What if there were a cure for cancer and the government was hiding it?

That’s the premise behind The Boomerang, which is being marketed as a political thriller. However, if you’re looking for intense political drama, this might not be the right fit. While one of the main characters is the President of the United States, the role could just as easily have been filled by any powerful figure. A pharmaceutical CEO might have even been a more natural choice for the plot.

Labeling aside, this is an intriguing and entertaining read. One of the central characters gains access to a cure for cancer and is faced with a serious ethical dilemma about whether to share it with those close to him. The moral questions at the heart of the story kept me engaged throughout.

Some aspects of the book are definitely unrealistic, but it has the feel of a movie playing in your head. It is fast-paced, thought-provoking, and enjoyable.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Government Cabal Tries To Keep Cancer Cure Secret

The novel opens with Lionel Cantrell and Eli James playing a game of catch. Eli and Lionel had led their team to a thorough beating of a rival in the annual Fourth of July game. Lionel pitched a shutout, and Eli hit a home run and a double. As the catcher, Eli threw out two base runners. An everlasting friendship began that would last until the end of the novel. The novel jumps to the start of Cantrell’s Presidency, and James is his Chief of Staff.

This novel consists of three main storyline threads. The first thread tells the story of a cabal of three high government officials who learned about a pill that a pharmacist was selling at flea markets along the Gulf Coast that cured all cancers. The cabal deemed it a National Security issue as if it became public, it would destroy the US economy. The second thread is Lionel Cantrell’s story. His colon cancer was in remission, but now, after his election, it is roaring back. He has somewhere between two months to two years to live. The Cabal decides that the Vice-President would be a disaster as President, so they decide to reveal this secret to Cantrell and have him take the medication. The third thread is the chief thread. It starts with just James. He believes he is the only person that knows of Cantrell’s cancer reoccurrence. Soon after starting his job as Cantrell’s Chief of Staff, his daughter collapses on a soccer field. Once the doctors are through, they tell Eli and his wife, Dale, that their daughter has advanced inoperable cancer in both of her lungs. James notices that Cantrell’s cancer has gone into remission again and hears rumors about a cancer cure being kept secret. The rest of the novel is a race for James and his wife to find the cure while the Cabal tries to prevent them. There were twists and turns, but many of them were more like what I call literary grenades, as my understanding of what was happening was significantly altered. This cat-and-mouse story captured my interest.

The marriage of Dale and Eli James at the start of the novel is in a state of terminal collapse. Once they learn of the diagnosis of their daughter, Emma, there is an immediate change in both characters. Their actions show their dormant characters emerge very strongly. Most of Eli’s actions are separate, but he does coordinate with Dale so that outwardly, they appear to be parents seeking cutting-edge but traditional treatment. The history of Dale is provided in a B-storyline of her and Nester Sanchez, a major drug lord in New Mexico. This thread also provides a wealth of background on Sanchez. I felt that I knew the principal characters quite well.

Readers who are sensitive to language may find this novel challenging to read. Vulgar, rude, and impious language is at a very noticeable level. Violence starts being described after the fact. As the novel draws to a close, the violence becomes increasingly graphic and over-the-top. I question some aspects that are not very feasible. If you like action, it is in spades in this section of the book. On the plus side, there are not any intimate scenes. This is a stand-alone novel, so there are not any issues about what happened in previous novels. This novel should be acceptable to many readers, but I must add a caveat: “Let the reader be forewarned.”

A common aspect of this genre is the inclusion of over-the-top chase scenes and other dramatic sequences. That is a hallmark of his novel. What I really enjoyed was that all potential loose ends, plus many that I had not recognized as potential ends, were tied up by the end of the novel. I liked this aspect of the novel. The pace of the novel felt right. Shifting voices between chapters did not disrupt my reading enjoyment. I have read five novels over two series by this author. I have enjoyed reading his novels, so I have purchased four more novels. The author is in my Will-Read category. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend reading it. I am looking forward to his next novel. I rate this novel with four stars.

