The President's Dossier

I almost added my nonfiction-scams tag to this one in addition to tagging it as a thriller, as the book is clearly based on the Steele Dossier. If you are not from the US, or do not follow US politics, the Steele Dossier (in this book, renamed the Ironside Dossier) reported on Russian involvement during the 2016 elections in the US, favoring the Republican candidate.

In The President's Dossier, Max Geller, who previously worked for the CIA in its Moscow station, has been fired from the Agency after he offers anything less than praise for recently elected President Ted Walldrum (which anagrams to Mr Lewd Adult, something I found amusing and fitting, given the real life person he's modeled on), dumped by one girlfriend only to take up with another who works so much they barely see one another, and even with his credentials is unable to find a new job three weeks after his dismissal. He wonders if the Agency is waving people away from him. This "Duh!" moment is one I will have repeatedly for Max throughout the book, even though he is supposedly a superspy.

One day, a man named Bowen appears at the bar where Max spends his afternoons, carrying a briefcase of money. He offers $10 million (USD) to Max to verify the content of (and thereby sources for) the Ironside Dossier, so named because of the British MI6 intelligence officer who put it together. As someone obviously not a fan of Walldrum, Max has no issues signing a contract - with a Panamanian entity Bowen represents, which should have been another flag for Max - and taking the job.

Max also receives a call from Rodney, his old boss at the CIA, who knows Bowen has been to see him (another red flag) and dangles some reward in front of him. He also gives Max some gear, including an identity and a satphone.

I was suspicious, and Max should have been as well. Max makes some calls to have other people get all sorts of arrangements done - travel, gear, surveillance, etc. In fact, he doesn't seem to do much work himself of any sort that is not either walking into a place under a forged identity, sometime lifting documents or thumb drives from people, sleeping with Jill Rucker, who Bowen assigned to Max as a cutout (i.e., someone between Bowen and whoever he represents and Max), or getting kidnapped and subsequently rescued by other members of his team. There are also operational failures that are unforgivable - Max gets other people killed because he fails to think things through. As just one instance, he doesn't even seem to consider for a moment that perhaps Ironside is under surveillance by the Russians.

After being kidnapped, rescued, then rescued again in the same chapter, and now being hunted by MI6 in addition to the Russians, Max and crew head to St. Petersburg (Russia), to verify some items in the dossier - specifically, the loans and money laundering, and what I refer to as the "peeing with prostitutes" thing, all of which are in the real Steele Dossier. There is a nice setup with lookalikes that allow Max and Jill to leave the cruise ship they were on and not reboard it, giving them a head start on Russian intelligence.

After some time and activities in St Petersburg, the action moves to Moscow, where they contact a group known as Omega, who are working toward a future where Putin is removed from office and the oligarchs prosecuted for looting the country. In one of those more fantastical scenes, Max and Rucker impersonate FSB officers, enter a bank where one of the Omegas works, and retrieve thumb drives from a worker there. But Max, having not entirely thought it out, is seen by a security guard. That leads to a shootout and various deaths, and they're now on the run again, chased by Zaluda on behalf of the Russian intelligence service.

One thing that had me scratching my head was just how easily Max and Rucker managed to move from country to country. At no point were they ever questioned about their identities, held up at Customs, or anything else. They either simply traveled as themselves, without facial altering, under forged identities, or impersonated (in one rather unbelievable instance) a man and woman who looked very much like them, who just happened to be part of a flight crew of a Russian plane leaving for Paris.

Every now and again, Max asks himself some questions: about the timing of his firing, and why, about his current girlfriend, about Bowen/Panama, about his old boss offering him the same job, and so on. Never does he actually delve into any of it, even though this entire job could at any point result in his death or the deaths of members of his team. He is suspicious of Bowen, and (finally) of Rucker, sending her to Mexico City, away from the rest of the team.

