Review: Gary D. McGugan's UNRELENTING PERIL

When I picked up a copy of Gary D. McGugan's third novel in his Multima series, Unrelenting Peril, I didn't give much thought to its title. It was only after I had reached the last chapter that I well understood that McGugan could not have picked a more appropriate title, it was right on.

With his Multima series, it is quite apparent that McGugan has a clear understanding of the world of multinational corporations. His many years of business experiences and his travels on behalf of units of world-corporations provided him with a front row seat into the fundamentals of its landscape. It also has given him a clear perception of the environment, especially when it concerns company reorganizations, joint-ventures, mergers and acquisitions.

We are in  for quite a thrilling ride with his latest novel where the principal theme focuses on reshaping the corporate strategy of a fictional company, Multima via the joint venture route. In the usual course of events these deals can entail huge risks, where you have to consider the strategic fit between the acquirer and its target. There is also the matter of blending the organizational fit between the two companies which affect their respective corporate cultures. But when you add in a criminal entity trying to infiltrate the transaction by a mixture of strategic decisions and trial-and-error-attempts coupled with employing a bank it has control over, then you really have an alarming problem!

Make no mistake about it, not only is the plot of Unrelenting Peril very “real,” if you can recall past real experiences with rogue banks, but also McGugan's intriguing cast of characters are not crafted like cardboard cut-outs. They are alive and breathing who have human failings and aspirations.

Moreover, they move at quite a flying pace, particularly Suzanne Simpson, who has recently become the CEO of Multima Corporation. She had previously been an executive with a Canadian supermarket chain, which had been bought by Multima. Initially, she was the president at Multima Supermarkets. She now has her eyes on making Multima Corporation the largest and most diversified supermarket chain in the world after Walmart.

And here once again McGugan makes good use of his understanding as to how top executives function, how things get done (or don't) and he makes his readers care about what happens to Simpson and her plans.

Apart from the major plot of the novel, McGugan cleverly interweaves a somewhat fascinating sub-plot, the clandestine operations of the FBI as they penetrate a criminal entity known as The Organization. The FBI employs every means at their disposal including the use of a mole, as well as convincing key personnel of the criminal entity to turn states evidence. Although, you may not agree with some of the tactics of the FBI, but when you consider the alternatives and the ruthlessness of these criminal entities, perhaps the means does justify the ends. It makes you wonder how wide spread is the infiltration where we witness these criminal entities or persons representing them invest financial and/or human resources to participate in the decision-making process of these legitimate businesses? In addition, we have to question what are the risk factors that facilitate or promote infiltration?

As is the case with McGugan's two previous novels, Three Weeks Less A Day and The Multima Scheme, the plot of Unrelenting Peril is tight and complex. McGugan has a a gift for well-paced, well-blocked flurries of nail biting action that all lead up to a surprising finale.

The dialogue carried on among the various characters is believable, and the principal character, Suzanne is a memorable woman who is not easily forgotten once you put the novel to rest. Are we in for another sequel in the Multima series?

Follow here to read Norm's Interview With Gary D. McGugan concerning Unrelenting Peril