Power in the Age of Lies

One woman seeks truth. Now she must challenge a corrupt President — and America is at stake.

Madison Padgett’s fight to save her dying town is blocked by Conrad Vega, the handsome, idealistic Democratic senator determined to save humanity from a global warming catastrophe.

But when violence explodes, Madison has an opportunity to grasp unthinkable power.

Now she must choose between her lifelong goal—a goal she questions—and fighting a conspiracy fueled by a corrupt president’s ego and greed. If she fails, America, and all it stands for, will be destroyed.

Exciting, provocative, and unabashedly liberal, POWER IN THE AGE OF LIES is an action-packed thriller. In an era of unprecedented dishonesty, enter a world where heroes believe in truth, and fight for the rights of all.

Praise

"A riveting political thriller, all the more plausible given today's national nightmare has shattered the country into hostile factions where truth has been the first and most enduring casualty. Very highly recommended." —Midwest Book Review

“Power in the Age of Lies calls to mind The Man in the High Castle, in its dystopian vision of a divided America, but is perhaps better described as a liberal (and much shorter) Atlas Shrugged, which at its heart is a compelling, page-turning thriller. Verant has given us a stirring and disturbing book, and a lot to think about as 2020 looms.” —Greg Olear, author of Totally Killer, Fathermucker and Dirty Rubles

"A powerful, exciting read that is both hopeful and terrifying. The portrayal of a corrupt, egotistical Trump dragging America toward civil war feels all too real. But this book is about the heroes—Madison and Conrad are champions of science, empathy, and truth." —Michael Huttner, author of The Resistance Handbook

“a new lens through which to view our current political and economic landscape… An almost-dystopia that feels more relevant than any other I have read<” data-preserve-html-node="true" —Constance Renfrow, author and former lead editor of Three Rooms Press

Power in the Age of Lies is literary fiction, but it holds up a mirror to the times we live in now. Perhaps more than any novel published in 2018, Verant's book seems set to capture the angst of those of us alive now. Read it and weep. And then take action.” —Dan Bloom, Editor, The Cli-Fi Report

“If the 2016 election woke you up, read this book. Fictionalized Trump lurches from one scandal to another while the laws and customs of our nation are at risk. It’s a warning.” —Doug Fortune, reviewer

“Power in the Age of Lies is audacious and so very topical.” —Gary Phillips, editor of The Obama Inheritance

"Verant has opened the door on an entirely new type of political thriller: deftly told, timely and terrifyingly real." —David Pablo Cohn, author of Heller’s Tale and Eight in Three Weeks

"I had trouble sleeping last night after I finished this book. It is a relentless thriller. The characters are ripped out of today's headlines. The author keeps the suspense building and building. I really enjoyed this book even if it did scare me to death." —Reader review

“The book sometimes strikes me as the love child of Tom Clancy and Ayn Rand, with the offspring mostly taking after the father (which is good)” —Scott Meyers, author and speaker

Order the book

I’m currently revising Power in the Age of Lies, so it’s removed from distribution. When I wrote it (2017), the threat from America’s increasingly extreme political right was clear, but there was also an element of buffoonery to Trump and his administration (such as the comically rapid staff turnover) which is reflected in the book. I feel the situation is now substantially more dangerous, and for me, those parts no longer have the right tone.

Please consider my other books, or if you’re curious about Power in the Age of Lies, you can find used copies in bookstores and libraries, or contact me and I’ll track one down for you.