The Multima Saga: Three Weeks Less a Day

In his series debut, Three Weeks Less a Day, Gary D. McGugan pulls readers into the cutthroat world of corporate intrigue and high-stakes power plays. For anyone who’s ever worked the nine-to-five grind, McGugan’s corporate world will feel immediately familiar—at first. However, beneath the polished veneer of Multima, an American business empire, deception and ambition simmer. Alongside storylines peppered with practical tips for building team engagement and crafting effective presentations, McGugan weaves an increasingly sinister undertone that quickly shakes any sense of normalcy. While the world of private jets, luxury hotels, and exclusive boardrooms might feel alien to most, it's the creeping sense of subterfuge threaded into every chapter that truly disrupts the familiar. In McGugan’s hands, the boardroom becomes a battlefield—this is corporate drama at its finest.

At the helm of Multima is CEO John George Mortimer, who harbours a deep secret. Below him are the presidents of Multima’s three divisions: Wendal Randall, a present-day technology genius with a checkered past; James Fitzgerald, the steady and methodical head of Finance; and the engaging and poised Suzanne Simpson, who is also the only female on Mortimer’s executive team. There’s also Howard Knight, a devious board director who will stop at nothing to further his own agenda.

Chapters alternate between the inner thoughts of these five key players, shedding light on how their lives are turned upside down when John George makes the decision to retire. While his board are in the know about this upcoming change, John George keeps it from his executive team. Instead, he gives them each a unique project that will be used to determine who succeeds him, and it quickly becomes apparent that this out-of-the-box assignment has kicked off a complicated game of chess, in which no one can fully differentiate between the players and the pawns. The executives might not understand what they're competing for, but Howard and John George do, and when power is the ultimate prize, you can trust no one. Packed with twists, this is a masterclass in suspense, and McGugan doesn’t disappoint.

While the subtle hints of deception create a slow-burn effect, the anticipation is undoubtedly worth the wait. McGugan expertly intertwines his characters’ stories, building to an explosive ending you won’t see coming. This is a razor-sharp thriller that unveils the dark side of corporate ambition. If you’re a fan of suspenseful, sophisticated thrillers, Three Weeks Less a Day is the read you won’t want to miss.

—CANREADS BOOK REVIEW

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