Steve Alten The Shell Game

The Shell Game

Steve Alten

Cedar Fort, Jan 2008, $26.95

ISBN: 9781599550947

In 2012, "centrist conservative" David McKuin is the President of the United States. However, much of the secretive centralize controls gained after 9/11 are gone following the excesses of his predecessor President Bush. Thus they cannot do what they feel is needed to keep Americans safe; take out Iran and its radical fundamentalist leadership and insure reelection of an at war president.

However, some of his Neocon advisors believe a 9/11 sting needs to occur so once again they can centralize power and provide security to the American people. They concoct a plan to have the Feds nuke an American city and hold Iran culpable. Energy guru Ace Futrell wants to know who killed his wife as he thinks it was government agents. He soon uncovers the scheme to use a nuclear strike to attack Iran and to strengthen their power; he plans to expose this horrific American tragedy.

Except for those who believe President Bush directed the 9/11 attack, this thriller is over the stratosphere of plausibility; sinister Feds planning to nuke an American city and believing they can not only hide the attack but blame Iran seems unreal in spite of some recent slam dunk CIA revelations. Still conspiracy buffs will appreciate the exciting action-packed thriller especially those on the extreme right as Hilary was the latest Democrat to lose to a sound bite conservative while the Middle East country building contingent find neo con work with reengineering Iran starting with blowing up an American city.

Harriet Klausner