What do you think?
Rate this book
Fedbook
WHO IS SOLDIER CRANE?
A privately contracted informant arrives at a small-town liberal arts university in the high desert of Wyoming. His job? Observe and report on a group of nihilist extremists calling themselves the Crusaders. If only the company paid him a little more. As the line between "terrorist" and "buddy" blurs, powerful and sinister forces descend upon the town, intent on building a stage for an act of violent political theater. The informant must decide which he values his life or his soul.
FRAME-NARRATION. DREAMS. THE HIGH-DESERT WEST. VIOLENCE. UNREQUITED LOVE. BETRAYAL. A CASTLE. BLACK RIFLES AND PLATE CARRIERS. HINTS OF A SUPERNAL WORLDLY ORDER AND THE ONE TRUE GOD TO WHICH ALL ARE SUBJECT. SALVATION AND PENANCE. THE SINGULAR GOTHIC WESTERN-NOIR THRILLER COMEDY. A TALE FROM THE CITY OF DESTRUCTION. FEDBOOK
A privately contracted informant arrives at a small-town liberal arts university in the high desert of Wyoming. His job? Observe and report on a group of nihilist extremists calling themselves the Crusaders. If only the company paid him a little more. As the line between "terrorist" and "buddy" blurs, powerful and sinister forces descend upon the town, intent on building a stage for an act of violent political theater. The informant must decide which he values his life or his soul.
FRAME-NARRATION. DREAMS. THE HIGH-DESERT WEST. VIOLENCE. UNREQUITED LOVE. BETRAYAL. A CASTLE. BLACK RIFLES AND PLATE CARRIERS. HINTS OF A SUPERNAL WORLDLY ORDER AND THE ONE TRUE GOD TO WHICH ALL ARE SUBJECT. SALVATION AND PENANCE. THE SINGULAR GOTHIC WESTERN-NOIR THRILLER COMEDY. A TALE FROM THE CITY OF DESTRUCTION. FEDBOOK
- GenresFiction
373 pages, Paperback
Published December 30, 2022
3 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 1, 2025
balances absurdity, reality, innocence, corruption, faith, and hilarity. went into it blind after stumbling upon it randomly. and there very few books in recent memory i've enjoyed as much
August 22, 2025
Exceptional for a first novel. The amount of intermixing and complicated plotlines was extremely impressive. Scenes can get dark and truly disturbing.
Unfortunately excessive length and description brought this one down a bit for me.
However, looking forward to whatever this author does in the future. Not a slouch at all.
Unfortunately excessive length and description brought this one down a bit for me.
However, looking forward to whatever this author does in the future. Not a slouch at all.
January 19, 2026
characters are vivid. dialogue is funny but still realistic. a love letter to internet schizo meme culture in the best way. the weaving together of the narratives is beautifully complex, which makes me feel like I need to read it again sometime before giving a final review, but strong 4/5 for now
October 11, 2024
3.5 stars
Good characters. Good dialogue. Lots to digest and think about. Just not my genre.
But I’m glad we read it for our sisters book club. It made for some really good discussions.
Good characters. Good dialogue. Lots to digest and think about. Just not my genre.
But I’m glad we read it for our sisters book club. It made for some really good discussions.
November 12, 2024
Started on Tuesday October 1st 2024 and finished on Saturday November 2nd 2024
An informant goes to Wyoming to instigate the formation of a domestic terrorist cell
Split into 3 parts
Opens with a bible quote setting aesthetic and thematic grounds for the entire piece
Ominous frame story that comes in and out of the narrative
Key prose styling differentiation of timelines and perspective
The flow of prose taps into a muscular musicality
Really lovely writing efficiently chosen wordplay painstakingly looked over
A true sentimentality and earnestness to its presentation
Religious parables reflected in the locations, mascot choices, all the actors at play, etc etc very considerate
Very funny
Depicts a slippery snake like beaurocracy oily and elusive trying to manipulate, coax and seduce pawns for bigger and bigger purposes; always keeping them under the thumb and rooted in place
Micromanaging dispersed information to play games of 4D chess creating their own opposition
Stipulation loophole nightmares
Great surrealist dreams
Unforgiving primitive violence
Cycles of history trapped in curses
Has a deep understanding of human behavior
Great philosophical treatise delivered through banger fucking lines
Punctuates a sadness in defining moments
Delivers ripe tension that is in turns unexpected and anticipated
Choreographed expertly to jaw dropping effect coming in and out of the past setting up a moment, leaving it, and then expanding on it later
Some characters have at least two names they go by some even three or four and none of it is confusing it’s impressively oriented
Commonplace reality to the way extremism is embodied
Respect for the intellect of the central characters
Naturalism in escalating conversations and arguments
The books themes have such weight and gravity the perspective of which becomes grander and grander
Confronting reflections of the internal
Nihilism as a corrupting force
Relief from burden through confession and facing the ultimate judgment
Identity crisis belonging to two worlds never committing to either stranded in the middle
Espionage double crossing whose who thriller
Part Neo-Western vibes part noir vibes
Question someone’s motives at the turn of a phrase always keeps you on your toes
Every character imbued with enough color to be a force unto themselves
Feel like I’m in the room with these guys
Should have kept a tally chart for every time I said holy shit out loud to myself starting within the first 20 pages
A reminder that the world is a stage for violent theater populated with chosen actors and directors to play their part
Go fucking read it it’s one of the best books from this sphere and one of my new favorites in general.
