Larsen, for such a wonderful opportunity to read this terrific novel and brilliant, on-the-edge-of-my-seat, thrillers!!! I am adding this novel to my FAVORITES list!!
I havent read anything by this author, but I loved the description and was intrigued, so I asked for an audio ARC on NetGalley. I had no idea if the first paragraph would bore me or would be too macho - but NONE of the above. Ward Larsen, knocked it out of the park with this thrilling, compelling, crime story. And when a novel is unputdownable, this novel should be at the top of that list.
From the first few minutes of this audiobook, I was hooked... all the way to the end of the novel. I don't say this lightly as I am picky and don't suffer draggy-ass verbage. I was entranced with the plot, characters, detailed and interesting settings, etc. So many creative, illuminating, and interesting details to help us imagine it.
I was enthralled with DEEP FAKE throughout the novel...and that rarely happens to me. I'm usually ready for a book to end because: 1) it was good but I'm ready to move on; or 2) I'm getting slightly bored and want it to end; or 3) I feel the story or characters have made their point, and I feel it's dragging, etc.
Did I suspect or predict any of it in my head - yes, but it was so well-executed that it didn't matter. Ward Larsen is a very classy, talented, and enlightened dude, and/or he knows the formula to reach all genders and non-genders, as well as how to keep a wide variety of readers intrigued and held until the end.
The male narrator, Braden Wright, did a fantastic job, voicing well both male and female characters, some with slight/gentle accents,such as an Irish woman, a Norwegian, and a Russian male. I'd like to make a small recommendation to this terrific narrator: not every female has to talk in a very soft, gentle, high-pitched female voice. Some of us have one octave lower, or blunter, or more direct, but nonetheless, I'm a fan.
Even with some of my typical concerns, this novel rocked it throughout. For instance: The novel has Russian bad-guys....NOT an issue bc so well done; Some tough military men as a theme and many characters....NOT an issue; it has a "realistic" political landscape in DC and Russia...NOT an issue. Again, so well done. I LOVE THIS NOVEL...every aspect of it suited me.
The important things to me in every novel: Was it intriguing/captivating, very believable, with great, relatable, characters, who I respected and believed??? Did it have a mix of both female and male, strong, characters, without patronizing or diminishing them? No fluff. No BS. There wasn't a lot of diversity pointed out, but it treated people right.
Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillian Audio, and Ward Larsen, for such a wonderful opportunity to read this terrific novel and brilliant, on-the-edge-of-my-seat, thrillers!!! I am adding this novel to my FAVORITES list!!
February 25, 2023
This political thriller really does give a modern era Manchurian Candidate vibe from the start. Bryce Ridgeway goes from unknown junior US Congressman to literal overnight US Presidential race front runner. His Army Ranger training kicks in at a political event, when he prevents a suicide bombing. The heroic act is captured on video and quickly goes viral.
Bryce is the perfect candidate, a patriot, an army hero, a faithful husband with a teenage daughter. His wife, Sarah supports him fully but soon begins to notice disturbing changes in his personality. Nothing she can explain easily, just something isn't right.
As Sarah with the help of her friend Claire, begin to dig into Bryce's recent activities they uncover something that no one would have ever guessed.
Though it is easy to see where the story is going, the writing is well done and entertaining with very strong plot driving characters.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to enjoy this exciting Audio-arc.
Bryce is the perfect candidate, a patriot, an army hero, a faithful husband with a teenage daughter. His wife, Sarah supports him fully but soon begins to notice disturbing changes in his personality. Nothing she can explain easily, just something isn't right.
As Sarah with the help of her friend Claire, begin to dig into Bryce's recent activities they uncover something that no one would have ever guessed.
Though it is easy to see where the story is going, the writing is well done and entertaining with very strong plot driving characters.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to enjoy this exciting Audio-arc.
May 21, 2023
**Give Me A Major Break!
Deep Fake is my first book by Ward Larson, which I decided to read based on the many very favorable reviews it’s received on Amazon and Goodreads. Having just finished Deep Fake my overall opinion is very much different from the majority to-date, in that I didn’t care for it and wouldn’t recommend it.
While I was intrigued by the plot through almost the first half of the book, from there on I found most of the actions of the main character, his wife and fifteen year-old daughter to be preposterous, and often found myself shaking my head in disbelief. Being a thriller lover for many years I’ve always been willing to suspend disbelief up to a point, but Deep Fake went well beyond that point for me. Further, my dissatisfaction with Deep Fake pertained to my finding Larson’s characters to be just serviceable, at best, and one-dimensional, at worst. There wasn’t one character i considered to be developed well enough that I could picture in my head what they physically looked like. As such, I never cared enough about them to care what happened to them
1 1/2 stars rounded up to 2 stars.
Deep Fake is my first book by Ward Larson, which I decided to read based on the many very favorable reviews it’s received on Amazon and Goodreads. Having just finished Deep Fake my overall opinion is very much different from the majority to-date, in that I didn’t care for it and wouldn’t recommend it.
While I was intrigued by the plot through almost the first half of the book, from there on I found most of the actions of the main character, his wife and fifteen year-old daughter to be preposterous, and often found myself shaking my head in disbelief. Being a thriller lover for many years I’ve always been willing to suspend disbelief up to a point, but Deep Fake went well beyond that point for me. Further, my dissatisfaction with Deep Fake pertained to my finding Larson’s characters to be just serviceable, at best, and one-dimensional, at worst. There wasn’t one character i considered to be developed well enough that I could picture in my head what they physically looked like. As such, I never cared enough about them to care what happened to them
1 1/2 stars rounded up to 2 stars.
February 21, 2023
I was thankful enough to receive this ARC a month before the release date and I'm glad I did. I read this book without reading the plot description and it made a huge difference in my opinion. Reading and figuring it out while the plot progressed had me on the edge of my seat. 5 out of 5 stars and should be in the running for best book of 2023.
March 18, 2023
Julie Watson Reviews here.
I was fortunate to secure an ARC of Ward Larsen’s newest novel, released this week, titled DEEP FAKE. This new political thriller with sinister overtones presents us with a scenario that most Americans have never considered or questioned. Just how well do we know our political figures who represent us and our community within society. What is real and what is artifice? Larsen presents this dilemma to us in DEEP FAKE.
As Larsen notes, DEEP FAKE is a departure from his David Slaton espionage ASSASSINS series. It is a new, different level of espionage that Larsen explores. We meet Bryce and Sarah Ridgeway, a retired Army Ranger officer and his copy editor wife who live the suburbia life in Greater Washington, D.C., with little to rattle their peaceful world. Like us, incidents happen, seemingly by accident, that change our world,or could there be a hidden agenda? An agenda that manipulates, directs, controls our choices in life. Sarah’s perfect world is about to be shattered.
Sarah thought she knew everything about her injured Ranger husband turned Congressman. Knew the struggle Bryce had to overcome wartime injuries. We learn of Sarah’s life story, her college friends, her happiness with the normality of her mundane existence. One event changes all that.
It’s a matter of timing, being at the right place, with the needed skills to take down a terrorist action at a noted Washingtonian landmark, The Watergate, packed with political dignitaries. It is a terrorist action that pushes her husband into the spotlight, and with it, turns Sarah’s world and quiet family life upside down.
Ever think you knew someone so well you could anticipate or predict their every decision, thought process, executed action, and then find out that you may never have known the real person behind the facade? It has you questioning everything. This is Sarah.These personality quirks, flashes of lost memory, cold blooded revelations, it’s a side she has never seen before. Is it PTSD returning, triggered by the explosion of a terrorist bomb in a packed political event? Is it forgetfulness? Callous behavior? Or has this event created a situation of heroism he can’t come to terms with? Is being thrust into a prominent position within his political party so overwhelming, his coping mechanism is shutting down? Who is this man I am married to? What is she missing? What nags her, bothers her about the video footage taken? She can’t quite put her finger on it. Is this the key to all her doubt, questions? Sarah has many questions needing an answer. And what’s with the secretive phone calls?
I was fascinated by the various support characters found in this novel. Claire Hall, best friend from college years, an IT specialist in the field of data fusion, working on a top secret program that would merge all the major data bases found in nations/businesses around the world, and consolidate them into one unit, One search unit. Like a massive Access program tying together every conceivable variable in a person’s life. It’s her baby, one she has devoted years to, and has been gutted now due to budget cutbacks. She has limited time to run some final tests with the unit before shutdown and decides to use Bryce Ridgeway, as her human guinea pig. Is Bryce Ridgeway just another cheating spouse or is it something else? Sarah and Claire are determined to get to the bottom of it.
Then there is FBI Special Agent Troy Burke, a seasoned agent named as investigator of the terrorist action.He is troubled by his inability to fill in the missing pieces. Who sets off a terrorist bomb in the backyard of the President of the United States and doesn’t claim ownership? Who helped smuggle the materials into the Watergate? Burke is determined to get to the bottom of it.
Best of all, we have Henry Arbogast, Head of the Republican National Committee, who selected Bryce Ridgeway, All American hero, as the perfect Republican candidate for the next POTUS. This man has stepped right off the pages of a Tennessee Williams play, the perfect imperfect southern politician who does everything in excess. Arrogance is thy middle name. A man whose vices supposedly lead to grossly morbid obesity, drunkenness, and what appears to be a fatal heart attack. No one considered any alternative, other than a man that let vices kill him.
All these characters intertwine to percolate the plotting of the novel. Ward Larsen excels at designing a storyline that envelops multiple players and grows in intensity and complexity. Sarah and Claire work together to unravel the mystery of a plot that every patriotic American would view as an insiders’ plan to destroy a nation from within. It involves betrayal of family, of colleagues, and especially, betrayal of a nation.
Ward Larsen is noted for his twists and turns and surprise endings within his novels. They usually take on an aeronautical twist. This story line finishes different. The reader goes from “no way in hell” to the feeling of mounting plausibility. I’m a twin. I loved this plot, the “what if” approach, the execution of it, possibilities. And in this advanced day and age of science, think beyond the box. My scientist older brother worked with laser weaponry in the 1960s. Early Star Wars. Dolly the cloned sheep appeared in the 1970s, 50 years ago. The Chinese has since perfected cloning, and brag about creating the “super soldier.” In this day an age, never assume anything is impossible.
Espionage doesn’t get better than this. Ward Larsen earns a big 5 * from me for this fantastic, truly plausible plot of intrigue, treason, and greed. DEEP FAKE is one step away from the Deep State. It reveals just how far a Cabal ruling this world would go to produce its perfect puppets. Keep this in mind the next time you vote. How well do we really know our political candidates? I research candidates now. I take no journalist’s word for anything. Choose carefully, I do.
I was fortunate to secure an ARC of Ward Larsen’s newest novel, released this week, titled DEEP FAKE. This new political thriller with sinister overtones presents us with a scenario that most Americans have never considered or questioned. Just how well do we know our political figures who represent us and our community within society. What is real and what is artifice? Larsen presents this dilemma to us in DEEP FAKE.
As Larsen notes, DEEP FAKE is a departure from his David Slaton espionage ASSASSINS series. It is a new, different level of espionage that Larsen explores. We meet Bryce and Sarah Ridgeway, a retired Army Ranger officer and his copy editor wife who live the suburbia life in Greater Washington, D.C., with little to rattle their peaceful world. Like us, incidents happen, seemingly by accident, that change our world,or could there be a hidden agenda? An agenda that manipulates, directs, controls our choices in life. Sarah’s perfect world is about to be shattered.
Sarah thought she knew everything about her injured Ranger husband turned Congressman. Knew the struggle Bryce had to overcome wartime injuries. We learn of Sarah’s life story, her college friends, her happiness with the normality of her mundane existence. One event changes all that.
It’s a matter of timing, being at the right place, with the needed skills to take down a terrorist action at a noted Washingtonian landmark, The Watergate, packed with political dignitaries. It is a terrorist action that pushes her husband into the spotlight, and with it, turns Sarah’s world and quiet family life upside down.
Ever think you knew someone so well you could anticipate or predict their every decision, thought process, executed action, and then find out that you may never have known the real person behind the facade? It has you questioning everything. This is Sarah.These personality quirks, flashes of lost memory, cold blooded revelations, it’s a side she has never seen before. Is it PTSD returning, triggered by the explosion of a terrorist bomb in a packed political event? Is it forgetfulness? Callous behavior? Or has this event created a situation of heroism he can’t come to terms with? Is being thrust into a prominent position within his political party so overwhelming, his coping mechanism is shutting down? Who is this man I am married to? What is she missing? What nags her, bothers her about the video footage taken? She can’t quite put her finger on it. Is this the key to all her doubt, questions? Sarah has many questions needing an answer. And what’s with the secretive phone calls?
I was fascinated by the various support characters found in this novel. Claire Hall, best friend from college years, an IT specialist in the field of data fusion, working on a top secret program that would merge all the major data bases found in nations/businesses around the world, and consolidate them into one unit, One search unit. Like a massive Access program tying together every conceivable variable in a person’s life. It’s her baby, one she has devoted years to, and has been gutted now due to budget cutbacks. She has limited time to run some final tests with the unit before shutdown and decides to use Bryce Ridgeway, as her human guinea pig. Is Bryce Ridgeway just another cheating spouse or is it something else? Sarah and Claire are determined to get to the bottom of it.
