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

Good suspenseful read! Although the plot is out there, it's too believable in some parts that this could happen. I enjoyed the interaction with all of the different government employees. Dale's family didn't fit with the rest of the characters but I loved them when we got to know them. And Foncie was awesome.

Thank you for the ARC!

I read “Rich Blood” by Robert Bailey many months back and liked the story. I somehow did not read the other books in the series. The plot of this one looked interesting, and it certainly was!

A brief background is provided on Eli and Lionel being friends in college in Alabama. In the present time, Lionel has won the presidential election. He appoints Eli as his Chief of Staff. Lionel has stage 4 colon cancer and is unlikely to complete his term unless there is an unexpected remission. Lionel has told Eli but not his family. There are people in the Department of Defence who know, and are worried about the consequence. Vice President Yancy would make a weak President. The Department of Defence tells Lionel about a secret medical initiative they have been running called “Project Boomerang” and that could provide him some hope. Eli is in a troubled marriage with wife Dale. They are shocked though when they find that their daughter Bella is diagnosed with lung cancer. Eli is desperate and his probes lead to “Project Boomerang”. While cancer is a disease which causes much suffering for patients and families, oncology is still big business. There is also Nester Sanchez, who has illegal dealings but is very influential in New Mexico. He has provided funds for Lionel’s election and expects favours.

Quite a few aspects of the plot are over the top. The story does bring out very well the pain and suffering cancer patients and families go through. Several decades later, it still remains a dreaded disease. There is also the influence of Big Pharma and how politics has its way, and the plot weaves that in well. It is fast paced and entertaining and I liked the overall storyline and ending.

My rating: 3.75 / 5.

I love Robert Bailey's books and was very excited for his latest addition. This is a little bit different for him. It isn't set in Alabama like most of his books but it does start in Alabama. Two young friends have big plans to grow up and run for President. Flash forward one wins elections and the other is his chief of staff. Things are looking great for them. They are riding high. Nothing can stop them. Except cancer. The president learns his cancer has returned. He tells no one but his best friend. Then one day he is given Pandora's box. You take this pill and your cancer will disappear. But you can't tell anyone. So the government has a cure for cancer but will not let the American people know because it will bankrupt Big Pharma. How can they keep this a secret. It is a sit on the edge of your seat ride. it will almost make you not want to trust the government again.

What a terrifying, heart wrenching , superbly well written story that
we must hope will never come to fruition, no matter how the story
might play out, no matter the characters or circumstances. Why?’
Because we must never let huge corporations or criminal enterprise
play any part, in providing care in our society. The story is well
played from beginning to end, and is guaranteed to leave each
reader with heavy thoughts, albeit peppered with gratitude
of what we would all hope for, even if it does not exist.
This will be the book in 2025. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer
Publishing for the download copy of this book for review purposes.

Two young friends make a pact to be spur each other on to success. Turns out, they make it to the top. Lionel had been elected as POTUS and Eli is Chief of Staff. As it turns out, there are more important things in life than power and perceived success. Eli and Lionel risk it all to take care of family. I'm being vague on purpose because I don't want you to know a thing about this book. Just read it!

A pharmacologist discovers the cure for cancer and begins selling it at farmers' markets in different states along the Gulf coast. When the U.S. government finds out, the pharmacologist and the cure disappear…until the new President has a recurrence of colon cancer and the powers-at-be can’t risk his undesirable Vice President ascending to the presidency in the event of the President’s death. The President has only told his best friend, who also serves as his Chief of Staff, about the recurrence and both keep the secret…until the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff finds out and offers this cure to the President under demand of absolute secrecy.

The cure is called The Boomerang, and it has been hidden away as a matter of national security. Only two other people in the government know of its existence. After a few weeks of treatment, the President feels better than ever and his scans show that his cancer is gone. In the meantime, his Chief of Staff gets the devastating news that his only child, the President’s goddaughter, has terminal lung cancer and thus begins the moral dilemma and power struggle of this story. The Chief of Staff begins asking questions of the President’s improving health, leading him to uncover the secrets that the powerful few have worked so hard to conceal.

The Boomerang is a suspenseful drama that deftly explores the corruption in government, campaign finance, big pharma, and the healthcare industry as a whole, and illustrates how the greater good often falls victim to those seeking more power, money, and influence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have read most of the works of Robert Bailey and love a good legal thriller. This one fit that bill. This is a "what if" scenario, that could have been taken from the medical headlines. What if a cancer cure exists? What lengths will be taken to keep it hidden and at what true cost? The economic ramifications of the cure are the heart of the issue. The drug project is called the Boomerang and the storyline involves the newly elected President of the United States and his chief of staff. The story keeps you reading and guessing to find out how it all plays out. Excellent read. Thanks for the ARC.

“The Boomerang” by Robert Bailey is an exceptional thriller about our governments interference with getting life saving drugs out to the general public.
The President of the United States has a reoccurrence of life threatening cancer right after he is elected and no one knows except his best friend and Chief of Staff. At the same time, the Chief of Staffs 17 year old daughter is diagnosed with terminal stage 4 lung cancer and realizes the President is healthy! What is he taking and how is it possible? Is there a secret the President is keeping worth billions of dollars and millions of lives? An epic novel that has you emotionally involved with a political conspiracy and a desperate father risking everything to save his daughter. The tension filled thriller kept me on the edge of my seat reading way into the wee hours of the night. I highly recommend this book as it will touch everyone who has been through a cancer journey themselves or with someone they love.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Awesome book. I loved the Jason Rich books and this was a different one that has a really unique plot alongside a political thriller. Really unique plot and great writing.

Who decides what is the greater good? The President of the United States is given a pill that cures his cancer, but that pill is officially a national secret bacause its release would upset the economy of the health/pharmaceutical industry. The President's Chief of Staff needs the pill for his daughter. To what lengths will he go to secure it? The author has created an exciting thriller mixing espionage, family, alliances, chases, murders, medicine, politics, history, and more in a novel that really engages the reader. Truly a heartfelt read!

Having read several previous legal thrillers written by Robert Bailey, I was totally unprepared for this novel. The basic theme of the novel is cancer and how the country’s politics plays a significant role in the development of a cure. The writing is intense and, once started, this reader found it impossible to put this book down. It is also impossible to read this book without a lump in your throat and an occasional tear running down your face. The depiction of the characters is excellent—- some you will find yourself rooting for and others are downright despicable.
This book is highly recommended for all (not just devotees of mystery thrillers) and I thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Robert Bailey has long been one of my favourite authors given his absolute command of the legal thriller genre. I do not know for sure but suspect that in the UK he remains an undiscovered gem.

That must surely change with the publication of The Boomerang which will surely elevate him into the top echelon of thriller writers where he surely belongs to be.

This is a complete departure for Bailey as it is a riveting political conspiracy thriller and stand-alone which enthrals and engrosses all the way through. The plot is complex and very topical and emotive and the action is relentless. The characters too are well developed and credible.

All in all this is certainly one of the best thrillers I have read this year and is a certain best seller.

This is a must read!

I received an ARC of this suspense novel, written by one of my favorite authors, through NetGalley.

I have read six of this author's previous novels, and given 5-star ratings to some of them. The Boomerang is about a government conspiracy to withhold a cure for cancer (called The Boomerang) in order to protect Big Pharma and the multi-billion dollar oncology industry. This premise seems a little farfetched, but maybe not in today's crazy world.

The main character is the Chief of Staff to the President of the United States. He is aware of The Boomerang, because it was used to cure POTUS's own case of cancer. When the Chief of Staff's teenage daughter is stricken with cancer, the father goes on a mission to save her life by getting her The Boomerang, which the government won't give to him even though he is the right hand man to POTUS.

The story evolves into a thriller at this point. Will the daughter get The Boomerang? How hard is the government determined to keep The Boomerang a secret, available to no one? What means will the father use to save his daughter's life?

Well-written, suspenseful and well-paced.

How far would you go if your only daughter had cancer and you could get your hands on the pills that would cure her? Eli James is the newly elected president's chief of staff. When the newly elected president, who has terminal cancer, is now healthy, Eli knows he has to get his hands on that medicine for his daughter. Eli will do anything to get it; even if it means blackmailing his best friend to get it. The secret the US government is keeping is worth billions of dollars and millions of lives. It all comes down to an epic showdown between a corrupt government and a desperate citizen willing to risk everything to save his daughter. Robert Bailey has done it again! He has written a book that I couldn't put down. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I highly recommend it.

The Boomerang by new to me author R. Bailey, published by Thomas & Mercer is a fast paced, drama laden and action packed thriller of its finest. The story managed to grip me , kept me in suspense, had me on the edge of my seat right from the start till the very last page, the very unexpected end.
A masterpiece that will stay with me, I just knnow it.
Blurb: The president of the United States has cancer. Chief of Staff Eli James, his faithful consigliere and best friend, is one of the few who know. But just as the president’s condition mysteriously improves, Eli’s hit with another his daughter has cancer too.
Bent on helping her, Eli turns to Big Pharma’s top lobbyist for advice, but their encounter yields more questions than answers. As he races along a twisted trail to the truth, he stumbles upon a devastating cover-up worth billions of dollars—and millions of lives.
Armed with this dangerous secret, Eli goes rogue, fleeing with his family out west. To keep them safe, he forms an uneasy alliance with land baron Nester Sanchez, known for his ruthless power tactics. An epic showdown brews, and it’s the state versus one desperate citizen, willing to risk everything to save his daughter. Can Eli broker a truce with his once allies?