The Days to Come

In Rosenstiel’s solid fourth novel starring political fixer Peter Rena (after 2019’s Oppo), Rena and partner Randi Brooks swing into action when President David Traynor, previously a high-tech investor who favored disruptive technology, unexpectedly dies three months into his term. Vice President Wendy Upton, unsure of Traynor’s daring set of initiatives, keys in on his energy strategy, which involves a constitutionally questionable plan to fund four start-ups, all focusing on battery storage technology. Despite Rena’s personal troubles—his longtime girlfriend has dumped him and he’s being stalked online—he heads to the West Coast at Upton’s direction. His mission: determine whether the four small companies, in line to receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, have become espionage targets for the Chinese and Russians in the race for superior climate technology. This entry suffers from a slow start and too much navel-gazing and pouty behavior by Rena, but quickly picks up speed in the second half as it builds to a satisfying ending. Political thriller buffs will appreciate the beltway dealmaking, while spycraft lovers will enjoy the detailed look at the many ways that technology secrets get stolen. Agent: David Black, Black Agency. (Nov.)