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Room 23: A Secret Service Agent's Story of Espionage and Intrigue

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Embark on a thrilling ride with Agent Quinlan into the clandestine world of the Secret Service. A mission to thwart a counterfeit operation turns into a perilous conspiracy to assassinate world leaders. Experience heart-pounding suspense in this tale of espionage.

In Room 23, we follow Special Agent John Quinlan as he is suddenly thrust into the obscure, high-stakes world of the United States Secret Service. From the very moment he is recruited, Quinlan is drawn into a vortex of psychological intrigue and danger. His initial task is to stop a covert operation aimed at perfecting the notorious APEX counterfeit $100 note. This clandestine operation, responsible for a counterfeit plague that has haunted the nation for decades, becomes a labyrinth of shadows that Quinlan must navigate.

As the plot thickens, Quinlan is transferred to the elite Presidential Protection Division's Room 23. Here, he uncovers a terrifying conspiracy with an objective far more sinister than counterfeiting money. The very lives of the sitting U.S. President and the Supreme Leader of North Korea are at stake. Quinlan must navigate through the murky waters of the CIA, NSA, and MI-5, piecing together a dangerous puzzle riddled with risks.

Inspired by the real-life experiences of Sean Quarmby, a former Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, Room 23 offers a unique glimpse into the world of national security. Through the character of John Quinlan, readers are plunged into a thrilling narrative of intrigue and espionage. Are you prepared to journey into the shadows and face the truth, or will the shadows claim victory?

This novel is more than just a book; it's an adrenaline-fueled adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next twist. Prepare for an unpredictable ending that may leave you questioning what you thought you knew. Brace yourself for Room 23, a suspenseful ride you won't soon forget.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2024

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31 people want to read

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Sean Quarmby

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Carol Lietke.
39 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2024
I highly recommend this novel which is drawn from the author's experience as a Secret Service Agent working in financial crimes and as a Special Agent in Charge of Room 23 and the White House Access Branch. This novel is a tale of international espionage and counterfeiting that could collapse the economy of the US. I was drawn in from page 1 and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Profile Image for Jackie Bowker.
2 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2024
I don't usually read this genre but was immediately captured. The insight on Secret Service was so interesting. I traveled through "John's" career with fascination getting personally involved in each case and situation. I love the fact that it is written from true experiences, putting the reader on edge again and again. I loved this book! Thank you for your dedicated service Sean Quarmby.
Profile Image for Sean Quarmby.
1 review
November 28, 2024
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers’ Favorite

In Sean Quarmby's Room 23, John Quinlan became a member of the U.S. Secret Service, where he was assigned to the Counterfeit Currency unit. Quinlan’s objective was to dismantle a covert scheme designed to perfect the APEX counterfeit $100 bill that was circulating in the Bronx, particularly in establishments catering to the Dominican community. After successfully dismantling the APEX counterfeiting operation, Quinlan was promoted to the prestigious Presidential Protection Division’s Room 23. Intelligence from the Secret Service in Washington, D.C. revealed numerous threatening calls to the White House, specifically aimed at the President of the United States. Quinlan found himself navigating a dangerous conspiracy that threatened not only the U.S. President but also the Supreme Leader of North Korea. Quinlan embraced the challenging dual responsibility of safeguarding these prominent figures.

Room 23 was inspired by the authentic experiences of a former special agent with the United States Secret Service. Sean Quarmby crafted a thrilling plot filled with intrigue and espionage. The story was overflowing with action, and the tension kept me riveted throughout. The writing style was captivating, and I found myself engrossed from the beginning to the end. With numerous twists and turns, I could never predict what would happen next. I was unable to set the book aside and flipped through the pages as quickly as possible. The characters were well-crafted and compelling. Each character fulfilled a specific role in the plot, contributing to this distinctive story. I appreciated the additional insights into the Secret Service and its operational methods. The story was superbly written, and there was never a moment of boredom.
Profile Image for Masha M..
Author 1 book13 followers
January 29, 2026
This is a masterfully constructed and electrifying espionage thriller that offers readers a coveted, all-access pass into the high-stakes, shadowy world of the United States Secret Service. Drawing on the firsthand experiences of former Special Agent Sean Quarmby, the novel pulses with an authenticity that is impossible to fabricate, following his surrogate, Special Agent John Quinlan, from recruitment into a vortex of psychological intrigue.

The plot kicks into overdrive with a premise ripped from a real agent's nightmares: the disappearance of a Master Engraver from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Quinlan is tasked with dismantling a clandestine operation perfecting the notorious APEX counterfeit $100 note, a decades-long scourge. But this financial crime is merely the tip of the spear, masking a darker, more profound secret.

The narrative escalates brilliantly when Quinlan is transferred to the Secret Service's most elite unit: the Presidential Protection Division's Room 23. There, he uncovers a harrowing, multi-layered conspiracy with unthinkable objectives: the simultaneous assassination of a sitting U.S. President and the Supreme Leader of North Korea. To prevent a global cataclysm, Quinlan must navigate a treacherous maze of rival intelligence agencies—the CIA, NSA, and MI-5—piecing together a lethal puzzle where every clue could be his last.

This novel is a relentless, pedal-to-the-metal thrill ride. It’s perfect for fans of Tom Clancy's technical detail and Brad Thor's breakneck pacing, but with the insider credibility that only a former agent can provide.
1 review
August 19, 2025
Wow! Espionage, Intrigue, and… a love story!
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2025
I truly enjoyed reading this book and loved the style of writing that kept me turning the pages longer than I intended every time I picked it up.

The book shared insights into the life of the men and women that give so much to protect the U.S. I had a sense of gratitude and pride in knowing they are there and give so much with little to no public accolades or awareness.

As for the story and plot-line, the author conveys a very suspenseful and insightful career of a USSS Special Agent. There is a mix of just enough historical correlations in this fictional thriller that keeps you wondering and wanting to know more. But, I think the subtle “love story” that emerges in this book between Q and Lana needs a sequel that expands on what comes next…? Their lives intersect in ways that are beyond coincidence and are just as intriguing as the career of Q, and Room 23.

Look forward to the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Glen Peski.
Author 1 book5 followers
October 5, 2025
Great book! Great plots. Was lucky enough to hear the author speak, so I had some background on a couple of the stories in the book. It's fictional, but in truth the author has lived a lot of it, so he knows what he's talking about! Fascinating insights into the world of the Secret Service, lots of things I didn't know before.
1 review
November 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! It provided great insight into the hiring process for a federal government job. The story was well written, engaging, and informative. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a fictional and suspenseful page turner!
1 review
April 23, 2025
page turner

Great book, keeps you engaged to the very last page and leaves you wanting more. That is a good read to me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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