Distinctly Montana Magazine

77 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m FEDBOOK BY JAY STANCLIFF Imagine a hybrid public-private organization renting federal in- formants to the U.S. government: a sprawling bureaucracy where everyone's a snitch. Fedbook is Bozeman author Jay Stancliff's debut novel where this bizarre organization, The American Rental Informant's Union, is ubiquitous but invisible. Instead of black SUVs, their agents arrive in Greyhound busses. Instead of wood-paneled 6th-floor corner suites, they operate out of make- shift offices hidden in plain sight as "temp agencies" in little ru- ral towns throughout America. Union agents might be anywhere, but Fedbook zooms in on the wild career of disillusioned agent Soldier Crane as he infiltrates political extremist organizations in the American West. From a drugged-out new-age group of hallucinogen-worshiping radicals in the deserts of the Southwest to a fledgling cell of would-be ni- hilist extremists incubating at a liberal arts college in rural Wyo- ming that's, The American Rental Informant's Union is there. Fedbook poses some vexing questions about the problem of American extremist groups through a cast of richly developed characters, all struggling to find their way while shivering in the shadows of a fading empire. The prose is sharp and literary, with a chapter structure that will keep you turning the pages until you finally reach the unexpected, wild climax. Ultimately, your biggest question will be when Stancliff's next novel will be published so you can read it. • Commercial Property Inspections • Radon Testing • Thermal Imaging • Meth, Mold, and Asbestos Testing • Water Testing • Sewer and Septic Scopes • Roof Inspections • Help with New Construction and New Construction Defects 406-626-HOME (4663) • www.inspect406.com Missoula • Hamilton • Kalispell • Helena • Butte ICC CERTIFIED CODE INSPECTOR VOTE FOR US WIN $ 500! FOR YOUR CHANCE TO B E S T O F M O N TA N A B M D I S TI N C T L Y M O N T A N A ' S 2023 IN ADDITION TO HOME INSPECTION, WE OFFER: FEDBOOK POSES SOME VEXING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF AMERICAN EXTREMIST GROUPS THROUGH A CAST OF RICHLY DEVELOPED CHARACTERS,

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