Furtive Retribution - Book 9

Suzanne Simpson finds herself at the center of a global conspiracy. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the CEO of Multima Corporation when shocking events occur with the company’s operations in Europe and Southeast Asia. Innocent lives are lost. Among several startling setbacks, her live-in lover and chief of security, Serge Boisvert, also suddenly disappears.

Suzanne must navigate a web of deceit, betrayal, and danger to uncover the truth.

From the business section of Atlanta to the icy wilderness of Labrador—and into the shadowy underworlds of Russia and Japan—Furtive Retribution is a gripping international thriller that takes readers on a high-stakes journey across the globe.

Packed with nail-biting suspense, sudden twists, and a cast of complex characters, Furtive Retribution is a story of resilience, ambition, and the lengths one woman will go to defend everything she’s built. Perfect for fans of corporate thrillers and international intrigue, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

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Check out these reviews for Furtive Retribution!

          Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (12/2025) 

Furtive Retribution is Book Nine of The Multima Saga by Gary D. McGugan and delivers exactly what you might expect, given the title. It’s a high-stakes thriller with covert threats and private retaliation in play, as criminal forces attempt to take over a multi-billion-dollar global corporation. 

The story opens with a bang (literally) as Multima Corporation CEO Suzanne Simpson and Serge Boisvert, her chief of security and life partner, narrowly escape a bombing at a bed-and-breakfast, shortly after receiving a series of strange phone calls.

With the recent murder of Gordon Goodfellow, the president of Multima Supermarkets, Suzanne can’t help but wonder if this is the work of the organized crime syndicate known as The Organization. After advising her board of directors, Suzanne places Serge in charge of the investigation into Goodfellow’s death and uncovering exactly who is behind these mounting threats. 

Suzanne has to reshape her executive leadership team with the loss of Goodfellow and stabilize the affected areas of the corporation. She also brings back a long-trusted ally to help her with the transition. A series of hostile actions against several Multima executives follows, including Suzanne herself. It’s obvious the incidents are being coordinated and carried out by highly connected and far-reaching foes. As the attacks escalate in danger and in number, it becomes very clear they are intended to take control of Multima, and Suzanne must determine just how far she is willing to go to protect everything she’s built.

I’ve been reading this series from the beginning and always look forward to the arrival of the next book by Gary D. McGugan. Furtive Retribution did not disappoint. After the dramatic opening, the tension builds relentlessly as the scope of the threats become more clear. I loved the criminal masterminds behind the terror, working largely in the shadows. Furtively. The “bad guys” are not in-your-face. Rather, you can feel their presence through the calculated actions used to undermine key executives, as they create fear and uncertainty within Multima’s leadership. 

Suzanne Simpson is one of my favorite characters. She has been ever since she took control of Multima Corporation many books ago. Her role as a strong, competent CEO is one of the many reasons I admire her character, and she remains a powerful presence in this book. Serge has become a favorite as well. He provides the needed counterbalance with the investigative side and is the only person who can (or does) speak to Suzanne with more candor (at the appropriate times, of course).

Their business and professional relationships are not without occasional hesitations, however, and I like how McGugan reveals a different side to this relationship, showing readers that even power couples have their occasional challenges. James Fitzgerald, another longtime favorite, brings a surprising twist that had me thinking I never gave him enough credit. Go James! 

What particularly works for me is the way McGugan balances fiction with enough real-world context to make the story conceivable. It’s how he makes the technology, the political action, the corporate negotiations, and the influence of organized crime all work together. Combined with the novel’s global settings (which clearly reflects the author’s own travel experiences), the result is a story that is fresh and contemporary. 

Readers who enjoy intelligent corporate thrillers will find a lot to appreciate in Furtive Retribution. For newcomers, while you will find it to be an exciting, contained read, I do recommend going back and starting with the first book, Three Weeks Less a Day.

For those who have followed the series from the beginning, buckle up! Furtive Retribution delivers another solid story that stays true to what has made The Multima Saga a hit in the international intrigue scene. 

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite

Furtive Retribution by Gary D. McGugan is an action-packed novel that reaches across the world and into the highest echelons of society’s elite.

 Multima Corporation is a massive conglomerate based in Montreal, Canada, whose core business is supermarket chains, but which is now also deeply involved in finance, I.T., and other ancillary services. Suzanne Simpson runs the massive operation with a hands-on approach and a singular commitment to excellence, building the business and brand loyalty. Assisted by her head of security operations and live-in partner, Serge Boisvert, her life is a constant menu of travel, management meetings, and tough corporate decision-making in a rapidly changing environment.

 It is just before Christmas, and something is very amiss. At the busiest time of year, a series of accidents, sabotage, and loss of life threatens the company’s success, perhaps even its very existence. Suzanne, Serge, and her most trusted management teams are in a race against time to stop this massive threat.

Furtive Retribution is an absolute roller-coaster of a read, with plots, counterplots, subterfuge, betrayal, and non-stop action. Gary D. McGugan has crafted an intricate plot and tied it all together perfectly. 

The narrative hangs together beautifully and reaches a satisfying conclusion. I always appreciate a female lead character who is successful, independent, smart, and strong. Suzanne has all those things in spades, but she is not the only strong, successful female in the story, which gives the novel a broad reach. Suzanne has a softer, more compassionate side to her that definitely came through when disaster struck. Her relationship with Serge was interesting, but I liked that their personal relationship seemed to be more of a coming together of equals. 

