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Jim McGill #6
The Devil on the Doorstep
When you win reelection to be president of the United States by one electoral vote, as Patricia Darden Grant has done, you're going to make a lot of people angry. Some of them might even try to change the outcome by violence.
The Secret Service fears an assassination attempt at the president's second inauguration, one using drone launched missiles. The president could forsake the public ceremony, but that would tell the terrorists they have her running scared. Her second term would become a lost cause. She refuses to let that happen, and informs the Secret Service it will be up to them to keep her safe. Not entirely up to them, though. James J. McGill, will also be on the case. So will White House Chief of Staff Galia Mindel. Even retired SAC Celsus Crogher is called back to make sure no harm comes to the president.
Then McGill's life gets even more complicated. His friends, Investigating Magistrate Yves Pruet and his bodyguard Odo Sacripant, come to town searching for a stolen Renoir painting. Gabbi Casale is already at the White House, finishing up McGill's official portrait. The old gang from Paris is back together. Only McGill feels Pruet is holding out on him. Something more than finding a masterpiece is at stake here. Something that, oddly enough, might tie in with the attempt on the president's life.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2013
361 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Flynn
70 books198 followersJoseph Flynn has been published both traditionally — Signet Books, Bantam Books and Variance Publishing — and through his own imprint, Stray Dog Press, Inc. Both major media reviews and reader reviews have praised his work. Booklist said, “Flynn is an excellent storyteller.” The Chicago Tribune said, “Flynn [is] a master of high-octane plotting.” The most repeated reader comment is: Write faster, we want more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 23, 2024
Political thrillers can be quite strong, if their content is well-balanced. This has never been an issue for Joseph Flynn, who tempers action with humour and great political scenarios. Flynn impresses with this series, juggling a number of themes throughout and provides the reader with a strong story to envelop it. With this with novel providing a great deal for the series fan to synthesise, Flynn leaves little time to rest as he tries to make a difference in the trajectory of the collection. With the presidential election in the recent past, the fallout of the results have made themselves known. The inauguration is soon at hand, though some are not pleased and seek to enact their own form of change. While Jim McGill awaits the day, he finds himself in the middle of a hunt to uncover the plot to kill the president, as well as a side hustle to help a friend with an art theft. All this in a jam-packed novel that is sure to impress readers of all kinds.
After the dust cleared in the last presidential election, President Patricia Darden Grant won the Electoral College by a single vote. That was sure to cause some people to feel a little pained. Some were angry, others upset, but a small few were not ready to accept the results and began to plot. This concern, between Election Day and the Inauguration, left the Secret Service on edge and ready to plan for the worst, which includes possible assassination.
The latest technology would be to use an unmanned drone to target President Grant and perhaps her husband, Jim McGill, the president’s henchman and local private investigator. Refusing to stand down, the president has her husband, chief of staff, and former head of the Secret Service work on foiling any plot. That will be a full-time job in and of itself.
While McGill loves his wife and wants to help, his life soon gets a jolt of complexity when friends of his arrive from Paris. Investigating Magistrate Yves Pruet is on a case of a missing piece of Renoir’s work. His arrival and investigation are poignant, as McGill is set to have his official portrait done by Gabbi Casale, another friend he met on a trip to Europe. The Paris gang is together again, with another mystery before them.
McGill can sense that Pruet is holding back some important intel, but sends his friends off to find the art thief. There soon emerges a plot that could lead to a violent and bloody attack on the Capitol, targeting the president specifically. Political and ideological foes will stop at nothing to ensure their way is heard on Inauguration Day. The intensity will be thick enough to cut with a knife and could leave the country in a political abyss. Flynn proves his mastery of the subject matter once more!
Joseph Flynn shows once more how much skill and strong writing he has with yet another political thriller. Working to bridge the subject matter of all his novels together, Flynn builds a solid narrative that advances the ongoing story effectively, leaving the reader wanting to know more. Political development is key in the book, though is it shadowed by the hunt for terrorists and other criminals. There are many characters with strong personal development advanced throughout the novel, showcasing Flynn’s multi-faceted abilities. Series fans will revel in the story arcs that advance, as well as some new ideas that permeate for future novels.
As usual, there are many plot points Flynn tries to present. While the McGill storyline proves a strong secondary story arc in the novel, he is present throughout and keeps the reader on track. The political and tactical developments are ongoing, leaving the reader to juggle things as they try to make sense of it all. With the election behind us, there is time for new and exciting legislative, judicial, and executive battles, which I hope will come to pass, any least after the shenanigans of the Inauguration are complete. I am eager to forge onwards with the rest of the series, which includes a collection of short stories next!