Robert Bailey has now joined the list of "favorite" thriller writers that I follow faithfully. I'd not read any of his library of titles before this and must now add them to my TBR.

Eli James is the Chief of Staff in the administration of his long-time best friend Lionel Cantrell. The two of them have been best friends and partners in crime since they were young boys. Eli was instrumental in Cantrell's successful bid for President and together they see no end to their success. When the President's colon cancer returns and spreads, Eli is the only one he tells. But secrets and politics do not mix. The Secretary of Defense, a 4 star general, offers the president a cure for his cancer, with conditions.

Eli's daughter Bella is diagnosed with a rare form of incurable lung cancer. At 17, her future is now cut short. Eli will stop at nothing to find her a cure. This is the back story, but the journey from page one to the end is a wild chase for the truth. Casualties mean nothing to the group that would see Eli stopped at any cost. This was truly a great read, and I'm wondering if a series could be developed around the characters.

What I would give to have this book published 10 to 15 years ago! My hang up is not with the story, but that the politics represented by the characters are not current day partisan concerns, therefore disorienting me. There is a giant conspiracy at the center of this novel, that will puzzle my brain for a while on the balance for the public good.

The passage of time in the book goes quickly, so pay attention to the small mentions the author leaves to show the jumps forward in time.
I did like the pop cultural references of music and tv.

I must admit I went into this book with a bit of hesitation, primarily because I'd never read anything by Robert Bailey before, but it was a referral from my son who heard about it from a friend of his. Once I read the overview my interest was piqued enough that I began to search it out finally finding it here on NetGalley. Thanks to them and Robert Bailey for an enjoyable and compulsively readable book.

You may have heard a version of this saying before, "if there wasn't some truth here, it wouldn't be funny". I'll twist that phrase this way, "if there wasn't some truth here, it wouldn't be so frightening". That the President could have terminal cancer-possible, that his Chief of Staff's daughter could also have terminal cancer-possible, that there might be a cure, and that there is a big pharma cover up-probably more close to the truth than we'd like to believe. What wouldn't a father do to save his daughter? A deal with the devil? Probably that and more!

A quick and compelling read for certain. Mr. Bailey has written a new book that should be very successful. I'm glad I was able to find it and thanks again to NetGalley.

I received Copies of this story from Brillaince Audio Publishing (Audio Book) and E ARC from Thomas & Mercer Publishing Shortly After it released as an Amazon First Read. I was attracted to this thriller as it was compared to John Grisham’s writing. This Political thriller is action packed but also begs to question how far you would go for the ones you love.

This story begins with Lionel Cantrell becoming president. However, there is a a problem Canterll has been diagnosed with cancer and will not survive his full term which could cause National security issues. His staff therefore bring up “The Boomerang Project”. Lionel has not told his family about his cancer only his Chief of Staff. Project Boomerang Promises to be a drug that could cure his cancer, but the president can’t tell anyone about it not even his chief of staff.

Lionels chief of staff Eli is dealing with a wife who wants divorce and his daughter who is sick. While dealing with this he also has to work to keep a senator’s bill from passing that would undermine the agreements with insurance companies that have been made as Pharma has backed the president. It turns out that Elis Daughter is diagnosed with Cancer. Eli Loves his job and is good friends with the President but he discovers that there may have been a Conspiracy to cover up “Boomerang” aka the cure for cancer. He begins to dig deep into it but how far will he go and how much will he risk to save his daughter? And what ramifications does that have on him and his career? IT would almost seem like he is committing career suicide and becoming a criminal / Enemy of the State or in this case United states with each action he takes .

This is a Gritty and suspenseful political thriller. This has a lot of high stakes for Eli. His family and the President. I had never read a story from this author or listened to an audio book of one of his stories. I did find that the Story while following along with the E Book as well as the audio to be very good. The Narrator played the part very well and this story keept leaving me wanting more after I either Stopped reading or listening to do other stuff.

