Defy the Odds

The democratic choice of the US 2052 presidential elections is prejudiced by the head of organized crime in California, scheming to defy the odds and prevent the popular incumbent from being re-elected. The young Republican challenger is behind in the opinion polls, but is calling for an end to the current meat abolition legislation. Opposition to the ongoing prohibition of meat is steadily growing and influencing public opinion in areas suffering from the financial hardship caused by the ban.

A senator scheduled to address a rally to launch the second stage of the election is found dead in his hotel room. The FBI is contacted to investigate and Agent Mike Kowalski suspects foul play. This death is followed by the disappearance of the senator's PA and Kowalski searches for a link between the two events which lead him to the President.

The investigation is hampered by the machinations of the man behind these crimes who has spies in the FBI and the White House. His devious plan unexpectedly brings Kowalski's wife back into his life and, in a background of double dealing and murder, their love reignites.

The action of this twisted crime thriller is spread between California, Nevada, Washington DC and the Caribbean. A simple death, thought to be from natural causes, develops into an operation of staggering complexity, putting the President's life at risk.

Reviews:

Review Rating: 5 Stars

Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite:

Usually, political thrillers bore me. However, Defy the Odds had me hooked from the very beginning. I have to thank author Henry Farley for this. The prologue offered a summary of the story without giving away the plot. Instead of playing a guessing game with readers, he lays down the facts for them so that they are fully involved from the outset. I love how Kowalski took control of the situation, leading from the front, and was fully immersed in the case. While the author talks about many issues that will become more pressing in the future, he never once loses focus on the plot. The impact of the meat industry, global warming, and carbon footprints are being studied and evaluated, but this novel gives us a good look at what could happen in the future if we are not careful. The pace of the story is fast, but not overwhelmingly so. The readers get plenty of time to adapt to the story, pick a side, and enjoy the ride.

Review Rating: 5 Stars

Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Defy the Odds is basically my Christmas list in a tidy novel by Henry Farley. I had doubts in the first few chapters when Farley was quick to point out that FBI Agent Mike Kowalski's sidekick James is an FBI mole and saboteur, but as the book progresses it becomes clear this direction is relevant to the plot trajectory and not the spoiler it seems. Surprises are everywhere and there continue to be shockers throughout, namely murders that are real and even one that only pretends to be [enter, the porn-stache]. The prose is tidy when all is accounted for and those pages turn fast. I finished in two days and loved every minute of it. Very highly recommended.

Review Rating: 5 Stars

Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Henry Farley writes a savvy thriller with a cast of diverse characters in Defy the Odds. Honestly, it's the beef ban that got me to pick up the book as it is a fantastic fresh angle to launch a story from. The ban and demonstrations are certainly strong subplots but it is more a catalyst for a perfect storm and, within the framework of the larger plot, it is probably one of the most creative smokescreens I've come across in the political suspense genre. Overall, this is an intelligent, solid body of fiction and I'm pretty sure those smart enough to give it a shot will agree.