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Justifiable Deceit: A Political Conspiracy Thriller (Tierra Campos Thrillers Book 1) Kindle Edition
The truth is only revealed when you pull back the blanket of lies.
From multiple award-winning and Amazon best-selling political fiction author Mikael Carlson comes a conspiracy thriller novel that pulls back the curtain on American politics in the first installment of this page-turning suspense series.
The worst school shooting in American history has created a maelstrom of political agendas, personal vendettas, and brash cover-ups. The race is on to unlock the secrets behind this terrible tragedy before the truth is hidden forever. Do the ends justify the means, or is there no such thing as Justifiable Deceit?
Conspiracy. Cover-up. Ruthless politics. Is it fiction or today's reality?
Ethan Harrington was a typical teenager when his world got turned upside down in the aftermath of the worst school shooting in American history. A year later, he has become the country’s leading gun control activist and a media darling. When Ethan teams up with a powerful senator to push an extreme gun measure through Congress, a divided America watches the political fireworks in Washington.
As both sides of the debate mobilize for an epic showdown, journalist Tierra Campos and FBI Special Agent Victoria Larsen are about to reveal to the public that everything they know about the massacre that launched this movement may be wrong.
"I’m not all that sure if the word “unputdownable” has made it into the dictionary yet, but honestly, it’s the best word to describe my reaction to Justifiable Deceit by Mikael Carlson." -- Viga Boland for Readers’ Favorite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This really is an extraordinary book that could fall into several categories. It's a mystery novel, a crime thriller, and a political thriller all wrapped into one." -- Outstanding Creator Awards ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A chilling conspiracy thriller that dares to explore some of society’s most divisive moral questions. Highly recommended." -- BestThrillers.com ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you like strong female protagonists and novels that keep you guessing, you’ll enjoy reading The Tierra Campos contemporary fiction novels late into the night!
* WINNER - National Indie Excellence Award for Political Fiction
* WINNER - American Fiction Award for Thriller: Political
* WINNER - Book Excellence Award for Suspense
* SILVER MEDAL - Readers' Favorite for Fiction-Thiller-Political
* SILVER MEDAL - The BookFest Awards for Thriller-Political
Buy your copy and immerse yourself in Tierra's and Victoria's journey today!
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateFebruary 28, 2020
- Reading age15 - 18 years
- File size2.0 MB
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From the Publisher



Award-winning political fiction author Mikael Carlson

- WINNER - National Indie Excellence Award for Political Thriller, 2014
- WINNER - Book Excellence Award for Suspense, 2021
- WINNER - National Indie Excellence Award for Political Fiction, 2020
- WINNER - American Fiction Award for Thriller: Political, 2020
Politics As UNusual
Political Thrillers from Mikael Carlson
Mikael Carlson's political thrillers and dramas are a bit different. His novels are written from character points of view to draw the reader right into the heart of the action. A winner of countless awards for his work, he brings political thrillers to the next level in writing that is "Politics as Unusual."
- The Michael Bennit Series
- Tierra Campos Thrillers
- Watchtower Thrillers
- America, Incorporated Dystopian Thrillers
- The Santa Trilogy - Heartwarming Holiday Political Suspense
- The Dancing Trilogy - Political Thriller Romances
Three Other Political Thriller Series that are "Politics As Unusual"
The political underdog story we desperately need.
Michael Bennit is a former Green Beret turned history teacher who strives to inspire his students. After losing a bet to one of his classes, he is forced to do something he never imagined: run for political office..
Michael is a man of integrity and courage navigating a world that sees little of either. He's the perfect exemplar of what we should all demand from our leaders, and with a likable group of young staffers and close allies, they are a group you will root for until the very end.
The world is going to hell. In 2088, it arrives.
Corporations rose to power after misguided policies and fiscal mismanagement led to a global economic collapse that brought the world to its knees. Order was restored, but the people lost every ounce of personal freedom to do it.
With characters both heroic and deeply flawed, the divergence in perception is what makes this saga so compelling – the journey will challenge your biases and your view of modern society. If freedom is something to be cherished, why don’t more people stand to fight for it?
The America, Inc. Saga will be a six-book set when completed.
The ability to see someone's memories is a gift. To Watchtower, it's a weapon.
Eugene "Boston" Hollinger discovered that he has a gift - a traumatic brain injury has left him with the ability to tap into people's minds and see their memories. For Boston, it's an inconvenience he must learn to live with until he realizes that he can use it to uncover a dangerous mole selling our national secrets to the highest bidder.
Boston is the closest thing to a real-life superhero that exists. Imagine what you would do if you could close your eyes and experience another person's most traumatic memories. What could you uncover? What will Boston find along his journey?
Nothing can destroy the spirit of Christmas. Don't tell that to politicians.
Politics is the ultimate divisive subject in the modern age. It destroys families and relationships. Can two people with different political ideologies ever find happiness together?
The Santa Trilogy is a planned three-novel set that will explore the true magic and meaning of Christmas. A political thriller meets a romance novel where readers find the answer to an age-old question: which is more powerful, love or politics?
If you're going through hell, you might as well dance through it.
Braden is a boring finance guy on the run from his ruthless employer. Lyla is an adventurous, free-spirited soul running from her own set of demons. Can these two find happiness together, or will their pasts rip them apart?
Enduring love is forged in fire, and these two are about to put that to the test. The trials and tribulations they face in The Dancing Life is only the beginning of their journey - one that will get more treacherous as the trilogy unfolds. Are they meant to be together, or are they the greatest set of star-crossed lovers since Romeo & Juliet?
The truth is only revealed when you pull back the blanket of lies.
Journalism in America is dead, but Tierra Campos is on a mission to reshape how news is presented. When a teenage gun control advocate is implicated in the school shooting that made him famous, she becomes a household name...and a target.
Tierra and Victoria are everything we want as modern heroines - intelligent, dedicated, confident, and honest. In a society where we see despicable behavior all around us, they bring with them a glimmer of hope that there are still good people out there.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Anyone who has followed our reviews for any amount of time knows that 9.6 is the highest score we've ever given a book. Well, Justifiable Deceit rightfully joins this elite and exclusive collection of books—the best of the best." -- Outstanding Creator Awards
From the Author
WINNER - National Indie Excellence Award for Political Fiction, 2020
WINNER - American Fiction Award for Thriller: Political, 2020
WINNER - Book Excellence Award for Suspense, 2021
FINALIST - National Indie Excellence Award for Suspense, 2020
FINALIST - FOREWARD Indies Award for Suspense/Thriller, 2021
SILVER MEDAL - Readers' Favorite for Fiction-Thiller-Political, 2022
SILVER MEDAL - The BookFest for Thriller-Political, Fall 2022
From the Back Cover
Ethan Harrington was a typical teenager when his world got turned upside down in the aftermath of the worst school shooting in American history. A year later, he has become the country's leading gun control activist and a media darling.
When Ethan teams up with a powerful senator to push an extreme gun measure through Congress, a divided America watches the political fireworks in Washington. As both sides of the debate mobilize for an epic showdown, the public is about to discover that everything they know about the massacre that launched this movement may be wrong.
Journalist Tierra Campos and FBI Special Agent Victoria Larsen begin questioning the official investigation into the shooting and find themselves caught in the political crossfire. Despite public condemnation, covert activities, and physical violence meant to stop them, they remain undaunted in their quest - but at what price? With their careers threatened and livelihoods at stake, they must race to unlock the secrets behind this horrible mass shooting before the truth disappears forever.
Amidst the maelstrom of political agendas, personal vendettas, and brash cover-ups, the push to uncover the real motives behind the tragedy will have devastating consequences. Some lives will be ruined and others ended. When the dust settles, a shocked nation must make a fateful judgment: do the ends justify the means in politics, or is there no such thing as Justifiable Deceit?
Product details
- ASIN : B084M9MH3P
- Publisher : Warrington Publishing
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : February 28, 2020
- Edition : 1st
- Language : English
- File size : 2.0 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 358 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1944972011
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 5 : Tierra Campos Thrillers
- Reading age : 15 - 18 years
- Best Sellers Rank: #65,870 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #68 in Political Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #161 in Political Fiction (Books)
- #351 in Political Thrillers & Suspense
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Mikael Carlson is an award-winning political fiction author, including a silver medal from Readers' Favorite and National Indie Excellence, American Fiction, Lyra, and Global E-book Awards. He was named one of the ‘50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ by The Authors Show in 2018.
