This week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers features a cross pollination in a sense, with a novelist cowriting a compelling work of nonfiction, and a nonfiction writer cowriting a novel. Among the nonfiction works, there is a deep dive into the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and another describing the life of a special forces warrior both during and after combat. Additionally, there is an examination of the 2022 grisly murders of four female University of Idaho students, and a look at the use of political power — for good or evil. The fiction offering is a legal thriller, co-authored by one who’s been there.
“Blowback: The Untold Story of the FBI and the Oklahoma City Bombing,” by Margaret Roberts (Bombardier Books)
This tells the untold story of the deadliest domestic terror attack in U.S. history, which occurred 30 years ago in downtown Oklahoma City, the center of America’s heartland. History tells us that the massive bomb targeting the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people, including 15 children in their daycare center, was the work of a lone-wolf terrorist — Timothy McVeigh, a 26-year-old Gulf War Army veteran. But history sometimes gets things wrong. Twenty-four eyewitnesses claimed there was a second man who rode with McVeigh in the truck carrying the bomb, but the FBI investigators said all 24 must have been mistake and called off the manhunt for “John Doe 2.” This didn’t smell right to the author, an award-winning journalist, so she dug deeper, and “Blowback” is the result of her digging. “I ordered Margaret Robert’s ‘Blowback’ after listening to her give a compelling overview of the book on the Tucker Carlson podcast,” wrote Kimberly Riva for Amazon. “Roberts is a skilled writer and despite her work being one of investigative nonfiction, she has managed to write a gripping account of the largest domestic act of terrorism in United States history that reads like a surreal novel.” [Nonfiction]
“Forged in Chaos: A Warrior’s Origin Story,” by Tyler Grey and Lauren Ungeldi (Knox Press)
This is not just another book describing the exploits of a former special forces operator — in this case a Delta Force ranger. Instead, Tyler Grey presents his life and his struggles as a former special warrior — struggles to battle addiction and other self-destructive behavior. During his 10 years with Delta Force, he hunted the worst of the worst — high-value targets that included bomb makers and warlords when executing covert missions that never made the news. But a house explosion that accompanied his final raid changed him forever. “Being a warrior is a choice — one that reshapes how you see the world,” wrote Patrick Van Horne, retired U.S. Marine captain and co-author of “Left of Bang.” “The path is demanding, the rewards hard-earned, and once you take the first step, you never look back. This book tells that story — from one who has walked it, understands its highs and lows, and offers a path to fight the war within.” [Nonfiction]
“The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy,” by James Patterson and Vicky Ward (Little, Brown and Company)
Bestselling novelist James Patterson switches to nonfiction and teams up with prize-winning journalist Vicky Ward to take a deep dive into the mystery of “The Idaho Four,” the 2022 targeted and gruesome murder of four University of Idaho coeds. After hundreds of interviews, the authors explain what the FBI and local law enforcement did right, and what they did wrong, while developing their case against Bryan Kohberger, who recently accepted a plea deal. “A mesmerizing read and a great detective story, yet sadly all true,” wrote The Guardian in its review. “With their book, ‘The Idaho Four,’ James Patterson and Vicky Ward have written perhaps the definitive account of the murders – a disturbing, necessary portrait of a killer and his victims.” [Nonfiction]
“On Power,” by Mark R. Levin (Threshold Editions)
Author, TV and talk radio host Mark “The Great One” Levin submits that, from the time of the earliest civilizations to the present day, power has been wielded to both oppress and liberate, to reward and exploit, and to destroy and build. In the earliest civilizations, those headed by monarchs and dictators, power was used to oppress. But all that changed in 1789 when America’s Founders framed the U.S. Constitution and gave power to the citizens — to “We The People.” As a result, the people were now the masters, and the government was the servant. “’On Power’ is a great book,” said The Washington Times in its review. “I urge you to buy it, read it, digest it and debate it. You will be better for having read it, as I now am.” [Nonfiction]
“The Color of Death,” by Trey Gowdy & Christopher Greyson (Harper Influence)
Former Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., takes a break from writing bestselling nonfiction works to try his hand at penning a novel. He uses his prosecutorial experience to present this tale of South Carolina Assistant District Attorney Colm Truesdale, following the death of his wife and daughter. When he returns to work after a bereavement leave, Truesdale’s assigned an investigation into the murder of a young woman who operated a beauty salon. Colm must untangle the web of deception that implicates a local judge and his family when first, a page from the victim’s appointment book goes missing, then the murder scene is destroyed by a fire. “Trey Gowdy has hit another home run — this time it wasn’t in the justice system. It was about the justice system,” wrote Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC. “He weaves a gripping story of loss, grief, doubt, and ultimately, light. I don’t know anyone who knows the courtroom better than Trey, and this book puts us inside the minds of prosecutors, cops, victims, and even the defendants. If you pick up this book, be warned: you won’t be able to put it down.” [Fiction]
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