Reviews - Three Weeks Less a Day
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford for Feathered Quill
Review Date: March 19, 2020
Gary D. McGugan delivers an epic adventure/thriller in the first novel in his Multima Mystery Series, Three Weeks Less a Day.
Wendal Randall has come a long way since his nerdy status in school. He’s borderline genius when it comes to navigating the intricacies of all aspects of technology and configuration. Not only is he viewed as an asset to Multima Corporation, but it seems Howard Knight, a powerful director with Venture Capital Investments (VCI) has taken more than a passing interest in Wendal.
And speaking of talent, Suzanne Simpson has done an admirable job of climbing to the ranks of corporate fiefdom with the coveted title of President in her division of Multima Corporation. The trifecta of top talent is financier extraordinaire, James Fitzgerald. Of course, none of these names and their respective titles would mean anything had it not been for their employment with Multima Corporation and the guidance from founder and chief executive officer, John George Mortimer.
They are about to be tasked with a life changing opportunity that, if they succeed, will implement game changing future successes for Multima Corporation. Now all they need to do is figure out how to deliver while navigating insurmountably turbulent tides that lie ahead for each of them.
Meanwhile, John George Mortimer has company demons to keep at bay. It would seem Multima’s legendary CEO, one of the richest men in the country with billions in personal wealth, has opted to test the reactionary waters. Curious as to what the fallout would be if he elects to leave the company at fiscal year-end, it’s time to make the announcement and see how long it takes before the sharks begin to circle. Of course, there are other motivating factors for Mortimer’s announcement. He's simply opted not to share that information quite yet.
Sadly, in a world full of leaks to the press, while Mortimer’s intentions were to keep certain information quiet, someone from within saw great personal gain in releasing the news. He simply couldn’t help himself and opts to strategically share the news in hopes the hit to Mortimer would be one to knock him down once and for all.
In this first of his three-book series, author Gary McGugan is off to a great start. This book is the equivalent of Secretariat at the starting gate of the race that would secure his triple crown win! McGugan clearly has a fantastic eye for detail and is quite the gardener when it comes to planting seeds only to watch them turn into full blown gardens as the story progresses.
The characters are diabolical, heroic, villainous and likeable all at the same time. Each one has a distinct spotlight shining upon him or her when its time for their respective ‘center stage’ in this read. The format/flow of this book is polished in that McGugan plays a heated game of tennis among the characters from chapter to chapter. He showcases their whereabouts and happenings and whatever their current plight may be.
There is no point throughout this read where McGugan’s audience has the remote chance of getting lost or confused. Rather, he spends just as much time tying lose ends together immediately after each crescendo in the plot before moving on with yet another whammy of a situation. I look forward to jumping into the next book in this series. This was a truly entertaining read.
Quill says: A lot can happen in Three Weeks Less a Day. This is a must-read!
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Shreya - Gary McGugan skillfully weaves a gripping narrative of suspense, thrills, and relentless drama in Three Weeks Less a Day. The exceptional writing immerses readers directly into the lives of high-powered executives, creating an authentic connection through well-crafted characters and a realistic narrative.
The story unfolds as a captivating journey, building towards an exciting climax, leaving the conclusion eagerly anticipated. McGugan's adept storytelling explores the challenges of navigating diverse business cultures within global companies, resonating with those who've experienced business travel across the US, Japan, and Europe. Filled with suspenseful twists and turns, this first installment of the series is a compelling escape, showcasing the author's impressive writing talent.
A must-read that takes readers on an enjoyable and unpredictable adventure.
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Gina - Met the author at an Indigo nearby. He gave a great description of the book. The book did not disappoint. Enjoyed reading it.
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Jillian V. - This book exceeded my expectations. From start to finish I was intrigued and wondered what would happen next. The straightforward writing style and short chapters allowed for fast reading, and I found it hard to put down. The storyline was interesting, and I learned a lot about business and corporations (a subject I previously had no knowledge of). I can’t wait to read more books from this author!
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William Bennett - I enjoyed reading this book even though it isn't the type that I usually go for. I would recommend it to others as a change of what you usually go for, try it you might like it also.
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Dave - Thank you to author Gary McGugan for the FREE Kindle copy of Three Weeks Less a Day. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity. I really liked it. The various threads within the story move along at nice clip, around interesting characters, with an open ending for the next edition.
Very nicely done. A good read.
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Murray-Young - International business thriller?? I must not know the definition of a business thriller. What was the intrigue or the suspense?? Ok without giving away the ending I was impressed with John George Mortimer and his business savviness. Oh what I wouldn’t give to have his intelligence and business knowledge. The ending left my mouth agape because it ended so abruptly.
