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Exile Endgame
A leading oppositionist to a totalitarian American regime, eyeing his waning chances of overturning the system, strikes a desperate final blow.
In EXILE ENDGAME, sequel to EXILE HUNTER and fourth thriller in the KAMA S series, renegade State Security Officer Warren Linder returns to London nearly a decade after his escape from a Yukon labor camp.
As a leader of the exiled opposition against Unionist rule, Linder remains a target for elimination. But when the Unionist regime seeks to strengthen its grip on power by expanding trade with Europe, Linder risks all to thwart it by any means, fair or foul.
Lately, however, the overseas opposition that Linder leads has lost steam. And a new resistance group called the League has emerged as a rival. If the League is real, it could offer fresh hope of toppling the Unionists. But if it is a fraud, it could neutralize the émigré opposition and help the Unionists tighten their grip on power.
As the League’s strength grows, Linder hatches a desperate plan to test the League, putting his life and the entire exile movement at risk.
In EXILE ENDGAME, sequel to EXILE HUNTER and fourth thriller in the KAMA S series, renegade State Security Officer Warren Linder returns to London nearly a decade after his escape from a Yukon labor camp.
As a leader of the exiled opposition against Unionist rule, Linder remains a target for elimination. But when the Unionist regime seeks to strengthen its grip on power by expanding trade with Europe, Linder risks all to thwart it by any means, fair or foul.
Lately, however, the overseas opposition that Linder leads has lost steam. And a new resistance group called the League has emerged as a rival. If the League is real, it could offer fresh hope of toppling the Unionists. But if it is a fraud, it could neutralize the émigré opposition and help the Unionists tighten their grip on power.
As the League’s strength grows, Linder hatches a desperate plan to test the League, putting his life and the entire exile movement at risk.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2022
30 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Preston Fleming
10 books65 followersPreston Fleming writes realist thrillers set in exceptional times and places, from Siberia during the Russian Civil War (MAID OF BAIKAL), to explosive 1980s Beirut (DYNAMITE FISHERMEN), to a near-future gulag-style labor camp in Utah (FORTY DAYS AT KAMAS). His experience as a diplomat, lawyer and corporate executive, combined with his ultra-lean writing style, lend rare authenticity to his stories. All of Preston’s six novels have received praise from KIRKUS REVIEWS and other publications. Preston is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, but left home at fourteen for boarding school and has been on the move ever since. Today he and his wife live in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains with a Belgian Sheepdog they rescued after it bit too many humans in Delaware. Connect with Preston at his website (prestonfleming.com) or on Amazon.com, GoodReads.com, LibraryThing.com, Twitter or Facebook. To learn about new releases and free book giveaways, follow Preston on Bookbub.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 18, 2022
An intoxicating and frighteningly believable spy caper set in the near future.
The hotly anticipated sequel to Preston Fleming’s EXILE HUNTER begins in 2034 Washington D.C., as renegade State Security Officer Warren Linder is in custody. He’s been convicted of treason, insurrection, seditious conspiracy, murder and more. He’s already been sentenced to death not once, but twice.
Unionist Party General Secretary Paul Twitchell orders Linder’s immediate execution. However, he’s persuaded to wait a week or two – just long enough for LInder to undergo interrogation.
Fleming then rewinds the timeline to 2031, as Linder arrives in London a decade after escaping from a Yukon labor camp. Linder’s mission, while nuanced, is clear: to take down the Unionist regime seeking to strengthen its grip on power by expanding foreign trade with Europe.
He soon learns about the American Constitution League, a resistance group that wants to join forces. Linder has his suspicions, even after learning that the League seems to have the police “in their pocket.” As Fleming reveals early on, Linder has good reason to be suspicious, setting up a delicious cat-and-mouse spy game.
Fleming’s story is inspired by Operation Trust, a historic Soviet counterintelligence operation from the 1920s. Perhaps thanks to the timeless themes of betrayal and power-mad ruling elites, Fleming’s projection of global geopolitics in the 2030s is frighteningly believable. It’s a world where economic unrest, labor strikes, crop-burning, doomed government intervention and a second American civil war have threatened global stability and life itself. Given just how many Americans today purportedly believe that a second civil war is likely, many readers won’t find it hard to rally behind Linder’s plight.
It’s made easier by the fact that Linder is simultaneously calculating and thoughtful. While not condemning terror attacks or assassinations entirely, a telling moment comes as he tries to convince a fellow renegade leader that widespread political violence must come to an end: “Our attacks represent little more than pinpricks. Even worse, violence does our enemies the favor of making martyrs of them.”
Overall, EXILE ENDGAME succeeds wildly as a political thriller set in a time when the U.S. – if not the entire world – is at a dangerous tipping point. To gain a full understanding of Linder’s origin story and motivations, readers are encouraged to begin with Book 1 of Fleming’s Kamas trilogy.
