Maximum Impact

Maximum Impact

Three hundred thirty-three fatalities and no survivors.

MAXIMUM IMPACT is both a standalone novel and a prequel to ILL WIND

So begins Pulitzer Prize finalist Jean Heller’s chilling hard-boiled saga, as a flight crashes on takeoff when one of its engines explodes in midair. After that, it’s a toss-up—you may or may not be able to catch your breath as the thriller loops and careens to a twisty climax.

The deadliest accident in U.S. aviation history means it’s the biggest week of journalist Steve Pace’s career. Much as he’s already over the horrors of the aviation beat, he has no choice but to rise to the occasion. He’s a whip-smart reporter with integrity and grit, and the body count is rising rapidly—outside the downed plane.

As he hunts down the ultimate scoop, he steps into what appears to be a Watergate-type cover-up. With the list of possible witnesses conspicuously dwindling, he figures it’s just a matter of time before someone blows the whistle—as long as they don’t mysteriously die first.

Fans of government conspiracy mysteries and reporter sleuths will find an inspiring hero in reporter Pace. Award-winning writer Jean Heller leverages her own journalistic prowess to spin together a complex web of a hard-boiled mystery. Each twist and turn of the investigation will pull mystery fans deeper into Pace’s quest, as he races against deadlines and death threats.

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About the Book
Posted on Amazon Amazon
6 September 2026
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Protecting your family What would you do to protect your family would you lie would you cheat this is an outstanding book if you want to know more about it read it you won't be disappointed and remember we all make mistakes and we all make decisions that can affect the rest of our lives
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24 May 2026
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Everything you want in a mystery including a satisfying ending It started slowly, then started getting interesting, then it was hard to put down, then I had to finish it, and it was a great ending to a surprisingly excellent and plausible story. One of the best books I have read recently. Well worth your time.
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18 March 2026
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Very captivating read I enjoyed reading this book cover to cover. It’s obvious that Jean did a ton of research for the book. It covered a lot of different facets of vocations/agencies.
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9 March 2026
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GoodBook Bem, eu gostei muito desse livro. Faz meu gênero.Recomendo. Não desapontará.
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28 February 2026
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Conspiracy Cover Up in the Airline Industry There is so much to like in Jean Heller’s book, “Maximum Impact.” A powerful plot, conspiracy and cover up, rich characters, media tenacity and integrity, ultimate tragedy, deep unspoken secrets . . . the list goes on.Central to this story is Steven Pace, an aviation reporter for a Washington, D.C. newspaper. Pace is an award winning journalist with a healthy knowledge of the airline industry and its people. During the course of covering a horrific plane crash at Dulles Airport, he uncovers inconsistencies with official statements coming from the industry. Through twists and turns, from person to person and agency to agency, Pace relentlessly follows the story and in so doing, sets off a chain reaction of consequences.I was glued to this story not only because it was well written but also because the main character doggedly searched for the truth. As a member of the flying public, I appreciate that!
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21 February 2026
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A well written page turner I had this book as a free download from Amazon and the author is someone whose work I have not read before. I would happily have paid for the book. I found it to be well written, well researched and very engrossing. It's one of those books that you sometimes read where you find yourself disappointed that you are coming towards the end, wondering 'will my next read captivate me as much as this one?'I liked the fact that the main character has believable flaws, that even the tightest security can be overcome and that dogged determination gets to the truth.I will certainly be looking for more to read from this author.
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17 February 2026
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Unusual and fascinating Maximum Impact is one of the best novels I've read in a long time. I didn't know Jean Heller before, but I'm glad I discovered her.The story is unusual and fascinating. It often kept me reading chapter after chapter, long after I'd intended to stop for the day.Her writing style is engaging, and her grammar and punctuation impeccable. There are not many authors of whom I would say the latter!If you like stories of investigative journalism and the aircraft industry, with several plot twists, you'll love Maximum Impact.
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10 February 2026
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Quite a page-turner. Kept my interest. Well written and a bit different.
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8 February 2026
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Great read. This story held my attention throughout. Very interesting story line. I will want to search more titles by the author.
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7 February 2026
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Exciting but Somewhat Heavy First the pluses: very interesting story, good character development and more than a little intriguing. There were times I couldn’t put the book down as I was anxious to know what was coming next. However, at other times, the story got bogged down. Perhaps a little too much technical details for me.
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6 February 2026
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Maximum Impact Indeed Complex story line, good character development, intense & suspense-filled ending. Made the reader consider the ethics and motivations behind decisions made in politics & the press. Well-researched. Great read!
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5 February 2026
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a fantastic read I am a retired A&P worked for a airline for 25 years, this is an industry where there is no room for mistakes all the people I have worked with from JFK-EWR-LGA to LAX aircraft safety is the number one priority. I could not put down this bookThanksRoger
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4 February 2026
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👍👍👍👍👍 I wish every book I read was this good.
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pat
3 February 2026
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Engrossing story Could not put this book down. An unexpected ending thank you a new author FOR me to follow looking forward to next one
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1 February 2026
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Excellent read Very well written, a page turner, hard to put down, kept my interest from beginning to end with a very satisfying conclusion!
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Author: Jean Heller
Series: Deuce Mora