Mikael is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper and retired Army National Guardsman. He conducted over 50 airborne operations following the completion of jump school at Fort Benning in 1998, and trained on several occasions with the British Airborne, earning British Parachutist wings. Mikael participated in several international jump competitions and traveled to Arnhem for an anniversary jump celebrating the Allied sacrifice during Operation Market Garden in World War II.
He graduated with a Master of Arts in American History in 2010 and a B.S. in International Business from Marist College in 1996. An avid traveler and unabashed political junkie, you can find him at www.mikaelcarlson.com.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book's story engaging and well-paced, with one review noting how it feels real in every way. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its thought-provoking content, particularly its focus on real journalism, with one customer highlighting how it presents pros and flaws of each side. Additionally, customers appreciate the character development, with one review mentioning how each chapter focuses on one character, and the book's ability to hold readers' attention from beginning to end.
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Customers enjoy the story of the book, describing it as an exciting read with a great plot, and one customer notes that it felt real in every way.
"I loved this book for the story, the writing, the characterisation and the pace. Most of all I admired and respected its focus on real journalism...." Read more
"...The story is very engrossing and quite plausible, although I did find Ethan's change in roles in the shooting from his initial to the final to be a..." Read more
"...Interesting characters, a lot of story lines to keep track of. All have a common elements, school shootings and gun control...." Read more
"...Taken from reality, this story was really well-written, and thoroughly appreciated by this old fart who is a voracious reader...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking, with reviews highlighting its focus on real journalism and well-researched content. One customer particularly appreciates how it presents pros and flaws of each side.
"I loved this book for the story, the writing, the characterisation and the pace. Most of all I admired and respected its focus on real journalism...." Read more
"...The story is very engrossing and quite plausible, although I did find Ethan's change in roles in the shooting from his initial to the final to be a..." Read more
"...Carlsons' style and content gobsmacked me into tomorrow...." Read more
"Great. Makes a heavily emotional topic thought provoking. We never know what is REALLY behind the shootings we hear about." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning that each chapter focuses on one character.
"I loved this book for the story, the writing, the characterisation and the pace. Most of all I admired and respected its focus on real journalism...." Read more
"This book grips your attention from the beginning. Interesting characters, a lot of story lines to keep track of...." Read more
"...terms of how well it created both a compelling mystery and affinity for its characters, or at least some of them...." Read more
"...The character development is complete and we begin to fully identify with each character in turn...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging, with one review noting how it grips attention from the beginning and holds readers to the very end.
"This is an excellent story that holds the reader to the very end to discover how all of the threads of deceit are finally tied together...." Read more
"This book grips your attention from the beginning. Interesting characters, a lot of story lines to keep track of...." Read more
"Mikael Carlson does not disappoint. His books are all riveting and this one is no exception...." Read more
"...His main storyline is easy to follow, riveting, and closely resembles today's political atmosphere. The proofreading is really terrible...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2023I loved this book for the story, the writing, the characterisation and the pace. Most of all I admired and respected its focus on real journalism. I’m an old journalist from the great age of journalism at the end of the last century when, in the words of Tierra Campos “ “Journalists must put their feelings aside in their reporting, but that’s something happening less and less now.” And “The purpose of journalism is to present news of importance.” This book eyeballs the problems of modern sensational digital journalism and highlights the need for journalists with integrity, guts and impartiality. It’s a text book and an inspiration to those wanting to join the trade of communication. It’s not a business or profession, journalism is a craft and it’s not about headlines, self opinion, clicks or fame. It’s about hard work, intelligent investigation and objective and fair presentation of facts. This book is an inspiration and gives an old journo hope!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2025Extremely well written thriller. The issue of truths vs needs vs wants is tossed at you in every chapter for you to determine “What would do”. Really made me think!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2020Mikael Carlson is an author I had never heard of until I accepted an advance reader copy from BookSirens in return for an honest review. Having now finished Justifiable Deceit, which I enjoyed very much, I’ve ordered two of Carlson’s earlier political thrillers. I think that should say something about how I feel about this author and his latest book.