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Ivana - A fast paced page turner that hooks you in the further on you read. A corporate thriller with many interesting characters that makes you want to keep reading.
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Josh - I met Gary in a bookstore; like a true business man he sold me on his book. I was skeptical, this is a break from my normal read, but he didn't let me down. This was the first book in a long while that I couldn't put down. You told me I'd be back for more Gary, you weren't wrong!
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Louise - Truly enjoyed the book. Well written, with a credible plot that keeps you wanting to read on. Bravo!
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Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views - Three Weeks Less a Day is the first book in a trilogy of novels by Gary D. McGugan. It’s a fascinating international corporate thriller that will leave readers wondering what really goes on behind boardroom doors.
When John George Mortimer, CEO of Multima Corporation learns he has breast cancer, he knows he must start looking for his successor – but he’s going to do things his way. Mortimer’s board of directors are aware only of his plans to retire, he’s keeping his health concerns under wraps until absolute necessity dictates a need to reveal such information.
Under the guise of taking proactive measures on the impending economic downturn, Mortimer charges his senior executives, each a president of one of Multima Corporation’s operating divisions, with a little friendly competition. They are each to develop a game-changer strategy that will ensure Multima Corporation continues to grow and profit in spite of the recession. With a 60-day deadline, the division presidents have their work cut out for them, but John George Mortimer isn’t out of the woods yet and he quickly finds his entire plan unraveling in Three Weeks Less a Day.
Gary McGugan skillfully crafts an intricate tale of suspense, thrills, and non-stop drama, and I was thoroughly captivated by, Three Weeks Less a Day. The writing is outstanding – McGugan delivers the reader directly into the story as a participant in the lives of these high-powered executives through authentic character development and realistic narrative.
The characters are charming and exciting, and it was so much fun getting inside their heads, learning how they tick, and trying to anticipate their next moves. They are multidimensional with commanding personalities and unrelenting determination, while also exhibiting genuine character flaws that strengthen and enrich the plot. The level of detail with which McGugan portrays his characters reveals his expertise in the business world, and his author voice is distinctive and eloquent.
The nugget that puts this story in the upper echelons for me is John George Mortimer’s battle with breast cancer. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book featuring a male character struggling with what is perceived to be a “female” disease and McGugan brings a wealth of information about the subject, weaving it seamlessly into the story for a unique, engaging plot twist.
Three Weeks Less a Day by Gary D. McGugan will appeal to a wide audience. Those interested in suspense and corporate intrigue flavored with the ruthless machinations of organized crime will find it an impressive debut novel that’s hard to put down. It’s clear McGugan has found his niche in the world of corporate thrillers and I look forward to reading, The Multima Scheme, the next novel in this innovative, exciting series.
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Norm Goldman - On the back cover of Gary D. McGugan's first novel, Three Weeks Less A Day, there is a description of the author as being someone who loves to tell stories. I would like to further add, he tells his story like a master of suspense as he deftly builds up a story that takes some surprising swerves. This is very much in evidence with this intricate fast-moving yarn that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat until the very end.
And just when you believe you have the plot all figured out, McGugan throws in another red herring that keeps you guessing.
The story is carefully built focusing on a highly successful enterprise, Multima Corporation headed by its crafty founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, John George Mortimer. Three divisions comprise the company: Logistics, whose President is Wendal Randall, a brilliant technology expert, Supermarkets, whose President is Suzanne Simpson and who possesses a larger than life personality and outstanding people skills and James Fitzgerald, President of Financial Services, who is a financial wizard.
As the narrative kicks off, the seeds of the plot are planted when we meet Randall who just receives a confidential text message from an influential board member of Multima, Howard Knight, mentioning that Mortimer intends to leave the company at the end of the fiscal year. This would have incalculable implications concerning the possible replacement of Mortimer. Who would be the choice of the Board of Directors and where would Randall fit it?
Knight is a director on the board of Multima and on another company's board, Venture Capital Investments (VCI), a large private equity fund. There is an intriguing history between Randall and Knight. Apparently, Knight came to Randall's rescue when he had owned a small company that experienced financial difficulties. Knight had bailed him out, and it was he who was instrumental in having Randall become the President of one of the Multima's divisions.
There is also another disconcerting matter concerning an event that happened at MIT where Randall was pursuing a master's degree in business administration. Randall had found himself in a nasty situation concerning a young woman and once again, Knight rescued him from some dire consequences. After Randall contacts Knight, it is confirmed that Mortimer will be leaving the company and that some board members are considering Randall as a possible successor.