Panama was next on the list, where they verified, somewhat loosely, the loan/money laundering items by breaking in to the 13th floor of "Walldrum Tower Panama" and seeing that the floor was incomplete and showed no signs of any work in progress - even though the entire floor of condos had been purchased by Russians. Max is, once again, caught while snooping around and is rescued by another member of the team. It's in this portion of the book that the manner in which money is laundered via loans and real estate investing/purchases is explained fairly well by one of the characters to Max, in layman's terms - so, also, to the reader, since Max should presumably know at least the basics. There's a showdown between Max and Rucker, from whom he forces the truth, after she shows up very angrily in Panama City.

The whole gang then moves back to the US, their job complete: mirroring real life once more, they've verified the Ironside Dossier. Bowen says Max has not completed it, because the sources are not named. Max refuses to name them, pointing out that Bowen only contracted him to verify the details. It occurred very late to Max that maybe, just maybe, Bowen was working for the Russians, trying to get Max to name names attached to the items in the dossier, which would have resulted in a (longer) hitlist for the Russians.

There's more shooting, a showdown with Rodney, and then, of course, the nonsensical bureaucratic issues that plagued the real Steele Dossier. I won't give away the actual ending, to avoid spoilers, but it sets things up nicely for Max and his crew if they should go on other adventures that are very noisy and leave a trail of bodies everywhere.

The writing is fine, and the book speeds right along between different milieus - in fact, there's very little downtime that we actually see, versus hear about. There's also an annoying motif where this sort of thing happens:

Character: (says something in code)
Spyspeak: (explains what Character just said)
Character: (says something in code)
Spyspeak: (explains what Character just said)

We get it, spies speak in code, but it would have flowed better had Max just explained it once he got off the phone with whoever it was.

The beginning and end of this shadow reality: there is a dossier, it was adjudged to be predominantly true, and the conclusion was reached that the Russians did interfere with the 2016 US presidential election. The middle part is one account of how the investigation of its content could have gone, and despite the items that bugged me about Max and how some of the story was conveyed, I'd say it isn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours.

3.5 out of five stars, rounded down to three for the issues mentioned.

Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy.

The President's Dossier
by James A. Scott
Oceanview Publishing
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 07 Jul 2020 | Archive Date Not set

I am not familiar with this author but this book was a great read. I love mystery and thrillers but somewhere in the book, (possibly around chapter 20) all the plot twists just seemed excessive.
Thanks to Ocean View Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

3 star

Fired for bias against the U.S. president, ex-CIA Russia expert Max Geller gets a chance to redeem his reputation and make a fortune when he is hired to investigate the president’s incriminating ties to Moscow. Jill Rucker, an undercover CIA agent, is assigned to work with him—and she does—when she’s not pursuing her own conflicting goals.
This was a really interesting book and I am certainly hoping that Max Geller and his colleagues returns in subsequent adventures. The story line was certainly related to current circumstances related to the political situation in the USA.
Actually, some of the political intrigue and other nebulous undertakings by the various spy agencies were riveting. I’ve learned a lot more than I had previously had and the way things were presented were interesting and certainly plausible. I had always thought that Putin was the scariest leader on the planet and this does not change my view.
More importantly, the way things were explained read as very believable and the plot was very interesting as well. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. The dialogue was great. James Scott has certainly come up with a winner. If you like DeMille or Silva -- get this book. A solid 4.5 stars

This story was filled with well hashed out characters, and an intricate, well developed plot.
For the 1st 20 chapters I could not put the book down. Somewhere along the line the plot twists seemed unneccessary and excessive. UNTIL, suddenly the action picked up with the result of all the twists and the story sailed on to an explosive, interesting conclusion.

Thanks for the opportunity to review this novel.

Amazing spy thriller that got going from page one. James A Scott didn't waste any time with verbose background or unnecessary character development, he jumped straight into the story from the first chapter. I enjoyed getting to know Max Geller as the plot developed, he was a multi-dimensional, intelligent, super spy. I found myself constantly being surprised by the twists and turns of the story and genuinely enjoyed not figuring everything out until it actually unfolded. The parallels to current events and our own president were enjoyable and realistic. Scott did an amazing job of building a suspenseful, realistic, and thrilling spy story. Would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy spy thrillers and even to those with little experience reading them as it is just that good.

