The Ascent

In this debut thriller from Adam Plantinga, a down-on-his-luck cop and the governor's daughter must team up to escape from a high-security prison when a malfunction releases a horde of prisoners. With fighting skills and idealism, Kurt Argento must help them make their way to the roof to safety, facing six floors of the most dangerous convicts in Missouri.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

When a high-security prison fails, a down-on-his-luck cop, Kurt Argento, and the governor's daughter, Julie Wakefield, must team up to escape in this thrilling debut thriller from Adam Plantinga. Kurt is an ex-Detroit street cop with a strong sense of justice and impressive fighting skills. When he rescues a young girl from an alley in a small corrupt Missouri town, he is brutally beaten and thrown into a maximum-security prison. Julie is about to take a tour of the prison, but when a malfunction in the security system releases a horde of prisoners, a fierce struggle for survival ensues. Argento must help a small group of staff and civilians, including Julie and her two state trooper handlers, make their way from the bottom floor to the roof to safety. All that stands in their way are six floors of the most dangerous convicts in Missouri.

This gripping novel is praised by Harlan Coben, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, as "authentic and absolutely gripping." Adam Plantinga's first nonfiction book, which was praised by Lee Child as "truly excellent," showcases his talent for storytelling. Kurt Argento, the protagonist, is a flawed but determined cop who refuses to let injustice go. His fighting skills make him a force to be reckoned with, and he is willing to take risks to protect the innocent.

When he rescues the young girl in Missouri, he is brutally beaten and thrown into a maximum-security prison. Julie Wakefield, the governor's daughter, is about to take a tour of the prison, but the malfunction in the security system sets off a chain of events that leads to the escape of the prisoners. Argento must help a small group of staff and civilians, including Julie and her two state trooper handlers, make their way from the bottom floor to the roof to safety.

As they navigate through six floors of the most dangerous convicts in Missouri, they face numerous challenges and obstacles. The convicts are ruthless and violent, and they will stop at nothing to protect their territory. Argento and his team must use their skills and ingenuity to outsmart the convicts and escape to safety.

Throughout the novel, Argento and Julie develop a strong bond and must rely on each other to survive. Julie is initially skeptical of Argento, but she comes to respect his courage and determination as they work together to escape. Argento, in turn, realizes that Julie is not just the governor's daughter, but a strong and capable woman who can hold her own in a dangerous situation.

The novel is filled with action, suspense, and unexpected twists. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Adam Plantinga's debut thriller is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who enjoys a good story that keeps them on the edge of their seats.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 154 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538739877