Point Deception

Jim Gilliam’s debut novel Point Deception is part tribute to military heroes, part historical military fiction, part fictionalized autobiography, part thriller, and wholly captivating and powerful. It is an enjoyable read and suspenseful page-turning thriller, but its true strength lies in Gilliam’s accurate rendering of military life and ability to create the ultimate protagonist.

Point Deception chronicles protagonist Tim Kelly, who joins the Coast Guard at the tender age of 14, thrusting him into the harsh life of combat, loss, and the range of emotions that accompany them.

The depth of character in Tim Kelly, whose inner turmoil, range of emotions, and conflicting values and attitudes are so artfully profiled adds greatly to the strength of the novel, creating a strong protagonist who battles with his own flaws, simultaneously rebellious and heroic.

- Todd Rutherford

An exposed undercover agent awaits rescue and recalls his past in this ambitious cross between a coming-of-age tale and a period thriller.

Gilliam's debut novel could be described as three-in-one. It opens with undercover narcotics agent Tim Kelly being discovered by Rodolfo Guzman, his longtime surrogate father and the drug kingpin he has agreed to betray.

Kelly is a throwback to the spirit of Horatio Alger, a young man capable of almost anything through sheer gumption. Everything comes naturally to him, his only weakness being his temper, which makes him not the most original protagonist, but still an endearing one.

Plenty of fast-paced action that tries to cover too much ground.

- Kirkus Review

Even in dishonorable discharge, there is still a goodness in a soldier. "Point Deception" tells the story of Tim Kelly, who becomes deeply embroiled in Mexico's drug cartels and faces certain death as they enclose around him. Awaiting rescue that just may not com, author Jim Gilliam puts together a fun and fast paced thriller of corruption on many levels in the world. "Point Deception" is a solid addition to thriller collections.

- Midwest Book Review

Point Deception opens to undercover cop Tim Kelly's adventure as Kelly's life hangs on the line in the secluded hacienda of a Mexican cartel drug lord.... This novel has a strict, no-frills and no-nonsense approach to storytelling.... Obviously the author draws from a deep reservoir of experience and the book is all the richer for it. The creator's comfort with military and law enforcement jargon gives the book a raw feel and sense of immediacy. Overall, Point Deception is an interesting novel that draws its rapid-fire pace from real life scenarios that are complex, disturbing, and touching, making this thriller an engaging production...

- San Francisco Book Review

A New Voice for Intrigue Novels... Gilliam's writing style is raw and gritty and he manages to move his rather complex interwoven stories within stories with surprising skill for a first novelist.

- Grady Harp, Los Angeles, CA

Jim Gilliam has created a “must read” book for those who enjoy action packed military and law enforcement novels. He has a unique style that will set him apart as a refreshing written voice in the myriad of similar genre works. Point Deception would play out perfectly as a block-buster movie given the public’s insatiable appetite for heroes with character flaws, going against all odds to achieve a socially beneficial outcome. In fact, I can’t wait for the sequel!

- Barbara Miller, Pacific Book Review