Thank you to #Netgalley , Robert Bailey, Thomas & Mercer Publishing and Brilliance Audio for the Ebook and Audiobook. I look forward to reading more of your works and Robert Bailey’s works .

The Boomerang is a different type of political thriller focused less on what government is but what it does and does not do and what the populace is truly owed. It start with Eli James, a political mover and shaker whose typical Washington lifestyle is shattered by his daughter's illness. What happens next is a wild ride that includes plenty of twists and turns and takes the reader away from Washington D.C. to the stark beauty and protective nature of the New Mexico landscape. A surprisingly touching and beautiful book.

This book was fantastic. The characters were realistic, and the themes were relatable. The flawed but heroic characters made decisions that were believable. The ending wasn’t what exactly I expected, but was masterful regardless. Would definitely recommend to others!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook and print format.

Robert Bailey’s "The Boomerang" is a high-stakes political thriller that grips listeners from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. Narrated by the talented Eric Conger, this audiobook delivers a cinematic experience, immersing the audience in a world of power, deception, and the desperate fight for survival.

Bailey crafts a compelling narrative centered around Eli James, the White House Chief of Staff, who finds himself entangled in a devastating conspiracy. When the President of the United States miraculously recovers from terminal cancer, Eli is relieved—until his own daughter is diagnosed with leukemia. His search for answers leads him to Big Pharma’s top lobbyist, uncovering a billion-dollar cover-up that threatens millions of lives. Forced to flee Washington, Eli takes refuge in the rugged landscapes of Arizona, forming an uneasy alliance with land baron Nester “The Beast” Sanchez. As federal agencies close in, Eli must decide whether to play by the rules he has always (well, mostly) followed or or fight to protect his family.

Eric Conger’s narration elevates "The Boomerang" to another level. His deep, authoritative voice perfectly matches the intensity of the story, bringing Eli’s desperation and determination to life. Conger’s ability to shift tones seamlessly—from political intrigue to raw emotional moments—makes this audiobook a gripping listen.

Bailey masterfully blends political drama with personal stakes, making "The Boomerang" more than just a thriller—it’s a story about family, sacrifice, and the lengths one will go to for the truth. The novel’s genre-bending approach, merging Washington intrigue with Western-style survivalism, keeps the narrative fresh and unpredictable.

4.5 stars for this book in print format, 5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ for this audiobook.

For fans of John Grisham and "Yellowstone", "The Boomerang" is a clever must-listen. Bailey’s storytelling is razor-sharp, and Conger’s narration ensures that every moment is immersive. Whether you’re drawn to political thrillers, conspiracy-driven narratives, or emotionally charged family dramas, this audiobook delivers on all fronts.

The Boomerang is a suspenseful fast-paced political thriller by Robert Bailey. The book has it all - questionable ethics, government cover-up, inaccessible lifesaving treatment and asks how far would go to save your child?

Thank you to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for letting me read this ARC.

“We’re the greatest country in the history of the world . . .
. . . and yet the Beast would save the world . . .
. . . while we watch it burn in the name of money.
Liberty? Freedom? Democracy? She swallowed, and it tasted of bile.
Justice wasn’t red, white, and blue.
𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯.” Ugh 😣

Okay now, Robert Bailey, you’ve hooked me! The Boomerang is a political, conspiracy thriller that I knew I would devour from the very first chapter.

In this addictive thriller the POTUS has terminal cancer for which he is mysteriously cured. Can you even imagine how THAT would affect the state of the world?! Add to that his best friends teenage daughter also being diagnosed and her dad, the Chief of Staff, enlisting big pharma’s top lobbyist for advice. In doing so he happens across a multi billion dollar coverup possibly affecting millions of lives. Cue everything that you can imagine happening in the upper echelons of the government where money and power prevail and humanity seems to have no place.

Knowing that cancer has touched the author in both his father and wife, it makes it all the more emotional and personal as you read it. 5+++++ stars, man. ⭐️ 👏🏻

“You’re not paranoid if they’re really after you.”

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Robert Bailey is an excellent story teller and an author I always look forward to reading.
This book caused me to lose a good nights sleep, couldn't put this book down once this story got going.
I absolutely loved the way the characters developed throughout the book.
This is a great book- flawed characters, gritty action, and a main character you believe in.
A riveting political thriller.

I was hooked to this story from the beginning, it's a thrilling theme: politics plus has the cure of cancer been found but held as a secret by big pharma? How about ethics? Which is more important the vow to work and protect your country or your family? The Boomerang is fast-paced, full of action and politics works, with thought provoking and flawed characters. Highly recommended!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

“Boomerang” by Robert Bailey
April 29, 2025 by Claire Matturro
“[Do] you really believe that the US government has deliberately covered up the cure for cancer?”
This question, asked by Eli James, the protagonist in Robert Bailey’s newest political thriller, The Boomerang (Thomas and Mercer May 2025), reflects the central conflict in a riveting, suspenseful, and gloriously bold novel.

The author has faced cancer within his immediate family, and asks in his acknowledgment, “What would you do to save the ones you love the most?”

The intersection of these two questions is what makes The Boomerang an edge-of-your-chair, can’t-put-it-down, action packed page-turner—but more than the suspense, the morality questions make this a deep and important book. It is also a deeply cynical book.

Bailey has found both commercial and critical success with his ten prior legal thrillers. Now he proves he can jump into the edgy world of political thrillers with the best of them. The Boomerang is intense and complicated, but Bailey knows exactly how to layer in the pieces to form an intricate, gripping and heartfelt story. Such is his gift that Bailey makes what might seem implausible in the abstract seem not only possible but probable in the execution of the story.

The basic plot is ambitious. Eli James and his childhood friend Lionel Cantrell at first look to be standard-issue good-old-frat-boy types from small town Alabama. But these are two men with searing ambitions. Eli is the brains, the con-man, the great-in-a-crisis manipulator, and the push behind making Lionel the president of the United States against impressive odds. In turn, Lionel makes Eli his Chief of Staff. How Lionel came to be elected would make a good novel in and of itself, but Bailey only uses that tale as background, albeit fascinating, revealing background.

Unknown to the public, Lionel has terminal colon cancer. When a small group of government officials, led by the sanctimonious and patriotic General Randolph, find out, they decide to give Lionel the boomerang, the secret code name for a medicine that will actually cure cancer. The price for this drug: Lionel must tell no one. Ever. No matter what.

Randolph and his group fervently believe that the economics involved in presenting a cure for cancer would ruin the USA’s economy and therefore destroy the nation. They decide to hide the existence of the cure because “billions upon billions of dollars are wrapped up in the oncology market” and that money and all the associated jobs in the oncology market would be lost if a cure is found. Releasing the cure would result in “a logistical nightmare and would destroy this country, if not the world, as we know it,” in Randolph’s opinion. Their motivation propels them toward a no-holds-barred approach to keeping the cure a secret. Already, those involved in the early days of the drug are dead or have disappeared.

Eli, the complicated central character, knows Lionel has cancer. No one else outside of Lionel’s medical providers and Randolph’s government group do. It is not long into the story that Eli’s teenage daughter complains of a backache. The moment she mentions this, readers will tense, knowing what is coming. Bella, the 17-year-old daughter, is soon diagnosed with terminal, inoperable lung cancer.

Eli catches hints of an undisclosed cure for cancer the government and Big Pharm are keeping top secret for economic reasons—sheer greed on the part of Big Pharm. Dale, Eli’s wife and a brilliant trial attorney, and Eli soon begin their quest to find this drug. Naturally their increasingly desperate search leads them across the country and results in several murders, much mayhem, some head-banging moral dilemmas, and conflicts and dangers so deep and hard as to seem unsolvable.

This is not just a great, riveting, well plotted action-packed read. It is an important book that raises many significant questions about the health care system, the government, and greed. Read it for the fast pace and excitement but do please also think about the lessons within its well-researched pages.