An informant goes to Wyoming to instigate the formation of a domestic terrorist cell
Split into 3 parts
Opens with a bible quote setting aesthetic and thematic grounds for the entire piece
Ominous frame story that comes in and out of the narrative
Key prose styling differentiation of timelines and perspective
The flow of prose taps into a muscular musicality
Really lovely writing efficiently chosen wordplay painstakingly looked over
A true sentimentality and earnestness to its presentation
Religious parables reflected in the locations, mascot choices, all the actors at play, etc etc very considerate
Very funny
Depicts a slippery snake like beaurocracy oily and elusive trying to manipulate, coax and seduce pawns for bigger and bigger purposes; always keeping them under the thumb and rooted in place
Micromanaging dispersed information to play games of 4D chess creating their own opposition
Stipulation loophole nightmares
Great surrealist dreams
Unforgiving primitive violence
Cycles of history trapped in curses
Has a deep understanding of human behavior
Great philosophical treatise delivered through banger fucking lines
Punctuates a sadness in defining moments
Delivers ripe tension that is in turns unexpected and anticipated
Choreographed expertly to jaw dropping effect coming in and out of the past setting up a moment, leaving it, and then expanding on it later
Some characters have at least two names they go by some even three or four and none of it is confusing it’s impressively oriented
Commonplace reality to the way extremism is embodied
Respect for the intellect of the central characters
Naturalism in escalating conversations and arguments
The books themes have such weight and gravity the perspective of which becomes grander and grander
Confronting reflections of the internal
Nihilism as a corrupting force
Relief from burden through confession and facing the ultimate judgment
Identity crisis belonging to two worlds never committing to either stranded in the middle
Espionage double crossing whose who thriller
Part Neo-Western vibes part noir vibes
Question someone’s motives at the turn of a phrase always keeps you on your toes
Every character imbued with enough color to be a force unto themselves
Feel like I’m in the room with these guys
Should have kept a tally chart for every time I said holy shit out loud to myself starting within the first 20 pages
A reminder that the world is a stage for violent theater populated with chosen actors and directors to play their part
Go fucking read it it’s one of the best books from this sphere and one of my new favorites in general.
May 11, 2025
This was a true 5 star read for me.
Set in a small town in Wyoming where nothing seems to happen, the inhabitants have no idea the great tragedy that is about to explode upon their sleepy little town.
There are characters that make you wonder what good is left in man, and characters who restore that hope, and then our protagonist (antagonist?) who lives, perpetually, in a morally gray area. I was on the edge of my seat as I watched him make decisions that further and further entrenched him into the web of lies and misadventure he seemed so desperate to escape.
The book opens with a man discovering the story we ourselves are about to read, and it cuts back and forth between the story of poor, disillusioned Soldier Crane (MC), and the author of this thrilling manuscript, Rodger. This dynamic added to the story as I was anxious to see how it would link back to the present day after the events in the book. The return to the present was very interesting, and successfully ambiguous, I'd say.
Throughout the book I laughed at some of the ridiculous dialogue, I was anxious for the fate of this eccentric cast of characters, and was shocked by all the twists and turns.
A well developed plot with distinct characters that, despite their extremely questionable choices, had me rooting for them all the while.
I look forward to another release from the author.
Set in a small town in Wyoming where nothing seems to happen, the inhabitants have no idea the great tragedy that is about to explode upon their sleepy little town.
There are characters that make you wonder what good is left in man, and characters who restore that hope, and then our protagonist (antagonist?) who lives, perpetually, in a morally gray area. I was on the edge of my seat as I watched him make decisions that further and further entrenched him into the web of lies and misadventure he seemed so desperate to escape.
The book opens with a man discovering the story we ourselves are about to read, and it cuts back and forth between the story of poor, disillusioned Soldier Crane (MC), and the author of this thrilling manuscript, Rodger. This dynamic added to the story as I was anxious to see how it would link back to the present day after the events in the book. The return to the present was very interesting, and successfully ambiguous, I'd say.
Throughout the book I laughed at some of the ridiculous dialogue, I was anxious for the fate of this eccentric cast of characters, and was shocked by all the twists and turns.
A well developed plot with distinct characters that, despite their extremely questionable choices, had me rooting for them all the while.
I look forward to another release from the author.
