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THE SHORT DROP

Matthew FitzSimmons

An adrenaline fueled thriller about political intrigue and murder.
A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. Still unsolved, the mystery remains a national obsession. For legendary hacker and marine Gibson Vaughn, the case is personal—Suzanne Lombard had been like a sister to him. On the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, the former head of Benjamin Lombard’s security asks for Gibson’s help in a covert investigation of the case, with new evidence in hand. Haunted by tragic memories, he jumps at the chance to uncover what happened all those years ago. Using his military and technical prowess, he soon discovers multiple conspiracies surrounding the Lombard family—and he encounters powerful, ruthless political players who will do anything to silence him and his team. With new information surfacing that could threaten Lombard’s bid for the presidency, Gibson must stay one step ahead as he navigates a dangerous web to get to the truth. Matthew FitzSimmons was born in Illinois and grew up in London, England. He now lives in Washington, DC, where he taught English literature and theater at a private high school for over a decade. The Short Drop is his first novel.
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Published 2015-12-01 by Thomas & Mercer

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The Short Drop is an adrenaline-fueled thriller that has it all— political intrigue, murder, and suspense. Matthew FitzSimmons weaves a clever plot and deftly leads the reader on a rapid ride to an explosive end.

Best Books of 2015: ...spiffy new thriller... “The Short Drop” may not be an attention-grabbing title. But when I came upon what that phrase means, I nearly jumped out of my chair. Stand forewarned. Read more...

Writing with swift efficiency, FitzSimmons shows why the stakes are high, the heroes suitably tarnished, and the bad guys a pleasure to foil…

This live-wire debut begins with a promising lead in the long-ago disappearance of the vice president’s daughter, then doubles down with tangled conspiracies, duplicitous politicians, and a disgraced hacker hankering for redemption...Hang on and enjoy the ride.

Goodreads December newsletter names THE SHORT DROP as one of the best books of the month!

Beyond exceptional. Matthew FitzSimmons is the real deal.

An Amazon Best Book of December 2015: With a complex plot, layered on top of unexpected emotional depth, The Short Drop is a wonderful surprise on every level… This is much more than a solid debut, its proof that Fitzsimmons has what it takes...