Three Weeks Less a Day - Book 1

John George Mortimer Is At The Top of His Game.

As CEO of Multima Corporation, he must find a successor quickly. Launching a competition among his most senior executives to find the one who shines—one his board of directors will approve— seems like a good idea. It should be an uneventful exercise. But the plan unravels almost immediately. 

Threats from organized crime, sexual misadventures and personal tragedy complicate his efforts. Instead of overseeing a predictable 60-day exercise in skillful leadership, John George finds himself embroiled in a chaotic series of events that unfold dramatically in Three Weeks Less a Day.

How quickly things can change at the highest levels! And how easily lives can crumple in pursuit of power and control. This fast-paced and suspenseful novel of corporate intrigue takes you inside the lives of high-powered executives and the lengths they will go to achieve results.

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Three Weeks Less A Day
Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (7/19)

“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.
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“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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Three Weeks Less A Day
Reviewed By Norm Goldman of Bookpleasures.com​

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 (VIC), 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 VIC, 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 VIC 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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Three Weeks Less A Day
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford for Feathered Quill - 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.
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Quill says: A lot can happen in Three Weeks Less a Day. This is a must-read!
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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.
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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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Gary – I found your book highly entertaining with very believable story lines. It is fast paced, deeply researched on subjects and people that really engage the reader. Not often do I read a book in one sitting but the plots were fascinating. The many locations, and business challenges that you experienced during your  business career and personal life played an important role in the book. A trace of  Wilbur Smith, John Grisham, and even Gomeshi come through the pages.  I can hardly wait for your second book! -- Bill Blight