Customer Reviews

The Shadow Government

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As I read this novel, it got worse and worse until I thought it could not get any worse, and then it really got worse. A week later, I could still vividly remember the characters and could envision them in a motion picture. I could not put it down once I started reading. There has to be a lot of truism in this novel and very thought provoking.

After an incident with US Senator McBride, Norm Shepard left the marines to become a railroad brakeman and fish in the Potomac. While heading to a spot to fish, he notices two other fishermen, but when he walks past them, they shoot him in the back. He manages to escape to the nearby road where Major General McKay gets him to a hospital.

McKay is concerned where this shooting occurred so he assigns long time civil servant Ross Chambers and his emergency management team to investigate. Evelyn Pace and Jim Woods interview Norm; they return to their superior Ross with grave concerns that the two wannabe killers were monitoring weather conditions, which could mean an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) attack on the capital. While Norm is recalled to active duty, the response team begins activation of Project Bluelight, THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT project to keep the government operational during a crippling emergency. The ideal solution is that they must stop rogue terrorists from causing a pandemic incident of mass destruction.

Though terrorists employ clever deadly ruses as they value life less than radioactive waste, THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT highlights what is a major fear of many people: weapons of mass destruction (ask the President and his psychological advisors). The story line is a powerful thriller that looks at what a government can do to continue to lead even when calamity reaches biblical proportions. Though the small insets focusing on the terrorists seem more distracting than revealing, readers will feel they won the Triple Crown with Ray Derby's compelling tale of counterterrorism.

Harriet Klausner

The story was amazing and since it was before 9-11 it is even more amazing....some forethought.

A very good attention getter and holder.

I loved this book and would also like to see it as a movie.

I have been reading books a lot lately and this one really made me want to see what could happen in the end. I was thinking all the time of what could be in store for us if we do not think and act!!! This is a good read and maybe a good lesson.

I loved it. I could hardly put it down until I finished it and like the best books I've read, I didn't want it to end. Ray Derby is a writer that can take his place beside James Patterson, Greg Iles, Lee Child and David Baldacci!

This is one of the best books I've ever read. I'm a fan of Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and James Patterson. If you like these authors, you'll love Ray Derby's Shadow Government. I couldn't lay it down and neither could my 92 year old mother. It's a fantastic plot with great characters. Ray Derby has a knack for writing that I don't see as often as I would like.

ANOTHER BOOK THAT IS WORTHY OF READING.
IT IS MORE FACTS THAN FICTION. I WONDER WHERE
THE AUTHOR GOT HIS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.
DEFINITE INSIGHT INTO WHAT IS REALLY GOING
ON IN AMERICA..

I think that I would have liked to be able to give 3 and a half stars for this book. The book is an excellent first attempt by Ray Derby.
Many people might have a misconceived notion of what a "Shadow Government" really is.....no, it's not another President and VP and all altogether different cabinet, just waiting in the wings to take over in the event of a crisis.....it's a smart way to look at a potential situation. A shadow Government for Derby's book is thousands of people (mostly retirees), chosen by the government, which excelled in their given fields, whether it be in nuclear physics or carpentry, etc. that would be saved and be able to lead America back into civilization in case of mass destruction from nuclear, chemical or biological warfare.

As you can guess, America is struck by a biological agent that kills millions of Americans. It's a race against the clock to have the Shadow Government and the facilities that will house these people up and running before the terrorists unleash the weapon.

The plot is very solid. It is evident that Mr. Derby uses his experience to create a chilling world. The plot itself will keep you on the edge of your seat and while this does not give anything away, you are pleasantly surprised where the story turns in the end. Characterization is a little on the thin side. The pace of the plot made it difficult to really be able to identify with the characters....you really don't have the time to get to know them. I think now, after 9-11, it's easier to identify with the emotions of the country in general. The subplots of romance are weak, but easily ignored. There are a few plot points that weighed the story down, rather than moved it along, but again, you turn the page waiting to see what will happen next.

All in all it's a good read. I definitely recommend reading it and I will eagerly watch to see if Mr. Derby publishes another book in the future.

This book was GREAT! I read it before September 11th. It was amazing how true to life this book was. It was somewhat scary.

The Shadow Government was well written by someone with obvious experience in regards to emergency situations that could arise in the U.S. or any other part of the world for that matter.

This is a MUST read book!

A book built on fact and fiction, but with all the possibilities of happening. Since the fall of the Wall, the dismantlement of the Warsaw Pact, and the opening of our borders to everyone the past leadership of our country has pushed us to the brink of disaster.

The security elements of many government agencies were buried deep in their bowels after 1992. Not until 9/11 have our elected leaders realized the mistakes they helped create through their own inactions. Lets hope they are better on catching up than they are on falling behind.

To all the "dedicated" military and civilian workers, thank you. For those that are there only for the money, recognition (fast track), long lunches, smoke breaks every half hour, whining about long hours, etc. quit ---- your not needed and you missed the point.