I dont seem to know how to post a picture of the cover of the book. In this case you are not missing much as its rather drab!

The story was not though.

Very fast paced and you have to be on your toes to see whether Max Geller is being pursued by M16 the CIA or the Russian Police or the Russian mafia, actually both.
The story moves very quickly between one location and the next and seems slightly fantastical to a layman but I suppose this is the way high treason/spying works!

Lots of betrayal, a President out for himself (money laundering in a huge manner) do you see the trend and a familiar figure peeking out! Very easy to relate to despite the quick work on the part of all parties involved.

Interesting read of this genre to have.

My first spy novel in a long time!

This book follows ex-CIA Agent Max Geller, who is trying to track down the President's Dossier. This Dossier holds details on the President's collusion with Russia and how he is in Putin's pocket (Sound familiar? Or maybe it's fake news).

I struggled to rate this book, I've given it 4 stars but probably sits better at 3.5 for me. I didn't really want to pick it up but it was exciting enough that I got it finished.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and OceanView Publishing for my copy!

*first published at Feathered Quill Book Reviews*

Kicked out of the CIA after somehow being framed by his girlfriend, Claudia, Agent Max Geller is looking for a new job. It all started with Claudia initiating an email exchange expressing Max’s negative bias towards the president. He’s now putting his best foot forward to possible future employers, but after the news of him dissing the POTUS has circulated, no one wants him on their side.

Three weeks later, a lawyer named Bill Bowen approaches Max while he’s having a drink at a bar. To say that Bowen’s got a big offer for him is an understatement. What he wants is for Max to verify the content and the sources of the infamous Ironside Dossier, in exchange for ten million dollars. This dossier is a set of incriminating evidence against Ted Walldrum, the winning Republican candidate for the next US election.

Bowen seems like the real deal as he provides everything Max might need for this dangerous operation. Immediately after this strange encounter, Rodney, his former boss at the CIA, calls him. Lo and behold, Rodney’s business invitation is not far from Bowen’s. Why is everyone after him and the dossier? Not that he’s complaining -- he needs the money. With the help of his long-time trusted friends and a surprise assistant from Bowen named Jill Rucker, he travels to England, Russia, Panama, and Switzerland to finish the job.

James A. Scott’s The President’s Dossier is a thrilling and chilling spy fiction. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and detail-oriented. The story is excruciatingly complex; it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s happening. There’s also an unsettling tension that leads to something bigger and scandalous. In the end, it’s a splendid thing to see how all these entanglements loosen up and satisfyingly play out.

The overall tone is serious and intellectual. Scott sure knows his craft and his unquestionable background becomes evident as he relays the story. There’s good representation and balance among the characters. This is not like most espionage thrillers where the stage is dominated by men. Here, there are bad-ass women too who are up for the job.

The President’s Dossier tells a game of power, authority, and stealth that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

This was a great book from start to finish.. it deals with some interesting issues that resonate well in 2020.
1. Controversial President elected in the U.S in 2016.
2. The new President is strongly connected to Putin, affairs with Soviet prostitutes, and laundering money for his personal gain.
3. “Fake news” gets mentioned frequently.
Needless to say, there are some interesting parallels to present day U.S. the main character, Max Geller is fired from the CIA for his critical emails regarding the President. Max is hired to pursue the truth regarding the many allegations regarding the President, that have been exposed by a “whistleblower “.

The book takes us to
London, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Panama, and Mexico City. There are no dull moments in this book, it held my interest throughout and seemed to get better as numerous twists unfolded. Additionally, the book is well written and never drifts from the many issues. I hope to read more from James Scott.

Max Geller is a former member of CIA Russia who wants to redeem his reputation and earn some cash, so he took on an assignment to investigate the president’s ties to Moscow. He was partnered with Jill Rucker, who also has her incongruous motives. This is a fast-moving and electrifying story that involves tons of betrayal between the characters. It felt real, and I almost forgot that I am reading fiction. I mean, a president that is engaged in money laundering? And a former CIA tasked to investigate, Intriguing and a bit familiar, doesn't it? Anyway, this story brings many historical and dangerous facts and an enjoyable read. Just keep in mind that these are all fictional characters and plot because it is easy to relate in real life.