The hotly anticipated sequel to Preston Fleming’s EXILE HUNTER begins in 2034 Washington D.C., as renegade State Security Officer Warren Linder is in custody. He’s been convicted of treason, insurrection, seditious conspiracy, murder and more. He’s already been sentenced to death not once, but twice.
Unionist Party General Secretary Paul Twitchell orders Linder’s immediate execution. However, he’s persuaded to wait a week or two – just long enough for LInder to undergo interrogation.
Fleming then rewinds the timeline to 2031, as Linder arrives in London a decade after escaping from a Yukon labor camp. Linder’s mission, while nuanced, is clear: to take down the Unionist regime seeking to strengthen its grip on power by expanding foreign trade with Europe.
He soon learns about the American Constitution League, a resistance group that wants to join forces. Linder has his suspicions, even after learning that the League seems to have the police “in their pocket.” As Fleming reveals early on, Linder has good reason to be suspicious, setting up a delicious cat-and-mouse spy game.
Fleming’s story is inspired by Operation Trust, a historic Soviet counterintelligence operation from the 1920s. Perhaps thanks to the timeless themes of betrayal and power-mad ruling elites, Fleming’s projection of global geopolitics in the 2030s is frighteningly believable. It’s a world where economic unrest, labor strikes, crop-burning, doomed government intervention and a second American civil war have threatened global stability and life itself. Given just how many Americans today purportedly believe that a second civil war is likely, many readers won’t find it hard to rally behind Linder’s plight.
It’s made easier by the fact that Linder is simultaneously calculating and thoughtful. While not condemning terror attacks or assassinations entirely, a telling moment comes as he tries to convince a fellow renegade leader that widespread political violence must come to an end: “Our attacks represent little more than pinpricks. Even worse, violence does our enemies the favor of making martyrs of them.”
Overall, EXILE ENDGAME succeeds wildly as a political thriller set in a time when the U.S. – if not the entire world – is at a dangerous tipping point. To gain a full understanding of Linder’s origin story and motivations, readers are encouraged to begin with Book 1 of Fleming’s Kamas trilogy.
September 22, 2023
great premise, but
Have not read the prior three books. Started with this one because it was available. Expected to go back to read the others, particularly as I got into this and saw the marvelous background premise of a USA turned totalitarian socialist. However, the more I read the less pleased I became. Despite being a political/spy thriller, there was very little action. Most of the story is told in a dry style by a narrator from an emotional distance, so I never really got into the excitement and tension that could have been marvelous given the plot. In the final climax, I found the actions of the protagonist not believable - and there was never any doubt, because the giveaway was in the first chapter.
Have not read the prior three books. Started with this one because it was available. Expected to go back to read the others, particularly as I got into this and saw the marvelous background premise of a USA turned totalitarian socialist. However, the more I read the less pleased I became. Despite being a political/spy thriller, there was very little action. Most of the story is told in a dry style by a narrator from an emotional distance, so I never really got into the excitement and tension that could have been marvelous given the plot. In the final climax, I found the actions of the protagonist not believable - and there was never any doubt, because the giveaway was in the first chapter.
December 24, 2022
What a powerful look at what could happen in The United States of America. At first, the pacing seemed to drag along and then it really started moving. Having read the whole series, I can honestly say the possibility is there. I don't say that lightly. Excellent work by Preston Fleming. I highly recommend. Until next time Happy Reading!
April 13, 2023
A very intriguing and fascinating story.
The author has written an exceptional and intriguing story of deception, betrayal and collaboration by a group that will stop at nothing to ensure they remained in control with no opposition.
The author has written an exceptional and intriguing story of deception, betrayal and collaboration by a group that will stop at nothing to ensure they remained in control with no opposition.
January 21, 2023
I thought that this was a riveting read as the author took the main character on an ever-more perilous journey. The ending was predictable even though I hoped it would turn out differently.
My main concern was that the central premise of the whole series is how or why would America descend into a socialist state, especially given that the country has largely been anti-communist forever. I could see it sliding into a fascist state, as other writers have imagined. So that central idea just didn't make sense to me.
I also thought that UK Labour backing a socialist government in the US seemed a bit odd. Although, the UK Labour party has more progressive tendencies than other parties, sometime bordering on socialism. Still, IMHO the UK electorate generally does not vote for Labour when it's at its worst.
Despite the above concerns, I found the book well-written, despite a few typos and grammar errors. I gave it four stars.
My main concern was that the central premise of the whole series is how or why would America descend into a socialist state, especially given that the country has largely been anti-communist forever. I could see it sliding into a fascist state, as other writers have imagined. So that central idea just didn't make sense to me.
I also thought that UK Labour backing a socialist government in the US seemed a bit odd. Although, the UK Labour party has more progressive tendencies than other parties, sometime bordering on socialism. Still, IMHO the UK electorate generally does not vote for Labour when it's at its worst.
Despite the above concerns, I found the book well-written, despite a few typos and grammar errors. I gave it four stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews