Ten Seconds to Die by Marshall Mattingly is a political thriller. A hiker's well-deserved getaway ends tragically on the Appalachian Trail near Dahlonega. His death is ruled as an accident but his sister is convinced it was no accident and demands that his death is investigated. Deputy Bob Denton decides to look deeper into this case. Marlane Somer, a journalist, is back in Dahlonega and her assignment is to report on the hiker's death. Marlane accompanies Bob to the gorge to look for anything that will hint that it was no accident. Bob realizes that something sinister is going on after two more deaths are also dismissed as accidents. The clues lead to a respected pharmaceutical business that provides many job opportunities in Dahlonega.

Ten Seconds to Die by Marshall Mattingly is a political thriller with all the elements that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page. It was an action-packed rollercoaster ride full of thrills and intrigue. The action started immediately and the story is fast-paced. The plot and subplots intertwine different characters and stories. There were many characters introduced but it never felt overwhelming. It was easy to read, and the chapters flowed into each other. The characters are complex and robust. Bob was my favorite character, with his investigation skills and how he relied on friends for help. He never gave up on finding the truth, even when his life was in danger. The story is well-written and extraordinary and is a definite page-turner with never a dull moment.

Similar to how I felt when I watched the TV show Hunters a few years back, I was riveted by Marshall Mattingly’s political fiction thriller, Ten Seconds to Die. The reason? Both plots were based on the premise that former leaders of Hitler’s Nazis were alive and thriving in the USA. I was repulsed by that probability, but what Mattingly depicts in this political thriller is even more chilling because what happens in this novel isn’t all that far-fetched! Readers will find themselves hoping such a plot never comes to fruition. It all starts when Doering Pharmaceuticals brings employment and even prosperity to the residents of the little town of Dahlonega, which is a blessing for the townsfolk, especially the sheriff and the mayor. All is good until an experienced hiker, the town coroner, and a couple of brothers are found dead. When their deaths are ruled accidental, things just don’t add up for Deputy Denton and Chicago journalist Marlane, who senses a headline story. Together, they pursue clues but their activity is making a lot of people nervous. They have to be stopped, even if it means their deaths. But what is being covered up and who’s behind the coverup?

Like a master artist, Marshall Mattingly paints good and evil characters, history and current events, and scientific possibilities onto a chilling canvas. Despite dropping hints, Mattingly keeps readers constantly wondering what sinister activities are being planned deep beneath the Doering Pharmaceuticals plant. Why is the company buying up air-conditioning suppliers in major cities? And what’s the significance of the title, Ten Seconds to Die? Brilliant plotting, copious dialogue, short chapters, and realistic characters come together in this excellent novel that leaves you thinking, and even a little fearful to turn that last page. And just like that TV show mentioned above, Ten Seconds to Die would make a gripping and unforgettable movie!

In Ten Seconds to Die, author Marshall Mattingly has taken crime, conspiracy theory, and writing to another level. The reader’s attention is captured from the first page. They will not be able to put this book down until the last page is read. With all the twists and turns, there is no way of knowing how the book is going to end and if the good guys are ever going to win. The main characters wander in and out of the story from time to time, chasing the reader's imagination to keep them reading to find out how the characters all fit in at the various stages and chapters in the plot.

Marshall Mattingly has written a crime conspiracy theory story that lives up to the genre. It makes the reader realize that there are still people in this world who are so greedy that they will do anything to achieve their goals in life. It is a book that is certainly well worth a second read. I really enjoyed reading this book and loved the twist in the tail that brings the story to a close that was totally unexpected. It is a very well-written book and makes for riveting reading. Thank you for a captivating story.

Marshall Mattingly's Ten Seconds to Die is a fast-paced thriller set in Dahlonega, a fictional town not far from Atlanta in the United States. There has recently been a huge revival in this rural farming community due to Doering Industries choosing to build their new headquarters near the abandoned mining area. It has brought employment and prosperity to many of the townsfolk, especially to those in high places who have been well-paid to keep everything running smoothly and under control. While there are extensive security fences and armed guards on duty 24 hours, no one questions the top-secret activities in the research facility. Marlene Somer has returned from working at a Chicago newspaper to care for her elderly father. She meets up with an old friend, Deputy Sheriff Bob Denton. However, there is an undercurrent of fear lurking in this idyllic town, which begins with one unexplained death of a hiker, a dead cow, and then the toll of corpses begins to mount up. Before long, Marlene and Bob find themselves in danger and there seems to be no way out.

I really enjoyed reading Ten Seconds to Die by Marshall Mattingly. The narrative is seamless as I turned the pages at speed. It’s a well-written book, thrilling, with lots of suspense and a satisfactory conclusion. I particularly liked the short chapters and the story changing from one location to another which kept up the rapid pace. The characters were real and relatable and I cared about them, which always makes for a good book. I particularly liked the show not tell aspect of the writing, with just enough description to keep the pace, while bringing the reader into the scene, so you felt you were there. I can highly recommend this book to lovers of crime thrillers that reach the very top levels of government. I also appreciated the flawless editing.