The President’s Dossier. James A. Scott

Fans of Ludlum, Demille, and David Baldacci, stop looking for the next to spy author, he’s here. If you love those authors for their full on international espionage thrillers this book is going to be right up your street.

Max Geller is a former CIA agent that left the Company when emails, disparaging to the US President, were found on his works account. If that sounds strangely familiar then the rest of the intrigue around President Walldrum is going to sound really familiar.

Gellar is sought out by a Lawyer representing a group that wants to discredit the President. There are rumours that a dossier has been put together which carries information on how Walldum is in President Putins pocket, and that he had help getting into office.

The Dossier allegedly contains information on how Wulldrum laundered money, took illegal payments, used hookers for rough and humiliating sex, and shows his connections to Putin through the Oligarch network.

So it’s not surprising the Lawyer is offering big money and a no limits expense account.

Gellar puts together a small but efficient team and the hunt for confirmation of the information contained in the Dossiers starts.

Following the trail from America to the U.K, on to Europe and Russia, and back across the Atlantic, Geller goes full Jason Bourne. The story plot thickens as the body count mounts.

Everybody appears to want the information the team are uncovering, MI6, The CIA and the FBI, Oligarchs, and The Russian Security Services are all after Max and his team, and none of them are friendly.

Nobody can be trusted. Even Max’s closest allies in his team come under suspicion as the various agencies get way too close to Max

This book races around the world at a frantic rate, and had me turning the pages at the same speed.

It’s a real throwback to the spy stories that were popular in the 70’s and 80’, and I loved those books.

I mentioned a few authors at the start of this review and James A. Scott will sit comfortably amongst that group with this book.

If, like me, you’ve been waiting for a book like this, don’t plan on doing anything once you’ve started it, because you won’t put it down till you’ve finished it.

It’s an absolute stunner of a read and hopefully the first of many

Pages: 320

The President's Dossier is an action-filled tale revolving around suggestions of Russian influence on an American president. I enjoyed the story, reading it almost straight through. But, in my opinion, author James A. Scott didn't know when to quit He kept adding dangerous situations and deception until it became less thrilling. Not that I don't recommend it, but be prepared to wait a while before things wrap up.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

What a Story! President Walldrum may be the President of of the United States, it does not prevent him from heading a money laundering business through his high-rise buildings and hotels, Supported by Putin who is using him like a puppet on the North and South Korea political and nuclear battle, Walldrum has no idea what is exactly going on. Max Enger, former CIA agent is hired for a big amount of money to discover Putin's machiavellian plan. James A. Scott keeps us on the edge of our seat. Is it fiction or reality? There are many reasons to believe that even if Max Enger is a fictional character, what happens to him is real. This is a great book.

Another example of the current trend to throw dirt at the American President, real or fictional, and this one is a spy novel with a good enough basic plot. The problem is the lack of suspense, as the story is written in a boring and even tone, like just following a procedure.

The story about Max Geller who was fired from the CIA is now being hired to prove the dossier on the president. He gets a crew together to help him with the assignment. The story will take him all over Europe, Russia and Panama to prove there was money laundering and bad behavior involving the president. Who wants the info to come out and who is trying to hide the info Max and his team with find. This is a work of fiction and has to be read with that in mind.

I received this book through NetGalley's program.

This story begins with Max thinking about his life since he was fired from the CIA. He meets an individual who hires him to look into verifying a dossier that paints the President in a bad light. He is looking for verification that the dossier was correct. In taking on this assignment, Max establishes a team which will work with him. In addition, he is forced to work with a person who is representing his employer. His assignment takes him to London 1st where he winds up in a dangerous situation. After gathering what facts he could he then goes to Russia, Panama and Switzerland to present his findings so that he can receive the funds he is due.

Things do not work out the way he expected and he has to take other measures. To find out what dangerous situations he runs into, who the makeup of his team is, who the individual representing his employer is, then you must read this book. You won't be disappointed.