The Boomerang by Robert Bailey is a fast-paced, thrilling story filled with so many secrets.

Will Eli save Bella's life or end up with his whole family dead?

Eli James is the right-hand man to the newest president of the United States. However, at first, Eli doesn't come across as all that honorable or even a good guy. He is a typical politician who cheats, lies, and does whatever he can to ensure the outcome he wants. Then, when he thinks he has attained his goals and his friend is sworn in as president, his wife asks for a divorce, followed by his daughter's diagnosis with cancer.

This is when we see the true man that Eli is. He talks to everyone he knows and finds these hidden secrets that there is a cure for cancer, but the United States government has kept it from the people for monetary and political reasons. We wouldn't want to upset big Pharma, now would we? The author goes over the reasons why a section of the government would make that call. The reasons are legitimate but seriously not honest, honorable, or ethical. Anyway, back to Eli. He steps up for his family and finds the truth and the cure. Eli puts himself in trouble and takes responsibility, but also puts his whole family in trouble with the government.

Once he puts his family in jeopardy, he has to fall back on his wife's unsavory family to keep them all safe. This starts an issue inside the Oval Office, the FBI, and the Pentagon, leading back to the James family and the kingpin protecting them. The story is compelling and really made me think about the greater good. Which, honestly, the whole premise of a greater good usually means that someone else is cashing in. You would think honesty would trump monetary gain, but that is rarely true. Also, sometimes the one who looks the dirtiest is often the most honest.

Four Stars
My rating for The Boomerang by Robert Bailey is four stars. I truly enjoyed the story, even the ending, and I recommend it to all political thriller readers.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Boomerang by Robert Bailey.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

The Boomerang by Robert Bailey

What motivates people, businesses, religions, and governments? Is it based on self-interest or concern for others? When does self or the love of one other become more important than the welfare of all? I asked myself some of these questions as I read this book and hoped that I would be more like Mato, or even Nester, than like Raymond and his group.

What I liked:
* That it made me think…what if?
* The focus on the current issue of health care, its cost, and the inequality of care availability
* That though most of the characters were flawed and not easy to admire, some still had redeeming qualities that led them to do heroic acts
* Being able to admire some of the characters even though they had done reprehensible things
* Thinking about what motivated the ones holding tightly to “boomerang” and in contrast, what was required of those working to access “boomerang”
* That the story was crafted in a way that I could see it unfolding like a movie playing before me
* That it allowed me to feel with the characters whether fighting for their lives or exulting in good than happened
* Being able to dislike and wish evil karma on more than one character in the book
* The plot, pacing, setting and writing
* It took me awhile to get into the flow of the story but once hooked, couldn’t put it down
* The friendships between Eli & Lionel and between Nester & Dale
* That even though a husband and wife or two had either divorced or grown apart, they still managed to come together to work on a common cause
* The twist at the end
* That there was hope on the last page and wondering what will happen in the future of many of the characters – and wondering if some of the characters might show up in later books

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the team in charge of boomerang, their warped viewpoint, and what they did to protect something that should have been made available to all

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

The Boomerang is a gripping political thriller that blends high-stakes action with deep emotional resonance. Eli James, the president's Chief of Staff, discovers a devastating secret that propels him into a desperate fight to save his daughter. The narrative is fast-paced and filled with moral dilemmas, making it a compelling read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy.

Editor's note: This roundup is scheduled to publish in Georgia June 11 online and June 14 print in several newspapers. Will also publish in Mississippi and Alabama during the month in newspapers and magazines, timing up to local editors. Link below will be active June 11.

From new series starters (Michael Connelly’s “Nightshade”) to the tried-and-true (Kendra Elliot’s “Her First Mistake”) our beach bag is already overflowing, and what we offer here are just a few — OK, actually 25 — of the best beach reads published through the end of June. Later this season we’ll round out the list, but for now, find an old favorite, a debut thriller or just about anything in between — including a North Alabama favorite who you just might see dining at a Cullman restaurant.

“Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man” (Berkley) by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A lovable Chinese tea shop owner stumbles upon a distressed, young woman — and a murder, the investigation of which she decides to serve up herself. With lots of tea and nosy charm, Vera tackles the project unasked as a “favor” to her (hoped for) future daughter-in-law. Sutanto mixes cozy mystery with smart humor and heartfelt moments.

“When She Was Gone” (Blackstone Publishing) by Sara Foster: When a young nanny working for one of Perth’s wealthiest families disappears, a tense investigation unravels the secrets of a seemingly perfect family, forcing everyone to confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. Foster delivers a taut, emotionally resonant thriller that lingers. And as expected from Blackstone Publishing, the story itself is packaged beautifully with subtle and tactile cover art: Buy the hardcover of this one.

