Honorable Profession

Excellent novel that blends so many timely topics during a race for the presidential nominations. When a secret service agent resigns, he finds time to spend with his politically-active daughter. Backing a dark horse candidate seems like a no-win situation, but the reader gains insight into the highs and lows of political campaigns.

Honorable Profession is an interesting novel about a former Secret Service agent and his daughter as they follow a longshot presidential candidate.

I have always been interested in American politics and I love tv-shows like West Wing and books in the political thriller genre. My expectation on this was high but it's not a political thriller, it's more like the West Wing. There is no suspense but the story is so well-written and interesting so despite the lack of thrilling elements I really enjoyed it. It's obvious that Andy Kutler knows Washington and politics from the inside out and that makes this an interesting read.

Thanks to the author, Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

Honorable Profession is an interesting story about politics in America several years from now. Dan Cahill, a Secret Service agent, makes some missteps while in Washington. Forced to relocate to Vegas as punishment from a Senator who is a rising star, for speaking up in a subcommittee hearing.

Dan, by no means is a perfect man, but he does believe in knowing the difference between right and wrong. After being sent to Vegas he is answering a call in a popular hotel involving men from Cypress claiming diplomatic immunity after beating a 14 year old girl. Dan and his team arrest them men, but they are released and put on a plane with their passports, leaving the young girl and her family to deal with the trauma. Dan calls a member of the press to be "an unidentified source" and lays out the story which then gets published. Again he gets called to Washington to take the heat for his actions. They offer him a deal, but he resigns from his position.

Dan is working on building his relationship with his college age daughter. She asks him to go to an event at the college. While at the event which was supposed to be listening to a professor, it quickly turns into a recruitment for Professor Becker to run for the office of the President of the US.

The professor is a wonderful man who inspires his students to become involved in politics for all the right reasons. He steadfastly stands by his convictions to not change his platform to get elected. His team of supporters stand by him every step of the way. Dan gets roped into being the driver and takes the stance of "not involved" but quickly becomes an admirer of the professor and a friend despite repeatedly saying he has no friends.

This is a wonderful story about people doing what they believe what's best for everyone and those who do not. There are a couple sentences that stand out and made me think. One that give me pause "All of us stumble from time to time, and all of us have regrets." This is so true and as we read the story maybe we will be less judgmental in the future.

This is the book I have been looking to read for years. I have to admit I am a complete politics geek, British, American, I don't care and I have been looking for a novel which deals with issues such as those raised in this book.

I have always found it difficult to find books which are truly about politics, the process, the people, the issues and I have found it here.

If you are not a politics fan like me, it's possible the book may not be for you however the story is enjoyable to follow even for those with just a passing interest in the political system.

Dan is a retired secret service agent who left the service under something of a cloud. He uses this time to reconnect with his daughter Megan who is a university student under the guidance of a charismatic lecturer, Walter.

Whilst they are interested in local political issues affecting the university, they suddenly make the unexpected decision to have Walter run for president.

This isn't a fantastical novel but ground in realism about the American political system and how it has changed in a post-Trump world, how politics has become more divisive, more threatening and more removed from the traditional political systems.

Be prepared for a lot of acronyms, a few deputy under secretaries of different government agencies and a lot of political chatter.... but also be prepared for a character drived examination of those who choose to enter politics and why.

An excellent read and a massive thanks to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.