September 1, 2024
Fedbook is one of the most passionate and thorough novels I have read from a self-published author. I do feel it started slow, but by the time Soldier makes it to his assignment with the WEPT, the book becomes deeply personal. There are plenty of speculative elements in Fedbook concerning radical events and ideas.
What makes this so real as a contemporary novel is the struggle each character has with the fabric of the modern world. Not all of them agree with each other, and it is not always clear who works for who because of the espionage in the story. Who we work for, or whether it can be known, is certainly worth thinking about. The same can be said of how we tell history and the story of our life. Thus Fedbook is a frame story that ultimately looks at that as well.
What makes this so real as a contemporary novel is the struggle each character has with the fabric of the modern world. Not all of them agree with each other, and it is not always clear who works for who because of the espionage in the story. Who we work for, or whether it can be known, is certainly worth thinking about. The same can be said of how we tell history and the story of our life. Thus Fedbook is a frame story that ultimately looks at that as well.
May 15, 2023
FEDBOOK by Jay Stancliff
Imagine a hybrid public-private organization renting federal informants to the U.S. government: a sprawling bureaucracy where everyone’s a snitch. Fedbook is the setting for this bizarre organization. The American Rental Informant’s Union is ubiquitous but invisible. Instead of wood-paneled 6th-floor corner suites, they operate out of makeshift offices hidden in plain sight as “temp agencies” in little rural towns throughout America. Instead of black SUVs, their agents arrive in Greyhound busses.
Union agents might be anywhere, but Fedbook zooms in on the wild career of disillusioned agent Soldier Crane as he infiltrates political extremist organizations in the American West. From a drugged-out new-age group of hallucinogen-worshiping radicals in the deserts of the Southwest to a fledgling cell of would-be nihilist extremists incubating at a liberal arts college in rural Wyoming, The American Rental Informant’s Union is there.
Fedbook poses some vexing questions about the problem of American extremist groups through a cast of richly developed characters, all struggling to find their way while shivering in the shadows of a fading empire. The prose is sharp and literary, with a chapter structure that will keep you turning the pages until you finally reach the unexpected, wild climax.
Ultimately, your biggest question will be when Stancliff’s next novel is coming out so you can read it.
Imagine a hybrid public-private organization renting federal informants to the U.S. government: a sprawling bureaucracy where everyone’s a snitch. Fedbook is the setting for this bizarre organization. The American Rental Informant’s Union is ubiquitous but invisible. Instead of wood-paneled 6th-floor corner suites, they operate out of makeshift offices hidden in plain sight as “temp agencies” in little rural towns throughout America. Instead of black SUVs, their agents arrive in Greyhound busses.
Union agents might be anywhere, but Fedbook zooms in on the wild career of disillusioned agent Soldier Crane as he infiltrates political extremist organizations in the American West. From a drugged-out new-age group of hallucinogen-worshiping radicals in the deserts of the Southwest to a fledgling cell of would-be nihilist extremists incubating at a liberal arts college in rural Wyoming, The American Rental Informant’s Union is there.
Fedbook poses some vexing questions about the problem of American extremist groups through a cast of richly developed characters, all struggling to find their way while shivering in the shadows of a fading empire. The prose is sharp and literary, with a chapter structure that will keep you turning the pages until you finally reach the unexpected, wild climax.
Ultimately, your biggest question will be when Stancliff’s next novel is coming out so you can read it.
September 21, 2023
3.5 stars
A pretty good book and a great debut by the author.
I will preface this by saying that this type of book isn't my usual cup of tea, but I enjoyed it more than I thought (more so the 2nd half).
It has a zany plot that feels like it's only a degree or two away from being something that could truly happen in America. It has some great dialogue and characters. And it left me thinking at the end - which is always a great sign I enjoyed the book. I think we have some great potential here for future books by the author.
A couple of gripes:
- The pacing takes some frequent dives due to the long and wandering conversations the characters have with each other. (Conversations that I personally got bored with after a while)
- Some parts of the ending were too ambiguous for my taste (spoilers: )
A pretty good book and a great debut by the author.
I will preface this by saying that this type of book isn't my usual cup of tea, but I enjoyed it more than I thought (more so the 2nd half).
It has a zany plot that feels like it's only a degree or two away from being something that could truly happen in America. It has some great dialogue and characters. And it left me thinking at the end - which is always a great sign I enjoyed the book. I think we have some great potential here for future books by the author.
A couple of gripes:
- The pacing takes some frequent dives due to the long and wandering conversations the characters have with each other. (Conversations that I personally got bored with after a while)
- Some parts of the ending were too ambiguous for my taste (spoilers: )
February 25, 2023
Terrific first book! Written by an old high school classmate of my son. Impressive and unique. Definitely not a book where you can see what's coming. Enough twists in this book that it would be worth reading a second time ... something I almost never do.
January 9, 2023
Quite good, if I say so myself.
December 14, 2023
Based, and honestly, redpilled.
October 27, 2025
"The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence; and the Violent take it by force."
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews