{"product_id":"9780988988019","title":"The First Witness","description":"When a top Washington Post reporter discovers what he believes is an unauthorized CIA \u0026amp; military mission to destroy Iran's nuclear development sites, he finds himself caught in the middle of a global crisis, international intrigue, \u0026amp; a beautiful \u0026amp; exotic woman he desperately wants to trust. San Diego, California author Todd Easterling, originally discovered by the acclaimed Jay Garon-Brooke Agency of master novelist John Grisham fame, weaves a well-written, character-rich, high concept big story with cinematic potential \u0026amp; a balance of suspense \u0026amp; supporting romantic backdrop. \u003cp\u003eShawn Coyne, as Senior Editor at Doubleday\/Random House, said of Todd's writing, \"This is certainly a thriller that builds to global dimensions \u0026amp; I liked the way Mr. Easterling tackled the plot by having his journalist piece together the clues. The final revelation is also believable \u0026amp; consistent with the pervading paranoia in DC.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story follows Tom Lassiter in a fast paced race to separate facts from propaganda, \u0026amp; ends in a heart stopping glimpse of the new world we live in \u0026amp; threats posed by rogue states, or leaders, set on nuclear weapons development. Walking a razor-thin line between being seen as either a criminal, if he's wrong, or a hero if he's right, Lassiter takes matters into his own hands \u0026amp; stops at nothing to uncover the truth \u0026amp; try to stop a catastrophe of historic proportions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn his journey, Lassiter finds friendship and loyalty with his sidekick from The Washington Post, \u0026amp; unexpectedly develops a romantic interest with a British woman while interviewing key players behind the scenes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story focuses on uncovering clues, determining who is involved \u0026amp; trying to avoid capture before getting the story out. In the end, Tom Lassiter finds himself \u0026amp; the United States in a mission to fix what he admittedly \u0026amp; inadvertently help set in motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe climax of the story is vividly written, quickly paced, \u0026amp; lends itself to motion picture-like uncertainty \u0026amp; twists, with the fate of millions of people on the line, if not the survival of the entire planet. TheFirstWitness.com or ToddEasterling.com \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e-Mystery, Thriller \u0026amp; Suspense: Techno-Thriller (#1 Best Seller)\u003cbr\u003e-Mystery, Thriller \u0026amp; Suspense: Political (#2)\u003cbr\u003e-Mystery, Thriller \u0026amp; Suspense: Conspiracies (#2)\u003cbr\u003e-Literature \u0026amp; Fiction, Genre Fiction: Political (#2)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you like suspense thrillers \u0026amp; mysteries, \u0026amp; like the following, you should enjoy this novel:\u003cbr\u003e-Stories with motion-picture-type momentum which begin with a fast moving initial event\/catalyst, then transition to an investigative sequence, \u0026amp; build to an edge-of-the-seat climax in the second half.\u003cbr\u003e-Plot \u0026amp; character development balanced with ever-increasing fast paced action.\u003cbr\u003e-As in a movie, the reader 'lives' with the characters almost in real-time during a critical few days.\u003cbr\u003e-Topical\/current big issues in the news.\u003cbr\u003e-A story with a romantic backdrop to the action, where character development \u0026amp; relationships play key roles in the plot \u0026amp; twists.\u003cbr\u003e-Thrillers with real-world \"this could really happen\" global consequences.\u003cbr\u003e-CIA\/spy, espionage \u0026amp; romantic suspense.\u003cbr\u003e-The First Witness has elements of Harrison Ford on the run in The Fugitive \u0026amp; in Air Force One.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJanuary 29, 2014 (actual news quote): \"Tehran has made technical progress in a number of areas -- including uranium enrichment, nuclear reactors, and ballistic missiles -- from which it could draw if it decided to build missile-deliverable nuclear weapons,\" said James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence to the US Senate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Virgin Iconic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49820671738096,"sku":"9780988988019","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780988988019","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}