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for a gripping post-election story.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After the dust cleared in the last presidential election, President Patricia Darden Grant won the Electoral College by a single vote. That was sure to cause some people to feel a little pained. Some were angry, others upset, but a small few were not ready to accept the results and began to plot. This concern, between Election Day and the Inauguration, left the Secret Service on edge and ready to plan for the worst, which includes possible assassination.
The latest technology would be to use an unmanned drone to target President Grant and perhaps her husband, Jim McGill, the president’s henchman and local private investigator. Refusing to stand down, the president has her husband, chief of staff, and former head of the Secret Service work on foiling any plot. That will be a full-time job in and of itself.
While McGill loves his wife and wants to help, his life soon gets a jolt of complexity when friends of his arrive from Paris. Investigating Magistrate Yves Pruet is on a case of a missing piece of Renoir’s work. His arrival and investigation are poignant, as McGill is set to have his official portrait done by Gabbi Casale, another friend he met on a trip to Europe. The Paris gang is together again, with another mystery before them.
McGill can sense that Pruet is holding back some important intel, but sends his friends off to find the art thief. There soon emerges a plot that could lead to a violent and bloody attack on the Capitol, targeting the president specifically. Political and ideological foes will stop at nothing to ensure their way is heard on Inauguration Day. The intensity will be thick enough to cut with a knife and could leave the country in a political abyss. Flynn proves his mastery of the subject matter once more!
Joseph Flynn shows once more how much skill and strong writing he has with yet another political thriller. Working to bridge the subject matter of all his novels together, Flynn builds a solid narrative that advances the ongoing story effectively, leaving the reader wanting to know more. Political development is key in the book, though is it shadowed by the hunt for terrorists and other criminals. There are many characters with strong personal development advanced throughout the novel, showcasing Flynn’s multi-faceted abilities. Series fans will revel in the story arcs that advance, as well as some new ideas that permeate for future novels.
As usual, there are many plot points Flynn tries to present. While the McGill storyline proves a strong secondary story arc in the novel, he is present throughout and keeps the reader on track. The political and tactical developments are ongoing, leaving the reader to juggle things as they try to make sense of it all. With the election behind us, there is time for new and exciting legislative, judicial, and executive battles, which I hope will come to pass, any least after the shenanigans of the Inauguration are complete. I am eager to forge onwards with the rest of the series, which includes a collection of short stories next!
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for a gripping post-election story.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 29, 2014
Whew! A semi-happy ending for this one. Many catastrophes don't happen, some others do. Most important from my POV, there are enough loose threads for more stories. After all, President Patti Grant has just been re-elected so there are 4 more years to go.
Lots of characters make a reappearance here, some of them have added dimensions unseen before and that's a very good thing.
I like his way with a story and especially the way his characters talk. I enjoy this series and hope I am correct in sensing more to come!
Lots of characters make a reappearance here, some of them have added dimensions unseen before and that's a very good thing.
I like his way with a story and especially the way his characters talk. I enjoy this series and hope I am correct in sensing more to come!
September 12, 2017
The Devil on the Doorstep (Jim McGill series #5)
Jim gets involved in finding a stolen painting by Renoir, famed French painter, who gave it to Jim's French counterpart's family, only to have it stolen by the same art thief that Jim's been after. At the same time, open threats are made against the President, McGill, and Jim's children. All this, just before Patti Grants second inauguration. You'll have to read the rest for yourself and see how everything turns out. Thanks for a great read.
Jim gets involved in finding a stolen painting by Renoir, famed French painter, who gave it to Jim's French counterpart's family, only to have it stolen by the same art thief that Jim's been after. At the same time, open threats are made against the President, McGill, and Jim's children. All this, just before Patti Grants second inauguration. You'll have to read the rest for yourself and see how everything turns out. Thanks for a great read.
July 13, 2018
Series keeps getting better
I liked it. This is one of the few series being written today, that I am aware of, that the characters continue to grow and develop. Too many series has the main characters acting exactly the same in book 10 as they did in Book 1. Here the characters changed and evolved so you not only feel as though they are old special friends but you care about them and worry that they will be alright. There is always action and suspense woven into the plot. Highly recommended.
I liked it. This is one of the few series being written today, that I am aware of, that the characters continue to grow and develop. Too many series has the main characters acting exactly the same in book 10 as they did in Book 1. Here the characters changed and evolved so you not only feel as though they are old special friends but you care about them and worry that they will be alright. There is always action and suspense woven into the plot. Highly recommended.
