CHASM

by James Bruno

Peace in the Balkans is fragile. The White House's political fortunes hang on ensuring that shaky peace deals hold firm. In a top secret codicil, the U.S. agrees clandestinely to take in scores of Balkan war criminals. This super-secret program is Operation CHASM. CHASM gets out of hand as war criminals go on a rampage of arson and murder across the U.S. Mike Gallatin's young daughter is almost killed. Drawing on his detective skills, the Cleveland investigator finds out about CHASM -- but almost at the cost of his own life as the ruthless National Security Adviser, John Tulliver, orders Gallatin's "recall." Written by a former insider, CHASM is about Washington powerholders, who, in pursuit of their own ambitions, take actions which trample on the little guy. But one average citizen, a victim of their policies, embarks on a quest to expose the hypocrisy and lies. It also demonstrates how malicious policies can overwhelm their implementers, dragging them into hellish behavior and self-destruction.

Readers of Silva, Forsyth and Ludlum will enjoy this taut thriller written by a man who worked in the twilight world of government secrets.

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2006

About the author

James Bruno is the author of four bestselling books. He has been featured on NBC's Today Show, CNN, Fox News, SiriusXM Radio, in The Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, Huffington Post, and other national and international media. His spy-mob thriller PERMANENT INTERESTS and CHASM, a thriller about war criminals, have landed simultaneously on three Amazon Kindle Bestseller lists, including #1 in Political Fiction and #1 in Spy Stories. They were joined by TRIBE, a political thriller centered on Afghanistan. HAVANA QUEEN is an espionage thriller set in Cuba. THE FOREIGN CIRCUS, a book of satirical essays on U.S. foreign policy is also an Amazon bestseller. Mr. Bruno is a contributor to POLITICO Magazine and Washington Monthly, and an instructor at ThrillerFest.

Mr. Bruno served as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State for twenty-three years and currently is a member of the Diplomatic Readiness Reserve, subject to worldwide duty on short notice. Mr. Bruno holds M.A. degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Columbia University, and a B.A. from George Washington University.

His assignments have included Cuba, Guantanamo Naval Base (as liaison with the Cuban military), Pakistan/Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Washington, DC. He has spent ample time at the White House and has served in a Secret Service presidential protection detail overseas. He also knows the Pentagon, CIA and other foreign affairs agencies well.

The author is honored to have been denounced by name recently by the Castro propaganda machine for his latest thriller, "Havana Queen."

Based on his experiences, James Bruno's novels possess an authenticity rarely matched in the political thriller genre. His political commentary in POLITICO, Fox News, Washington Monthly, SiriusXM Radio and foreign media has won national and international attention. If you like taut, suspense-filled thrillers written by someone who has actually been at the center of the action, read James Bruno's books. You will not be disappointed!

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, fast paced thriller/mystery that keeps you guessing. Bruno has quickly become one of my go to authors for a quick guilty pleasure fiction read. I must admit I liked his first book a bit better than this one, I rate this book 4 stars, so give it a shot you will not be disappointed. I am now on to reading his third book... James keep up the good work and keep us in fresh reads!

[Jim Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Half of This Is True--Watch Out!

If half of this is true, I’m moving into Bunker One permanently. Talk about your thrills and chills—this book’s got ‘em by the ton. Just so yuh know, James says this is based upon actual events. Well, this story certainly has that “you-can’t-make-this-kinda-stuff-up” ring to it. One of the characters explains that Washington is a Land of Mirrors, and that I certainly can believe. Next time your expectations for political change get to running rampant [and then the disappointment sets in] keep this observation in mind. Wilderness of Mirrors is more like it. James Bruno takes us behind the scenes for a startling look at business as usual. Oh, look who’s behind Door Number One! My goodness, is he still alive and functioning. Who knew?

Take it from me, you don’t wanna miss this one—or any of Bruno’s fascinating tales. He’s been-there-done-that. So come along and see for yourself.

Cheers y’all!
Jim in MT

[John Johnstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a West Wing fan I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book. It started slowly and this is the reason I have only rated it at 3 stars, so don't give up it gets much better. The storyline is very good with political wrong doing at the centre. The main characters are Mike Gallatin, an insurance investigator and Lisa Valko, a White House publicist, they meet each other as Mike investigates his daughter's close escape from serious injury. Chasm is a hidden operation to resettle war criminals in the US, as an easy way to remove a problem, and provide a peace dividend in the world's trouble spots. This novel makes you wonder what is actually hidden from sight in the US government, and how close this is to reality. James Bruno considers the age old problem of power corrupts and corrupts at the highest level. The corruption can also be very violent as the gains are taken at almost any cost. Even if this is only partially true, it is very scary

[Kurt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wrote a medium-sized review of this one, but then clicked the wrong place and lost it all. The world is better off without my criticism of this weak thriller -- with absolutely too much going on plot-wise, and full of gross cliches as well. (Ah, I had to take some jabs, didn't I?)