McCrone’s second political thriller featuring FBI agent Imogen Trager builds on the dramatic tension of its predecessor, 2016’s Faithless Elector, in which the tightly contested 2016 presidential campaign seemed to conclude with an electoral college triumph for Democrat Diane Redmond, who had the necessary 271 electoral votes on election night. But the country was thrown into chaos after charges of voter fraud led to electors in three states to switch their support to the Republican, James Christopher, despite his having been widely regarded as having run a “dismayingly incoherent campaign.” Now the country is without a president-elect, and Trager, described by a superior as a “wonk who gets things done,” must deal with a network out to capture the presidency for some powerful special interests. Meanwhile, Trager finds herself in the investigative crosshairs after her personal relationship with a crooked colleague, who died in a gun battle in the last book, comes to light. Baldacci and Meltzer fans will appreciate the plot’s twists and the easy-to-empathize-with lead. (BookLife)