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Alter Road

Release Date: 03/17/2020

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about Alter Road

In “Alter Road,” geopolitical thriller author Mark James delivers a haunting vision of American collapse that begins not with a bang, but with an electric bill. Set in a Detroit ravaged by decades of economic decay, this gripping novel shows how quickly society’s threads can unravel when poverty, inequality, and institutional failure reach their breaking point.

When a ruthless power company continues shutting off electricity during a brutal winter, desperate residents turn to dangerous heating alternatives. After a beloved retired teacher and her family perish in one of countless preventable fires, the city erupts. What begins as protests against corporate callousness escalates into something far more dangerous as an overwhelmed police force gives way to military intervention.

Drawing from his expertise in urban geography and military experience, James crafts a disturbingly plausible scenario where infrastructure failure, economic desperation, and social unrest create a perfect storm. The story follows multiple perspectives as the U.S. Army finds itself trapped between angry citizens, international complications, and crumbling city systems.

“Alter Road” isn’t just another dystopian thriller – it’s a meticulously researched warning about the fragility of urban America. James weaves together real-world socioeconomic trends, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and political tensions to create a scenario that feels less like fiction and more like tomorrow’s headlines. This thought-provoking novel asks crucial questions about inequality, corporate responsibility, and what happens when America’s social contract finally breaks.

Editorial Review ★★★★★

In this meticulously crafted urban thriller, Mark James combines his expertise in military operations and urban geography to create a compelling examination of societal breakdown. Through multiple viewpoint characters, James constructs a nuanced portrayal of how infrastructure failure can trigger cascading social consequences.

What sets this novel apart is its sophisticated understanding of urban systems. James’s background allows him to create a deeply credible scenario where utility failures, economic pressure, and social tension interact in complex ways. His portrayal of Detroit’s physical and social landscape demonstrates particular skill in using setting as both backdrop and catalyst for conflict.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its careful attention to cause and effect. Through detailed examination of how infrastructure breakdown affects different segments of society, James creates a thoroughly researched chain of events. His analysis of how military forces might respond to urban unrest reflects deep understanding of both tactical operations and human behavior.

Particularly impressive is the author’s handling of multiple perspectives. Rather than defaulting to simple heroes and villains, James explores how different characters respond to crisis based on their positions and experiences. His portrayal of military personnel caught between duty and conscience, citizens pushed to desperate measures, and authorities facing impossible choices demonstrates sophisticated character development.

The writing effectively balances technical detail with human drama. James’s ability to explain complex urban systems while maintaining narrative tension shows significant storytelling craft. His attention to both systemic failures and personal consequences creates a thriller that works on multiple levels.

“Alter Road” stands as a significant contribution to contemporary thriller literature, offering readers both engaging narrative and thoughtful exploration of urban vulnerability.

About This Author

MARK JAMES writes Geopolitical thrillers and dystopian fiction. His debut novel Alter Road was published in 2020. His follow up novel Friendship Games is forthcoming in 2023.
He earned his PhD in Geography from the University of Cincinnati, his MS in Geography from the University of Alabama, and his BS in Political Science from Towson University. He has published research in various academic journals including Antipode, Regional Studies, Journal of Urban Affairs, Growth & Change, and Southeastern Geographer. He has taught Political, Economic, and Urban Geography for over twenty years. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school and deployed to the Philippines, Japan, Guam, the Aleutian Islands, and Hawaii during the last years of the Cold War. After the Navy, he used the GI Bill and worked his way through college and graduate studies. An avid surfer, you might find him on any given day amid the breaks off Delmarva in Maryland or Delaware when he probably should be at work.

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