Then there is FBI Special Agent Troy Burke, a seasoned agent named as investigator of the terrorist action.He is troubled by his inability to fill in the missing pieces. Who sets off a terrorist bomb in the backyard of the President of the United States and doesn’t claim ownership? Who helped smuggle the materials into the Watergate? Burke is determined to get to the bottom of it.
Best of all, we have Henry Arbogast, Head of the Republican National Committee, who selected Bryce Ridgeway, All American hero, as the perfect Republican candidate for the next POTUS. This man has stepped right off the pages of a Tennessee Williams play, the perfect imperfect southern politician who does everything in excess. Arrogance is thy middle name. A man whose vices supposedly lead to grossly morbid obesity, drunkenness, and what appears to be a fatal heart attack. No one considered any alternative, other than a man that let vices kill him.
All these characters intertwine to percolate the plotting of the novel. Ward Larsen excels at designing a storyline that envelops multiple players and grows in intensity and complexity. Sarah and Claire work together to unravel the mystery of a plot that every patriotic American would view as an insiders’ plan to destroy a nation from within. It involves betrayal of family, of colleagues, and especially, betrayal of a nation.
Ward Larsen is noted for his twists and turns and surprise endings within his novels. They usually take on an aeronautical twist. This story line finishes different. The reader goes from “no way in hell” to the feeling of mounting plausibility. I’m a twin. I loved this plot, the “what if” approach, the execution of it, possibilities. And in this advanced day and age of science, think beyond the box. My scientist older brother worked with laser weaponry in the 1960s. Early Star Wars. Dolly the cloned sheep appeared in the 1970s, 50 years ago. The Chinese has since perfected cloning, and brag about creating the “super soldier.” In this day an age, never assume anything is impossible.
Espionage doesn’t get better than this. Ward Larsen earns a big 5 * from me for this fantastic, truly plausible plot of intrigue, treason, and greed. DEEP FAKE is one step away from the Deep State. It reveals just how far a Cabal ruling this world would go to produce its perfect puppets. Keep this in mind the next time you vote. How well do we really know our political candidates? I research candidates now. I take no journalist’s word for anything. Choose carefully, I do.
December 24, 2022
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Make sure to check out the full review
Make sure to check out the full review
March 30, 2024
so in reality, this is probably a 3.5 but I usually round up to be sweet. Pretty good book. Haven’t read a lot of political or war thrillers, and this one was pretty good. An interesting twist, but I figured it out pretty quick and there wasn’t a shocking end. good but not ground breaking overall.
March 26, 2023
This story took some leaps in probable possibilities, but suspensefully written.
April 22, 2023
4.5****If you decide to read this political thriller, read it through to the end before you make any judgments, such as 'could this possibly happen'? Rather, read DEEP FAKE and enjoy the story of a loving husband & wife and their daughter and their lives in a DC suburb. Bryce Ridgeway, the husband and father is a member of Congress. Having served in the Army in an exemplary way, the Republican Party big-shots believe Bryce should run for President.
DEEP FAKE then becomes a nerve-racking, exciting, and poignant tale of treachery. It would be wrong on my part to tell more of the story of this hero, his loving wife, and devoted teenage daughter and how they handle the crises they are handed.
When you finish reading DEEP FAKE, only then should you decide whether the many events that happened could have done so in real life.
DEEP FAKE is without doubt a page-turner and the best of the 14 Ward Larsen novels I have read.
DEEP FAKE then becomes a nerve-racking, exciting, and poignant tale of treachery. It would be wrong on my part to tell more of the story of this hero, his loving wife, and devoted teenage daughter and how they handle the crises they are handed.
When you finish reading DEEP FAKE, only then should you decide whether the many events that happened could have done so in real life.
DEEP FAKE is without doubt a page-turner and the best of the 14 Ward Larsen novels I have read.
June 21, 2023
I read books for one of two reasons: to be entertained or to be enlightened/educated. This book meets the first criteria perfectly.
February 14, 2023
Ward Larson has penned an epic conspiracy novel in Deep Fake. I was hooked early on, and as the story unfolded, I was driven to keep reading to devour reveal after reveal! I had to know what happened! As the story unfolded, I continually had to pick my jaw off the floor because I was so shocked.
