Sweat by Mark Gilleo
Fascinating read, lots of action internationally and politics.
Has a human side also as a visiting Senator gets a Chinese sweat shop worker pregnant. Others in high places find out also and he thinks by paying it will be done with...
Son who returns to work at his father’s company also hears of things and he reaches out to help.
Travel, action, mafia, stalkers, different careers and so much more. Adult situations.
Love following the detectives around as they find the clues to solving this mess. Shocking what son does, to bring justice ...
Excellent read for many genres and readers. Really appreciate this author's works.
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion. ( )

An amazing story of corruption, politics, business, and courage. This is an edge-of-your-seat thriller.

Jake Patrick took a summer job with his father after his mother passed away to earn some money to cover the lingering debt from her medical bills. While Jake knew his father was a clever business man, he never expected quite the degree that his father's desire to make money would cost others. Thrown into the mix of political scandal, murder, and corruption, Jake has to make a decision to walk away or dig deeper. What unravels includes a dirty politician, slave labor supplying American goods, and a story that will leave you thinking.

After reading this it's hard to believe this is just a book. The story is excellent, fast paced, and exciting. And even after it ends the reader is left thinking just how much truth probably lies beneath... ( )

Book Info: Genre: Political Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of political thrillers, fast-paced stories
Trigger Warnings: sweatshop, essentially human slavery, murder, attempted murder

My Thoughts: This book is a real thrill ride, non-stop action from start to finish. While there is no real mystery to it, following what happens is entertaining and fun. Issues dealt with include political corruption, family issues, sweatshops and international labor relations, and the conditions under which young women are often employed in sweatshops. It is not a pretty story, it is not a happy story, but it has the ring of truth.

It also paints a very bleak picture of politics and politicians. It shows how most politicians are only looking out for themselves, and not at all concerned about fulfilling their obligations to their constituents.

If you like political thrillers, you will definitely want to read this. It's a fast read and a real thrill-ride. Check it out.

Disclosure: I received an e-galley from The Story Plant via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: When Jake Patrick took a summer internship at his estranged father’s corporation, he anticipated some much-needed extra cash and a couple of free meals from his guilty dad. He would never have guessed that he'd find himself in the center of an international scandal involving a U.S. senator, conspiracy, backroom politics, and murder. Or that his own life would hang in the balance. Or that he’d find help—and much more than that—from a collection of memorable characters operating on all sides of the law. Jake’s summer has turned into the most eventful one of his life. Now he just needs to survive it.

From the sweatshops of Saipan to the most powerful offices in Washington, Sweat rockets through a story of crime and consequences with lightning pacing, a twisting plot, an unforgettable cast of characters, and wry humor. It is another nonstop thriller from one of the most exciting new voices in suspense fiction. ( )

Sweat by Mark Gilleo is a suspenseful story that takes place in Washington D.C and U.S. Territory Saipan. Jake Patrick is a young man who had to quit school to take care of his mother while she suffered from cancer. She dies and Jake finds himself wondering what to do with his life. It does not take him long to find out. He meets his father after not having him in his life for most of his childhood. Jake is offered an internship for the summer in his father's successful company.
In a sweatshop in Saipan are young women who make clothing for not even minimum wage and the working conditions are horrible. A US Senator along with Peter, Jake's father are involved with the owners of the sweatshop and they take a trip to Saipan and spend part of an evening with two of the girls. Wei Ling, who is one of the girls is also a favorite of Peter, who sees her whenever he goes to Saipan. Wei Ling ends up pregnant and becomes a pawn..a blackmail pawn. She is locked away until she has the baby so it can be used in the blackmail scheme against the Senator.
In Washington Peter's secretary is found dead at the bottom of the escalator in the subway system and at first it seemed it was an accident but two detectives on the case start to think otherwise. Jake finds out about the pregnant girls and plans a scheme to save her and take down the corrupt people along the way.

There are a lot of characters in this story, Jake and his father, A senator who is as corrupt as they come, the owners of the sweatshop, the girls exploited in this sweatshop, and innocent woman who ends up dead, an assassin who is stalking Jake, Jake's girlfriend and her father who does not want Jake to see his daughter and then there are the detectives. You would think with all of these characters it would make the story confusing, it doesn't though. The author has such a way with telling the story that you want to keep turning the pages. From men who keep making money off others misery, this story seems like it could be taken from any newspaper today...

Mark Gilleo is also the author of Love Thy Neighbor. If you are looking for a suspenseful thriller then this an author you will definitely want to read. I I hope Mr. Gilleo is hard at work on another awesome book for me to read!!

I received an ebook for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review. ( )

From the sweatshops of Saipan to the powerful offices of Washington DC, author Mark Gilleo weaves an intriguing international political thriller of corruption, greed, and the injustice and dismal working conditions in overseas sweatshops.

After Jake Patrick lost his mother to cancer, he reluctantly takes an internship at his estranged father's import/export company, Winthrop Enterprises, in order to try to get his life back on track. But his new position in the company is anything but cushy ... it will send him on a dangerous adventure that will put him right in the middle of an international scandal that could threaten his life!

Sweat is a riveting story full of scandal, conspiracy, corruption, greed and murder that takes the reader on a thrilling roller coaster ride of an adventure! Masterfully written in the third person person narrative, and rich in description and vivid details, this action-packed compelling story transports the reader around the globe with stops in Seattle, Washington, Saipan and Washington DC for behind the scene glimpses into international political and business corruption and injustice within the world of illegal import/export sweatshops. With enough corruption, greed, bribery, blackmail, kidnappings, assassination attempts, murder and even a bit of romance thrown into the mix, this fast-paced action thriller is a compelling page turner that will keep you guessing and wanting more.

From greedy and corrupt politicians and businessmen, to organized crime, to the downtrodden sweatshop workers, Sweat has a variety of cast of characters who are realistic and complex people, who will captivate you with their interweaving involvement and actions throughout the story. The character dialogues are realistic and intriguing, they grab your attention and make you feel like you are watching the interactions occur.

The author's description of the horrible working conditions and treatment of the workers in the sweatshops was a fascinating yet disturbing portrayal. The author engages the reader with some very thought provoking descriptions that will invoke a range of emotions from anger and disgust towards the corrupt politicians and businessmen, to horror and compassion for the oppressed sweatshop worker. Likewise, the author also provides some really great insightful descriptions into the behind the scenes political wheeling-dealing that goes on in the US Senate and in the offices of the big corporations.

Sweat is an international political thriller that will captivate you with its riveting behind the scenes glimpse into the greed, corruption and scandals that encompasses the illegal dealings within the political and business world.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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