Trigger Point

Set in 2018, Glass’s terrific geopolitical thriller packs as much gut-wrenching suspense as any thriller in recent memory, all without a single serial killer, assassin, female in peril, double agent, or lost religious icon. The Republican president of the U.S., Thomas Knowles, decides that a recent atrocity in Uganda merits intervention by U.S. armed forces. Meanwhile, Ed Grey, the principal partner at Red River Investments, essentially a hedge fund, decides that the present political climate plus a tiny piece of insider information adds up to the possibility of making a nice chunk of money by shorting U.S. banks, one in particular, Fidelian. A series of small mistakes and misapprehensions compound one another until a looming nuclear war threatens the fate of the entire world. Glass (Ultimatum) expertly assembles the interlocking pieces of his frighteningly prophetic puzzle. This chilling, important novel should be read by all those in charge of our country’s politics and finances. Agent: Ben Evans, Oyster Bridge. (Mar.)