Robert Bailey

Bailey is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and a trial attorney who lives in Huntsville, Alabama, with his wife and three children. He is the author of ten legal thrillers.

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The Boomerang by Robert Bailey is a gripping political thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows Eli James, the President’s Chief of Staff, who learns both his boss and his daughter are battling terminal cancer. When the President’s health suddenly improves, Eli discovers a massive cover-up involving Big Pharma and a secret cure. Determined to protect his daughter, he risks everything and goes on the run with his family, forging an unexpected alliance in the rugged West. The plot twists are thrilling, and the pace never lets up. I loved how the book tackles tough issues and shows how far a parent will go to save their child. The characters feel real and three-dimensional, and the final showdown is epic. This is a must-read for anyone who loves suspense, action, and a powerful family story. My favorite thriller of the year so far this year.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

To say Robert Bailey’s political thriller, The Boomerang, demands a reader’s attention would be an understatement. The new president of the United States, Lionel Jefferson Cantrell, has terminal cancer. One of the few who know this is his Chief of Staff Eli James, his long-time friend. But soon, Eli learns his seventeen-year-old daughter Bella has terminal cancer too.

Eli is determined to find a solution and turns to a pharmaceutical lobbyist for advice. Their discussion leads to more questions than answers and he enlists the help of family. Along the way, he discovers a cover-up worth billions of dollars and millions of lives. With the deadly secret, Eli forms an alliance with Nester Sanchez in New Mexico and works to get his family there as a showdown approaches.

The characterization is excellent in this novel. Eli uses charm and lies to get what he wants. He’s a hard worker and calm in a crisis. He’s also great at raising money and smearing political opponents. He loves his daughter and will do anything to protect her. Lionel is ambitious and puts politics above everything else. Nester is known for this ruthless power tactics. He doesn’t make decisions based on emotion and is cautious in those he trusts. He has a criminal reputation, but is respected in New Mexico. Eli’s wife Dale is a trial attorney who specializes in medical malpractice cases. Each character has flaws and strengths that come through clearly in their actions and words.

If you enjoy action-packed political thrillers with heart, then look no further than this novel. The intensity and sense of urgency kept me rapidly turning the pages with gripping scenes, action, danger, an excellent plot, and fantastic writing. The world-building and atmosphere immediately transported me to the various locations, whether the action was in the White House, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, or New Mexico. The way Eli deals with the bad personal news has a huge impact on the reader, but that is just one of the dramas playing out. With twists, turns, and action, the story unfolds at a rapid pace. The ending is impactful and insightful. Topics include terminal illness, power, money, family, friendship, secrets, death, and much more.

Overall, this is a gritty and suspenseful high-stakes thriller that has an outstanding premise and is also thought-provoking and filled with extraordinary, but flawed characters. It’s also moving and has heart. This is the first book that I have read by this author but it won’t be the last. I highly recommend this novel.

Thomas and Mercer and Robert Bailey provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 01, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

This is one for fans of government conspiracy novels. While I put it down pretty early on, I'm sure others will enjoy it. Just not the right timing for me. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

Book Review: The Boomerang by Robert Bailey
Published by Thomas & Mercer, May 1, 2025
An Amazon First Reads for April, 2025

★★★★★ (4.5 Stars rounded up, Rave!)

Author Robert Bailey, creator of compelling legal thriller characters — Tom McMurtrie, Bocephus Haynes, Jason Rich, pens a riveting family suspense cliffhanger that spans the breadth of the continent from Alabama to New Mexico, from the Gulf Coast to the highest echelons of power in Washington, D.C..

// The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) //

January 20th, Presidential Inauguration Day.

Unbeknownst to the public, the president-elect is stricken with a terminal disease for which there is no cure. Even before he gets to deliver his inaugural speech, a high-ranking military official offers him a highly-classified remedy for his disease, on the condition that he keeps it hidden from the public.

