Intelligence officer Emily Foster is trapped in CSIS desk work until a military officer is suspected of treason. Pushed into “Operation Riposte,” an off-the-books probe that could end careers, Emily must build a deep-cover identity that clashes with her true self. As evidence mounts, she suspects they’re pawns in a darker game. As she tries to separate fact from conspiracy, she soon discovers that one lie leads to another. The First Lie is an explosive expansion into Michael J. Lalonde’s The Quiet War series.
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She’s desperate to serve her country. But the cost of her first mission might be her own soul.
Buried under an endless pile of reports, newly minted intelligence officer Emily Foster dreams of escaping the monotony of desk duty for the adrenaline of field operations.
Her opportunity arrives with shattering stakes. A senior military officer is suspected of treason. His erratic behavior and unauthorized access to classified files suggest an insider threat that could cost the lives of Canadian soldiers.
This is no routine CSIS investigation. Emily’s supervising officer thrusts her into the lead of “Operation Riposte”—an off-the-books mission so sensitive it could end both their careers. To get close to threat, Emily must become someone else and develop a deep cover that couldn’t be more at odds with her true self.
But the closer she gets to the target, the more she realizes things aren’t always as they seem. As the evidence mounts, Emily fears they are pawns in a much darker game. Thrust into the shadowy world of espionage where one lie demands another, Emily must unravel the truth before the trap snaps shut, and lives are lost.
This explosive short story is part of Michael J. Lalonde’s new The Quiet War series, a sprawling geopolitical, military and espionage series that puts Canada at the centre of the action.
About Michael J. Lalonde, Author
Michael J. Lalonde is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, where he served for 23 years, spending the latter half of his career as an intelligence officer with the rank of captain. Following his military service, he transitioned into politics before attending law school at Osgoode Hall.
He holds an MA in History from the University of Waterloo and an MA in International Affairs from Carleton University, which complement his firsthand experience in military strategy and global affairs. A lifelong storyteller, his passion for writing was ignited by Tom Clancy’s Red Storm Rising, inspiring him to craft thrillers that blend authenticity with razor-sharp attention to detail.
Beyond writing, Michael is an avid scuba diver and a dedicated steak connoisseur, always in pursuit of the perfect cut. His commitment to precision—whether in storytelling, strategy, or a well-seared cow flank—defines both his fiction and his life.
His debut novel, The Quiet War: Canadian Front, is available for pre-order now.
