Scavenger Hunt by Chad Boudreaux

 
Release date: January 31, 2023
Sungenre: Legal thriller, Spy thriller
 

About Scavenger Hunt:

 

Blake Hudson just wants to serve his country well as a lawyer for the United States Justice Department—but when an unknown threat begins plotting his downfall, he must find who is setting him up before it costs him his life.

Scavenger Hunt is a suspense novel chronicling the plight of Blake Hudson, a Justice Department lawyer assigned to a clandestine counterterrorist group created to bypass onerous legal requirements. After the group mysteriously disbands, Hudson becomes the scapegoat and is transformed from hunter to hunted. As he searches for answers and attempts to piece the puzzle together, people are following him, trying to kill him. 

Written for fans of fast-paced thrillers, dry humor, political gamesmanship, and Clue-like twists and turns, Scavenger Hunt carves out a distinct niche best described as a hybrid of the Robert Ludlum classics and works by Brad Meltzer. Blake Hudson’s story addresses issues that have shaped recent elections and continue to frustrate interest groups and government leaders, while featuring the inner workings of the U.S. Department of Justice Building—arguably the most important and misunderstood agency in the federal government. Author Chad Boudreaux’s unique voice and page-turning storytelling packs a plot-driven punch that readers won’t be able to put down. 


Excerpt:

 

Chevy Chase, Maryland

Images from the high-definition, flat-screen television penetrated the thick cigar smoke billowing throughout the darkened room, but the experienced reporter’s words alone betrayed her anxiety.

Chaos descended upon San Francisco earlier today when a suicide bomber saddled with explosives parachuted from an airplane onto the field of Renaissance Stadium. The unidentified terrorist detonated several high-order explosives that destroyed much of the complex and killed what could be, according to first responders, as many as ten thousand people.

Thousands of other innocent victims suffered significant burns and countless physical injuries caused by the explosive inferno. Some were trampled as the crowd, gathered for the first game of this year’s World Series, stampeded to the stadium’s exits. People unaffected by the initial blast panicked when two box-crates attached to stand-alone parachutes descended upon them, and for good reason. Those crates contained more explosives that killed thousands more.

Authorities believe this terrorist attack—the worst in our country’s history—was carried out by a group calling itself al Thoorah, which means “The Revolution.” That network was formed just a few months ago after its founder, Omar Saud, was denied the top leadership position in al Qaeda. Although the government will not confirm this, our sources tell us that police apprehended Mr. Saud and another accomplice as they tried to escape the area by boat.

According to eyewitnesses, the plane used in this attack had circled the stadium once before, carrying a large banner that read: “Go Giants!” After it had violated restricted air space, fighter jets were scrambled. Authorities refuse to comment on whether the fighter pilots arrived in time or had the authority to thwart the attacks, but California Senator Miles Hummel has already called for a congressional investigation.

In response to this attack, and to the uptick in terrorist attacks occurring throughout the US, several members of Congress are demanding that President Clements resign, citing his inability to protect the homeland . . .

The meaty, arthritic hand picked up the remote control and turned off the television. It stamped out the stub of a Cuban cigar and picked up the telephone on its third ring. “Yes?”

“Is the line secure?”

“Of course.”

“Do you have the list?”

“Indeed. As you know, I’m always prepared.”

“Read me the names.”

“Jake Reid. Brent Olson. Natasha Hensley.”

“Is that it?”

“No.”

“No?”

“I wish to talk to you about another who has come to my attention.”

 

Amazon

 

About Chad Boudreaux:



Before becoming Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer of the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, Chad Boudreaux served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he advised Secretary Michael Chertoff on almost all significant matters facing the newly established Department. Before working for Homeland Security, Boudreaux served in several high-ranking positions at the U.S. Justice Department, where he was hired the night before the September 11, 2001 attacks. During his time at the Justice Department, Boudreaux focused most of his time on matters relating to terrorism and homeland security. Boudreaux graduated from Baylor University in 1995 and from the University of Memphis School of Law in 1998, where he was Managing Editor of the law review. Chad lives in Hampton Roads, Virginia, with his wife and four children.  
 

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