The Lion's Den: A Novel

A twenty-first-century All the King’s Men —the ruthless pursuit of power and the value of redemptive change.“I trust you will find in Danny’s story both inspiration and conviction. Inspiration to believe that renewal is possible. Conviction to play your part in it.” --from the Foreword by former Vice President Mike PenceMore damn politics. That’s nineteen-year-old Daniel McGuire’s first thought as he stands in his old high school gym, newly orphaned after his parents die in a car crash following a campaign event. When Congressman Ned Nevers shows up to pay his respects, Danny’s reaction throws the “Golden Boy of Virginia Politics” off script. Nevers doesn’t forget Danny’s moxie.Years later, a legislative crisis pulls Danny back into Nevers’ orbit. He watches the Senator spiral, speaks truth again, and joins the team. Together, they barnstorm the Commonwealth, battle-tested and hungry for purpose, riding all the way to the Governor’s Mansion. Danny finally believes politics can be an engine for good.Then tragedy strikes Nevers. Friends turn to enemies. Crooked operatives seize power. And Danny walks alone into the lion’s den — a State Capitol now run by his nemesis, Bart Bell, an unscrupulous pol with mob ties and a drug habit.Danny confronts the newly sworn-in Governor Bell, convinced he orchestrated Nevers’ death. Bell cracks, overdoses and suddenly, Danny is Acting Governor of Virginia — implicated, hunted, and forced to choose what kind of power he’ll wield.The Lion’s Den is a character-driven plunge into Virginia politics; a novel that changes the conversation and the reader.“The Lion’s Den is essential reading…a powerfully uplifting story and a summons to get to work restoring the ethic of principled citizenship and service that reflects the ‘better angels of our nature’ and offers hope for bringing Americans together again.” –Larry J. Sabato, Director, UVA Center for Politics“The Lion's Den reflects the world Frank Atkinson has studied and lived, politics as it really is: high-minded, low-down, deeply personal and often great fun. Frank's a Virginia treasure and he's given the commonwealth and country a great gift with this timely novel.” --Jonathan Martin, Politics Bureau Chief and Senior Political Columnist at POLITICO