The Torch Is Passed

A Harding Family Story

Fiction - Thriller - General
300 Pages
Reviewed on 03/13/2016
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Author Biography

Bill Powers is a former pharmaceutical Research & Development executive, world traveler, and history buff turned author.
Bill’s first Harding Family novel, “The Pharm House”, was published in 2013 and was named a Finalist in the Medical Thriller category of the 2014 National Indie Excellence Awards. Bill has published his second story in the series, “The Torch is Passed” and is working on a third installation.
In his debut novel, Bill put to use his twenty-six years of experience working for Johnson & Johnson in pharmaceutical R&D, where he ultimately rose to the position of Vice President, Global Preclinical Development. In his years with the company, Bill was instrumental in the development of several marketed pharmaceutical products, leading groups of scientists in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Bill has also led research groups in Belgium and India, in addition to his extensive personal travels in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
He earned his PhD in Toxicology from the University of Cincinnati, and has published numerous abstracts, articles, and book chapters on a variety of toxicology subjects.
Bill’s parents were both teachers who stoked his childhood love for words and voracious appetite for reading. He is married, with one adult child, and has moved away from the corporate world to focus on his writing career.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Patricia Day for Readers' Favorite

The Torch is Passed: A Harding Family Story is written by Bill Powers. Having just graduated college, Andrea finds her world ripped apart when two family members are shot. Her father is one and, with his life hanging in the balance, she must take control of the family business until he recovers. Business partners, Carlton and Jefferson of Oakes Industries make a play to not only take over but own Harding Industries. They offer a staggering amount of money in an attempt to obtain control, but fail despite the amount offered. Why would they be prepared to pay so much for a company worth much less?

Andrea is fast-tracked to adulthood as the world she once knew vanishes. An attempt on her own life leads her to find trusted support in Beth and Riva. Both women are powerfully able to defend and protect not only Andrea, but also those she holds dear. Her determination to keep Harding Industries intact for future growth, takes her along violent pathways, meeting very disagreeable, volatile people.

This is a fast-paced story of greed, murder, and ambition.Thrown into the mix are characters from the Russian mob, whose cold, calculated methods to annihilate anyone crossing their path leave you breathless, and you have a book that will grab you from the very first page. It is a tale of corporate greed and misguided trust and broken trust. I enjoyed this book very much. There’s a lot of detail, but the characters are strong and you quickly determine whose side you are on. Well written.