Grant and Litz are two Federal prisoners serving long sentences in a Florida penitentiary when suddenly they find themselves freed—a fiery political movement is dissolving the Federal government and soon all 52 States will become independent nations. According to strict guidelines, some Federal prisoners are being released early but they're branded with the popular slur "Marielitos."
Grant and Litz, now Marielitos, head for their homes in the Northeast, hoping to rebuild the lives that they ruined years before. The America that Grant and Litz travel through is changing and paranoid, dark and fragmented. Everything they see, everything they must do to make it farther and farther north hints at a grim homecoming for both.
Awarded the Bronze Medal in Foreword Reviews' Book of the Year Awards.
"Connell offers a tough but touching futuristic thriller. Full of fury and feeling, sure to interest fans of crime novels, thrillers and alternate futures."
-- Kirkus Reviews
"Total Secession is a tour de force of speculative fiction. The plot takes many detours, but they are enjoyable ones for readers, especially those who enjoy lyrical use of language."
-- Foreword Reviews (5 out of 5 stars)
"Total Secession is a dialogue-driven book packed with strong characters, lots of description, and a heady attention to local lingo and dialect reflected in speech; the ultimate result providing a realistic account of the human condition."
-- The Midwest Book Review
"There's a lot to like in Total Secession. Connell is a talented writer with a gift for metaphor and characterization, and he populates the oft-pulpy narrative with a variety of colorful characters and action-packed sequences."
-- BlueInk Review