“Follow Me” (Thomas & Mercer) by Elizabeth Rose Quinn: An eerie digital breadcrumb trail leads a tech-savvy woman into a web of deception and danger. Quinn crafts a smart, suspenseful mystery that taps into our modern fears of surveillance and online identity. “Heathers” meets “The Stepford Wives” in this tale of twin sisters.

“The Book That Held Her Heart” (Ace) by Mark Lawrence: In this final chapter of The Library Trilogy, a mysterious book bridges love, loss and literary magic in a haunting story that defies time and tests the bond between Livira and Evar — one that has never been more taut. Lawrence blends fantasy and emotion in this lyrical, genre-bending tale.

“The Great Pyramids: Collected Stories” (Arcade Publishing) by Frederick Barthelme: This sharp, wry collection captures small-town oddities, human longing and ironic twists with Barthelme’s signature minimalist flair. A masterclass in short fiction that’s both grounded and subtly surreal.

“The Boomerang” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Bailey: Big Pharma is on trial as Eli James, chief of staff to the president, attempts to rescue his daughter from a cancer diagnosis while simultaneously stumbling upon a cover up that could affect millions of lives — and more importantly to the bad guys, billions of dollars. Bailey keeps the thrills high and the emotional stakes higher. He also lives with his family in Huntsville — and has been know to visit Cullman County now and then. Let him know what you think of his latest if you see him around town.

“A Thousand Natural Shocks” (Blackstone Publishing) by Omar Hussain: A reporter fleeing his past while investigating a serial killer becomes entangled in a cult that promises a pill to erase his memory. The story turns to a test of time as dark secrets about the cult and the serial killer surface in an attempt to reconcile everything he’s learned with his past — before his memories evaporate.

“My Friends” (Atria Books) by Fredrik Backman: Backman returns with a moving meditation on friendship, aging, the quiet heroism of everyday people and a famous painting picturing an isolated moment of time of three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier. Tender, funny and unmistakably human, this is Backman’s most eloquent and lyrical story to date about how lives intersect in unknowable and unpredictable ways. An engaging read from the author of “A Man Called Ove.”

“The Language of the Birds” (Ballantine) by K.A. Merson: Arizona is no average teenager and when she finds a cryptic ransom note, she sets out to solve the riddles — and save her mother. Unwittingly, she becomes entangled in a worldwide treasure hunt that involves a centuries-old secret her father took to his grave. A quirky, surprising story soars in an introspective mystery.

“The Eternal Warrior” (Blackstone Publishing) by Ari Marmell: An immortal fighter who defies even death — an Eternal Warrior — is caught in a conflict that spans centuries, grappling with his past sins and the future of humanity in an attempt to reclaim everything that has slipped from his personal history. Marmell delivers epic fantasy with grit, heart and unrelenting pace.

“Nightshade” (Little, Brown and Company) by Michael Connelly: Done with Bosch and Ballard, at least for now, Connelly’s new series starter centers on another one-name detective, Stilwell. Due to department politics, the Los Angeles County sheriff detective has been exiled to a low-level post on Catalina Island, where he promptly begins to ruffle local feathers as he unearths secrets the natives would rather keep to themselves. Hopefully Connelly’s flair for backstory and depth will surface in future offerings, but for now, our first meeting with Stilwell offers a familiar, fun summer read.

“Kaua’i Storm” (Thomas & Mercer) by Tori Eldridge: In the lush Hawaiian landscape, a repatriated national park ranger uncovers a mystery surrounding the disappearance of her two cousins. Unfortunately for her, it’s a mystery and investigation that neither the family, the locals nor the police truly want exposed. Eldridge blends action and cultural depth in a uniquely tropical thriller.

“Rockets’ Red Glare” (Blackstone Publishing) by William Webster and Dick Lochte: A high-octane political thriller unfolds against the backdrop of a potentially explosive Fourth of July. Lochte’s sharp storytelling and fast pacing make for a perfect July 4 holiday page-turner. The book is the first in a series with Tribal Police Deputy Sage Mendiluze. Reacher and Pickett fans will find common ground here.

“Written on the Dark” (Ace) by Guy Gavriel Kay: Kay returns with an evocative, elegant historical fantasy set in a world where poetry, memory and fate collide. Centering on a tavern poet who must cater to both rogues and courtiers, Thierry Villar must also navigate churning political waters in a game of assassins and armies. Richly imagined and beautifully told storytelling.

“A Dead Draw” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Dugoni: In book 11 of the Tracy Crosswhite series, a pair of cold cases stir ties to the murder of Tracy’s sister in the form of suspect Erik Schmidt. When Schmidt is freed due to an investigative error, the lives of her friends and family are under direct threat. Schmidt is a master of taunt and tease as he draws Tracy deeper into his dark world. Wonderful character building in this story and the sensitive drawing of Lydia, a young woman on the spectrum whose mannerisms echo those of Tracy’s murdered sister, is exceptionally done. One of Dugoni’s best works, the author brings in just enough backstory to both start the series here, and reward long-time readers with vintage Crosswhite.

“The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club” (Ballantine Books) by Martha Hall Kelly: In a story told through dual timelines, Kelly’s narrative is a personal ode to her mother’s heritage. Involving a contemporary mystery, set at Martha’s Vineyard, whose only answers will come from the past, the story taps a wartime romance set in 1942 — and a beach read written for today. Kelly is touring extensively for this book through the end of July. Meet up with her at marthahallkelly.com/events/.

“The Turn” (Blackstone Publishing) by Christopher Ransom: An heirloom, of sorts, following his father’s death sends Casey Sweet into his dad’s past — and a current country club where Casey might just have met the long-lost son he never knew he had. Written in the tradition of “Caddyshack,” Ransom’s new novel is an engaging summer break.

“The Afterlife Project” (Podium Publishing) by Tim Weed: Humanity is facing extinction. A group of scientists with the capability to send a test subject 10,000 years into the future. One of the last women on Earth capable of getting pregnant. All of this portends that the survival of humankind is at stake in a futuristic setting evoking the ills of today.

“It Takes a Psychic” (Berkley) by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle: A psychic investigator — actually, a para-archeologist — with a flair for romance and the paranormal dives into a case filled with danger and sizzling chemistry. Castle delivers her signature mix of mystery charm in a story centering on a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. “It Takes a Psychic” is No. 18 in Castle’s A Harmony Novel series.

“The Ghostwriter” (Sourcebooks Landmark) by Julie Clark: An author’s past returns to haunt her in the form of a ghostwriting project undertaken for her estranged father. When the project turns out to be just another one of dad’s lies, writer Olivia Dumont is forced to confront her relationship with her father … and a web of family secrets.

“Stop All the Clocks” (Arcade) by Noah Kumin: Kumin’s debut is a meditative, poetic novel about time, grief and the modern-life moments that define us … in ones and zeroes. The death of a colleague and the collapse of her AI company send Mona Veigh’s life in directions not determined by any algorithm.

“Plays Well with Others” (Blackstone Publishing) by Lauren Myracle: A bout of social media betrayal forces Jake Nolan from her job, house and husband and into a receptive bungalow on Sweetwater Lane. There, she befriends those just like herself — people itching to act on entrenched thoughts of retaliation.

“Her First Mistake” (Montlake) by Kendra Elliot: Elliot has written nearly two dozen thrillers set in her home state of Oregon and this latest offering features a minor character from the Columbia River novels: Here, Deschutes County sheriff’s detective Noelle Marshall gets her own origin story. A cold case murder mystery, this is the tale that explains what happened to Marshall to make her the detective she is today, or at least what she becomes in later storylines. A fulfilling storyline delivers much more than backstory in a captivating summer read.

“Jill Is Not Happy” (Scarlet) by Kaira Rouda: In this darkly comic tale, Jill and Jack live an enviable life in South California and, as recent empty-nesters, an unbearable marriage. A road trip “to reconnect” is really a cat-and-mouse game unknown to each other as they unwittingly match their cunning to pull one in … and push the other over, the more-than-metaphorical ledge.

“The Farm House” (Poisoned Pen Press) by Chelsea Conradt: Looking for a fresh start after her mother dies, Emily Hauk and her husband depart for a farm in rural Nebraska. Learning nothing from centuries of thrillers (“The Amityville Horror,” anyone?), they should have asked why the asking price was so low. Unknown to them, everyone who has ever lived on this farm has died. The lure of the soil is compelling, though, as Emily digs into the mystery enveloping her new home.

Reach book reviewer Tom Mayer at tmayer@rn-t.com or tmayer132435@gmail.com.

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I’ve read almost everything Mr. Bailey’s written, political thriller was a new genre and it was fantastic. The plot kept me at the edge of my seat and reading far too late at night. The scenario was entirely too plausible not to make me shudder. Power in politics is a dangerous thing. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for nonstop, hold your breath suspense and a dramatic emotional ride. What would you do in these circumstances is the question I kept pondering. Thanks so much to Thomas & Mercer (via NetGalley) for providing the Advance Reader Copy of “The Boomerang” by Robert Bailey, published 05/13/2025. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

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