Knight wants to know immediately if Randall would accept becoming CEO? Randall assures him that he would take the position. Knight tells Randall that he will back him; however, it is imperative that his succession to the CEO be handled delicately if they want to win the support of the entire board. Randall believes there doesn't seem to be any strings attached concerning Knight's generous offer, or is there, considering Knight's past help?
We learn a little more about Knight and VCI, which owns fifteen percent of Multima Corporation's preferred shares, the result of its billion-dollar investment at the time Multima acquired Randall's distressed company.
McGugan slips into the story mention of an entity called “ the Organization” that is behind VCI and states that they didn't invest its money just to earn adequate returns. We are now trying to figure out what this entity is all about and who are its principals?
If Mortimer releases day-to-day management of the company, Knight would then be in a position to apply some fundamental operating policies that would be of benefit to the Organization. Randall has now become an indispensable component of these changes, and thus his succession to Mortimer is pivotal.
The tale now switches to Mortimer, who is informed by his medical doctor that he has breast cancer and must undergo an operation. He is adamant in keeping his disease a secret and not divulge his diagnosis to Multima's board members or executives. He convenes a crucial meeting of the division presidents at the company's headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida.
At the meeting, the three senior presidents are given an assignment where they would have to come up with a single game-changing strategy to re-invent their business unit. Each President and their respective teams have sixty days to accomplish the project.
With this skilfully crafted story, McGugan employs his vast knowledge of the ins and outs of the world of multinational corporations and zooms in on the quest for power no matter what means and tools are used.
He keeps the story humming with a balancing act that includes three diverse people with some intriguing histories who are thrown into a high stakes grueling competition. Readers have much to chew on as they ponder who will be the winner and will he or she be chosen as Mortimer's successor? What creative strategy will each employ in arriving at the most business effective plan? Will each play by ethical and legal rules, or will they be overtaken by their greed and ambition? How about the secrets lurking in Randall's past and his relationship with the devious Howard Knight? And what about the confidential revelations concerning Simpson and Fitzgerald. How will this all play out?
Three Weeks Less a Day is the first of McGugan's Multima series and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
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David McDougall - Entertaining story that builds to an exciting crest.... the conclusion is yet to be discovered. Gary McGugan creates a fast-paced, dynamic plot that incorporates the challenges working with diverse business cultures of global companies. While reading Three Weeks Less a Day, it was a pleasure to think back to many of my own experiences with business travel throughout the US, Japan, and Europe.
As a reader, it was very easy to relate to some of the characters and feel more immersed into the Multima story. I look forward to reading The Multima Scheme and seeing how the Multima Corporation will evolve moving forward.
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Katie Hardwick - I met the author at the Oshawa Chapters location a few weeks ago as he stood patiently behind a table looking to entice readers to buy his book. I asked him to tell me about the story and his eyes lit up as he told me a bit about the novel. I was hooked instantly. The chapters are short but not lacking in page-turning excitement. It will keep you guessing until the very end.
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David Lloyd - Great first novel by business executive and author Gary McGugan. This novel was about the struggles between high level corporate executes and the competition they face every day at with their jobs. The story was unlike any I have ever read before and this I liked.
I was fortunate to meet the author at a book signing and found him to be a very interesting person. He's a former business executive and current business consultant and the story he tells about the international corporate world demonstrates his first hand knowledge.
His book is fast paced, exciting and every time I picked it up I was always looking forward to what was coming next. I would liked to have seen more character development and dialogue but this did not stop me from enjoying this read.
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Kathy Dobronyi - We truly live in a global economy when products on your grocers shelves may come from Japan, China and your local growers. Technology is also part of this economy where Germany and Russia contribute for ease at the checkout. Industrial espionage is also part of the global economy. It certainly plays a part in the succession of the new CEO of John George Mortimer’s dynamic and successful corporation. Who would have thought a mastectomy would lead to game changing events for his three top candidates? Who would have thought grocery store business could be so complex and exciting? I found Three Weeks Less A Day difficult to put down. Very unusual because corporate espionage isn’t high on my reading list.
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Foreword Clarion Reviews
“Gary D. McGugan’s Three Weeks Less a Day is an international thriller whose protagonist is a breast cancer patient, though his illness is only one of many twists and turns. This fast-paced caper examines greed, power, and high-stakes quests for control....While looking for a successor, [Billionaire John George] Mortimer stumbles upon organized crime and corporate mismanagement....Throughout the novel, he makes more and more unexpected discoveries of deception involving those at the core of his company.
The thriller takes apart stereotypes around men and breast cancer, presenting a relatable character who charges from one situation to the next with grace and aplomb. Events zip by in a flurry of well-timed action, dialogue, and narrative flow.... Three Weeks Less a Day...conveys a surprising celebration of survival. It is a testimony that cancer patients can overcome adversity, whether it’s in the boardroom or at the doctor’s office. As the old adage goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and this book offers great hope that a little willpower and perseverance can help anyone achieve great things.”
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TERRY - This page turning novel kept me at the edge of my seat inside this corporate setting of a company going through management changes. Filled with suspense and drama, this story takes you through twists and turns and leaves you wanting more.
It is the authors first of three novels for this series. I was able to easily follow through this story and enjoyed the unpredictable adventures the characters would find themselves in. What a great escape and enjoyable journey Gary McGugan took me through and I am thoroughly impressed with the writing talent of this author in his first novel.
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Gail - This was such an enjoyable and well written book. We follow 3 top executives as they are challenged by their CEO John George Mortimer to develop a game changer for each of their respective business areas to present to the board of directors. The idea is that the executive favoured by the board of directors will succeed John who is intending to step down.
We suddenly find ourselves immersed into the business world of a top company and the trials and tribulations that each of the 3 executives find themselves up against which make this thriller with its twists and turns most intriguing. The author's ability to keep the suspense going to the very end was brilliant. Looking forward to reading Gary's next novel.
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Shubham Lakhina - In Three Weeks Less a Day by Gary D. McGugan, readers are thrust into the high-stakes world of corporate intrigue and leadership succession.
At the center of the narrative is John George Mortimer, a driven and ambitious CEO who faces a devastating medical diagnosis and the realization that he has no succession plan in place for his multinational corporation. Faced with the urgent need to groom his potential successors, Mortimer devises a cunning competition for his three division presidents, withholding the true reason behind their tasks. As they embark on a global search for opportunities, the tension mounts as unexpected personal crises, news leaks, and interference from organized crime threaten to derail Mortimer’s carefully laid plans.
McGugan masterfully crafts a fast-paced and suspenseful story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The narrative unfolds against an international backdrop, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the tale. As Mortimer grapples with his own mortality and the fate of his company hangs in the balance, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
What sets Three Weeks Less a Day apart is its exploration of characters’ flaws and vulnerabilities amidst the cutthroat world of corporate competition. McGugan deftly navigates themes of ambition, loyalty, and betrayal, creating a rich tapestry of relationships and motivations that drive the plot forward.
Overall, Three Weeks Less a Day is a gripping and thought-provoking read that combines elements of suspense, drama, and corporate intrigue. With its compelling storyline and well-drawn characters, this book is sure to captivate readers who enjoy a thrilling and immersive tale of power, deception, and ambition in the corporate world.
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Akshat Vij - Gary McGugan skillfully entwines a riveting tale of suspense, thrills, and unyielding drama in Three Weeks Less a Day.
The narrative is an unpredictable whirlwind that maintains a gripping hold, keeping you eagerly anticipating and anxious until the very end. A corporate thriller filled with intriguing characters that compels you to continue reading.
Gary McGugan has taken me on an extraordinary and delightful journey, leaving me thoroughly impressed with his writing prowess in this remarkable book. I eagerly look forward to delving into Gary's next literary creation. The book's brilliance extends to its character development, inviting readers to explore the intricacies of the main characters' personalities, motivations, backgrounds, and their intricate relationships with each other.
The author adeptly crafts multi-dimensional characters, each possessing unique strengths and weaknesses, virtues and flaws, guiding them through a journey marked by both triumphs and setbacks.
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Megha Ghosh - The story hooks you in with its awesome narrative, making you question all the juicy secrets hidden in the corporate world. I was so into it that I didn't even realize I hit the end until I accidentally flipped to the acknowledgments.
McGugan's storytelling is slick, giving you that insider vibe and keeping the vibe alive from start to finish. Can't wait to dig deeper into John George's and Suzanne's connection.
The suspense builds up nicely, showing off McGugan's knack for keeping you hooked till the very end. He nails the whole business-culture thing across the US, Japan, and Europe, hitting home for anyone who's done some serious business travel. Packed with crazy twists, this first part of the series is a must-read escape, showcasing the author's awesome writing chops. Get ready for a wild and unpredictable ride!
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Bookish Corner - Three Weeks Less a Day is a total page-turner! It dives deep into corporate chaos, exposing the power struggles and sneaky politics at Multima Corporation. John George Mortimer's cancer bombshell kicks off a battle for succession among division heads, adding a thrilling layer to the plot. Picture a chess game, but with high-stakes corporate players.
As they unveil strategies and secrets, the tension skyrockets, leading to a jaw-dropping finish that left me stunned. Cheers to the characters' resilience in facing unexpected obstacles! This novel is a rollercoaster of power, politics, greed, and ambition in the cutthroat world of business. Totally recommend for those craving a suspenseful ride!
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