Tim Quast: 2 books

For Aaron Simmons and Connor Hennessey, working with Silicon Valley superstars Ric Mantilla and Carl Retten at tech high-flyer dComm Systems is the American dream. But when Simmons and Hennessey stumble onto a hedge fund called Blackjack, dreams become nightmares. From San Francisco to Belize, a battle of wits ensues, with survival doubled down and Blackjack holding the cards.

In a dystopian USA, Department of Energy chits and decals on bumpers track energy compliance. Executive Order 21984 gives the federal government oversight of local law enforcement and lets troopers exercise "discretionary vigilance." As a nation teeters, one cigarette for the young idealist John Bonner may spark a new revolution.