Some action tales either grab you, or they don't. Anne K. Edwards’ futuristic story, The Last to Fall, intrigued me from the outset not only because of the content, but reading between the lines of this cleverly crafted book I read a message and a warning. One could even think omen if we aren't careful.

The story begins in northwest Washington D.C. set amongst the blackened ruins of buildings. Jeanne and Lester, her buddy, can barely breathe in the thick, yellow, toxic air caused by the constant fires. In an effort to get the injured Lester some help, Jeanne finds a public telephone but the line is dead. Just like all the others. From that point on, this chilling story builds.

It's soon apparent that the United States has become a third-rate power in a world of chaos. In this breakdown of society there are rumors of prison camps, torture and death. What little law enforcement there is either appears to be brutal (shoot to kill the looters), or, as one cop says, they have become just an ambulance service helping the halt and the lame.

Leading this limping nation is President Kale Ruther. Ruther, whose own rise to power from vice-president to president is tainted. His character is revealed by his orders and actions, and when his rebellious lesbian daughter takes her life, he shows no remorse and is, in fact, relieved that she will no longer be able to talk negatively about him to the press.

This bitter, angry man is opposed by the Senate and the House at every turn and has many enemies. His worst enemy is a man called Mel Wilson. To control him, Ruther seeks to blacken Wilson's name as the chief troublemaker responsible for the rioting and growing anarchy when those things are happening on his own orders to stamp out certain elements of society. Consequently, many people fear for their lives and have fled the horrors of the large cities; others have formed communes.

Gathering miscreants and a whole load of trouble on the way, Jeanne enters Wilson's commune where she is welcomed. Yet her relief at finding what she feels could be a safe haven is only temporary because there is a showdown on the horizon. It is in this showdown that Anne Edwards surprises us and gives the reader a glimmer of hope for the future of the country.

The Last to Fall is a dark story and the author touches on many not-so-nice aspects of human nature. It is a full, fast-paced book with many characters, yet all are clearly defined. It is a story with a lot of action, a good deal of violence—and Edwards doesn't spare anyone's feelings with her honest descriptions either.

This book is a good read. It also gives you cause to wonder where we, as a society, are headed. Exactly how far are we down the road that Anne K. Edwards portrays?