From Montreal to Chicago, Atlanta to Florida, Vietnam to Japan, Russia to the frozen northeast of Canada, this novel never stopped racing from one exotic locale to another from page one. I love a good conspiracy, industrial sabotage story, and Furtive Retribution certainly fits the bill.

 This was a fantastic read that I enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite

Furtive Retribution by Gary D. McGugan is set against a backdrop of corporate intrigue, international crime, and high-stakes drama. The story follows Suzanne Simpson, CEO of Multima Corporation, as she faces a series of coordinated attacks that threaten her company and her life.

 The plot unfolds across multiple continents, weaving a complex web of betrayal, power struggles, and unexpected alliances. The characters are compelling, and each has their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. Suzanne’s determination and leadership shine as she navigates the challenges of a global conspiracy, while Serge Boisvert, her partner and head of security, demonstrates unwavering loyalty and resourcefulness in the face of danger. The supporting cast, including Natalia Tenaz and James Fitzgerald, plays pivotal roles in the unfolding drama.

Gary D. McGugan’s extensive experience in global corporations is evident in the portrayal of corporate dynamics and the high-stakes world of business. The story’s international settings, from Japan to Russia to the United States, are vividly described.

 The pacing is fast and steady, making it a quick read. Furtive Retribution explores themes of power, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go to protect what they hold dear. McGugan’s writing is engaging, and his ability to intertwine personal relationships with corporate and criminal intrigue makes for a compelling read. This ninth installment in the Multima Saga showcases McGugan’s talent for storytelling and his ability to create a world where danger lurks around every corner.

 Furtive Retribution is a thrilling read that will appeal to fans of suspense, action, and corporate drama.

Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers’ Favorite

Furtive Retribution by Gary D. McGugan follows Suzanne Simpson, the CEO of a powerful global company, as her life and business are thrown into chaos after a senior executive is murdered. While traveling with her security chief and partner, Serge Boisvert, Suzanne receives a series of silent phone calls that end in a direct threat. Moments later, a bomb destroys the hotel they were staying in, forcing them to flee. Back at headquarters, Suzanne realizes the killing connects to organized crime, cyber sabotage, and financial corruption in her own company. As Serge pulls together a discreet international team, the search moves from North America to Asia, mixing corporate negotiations with covert cyber work. With hostile eyes watching, can Suzanne figure out who is targeting her company before everything she built is wiped away?

Furtive Retribution by Gary D. McGugan combines corporate intrigue, crime, and cyber warfare into a fast-moving international thriller. The writing keeps things tight and urgent, rarely giving the tension a chance to fade. The locations are current and believable, jumping between boardrooms, airports, and international operations in a way that reflects how global companies actually work. Suzanne comes across as a strong leader who has to make difficult choices in dangerous circumstances, while Serge is a steady, protective presence beside her. The story reflects concerns about how vulnerable large corporations can be to unseen digital and criminal threats. It brings to mind thrillers by authors like Frederick Forsyth or Daniel Silva, but with a stronger focus on corporate power. If you're a fan of smart, fast-moving stories about global risk and leadership, you will absolutely enjoy reading this book.

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Visionary Impart - 5 Stars on Goodreads - Furtive Retribution is a fast-paced, globe-trotting thriller that delivers nonstop tension and sharp intrigue. Gary D. McGugan crafts a compelling story around Suzanne Simpson, a formidable heroine navigating corporate power plays, personal loss, and international danger. The twists come quickly, the stakes feel real, and the settings add a cinematic mosaic to the action. A gripping installment in The Multima Saga, this novel will satisfy fans of corporate and international thrillers alike.

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Reviewed by Eric Ferrar for Readers’ Favorite

Gary D. McGugan's Furtive Retribution centers around Suzanne Simpson, the CEO of a massive international corporation, whose professional and personal life collapse almost overnight. After a senior executive connected to her company is murdered, Suzanne and her partner, Serge Boisvert, begin receiving disturbing threats.  

A brutal attack forces them to flee, leaving no doubt that Multima Corporation is being hunted from both within the company and beyond it. Once Suzanne steadies herself, she gives Serge the green light to lead a quiet investigation, bringing together experts in security, finance, and cyber work.

 Their search moves through North America, Europe, and Asia, slowly revealing connections to organized crime, digital attacks, and corruption cleverly masked as legitimate corporate activity. Each discovery raises the stakes and adds to the growing pressure Suzanne feels as the person responsible for holding everything together. Can she discover who is pulling the strings before her company and her life are destroyed?

Gary D. McGugan’s Furtive Retribution is an international corporate thriller that embraces the genre with confidence.

 McGugan’s style is straightforward and focused, keeping events and decisions at the center without getting lost in endless inner thoughts. I really liked how the story handles corporate power—being successful doesn’t protect anyone; it just draws more danger. While Suzanne is competent and intelligent, she’s not untouchable, which makes her choices immediate and convincing. Serge brings his security know-how to the table, keeping things practical when the stakes rise.

 The global settings never feel wasted—they highlight how crime moves across borders. For anyone who enjoys suspense that’s plotted carefully, with real stakes and believable characters, this book is a solid, engaging read.