In Preserve, Protect, and Defend, Chuck Morgan has written a compelling political thriller that skirts the edges of historical fact while threading it with speculation. What if the Capitol riots of 6 January 2021 had foreshadowed something far greater? What if it wasn’t supposed to end there, but to overthrow the presidential processes of the United States of America and alter the face of democracy forever? For anyone who watched those events unfold with horror, this novel is for you.

Preserve, Protect, and Defend by Chuck Morgan has a frightening potency because of the truths contained within the narrative. It has all the ingredients for a fast-paced political conspiracy novel, and it delivers with a forceful punch. I loved the depth of character given to Mike and his Secret Service agents and how solid and stable they appear compared to the nightmare unfolding around them. The theme of the novel is ego, and each of the antagonists has an unshakeable belief in their rightness, no matter the consequences. I truly appreciated the research that went into this novel, both legal and constitutional, which gives the plot its undeniably sharp edge between truth and fiction. The book is thought-provoking and scary, constantly asking the reader, What if? My favourite quote is, “Last night after dinner, he’d sounded like a man who had let a conspiracy theory get into his head and carve out a spot to live in.” I found this poignant because I've met many people like this. This book has a satisfying ending, but it leaves readers with a deep unease that fiction might one day become reality, and democracy is more fragile than we thought.

In Preserve, Protect, and Defend by Chuck Morgan, Senator Oliver Stevenson has spent nearly three decades in the Senate and believes he is destined to be the next President of the United States. However, when Thomas Baker is announced as president-elect, Stevenson refuses to acknowledge the result and calls for an armed uprising. Convinced he is divinely appointed to lead the United States, Stevenson is ready to do whatever is necessary to claim the presidency. Rumors begin to emerge regarding a possible threat to President-elect Baker, a situation that could pave the way for Stevenson to become president. Tasked with the mission of preventing an assassination and safeguarding Baker, Mike Branik and his team embark on a high-stakes investigation. All evidence points to Stevenson as the key player in the impending danger, and Mike starts his investigation there, racing against time to secure the future president.

Preserve, Protect, and Defend by Chuck Morgan was intricate and enthralling, grabbing my attention from start to finish. This fast-paced, action-packed story had me turning the pages as quickly as possible, afraid to miss a single detail. With each twist and turn, the plot kept me on my toes, continually surprising me with its unpredictability. The suspense had me sitting on the edge of my seat, making it hard to set the book aside. The engaging writing style made it easy to immerse myself fully in the story, and the characters felt incredibly genuine and relatable. Mike was a powerful force, and Stevenson had no idea what was headed his way. This book was masterfully written and maintained my interest throughout. It surpassed all my expectations, and I enjoyed every moment.