Sarah Ridgeway is married to Bryce Ridgeway: an Army veteran turned U.S. Congressman. Bryce was injured from a blast in the Army, and was forced to medically retire, so when he intervenes in a terrorist attack in Washington D.C., Sarah is concerned about his lapses of memory. Shortly after the foiled attack, Congressmen Bryce Ridgeway becomes a national hero, and his name is put in the running for President of the United States. During this time, Sarah notices Bryce is not the same, and she and a close friend start looking into it. What they find is beyond shocking, and could rock the nation and the Ridgeway family.
Deep Fake is such an incredible read, and will go down as one of my favorites of 2023. The story is incredible, and the writing is top notch. I will definitely not look at things the same after reading this which goes to show how good of a novel this is!
Sarah Ridgeway is married to Bryce Ridgeway: an Army veteran turned U.S. Congressman. Bryce was injured from a blast in the Army, and was forced to medically retire, so when he intervenes in a terrorist attack in Washington D.C., Sarah is concerned about his lapses of memory. Shortly after the foiled attack, Congressmen Bryce Ridgeway becomes a national hero, and his name is put in the running for President of the United States. During this time, Sarah notices Bryce is not the same, and she and a close friend start looking into it. What they find is beyond shocking, and could rock the nation and the Ridgeway family.
Deep Fake is such an incredible read, and will go down as one of my favorites of 2023. The story is incredible, and the writing is top notch. I will definitely not look at things the same after reading this which goes to show how good of a novel this is!
September 10, 2024
Goodness me . Decent start then just complete nonsense . It really was a battle to finish . Just too unbelievable and not the political thriller I was hoping for.
July 23, 2023
I’m going to start off by saying that I can’t say much without giving a huge plot twist away. This is about a conspiracy that goes very deep. Deep as in, they were in for the long haul. That’s what makes it so interesting!
First reading the twist I thought, “Well that’s awfully far-fetched.” The more I thought about it though, the more I realized I’ve read other books and seen movies about activities such as this “long haul.’ Once I realized that, it became way more exciting. Are these events possibilities?
Now don’t get me wrong, I was entertained throughout, even when I didn’t believe the big twist. It’s an exciting novel that I believe many will love.
Thank you to Tor Forge for the copy!
Content/triggers:
https://www.theopenbooks.net/2023/04/...
First reading the twist I thought, “Well that’s awfully far-fetched.” The more I thought about it though, the more I realized I’ve read other books and seen movies about activities such as this “long haul.’ Once I realized that, it became way more exciting. Are these events possibilities?
Now don’t get me wrong, I was entertained throughout, even when I didn’t believe the big twist. It’s an exciting novel that I believe many will love.
Thank you to Tor Forge for the copy!
Content/triggers:
https://www.theopenbooks.net/2023/04/...
May 5, 2024
Solid 3.75 for me. Loved the action and suspense. Kept me on the edge of my seat. If I hadn’t been reading so much sci-fi recently I would’ve guessed the twist immediately. Good intro to the genre if you’re new to political thrillers like I am.
April 18, 2023
it was obviously predictable that something was amiss…I thought I guessed it 3/4 through the book and I was somewhat right, however it was very well written as far as the imagination goes.
April 28, 2023
I loved it. Kept me interested until the end.
May 7, 2023
Great book! Many twists & turn. Definitely would recommend
July 7, 2023
Freshman congressman Bryce Ridgeway stops a terrorist attack and is soon the front runner for his party’s presidential nomination. His wife Sarah notices peculiarities in his behavior and wonders how he can be her Bryce but not her Bryce and enlists an old friend’s help to figure out what is going on.
Really liked this one!
Really liked this one!
December 28, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced audio.
Bryce Ridgeway is back with his family after serving twelve years in the Army. He may be serving as a congressman now, but his training is still a part of him. That becomes apparent when he stops a terrorist attack and he and his family are thrust into the national spotlight. All this attention brings higher aspirations. His wife Sarah is wary, but it's not becoming First Lady that is causing her concern. Who can she trust? And will she find out before it's too late?
Bryce Ridgeway is back with his family after serving twelve years in the Army. He may be serving as a congressman now, but his training is still a part of him. That becomes apparent when he stops a terrorist attack and he and his family are thrust into the national spotlight. All this attention brings higher aspirations. His wife Sarah is wary, but it's not becoming First Lady that is causing her concern. Who can she trust? And will she find out before it's too late?
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