Homeland Security [Hardcover]

Alexa Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2007

Former assassin Leah Berglund and Pulitzer-winning reporter Elliott Delgado are back and chasing two suitcase nukes on the loose inside the United States in this gritty, near-future thriller.
 
Whoever stole the nukes is leaving a trail of dead bodies behind him, but before Leah and Del can track him down they've got to figure out who wants to buy the nukes:
* Is it Holy Arabia, the fanatic Muslim government that has overthrown the House of Saud in a bloody coup?

* Is it the Fidelista exiles hiding in Miami intent on overthrowing Cuba's fledgling democracy?

* Or a domestic drug dealer in the war zone of America's cities?

* Or the rival of the Colombian Cartel boss who rules all of South America? 

Together Leah and Del unravel a plot within a plot, culminating in two simultaneous races to stop the bombs from detonating. If they fail, the heart and soul of our homeland will be left in radioactive ruins.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Former journalist Hunt's sequel to Corrupts Absolutely (2005), which boldly imagined a near-future U.S. in which the war on terror has led to martial law, further explores the war's impact on American society, but the execution falls short of the intriguing premise. In the opening pages, headlines announce that the Martial Law Act has been repealed, the shadowy Bureau of Illegal Substance Control is to be disbanded, and Islamic fundamentalists have finally overthrown the Saudi royal family. As a bitter presidential election looms, Elliott Delgado, an investigative reporter, and Leah Berglund, a social worker who used to be an officially sanctioned assassin, learn that some suitcase nukes have entered the U.S. as part of a plot meant to dwarf the 9/11 tragedy. Paul Oppermann, the Yiddish-spouting FBI director, and former senator Adam Manchester, the leading Republican presidential candidate, make unlikely action allies as the plot builds to its uninspired climax. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The follow-up to 2005's Corrupts Absolutely finds journalist Elliot Delgado teaming with former assassin Leah Berglund (they met when she was sent to kill him) to track down a couple of stolen nuclear bombs before they fall into the hands of, well, . . . any number of people. In Hunt's near-future society, the list of potential buyers of stolen nukes is frighteningly long, from Cuban political exiles to fanatical Muslims to garden-variety drug dealers. As with the first novel in the series, this one depends greatly on atmosphere: Hunt has created a darkly plausible world that is just around the corner, a world in which the drug war has blasted out of control, and the threat of terrorism is so commonplace that it's just part of the backdrop of everyday life--a bleak but believable and well-thought-out environment. Readers of the earlier book might find this one a bit repetitive, but they will also note that the romance subplot, which seemed a tad clunky in Corrupts Absolutely, is handled with more finesse here. A solid follow-up. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076531150X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765311504
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,096,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars tense thriller, March 24, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Homeland Security (Hardcover)

President Samson testified at a Congressional session that repealing the Martial Law Act, established eight years ago in reaction to the Columbian Cartel Slaughter terrorist attack, is the right thing to do for the country. Apparently the Bureau of Illegal Substance Control (BISC) abused its authority that the law granted it when it allowed instant execution of drug traffickers due to it being classified as a treasonous offense. Former Senator Adam Manchester, who was one of three members of Congress to oppose the law and now is running for president, claimed BISC was ripe for a coup.

A week after Samson's testimony, Islamic Fundamentalists overthrow the Saudi royal family and establish Holy Arabia. This coup upsets the United States at a time the country is divided and an acrimonious presidential election season has begun. Meanwhile reporter Elliott Delgado and former assassin Leah Berglund learn that dirty suitcase nukes have been smuggled into the country through the porous Mexican border. They wonder if perhaps a group loyal to the new Holy Arabia nation plans a terrorist attack on American soil; or could it be the Cartel back for a second round? They join with FBI Director Paul Oppermann and Senator Manchester in an attempt to prevent another Slaughter.

The sequel to the fantastic CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY, HOMELAND SECURITY is a tense thriller that readers will enjoy as Alexa Hunt continues to look at the long term effect of the Global War Against Terrorism deteriorating liberties. The story line is fast-paced with the intrepid duo knowing that besides the two prime suspected groups, others like the Fidelistas might be the cause. Though the teaming up of the FBI Director, the leading Republican candidate for the White House with the reporter and the former assassin seems no way possible, fans will enjoy this fascinating look at the war between security and freedom.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Action and suspense, all the way!, March 28, 2007

By 

Dee S. Knight, Erotic Romance author "Dee" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeland Security (Hardcover)

Though Alexa Hunt's book, Homeland Security, is set in the near-future, the plot is chilling enough to make readers sit up and take notice right now.

In the world of Pulitzer-prize winner, Elliott Delgado, and social worker, Leah Bergland, gangs sell a lethally addictive drug called Elevator, Saudi Arabia has become a terrorist state no longer ruled by the royal family, and the United States is bowed and humiliated on the world stage. With so much conflict in the world, it's understandable that a measly two dirty bombs can go missing and no one notices.

Now the bombs are for sale.

When the incumbent president asks his political rival, Leah's grandfather, for help, he includes Elliott and Leah in the request. Leah's past as an assassin for the government drug interdiction agency and Elliott's experience as a former FBI agent provide incomparable experience and contacts to find the man who holds the suitcase bombs. They race against time and frightening possibilities not only for the U.S., but for a world falling farther into chaos.

Throughout the rush to recover the bombs, Leah works to overcome her past demons and allow herself to love Elliott and his son. It's a result we all root for because she's a very sympathetic character. "Sympathetic" with a gun and killer high kick, of course. She's no wimp!

Homeland Security is jammed with action and packed with a full cast of characters. The story is realistic and compelling, with characters to admire and proper villains, too. If you enjoy thrilling books that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Homeland Security should be in your stack of books to be read!

Also, pick up Alexa Hunt's first Leah Bergland and Elliott Delgado book, Corrupts Absolutely. Leah and Elliott are hot and on the job in the service of our country from the get-go!