Within months after taking the remedy, the president finds his disease in remission. The reason for the surreptitious concealment, he is told, is to save the American economy. In particular, the multi-billion dollar oncology care market, and, by inference, the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

The president sticks to the deal and keeps his promise, with the secret of the miraculous drug buried. Concealed even from his own Chief of Staff, his best friend and right hand man, close political ally and boyhood buddy from smalltown Alabama.

As fortune would have it, the Chief of Staff's own daughter is afflicted by a variation of the same incurable, terminal disease. He embarks on a desperate quest to find a remedy. A cure. Any cure.

He hears whispers about a possible remedy from a top Big Pharma lobbyist. Then, of a mysterious pill being peddled at Farmers Markets in the Destin, FL Gulf Shore area. Subsequently, of unexplained deaths and disappearances tied to the pill.

He and his family are suddenly beset with death threats. They find safe haven, ensconced in the mountains of New Mexico, home to his wife, under the aegis of "the Beast", a controversial land baron and major financial contributor to the president's run on the White House.

And thereupon, in the mountains of the "Land of Enchantment", the full power and might of the government is brought to bear...

. // "...Mato Nakai called it 'the boomerang' because it returned a person to their state of health before they had the disease..."
. - from "The Boomerang" by Robert Bailey //

------

"Eat. Pray. Walk." In the author's notes section at the end the enthralling 4th iteration of Robert Bailey's McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thriller series, "The Final Reckoning" (2019), a 5-Star read, the author discloses that "...he pour(ed) his heart, soul and spirituality..." into the book as a legacy to his Dad who died of lung cancer in 2017. His dad, who'd "...loved westerns and war movies, 'Shoot-'em-ups', as he liked to call them".

Hope springs eternal. Six years later, the tribute culminates in a capstone of love, as author Bailey crafts a riveting thriller expounding on a quest for that elusive, metaphorical elixir of life, thwarted by machinations and deception.

Which begs the question: Would such a cure ever be concealed by special interests and powers that be?

A Must-Read!

Review based on an Amazon First Reads selection for April, 2025, and advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.

The Boomerang is quick-paced with lots of action like other Robert Bailey books but this one delves deeper into bigger topics such as priorities (family vs work vs country) and ethics. The bigger topics set up a strong story complemented by the intense incidents and family drama. A good read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Since I have a bit of cancer and am taking a drug that costs $20,000 per month thanks to big Pharma, The Boomerang, immediately caught my attention, and kept me thinking throughout. Bestselling author, Robert Bailey, who is a favorite author and has written several series, has made readers wonder just how much the government can be trusted. In this novel, The newly elected president, Lionel Cantrell, has cancer and has been given a pill that totally cures him. His best friend, the protagonist, Eli James, who is Cantrell’s chief of staff, is the only one who knew of the cancer diagnosis. When James’ daughter, Bella, gets terminal cancer, James threatens the president and obtains the medication for his daughter, but the family must be on the run and are hidden in New Mexico by James’s wife’s friend who is a well-known criminal that the country wants to prosecute. A 4 star general insists that if the cure (called The Boomerang) is released to the public, it will mean that the country’s economy will collapse and Big Pharma will lose so much money that they will withhold any funding for the powerful politicians.

Bailey is a fantastic storyteller and adds twists and turns, as well as interesting and unexpected scenarios to the story. He actually makes it believable, especially since most of us don’t trust politicians and this secret is viable. Usually readers love the protagonist and want things to turn out well for him, but in this novel, James is a jerk, and fits the stereotype of politician, and he isn’t likeable at all. He does, however, seem like he could be a real person. The supporting characters are well-developed as is James, and most are as despicable as James. James’ wife, Dale and his daughter, Bella are likeable, however, as well as James’ mother, so there are some positive people in the novel.

This one will keep readers on the edge, and leave them wondering just how real the scenarios are in the real world and our government. The book is well-written, as is Bailey’s style, and is difficult to put down. There are a few scenarios that are unfeasible, but since this is fiction, it’s okay.

All told, Robert Bailey’s novels are excellent, and this one will not disappoint.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book