August 24, 2017
Can't wait to read the next book.
These books are addictive, the Characters are so very real. The story realistic and truly well written. I highly recommend it to all who love the political thrillers. The writing and editing are first rate. A bit of rough langrage but in keeping with the characters.
These books are addictive, the Characters are so very real. The story realistic and truly well written. I highly recommend it to all who love the political thrillers. The writing and editing are first rate. A bit of rough langrage but in keeping with the characters.
July 17, 2018
Captivating
I have become wrapped up in Mr. Flynn and his series of the west wing and it's inhabitants. Wonderful storylines and great characters. I can hardly wait for one to end so I can move on to a new plot. Whatever will we do when Patti Grant's term is over?
I have become wrapped up in Mr. Flynn and his series of the west wing and it's inhabitants. Wonderful storylines and great characters. I can hardly wait for one to end so I can move on to a new plot. Whatever will we do when Patti Grant's term is over?
August 29, 2019
This is the sixth book of the series, and I'm in "I know what to expect" territory. The main cast of characters is wonderful people that I would love to sit and chat with. The main plotline will interest me and, together with the characters, keep me reading. I will once or twice a book (but only that rarely) get frustrated with political statements, wondering whether they are those of the author leaking out of his characters or whether he is just portraying a character's beliefs as the character would see them.
I felt like this book stayed on the rails better than the two-parter previous to this in the series. But I really wish he would write shorter chapters! I don't always have 45 minutes or an hour to devote to reading and… it's nice not to have to resume reading mid-chapter.
I felt like this book stayed on the rails better than the two-parter previous to this in the series. But I really wish he would write shorter chapters! I don't always have 45 minutes or an hour to devote to reading and… it's nice not to have to resume reading mid-chapter.
November 12, 2021
McGill and Co. succeed again.
This series has a light hearted approach to the very serious concerns of the Office of the Presidency of the United States. It is not a parody but even when threatened with assassination and an armed militia attack, McGill manages a little leavening of the occassion. James McGill is married to the first female POTUS, he runs his own business as a Private Investigator and is a mixed martial arts expert. He is also often irreverent, carefree to the point of despair for his bodyguards and mischievous as well as devious.
This series has a light hearted approach to the very serious concerns of the Office of the Presidency of the United States. It is not a parody but even when threatened with assassination and an armed militia attack, McGill manages a little leavening of the occassion. James McGill is married to the first female POTUS, he runs his own business as a Private Investigator and is a mixed martial arts expert. He is also often irreverent, carefree to the point of despair for his bodyguards and mischievous as well as devious.
May 10, 2020
Good Stuff
This combined attempts on the presidency with a visit from Jim’s Paris friends from before. They are tracking an art thief who stole the family’s Renoir. The assassination plots were scary. Republicans are mad that Patti won by 1 vote from a “turncoat” republican elector. There’s undercover work by Welborn and Celius to find out more about the threat to Patti. By the end a lot of the bad guys have been caught but one dedicated man remains.
This combined attempts on the presidency with a visit from Jim’s Paris friends from before. They are tracking an art thief who stole the family’s Renoir. The assassination plots were scary. Republicans are mad that Patti won by 1 vote from a “turncoat” republican elector. There’s undercover work by Welborn and Celius to find out more about the threat to Patti. By the end a lot of the bad guys have been caught but one dedicated man remains.
July 20, 2023
Hurrah! President Patti has her second term!
Another wonderful day in Patti and Jim. Lord help us all with the state of Our nation. For now it is in good hands. Pray tell what possible awful mischief is in store for us in the coming books. I am glad the honorable French prosecutor will see his fathers painting back home again. I suspect that more evil doers will challenge Our lovely President Patti with next
Another wonderful day in Patti and Jim. Lord help us all with the state of Our nation. For now it is in good hands. Pray tell what possible awful mischief is in store for us in the coming books. I am glad the honorable French prosecutor will see his fathers painting back home again. I suspect that more evil doers will challenge Our lovely President Patti with next
August 3, 2022
Good storyline, characters, too liberal leaning
I can only make a broad brush assumption that Mr. Flynn is not only liberal but actually has a severe distaste for those of us who have conservative personal and political beliefs. It gets a bit tiring being preached to by individuals who don't even try to know us. These books could be so much better if Joseph didn't to out of has way to turn off half his potential readers.
I can only make a broad brush assumption that Mr. Flynn is not only liberal but actually has a severe distaste for those of us who have conservative personal and political beliefs. It gets a bit tiring being preached to by individuals who don't even try to know us. These books could be so much better if Joseph didn't to out of has way to turn off half his potential readers.
