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The First Witness
When a top Washington Post reporter discovers a covert government mission to disrupt Iran's nuclear development program, he finds himself caught in the middle of a global crisis, international intrigue and a beautiful woman he desperately wants to trust. Southern California Novelist Todd Easterling, discovered by New York's Jay Garon-Brooke Agency (of John Grisham fame), weaves a well-written, character-rich story with cinematic potential.
With a topic right out of today's headlines, this story follows Tom Lassiter in a fast paced race to separate facts from propaganda, and ends in a heart stopping glimpse of the new world we live in and threats posed by rogue states set on nuclear weapons development.
On his journey, Tom finds friendship and loyalty with his sidekick from The Washington Post, and unexpectedly develops a romantic interest while interviewing key players behind the scenes.
The book might be compared to an early Tom Clancy type story (such as The Hunt for Red October) or Harrison Ford type thriller movie involving espionage and covert government actions (Air Force One), yet relationships and suspense play a stronger role in The First Witness. Never delving too deep into technical details to avoid a pure military thriller, the story focuses on uncovering clues, determining who is involved and trying to avoid capture before getting the story out. In the end, Tom Lassiter finds himself and the United States in a mission to fix what he admittedly and inadvertently help set in motion.
With a topic right out of today's headlines, this story follows Tom Lassiter in a fast paced race to separate facts from propaganda, and ends in a heart stopping glimpse of the new world we live in and threats posed by rogue states set on nuclear weapons development.
On his journey, Tom finds friendship and loyalty with his sidekick from The Washington Post, and unexpectedly develops a romantic interest while interviewing key players behind the scenes.
The book might be compared to an early Tom Clancy type story (such as The Hunt for Red October) or Harrison Ford type thriller movie involving espionage and covert government actions (Air Force One), yet relationships and suspense play a stronger role in The First Witness. Never delving too deep into technical details to avoid a pure military thriller, the story focuses on uncovering clues, determining who is involved and trying to avoid capture before getting the story out. In the end, Tom Lassiter finds himself and the United States in a mission to fix what he admittedly and inadvertently help set in motion.
- GenresFiction
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2013
112 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Todd Easterling
5 books10 followersTodd Easterling is a San Diego-based author and businessperson, discovered by the Pinder Lane Garon-Brooke Agency of John Grisham fame. He has worked with leading entertainment and technology companies—a highlight being the reception of a group Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Most recently, wanting to make the best use of the quarantine/lockdown, Todd completed Genetic World—a sweeping epic novel of 444,000 words encompassing real history, real science, and a narrative arc that balances interesting facts with high concept suspense. Since publication, Genetic World has been in the top 1% of sales on Amazon in the USA, and #1 in Medical Thrillers in France (digital/Kindle edition). And on June 17th, Genetic World landed as #1 on three Best Seller lists in Canada, surpassing ten Stephen King novels, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, and other books.
Todd's personal interests include environmental concerns, animal rights and de-extinction, technology, history, and the arts. He has three daughters.
Todd's personal interests include environmental concerns, animal rights and de-extinction, technology, history, and the arts. He has three daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 1, 2021
I really wanted to like this book but...
This was almost silly. I read Genesis and truly enjoyed it but this was disappointing and unbelievable. I have some serious plot issues, Victoria was a useless character and I kept wondering how Tom obtained a garment bag without going home after being chased by the bad guys and flying to London on a company plane with no comment from the boss. What, the editor's kud arranged it all? Nope, didn't work for me.
This was almost silly. I read Genesis and truly enjoyed it but this was disappointing and unbelievable. I have some serious plot issues, Victoria was a useless character and I kept wondering how Tom obtained a garment bag without going home after being chased by the bad guys and flying to London on a company plane with no comment from the boss. What, the editor's kud arranged it all? Nope, didn't work for me.
September 7, 2017
Future or present?
Enjoyed this story. Makes me wonder about our safety from rogue military personnel who are in control of our nukes. But reminds me how important freedom of speech and press is to our freedom as Americans.
Enjoyed this story. Makes me wonder about our safety from rogue military personnel who are in control of our nukes. But reminds me how important freedom of speech and press is to our freedom as Americans.
October 22, 2017
Good war game / spy type novel.
Entertaining reading. If you love spy novels, war games and such this is a good fit. Great recreational reading for your spare time in airports.
Entertaining reading. If you love spy novels, war games and such this is a good fit. Great recreational reading for your spare time in airports.
January 5, 2018
This is a story about just what could happen in this day and age of nuclear weapons. Well written, keeps you on your toes read. Strong characters.
August 1, 2018
This is an author in search for an editor. He has not found one.
September 14, 2019
Over the top
Whilst not the most unlikely story linesI have read it certainly is not far behind. Would not recommend this book
Whilst not the most unlikely story linesI have read it certainly is not far behind. Would not recommend this book
August 22, 2021
Action packed
Action and investigation adventures. Interesting plot and well written. I enjoyed we racing and the characters are believable. I recommend the book
Action and investigation adventures. Interesting plot and well written. I enjoyed we racing and the characters are believable. I recommend the book
December 26, 2014
The First Witness
Held my interest through the entire book. Having read Todd Easterlings other book I was excited to read this one which is a completely different type of genre. Suspense and intrigue books have always held my interest, although I usually don't pick war or especially technical subject matter such as this one. There was enough romantic interest in this novel to keep the pace varied. He writes so the reader feels as if they are a part of the story. I am waiting to see what he chooses as his next subject matter to spark my interest. He is on my list of writers right up there with Nicholas Evans with a tad of Grisham thrown in. I recommend this book and guarantee it will hold your interest.
Held my interest through the entire book. Having read Todd Easterlings other book I was excited to read this one which is a completely different type of genre. Suspense and intrigue books have always held my interest, although I usually don't pick war or especially technical subject matter such as this one. There was enough romantic interest in this novel to keep the pace varied. He writes so the reader feels as if they are a part of the story. I am waiting to see what he chooses as his next subject matter to spark my interest. He is on my list of writers right up there with Nicholas Evans with a tad of Grisham thrown in. I recommend this book and guarantee it will hold your interest.
August 11, 2014
Good but too PC
The liberal bias is not well hidden. But the story is still good. Unnecessary details slow down the action sometimes and the premise is hard to accept. The love interest is the most contrived of all. If the protagonist were not a Washington Post reporter, I doubt this would have made the best seller lists.
The liberal bias is not well hidden. But the story is still good. Unnecessary details slow down the action sometimes and the premise is hard to accept. The love interest is the most contrived of all. If the protagonist were not a Washington Post reporter, I doubt this would have made the best seller lists.
November 12, 2015
Great novel!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense novels, especially those dealing with black ops and military storylines. Outstanding book to read - had a hard time putting it down.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense novels, especially those dealing with black ops and military storylines. Outstanding book to read - had a hard time putting it down.
January 30, 2016
Intriguing
I chose this book because I enjoy CIA and government mysteries. I expected typical mediocre and predictable outcomes.
This book was delightfully different from that. In fact , I learned a few things about our military and government agencies.
I chose this book because I enjoy CIA and government mysteries. I expected typical mediocre and predictable outcomes.
This book was delightfully different from that. In fact , I learned a few things about our military and government agencies.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews