The Boomerang

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.