The story is about how a former American president is forced to become an action hero to rescue his daughter who is kidnapped by a terrorist after his successor refuses to launch a rescue mission.
President Matt Keating, who was vice president when his predecessor died in office, has ordered an operation targeting an Islamic terrorist, Asim Al-Asheed, at his Libyan hideout. Al-Asheed survived the attack, but unfortunately, his wife and three daughters were killed. And he vowed revenge.During the next election cycle, Keating’s vice president, Pamela Barnes betrays him by winning the party caucus and is elected president instead. After Keating leaves the White House, Al-Asheed arranges to have Keating's 19-year-old daughter, Melanie abducted while she’s hiking in New Hampshire with her boyfriend.
Al-Asheed then announces three conditions for Melanie’s safe release - freeing three of his comrades; a full pardon for crimes he may or may not have committed against the United States; and US$100 million in bitcoin.Melanie’s mother, Samantha, who was a professor of anthropology researching in pre-Columbian Native American settlements before she became the First Lady, distrusts President Barnes’ promises to rescue her daughter. Which Barnes doesn't and ultimately Keating, a former Navy SEAL, is forced to take matters into his own hand instead.
So as the world watches when the events unfold, Keating embarks on a special-ops mission with the help of a few trusted friends. Will he succeed in saving his daughter and at the same time send Al-Asheed and the group he represents a message that the US does not negotiate with terrorists?Although there are moments of suspense and excitement, especially towards the end, the story from the beginning appears to lack traction. And when the ex-president decides to go after the kidnapper on his own by defying his successor's order to stand down, it does sound a bit desperate both for the ex-president and the authors. Can he actually do that?
Both Clinton and Patterson need a better story plot to offer readers another exciting ride, like they did with The President is Missing in their next collaboration. Anyway, fans of the authors will still enjoy reading this novel.