Outage

by

Mike Trigg

An exciting domestic and psychological thriller about betrayal and geopolitical greed.

Outage by Mike Trigg is a mesmerizing tale of domestic suspense, geopolitical greed, and world domination via a scheme involving flawed computer chips. The action and suspense are non-stop, and the threats the Farrell family faces seem all too genuine and plausible in today's reality. I couldn't put this book down; I was so wrapped up in the drama! 

Rachel Farrell is ending her workday with a client when their Zoom meeting freezes and drops, and all internet access and cellphone service suddenly disappear. Her teenage children, Derek and Austin, both more tech-savvy than she is, are initially baffled by what is happening and quite put out by the disruption to their daily lives; her Washington lobbyist husband, Caleb, is unreachable. Soon, an unexpected visit from the wife of Caleb's business partner ramps up the suspense as she claims the two men are in trouble with the FBI because of their association with one of their clients, a Chinese computer chip manufacturer partnered with an American firm and suspected of initiating the current internet and cellphone outage that stretches across the entire country. Later, she finds a cryptic note from Caleb, a huge wad of cash, and a handgun in the family car's glove box hinting at danger. He doesn't return home that night, and a late-night FBI visit looking for him prompts Rachel to pack up the kids and head out to find him and some answers. 

Such a riveting story, I almost completed the entire book in one long, satisfying session! Rachel is an engaging and personable woman and justifiably frightened and angry at Caleb for leaving them alone and on their own without a clue as to what is going on. With only fear, speculation, and rumors to go on, she does her best to keep them safe and reunite the family. Like Rachel, I was glad when Caleb immediately owned his sins and offered a genuine, contrite apology and asked for forgiveness, giving everyone hope they could salvage their relationship. The author's character development was stellar, and I was particularly impressed by how well he portrayed the emotions, thoughts, dialogue, and actions of his female characters. While all his characters felt real, Rachel and her daughter, Austin, came alive for me. 

The plot unfolds at breakneck speed as Rachel and her teenage children make the harrowing journey to the coordinates Caleb's gives them for his location. The danger begins with looting and rioting near their home in Alexandria, Virginia, and quickly escalates as the internet outage disrupts everything from banking to shopping to school, and people get desperate. The isolation the outage causes is almost complete, given their reliance on smartphones and internet access. The story vibrates with tension as Rachel doesn't know who she can trust, and as she realizes that someone wants Caleb dead and will stop at nothing to get to her and their children to draw him out of hiding. 

The storyline hits close to home, utilizing current events and thinly disguised public figures as characters. Fox News is singled out as the purveyor of outrageous conspiracy theories, manipulative and manipulated media, and their viewers portrayed as gullible dupes. Early on, Rachel is established as knowing better but unfortunately comes across as insufferably smug during her speculations regarding Caleb's and her parents' political beliefs, so this otherwise exciting story may go flat for more conservative readers and prevent them from ever getting to the best parts, but somebody's got to be the bad guy. The journey, and what the Farrell family finds at the end of the road, really engaged me no matter the political opinion. 

I recommend OUTAGE to readers of domestic suspense and psychological thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.