At midnight, in a secret medical clinic in Washington, D.C., two foreign doctors and their team are completing plastic surgery on an anonymous client who is changing the appearance of his face, among other things. After the procedure, the client begins to stir—and suddenly the operating room erupts in violence, and the clinic is ablaze.
Washington police conduct an arson investigation, with inconclusive results. But one tantalizing fragment of evidence suggests that a terrorist bombing may be imminent. The presidential inauguration is quickly approaching, and Washington’s police, fire, intelligence, military, federal, and White House security teams are making frantic preparations. Because of the strain on manpower, retired Secret Service agent Swamp Morgan is recalled to active duty. His task: investigate the incineration of the medical clinic as a "firefly"—Washington-speak for something that looks like a threat but isn’t.
As Swamp begins what he thinks is a routine check-and-dismiss, the clinic’s missing client begins preparations for his mission: to launch an attack on the American government—a decapitation strike intended to wipe out both the outgoing and incoming administrations. As the crucial day approaches, Swamp, the only agent to take the firefly seriously, must operate alone as the clock clicks down to a breathtaking finale.
Filled with brilliant twists and turns and heart-in-your-throat suspense, The Firefly offers first-class entertainment from beginning to end.
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"I know the plot seems ridiculous but did anyone ever believe that 9/11 could happen? I think this book would make a terrific thriller. I have never read this author before but am definitely putting him on my list of must reads...."
— Sue (4 out of 5 stars)
" Another great suspense novel by my friend Pete Deutermann "
— Tony, 6/2/2013" I absolutely loved this book. Very unpredictable and I didn't put it down until I finished! "
— Tina, 1/2/2013" While the book had a very likable main character, the final plot-twist was absolutely, 100% preposterous. "
— Karen, 11/17/2012" The first of his books that I've read. Will probably read more. "
— George, 9/10/2012" Love it up until the end. Did not expect it to end like that. All in all a good read. I will try more of his books. "
— Mydixon, 12/11/2011" A bit over the top but a page turner nonetheless. "
— Elaine, 10/25/2011" Government conspiracies, terrorists, and CIA! Oh my! "
— Whitney, 9/25/2011" Love the characters. I hated the ending. I would love to see these characters again. "
— Esmeralda, 9/6/2011" A little confusing at times. Still, I had trouble putting this book down. Enjoyed it very much. "
— Doris, 4/1/2011" Awesome! Read in car on audio CD. "
— Julie, 8/17/2010" Plot is indeed ridiculous. Get a retired agent to serve as front man in elaborate hoax to foil terrorists. Not a bad read, though. "
— Alan, 5/26/2010" Only an hour to go on this very long audiobook, but I quit. Not bad until now, when credibility was stretched too far, and was broken. This wasn't supposed to be fantasy, but suddenly it is. Sorry, just way too hard to suspend my belief on this one! "
— Genine, 5/7/2010" Too much cursing for me ... "
— Jan, 4/2/2010" First time reading this author and I was impressed. Suspenseful thriller from the first pages till the last ones. CIA, FBI, Secret Service, this one has it all. Can't wait to read one of his previous books! "
— Greg, 2/27/2009" I thought that I had it figured out and then I finished the book. It keeps you in the plot until the last sentence. "
— Jim, 9/23/2008P. T. Deutermann is the author of many previous novels including Pacific Glory, which won the W. Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction. He spent twenty-six years in military and government service, as a captain in the Navy and in the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an arms-control specialist. He lives with his wife in North Carolina.
Dick Hill, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, is one of the most awarded narrators in the business, having earned several Audie Awards and thirty-four AudioFile Earphones Awards. In addition to narrating, he has both acted in and written for the theater.