Title: Manning a Raptor
Author: A.A. Freda
Publisher: West Point Print and Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1957582931
Pages: 314
Genre: Political Thrillers / Mystery
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers

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The road to success is often paved not with gold, but with boulders and potholes galore. The joy and comfort that wealth can bring to a person or family is something many people dream of, and yet the rise to the top can be filled with pitfalls and dangers galore. There is always someone waiting to take the place of those who amass power, and there is always the chance that one’s luck will just run out.

In award-winning author A.A. Freda’s Manning a Raptor, the author explores the pitfalls of amassing wealth and power. Power couple and rich business owners Samantha and James Coppi live a good life, with businesses spanning the globe and a beautiful family to call their own. They dream of finding peace and an unexciting routine lifestyle, but there are those who seek to stop them from living their best life. With enemies at every turn, government contracts putting them in league with world leaders, and government operations agreed to in the shadows, Samantha and James Coppi must fight their past and secure their future for not only themselves, but their family.

The author did an incredible job of world-building and layering the narrative with a suspenseful atmosphere which keeps the reader guessing at every turn. The story really emphasized the importance of character development, not only for protagonists Samantha and James, but for everyone they encounter along the way. From James and his past serving in the war, to Samantha’s struggle to balance her growing family life, and dreams of a peaceful existence with the hardships and struggles of helping to run a business together, the intrigue and detail the author provides really helps elevate the suspenseful tone the narrative brings to life.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy mystery and suspense novels, especially those which involve a political thriller narrative and a dynamic power couple that rivals some of the great detective stories of the past. What really stood out was the way the author used this dynamic between the protagonists to humanize them, despite their wealth. The commentary on the wealthy elite and the class system as a whole, the narrative allowed the reader a glimpse into the people underneath the glamour and wealth, and also showcased the pitfalls of life with such wealth sitting at one’s fingertips.

Thoughtful, captivating, and entertaining, author A.A. Freda’s Manning a Raptor is a must-read political thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative, the rich character dynamics at play, and the memorable and emotional moments that bring an intimacy and realism to the characters makes the grander moments in the globe-trotting thriller more gripping to behold.