Without getting in to the specifics of the book’s plot, I’ll just borrow from the publisher’s description in order to,hopefully, whet your appetite for reading Justifiable Deceit:
“The worst school shooting in American history has created a maelstrom of political agendas, personal vendettas, and brash cover-ups. The race is on to unlock the secrets behind this terrible tragedy before the truth is hidden forever. Do the ends justify the means, or is there no such thing as Justifiable Deceit?“
Overall, my opinion is that Justifiable Deceit deserves a sizable reading audience for the following, but not limited to, primary reasons:
...Carlson is very accomplished in telling a fair, balanced, thought-provoking story about a subject matter that could be ripped from today’s headlines;
...his characters are well-developed, realistic and interesting; and
...his writing style is such that the reader won’t want to put the book aside in order to find out what happens next.
Having said the above, my enjoyment of Justifiable Deceit is less than it could have been had Carlson’s publisher done a better job of editing. That is, I encountered too many instances in which words were missing from sentences that were needed to complete their thoughts, as well as too many grammatical errors. The combination of these editing flaws created a sense annoyance and interruption, which, in turn, resulted in a one-star deduction from my overall rating.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2020This is an excellent story that holds the reader to the very end to discover how all of the threads of deceit are finally tied together. The story is very engrossing and quite plausible, although I did find Ethan's change in roles in the shooting from his initial to the final to be a little too large of a leap even for a grand-stander.
There is a burning question raised, albeit rhetorical, that should make us pause before jumping onto any bandwagon: How can people rise so far in the public eye without being honestly vetted? In an age where truth has become a moving target, it is very important to take more than a passing glance at backstories. The strands of history tend to be too short and/or too vague nowadays to clearly verify facts, especially with so much obfuscation, so many twists and turns added to relatively straightforward events. The point is clear: We should not embrace perceptions without solid evidence to back them up.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024This book grips your attention from the beginning. Interesting characters, a lot of story lines to keep track of. All have a common elements, school shootings and gun control. I would recommend this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2020I loved reading this author's iCandidate series to the nth degree. Carlsons' style and content gobsmacked me into tomorrow. I looked forward to reading more of his work, and I was not disappointed in the least.
Taken from reality, this story was really well-written, and thoroughly appreciated by this old fart who is a voracious reader. This story felt real in every way, unfortunately, in so many aspects. I support the 2nd Amendment, but that does not include the ability to purchase weapons not made for self-defense or for the "regular" hunter. One does not need 30 bullets firing automatically or semi- to kill a coyote, deer or bear. Not a slippery slope. Why no background checks?
Didn't want to get political, but couldn't stop myself. This tome is a reminder of the madness embraced in the US by so many willing to support this frontier justice mentality.
Top reviews from other countries
- N. TurnerReviewed in Canada on June 17, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to a promising series
I’ve been a fan of political thrillers for many years, and have long thought that using a journalist in the protagonist role is an interesting twist. Mikael Carlson does so in the opening book of his Tierra Campos series, Justifiable Deceit. We’re introduced to Tierra in the midst of a school shooting, then follow her into adulthood as she covers a highly charged battle over gun legislation. The players are not all who them seem to be, and their motives are decidedly mixed. Rather than the simplistic black and white that these matters are generally painted with, Carlson shades the story with far more realistic and intriguing shades of gray. It’s a refreshing take on the current state of politics in the United States, with an idealistic protagonist and her small group of steadfast allies attempting to do the right thing against long odds. Tierra is a winning character, and Carlson weaves a complex tale that races along to a satisfying ending. I won’t say I didn’t see some version of the plot resolution coming, which was okay; the path that gets us there wasn’t clear, and that kept the suspense high. Justifiable Deceit is promising start to an intriguing new series. I’ll definitely read book two.
- Chuck RotenbergReviewed in Canada on May 3, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Another political fiction hit
I have always enjoyed political fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed the candidate series and enjoyed this one just as much.
Going to read the Eyes of Others next.