September 3, 2017
Continuing on with familiar heros...
I was very surprised by the beginning of this story. The potential ending was not the projected disaster, but all the threads throughout, kept me riveted!!!
I was very surprised by the beginning of this story. The potential ending was not the projected disaster, but all the threads throughout, kept me riveted!!!
May 15, 2018
Like all the books in this series, this is a great read.
I really enjoyed this book and the others in the series. The characters seem real and the stories could be from today's headlines
I really enjoyed this book and the others in the series. The characters seem real and the stories could be from today's headlines
May 21, 2019
McGill triumphs again!
Convoluted plot that all comes together in the end. Not realistic for the actions of the President and her henchman, but a very entertaining read with characters I've come to know and enjoy!
Convoluted plot that all comes together in the end. Not realistic for the actions of the President and her henchman, but a very entertaining read with characters I've come to know and enjoy!
July 29, 2020
The Devil on the Doorstep
The Jim McGill series continues to entertain while weaving several plots. I still think that the exploits are somewhat exaggerated they keep you thinking. I look forward to the next installment.
The Jim McGill series continues to entertain while weaving several plots. I still think that the exploits are somewhat exaggerated they keep you thinking. I look forward to the next installment.
March 15, 2021
Ripped from today’s headlines
I am amazed at how current this series reflects what is happening in America now. Love the humor Flynn uses, it is laugh out loud funny. Recommend this series to all.
I am amazed at how current this series reflects what is happening in America now. Love the humor Flynn uses, it is laugh out loud funny. Recommend this series to all.
May 8, 2022
Great ending to a good read
Loved this 5th book by J Flynn. Skipped books 3 and 4 as that's too long for one story line. Jim McGill, the presidents henchman, with some help from his agency crew, some federal friends and European friends save the day and protect the President.
Loved this 5th book by J Flynn. Skipped books 3 and 4 as that's too long for one story line. Jim McGill, the presidents henchman, with some help from his agency crew, some federal friends and European friends save the day and protect the President.
June 1, 2023
I found my next read everything he writes I read author, Joseph Flynn has won me over to Jim McGill and his antics. Cannot put the books down, the only thing that stops me is when my Kindle runs out of power.
September 22, 2024
IT COULD BE TODAY
The devil is on several doorsteps as this artistic political thriller moves a country divided by politics with violence encouraged by a variety of causes. Written in the 200teens. It reads very current.
The devil is on several doorsteps as this artistic political thriller moves a country divided by politics with violence encouraged by a variety of causes. Written in the 200teens. It reads very current.
October 9, 2025
Things to Come
Almost but not quite a blueprint for actual events yet to happen on this book's publication. Posits that the spirit of the law has to be broken, if not the letter when facing domestic terrorism?
Almost but not quite a blueprint for actual events yet to happen on this book's publication. Posits that the spirit of the law has to be broken, if not the letter when facing domestic terrorism?
June 6, 2017
The Devil on the Doorstep review
The Devil on the Doorstep is the fifth exciting book in the Jim McGill series written by author Joseph Flynn.
The Devil on the Doorstep is the fifth exciting book in the Jim McGill series written by author Joseph Flynn.
June 7, 2017
The book had a lot of characters that I had trouble keeping straight. All in all it was a pretty good book. Everything ended ok and everybody was happy.
March 14, 2018
This series is excellent. The author clearly is well aquainted with the political scene. He has some great ideas to improve it as well. All as part of an exciting mystery adventure story line.
March 23, 2018
He is getting better with every book. Much better than the last one. A solif 3 stars.
May 7, 2018
Another Winner
This is another heart stopping page turning winner by this author. He keeps you on your toes every page AWESOME
This is another heart stopping page turning winner by this author. He keeps you on your toes every page AWESOME
May 30, 2018
Great read!
Love this whole series! The characters are well defined and easy to get to know! I can’t wait to read the next book.
Love this whole series! The characters are well defined and easy to get to know! I can’t wait to read the next book.
August 27, 2018
I really like these characters and stories.
Read
December 24, 2019Another great installment in the McGill/Grant saga.
July 14, 2021
Great story about war on government
Really enjoyed the story process, I will continue reading these books. Author keeps me questioning the next plot. Thank You
Really enjoyed the story process, I will continue reading these books. Author keeps me questioning the next plot. Thank You
December 12, 2022
Another great read
Masterful at jumping back and forth between characters and events. Great flow to the story. Hard to put down once started
Masterful at jumping back and forth between characters and events. Great flow to the story. Hard to put down once started
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews