Publication
New York : Grand Central Pub., c2009.
Collection
Call number
Large Print Fiction B
Physical description
821 p.; 22 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
A daring kidnapping turns a children's birthday party at Camp David into a national security nightmare, pushing agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to their limits.
Subjects
Series
Genres
Media reviews
The chapters are short, the dialogue is "snappy," and still things go on forever... Bad.
User reviews
LibraryThing member miyurose
Even though this is part of a series, it works pretty well as a stand-alone novel. In fact, I didn’t even realize until I started preparing for this review that I haven’t yet read the book before it, Simple Genius. I like Sean and Michelle, friends and partners who are still trying to figure
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out their boundaries and what exactly they are to each other. The storyline here is one that isn’t easy to figure out on your own. I had a couple of things figured out, but the whole picture was elusive until the end. I think Baldacci does a good job of playing with the reader’s emotions… At first, I felt for the First Lady, who appears to be the long suffering wife of a Clinton-esque husband, forever cleaning up his messes. At the end, my feelings about her did a 180. In many ways, she was worse than the kidnapper. Also, Michelle comes to terms with some of her own demons, and now maybe it’s time for her to really heal. All in all, another winner from Baldacci! Show Less
LibraryThing member DellaPenna
Usual enjoyable Baldacci quick read.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I don't know what he was trying to do but this wasn't a terribly successful plan. A man tries to get his revenge by kidnapping the Presidents' niece, this leads King & Maxwell into a morass of secrets and lies, which aren't helped by Michelle's mother's sudden death.
And she finds out her secret
And she finds out her secret
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from her childhood, and it's a doozy. Overall its interesting and well done but I think I need a break from this series for a while as I guessed most of the twists fairly early on. Show Less
LibraryThing member Brandie
Fast paced - this book had me hooked from the beginning!
I love how Baldacci weaves these tales, intertwining the characters lives. I mean, these books aren't happily ever after for all the characters involved, but it's fast paces, it keeps moving, my mind was constantly trying to figure it all out
I love how Baldacci weaves these tales, intertwining the characters lives. I mean, these books aren't happily ever after for all the characters involved, but it's fast paces, it keeps moving, my mind was constantly trying to figure it all out
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and I could hardly put the book down! Show Less
LibraryThing member sjmccreary
Fourth in a series about secret service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. They are retired from the service now and working together as private investigators. The book opens with a birthday party at Camp David being hosted by the First Lady for her niece's 12th birthday. Later that evening,
Both plot lines were interesting, and the book goes quickly. It's been quite a while since I read the first 3 books in the series, but I remember them being better than this one. That may just be a trick of my memory, but this book just has too many convenient twists and one too many improbable pieces of evidence that lead the investigators right to the culprits. Also, all loose ends neatly wrapped up at the end would have felt nicer if I'd gotten the impression that the series was ending here, but it doesn't come across that way. A nifty story marred by lazy writing results in a neutral 3 stars from me.
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Sean and Michelle arrive at the girl's home to keep an appointment made by her mother, the First Lady's sister-in-law. They interrupt a break-in in progress, are shot at by the intruders, and discover that the mother has been killed and the girl, Willow, has been kidnapped. When they are summoned by the First Lady, Sean must explain to Michelle that he first met her years before her husband became president, when he discovered the newly elected senator nearly dead drunk and in a compromising position in a car with a much younger woman. He took the senator home to his wife, helped the girl, and promised the future First Lady that he would not talk about the incident. He never did, so now she trusts him. And she wants him to find Willow and discover who is responsible for the kidnapping. A secondary plot thread deals with the sudden death of Michelle's mother, determined to be murder, and hints at a troubled childhood for Michelle. Both plot lines were interesting, and the book goes quickly. It's been quite a while since I read the first 3 books in the series, but I remember them being better than this one. That may just be a trick of my memory, but this book just has too many convenient twists and one too many improbable pieces of evidence that lead the investigators right to the culprits. Also, all loose ends neatly wrapped up at the end would have felt nicer if I'd gotten the impression that the series was ending here, but it doesn't come across that way. A nifty story marred by lazy writing results in a neutral 3 stars from me.
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LibraryThing member repb
A great disappointment! A really stupid plot about the disastrous results of the President of the US because of his sexual misadventures early in his career. Plus it had an entire, unnecessary subplot with no purpose at all.
LibraryThing member JoyfullyRetired
My husband and I listened to this book on audiotape on a recent road trip.
From the back cover: It began with what seemed like an ordinary children's birthday party. Friends and family gathered to celebrate. There were balloons and cake, games and gifts.
This party, however, was far from ordinary. It
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell were not looking to become involved. As former Secret Service agents turned private investigators, they had no reason to be. The FBI doesn't want them interfering. But years ago, Sean King saved the First Lady's husband, then a senator, from political disaster. Now, Sean is the one person the First Lady trusts, and she presses Sean and Michelle into the desperate search to rescue the abducted child.
With Michelle still battling her own demons, and forces aligned on all sides against her and Sean, the two are pushed to the absolute limit. In the race to save an innocent victim, the line between friend and foe will become impossible to define . . . or defend.
Our opinion: This latest book (2009) is one of David Baldacci's Sean King and Michelle Maxwell books. This is the first book we've read in this series. These two detectives work well together and support each other nicely without the silly male/female thing found in other books. At first I was put off by Michelle's smart mouth but then I began to appreciate how she dug in and tenaciously solved parts of the mystery. In this book she suffers a personal tragedy that shows another side of Michelle, a vulnerable side. I liked Sean all the way. He was that strong, ethical, personable kind of character who shows he is smart enough to go around roadblocks without breaking the law. He needed that in this mostly Washington, D.C. story. The plot was believable as were most of the characters. At one point I actually liked the bad guy and felt sorry for him.
All the characterizations were helped enormously by the reader, Ron McLarty. He gave each character his or her own voice and various accents were also used. As I learned, he has been the reader for several of David Baldacci's other books. I'm determined to find them and any other books Ron McLarty has read. He's also written a couple of his own books, been on Broadway and various TV shows.
This was an excellent audiobook and perfect for a road trip. It wasn't distracting so as to bother my husband's driving but yet compelling enough to entertain us through hours of boring interstate traffic. There was one point where we arrived at our destination for that day but got back in our vehicle so we could finish up that section of the book. That's the equivalent of reading through the crucial chapter in a paper book. I definitely recommend this one for long road trips or, for that matter, lots of long walks with your ipod.
From the back cover: It began with what seemed like an ordinary children's birthday party. Friends and family gathered to celebrate. There were balloons and cake, games and gifts.
This party, however, was far from ordinary. It
Show More
was held at Camp David, the presidential retreat. And it ended with a daring kidnapping . . . which immediately turned into a national security nightmare.Sean King and Michelle Maxwell were not looking to become involved. As former Secret Service agents turned private investigators, they had no reason to be. The FBI doesn't want them interfering. But years ago, Sean King saved the First Lady's husband, then a senator, from political disaster. Now, Sean is the one person the First Lady trusts, and she presses Sean and Michelle into the desperate search to rescue the abducted child.
With Michelle still battling her own demons, and forces aligned on all sides against her and Sean, the two are pushed to the absolute limit. In the race to save an innocent victim, the line between friend and foe will become impossible to define . . . or defend.
Our opinion: This latest book (2009) is one of David Baldacci's Sean King and Michelle Maxwell books. This is the first book we've read in this series. These two detectives work well together and support each other nicely without the silly male/female thing found in other books. At first I was put off by Michelle's smart mouth but then I began to appreciate how she dug in and tenaciously solved parts of the mystery. In this book she suffers a personal tragedy that shows another side of Michelle, a vulnerable side. I liked Sean all the way. He was that strong, ethical, personable kind of character who shows he is smart enough to go around roadblocks without breaking the law. He needed that in this mostly Washington, D.C. story. The plot was believable as were most of the characters. At one point I actually liked the bad guy and felt sorry for him.
All the characterizations were helped enormously by the reader, Ron McLarty. He gave each character his or her own voice and various accents were also used. As I learned, he has been the reader for several of David Baldacci's other books. I'm determined to find them and any other books Ron McLarty has read. He's also written a couple of his own books, been on Broadway and various TV shows.
This was an excellent audiobook and perfect for a road trip. It wasn't distracting so as to bother my husband's driving but yet compelling enough to entertain us through hours of boring interstate traffic. There was one point where we arrived at our destination for that day but got back in our vehicle so we could finish up that section of the book. That's the equivalent of reading through the crucial chapter in a paper book. I definitely recommend this one for long road trips or, for that matter, lots of long walks with your ipod.
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LibraryThing member Ti99er
First Family by David Baldacci
Kidnapping, murder, and an unfaithful Commander-in-Chief, what else could you ask for? David Baldacci’s new novel First Family has all that and more. Overall this was an entertaining read. The characters were well developed which helps to draw you into the story.
The book had good pacing and kept me turning the pages. Although some of the scenarios where more than a bit unrealistic, it still made for an entertaining detachment from reality. This was my first foray into the Baldacci lair, but based on my experience here, I will definitely return.
Kidnapping, murder, and an unfaithful Commander-in-Chief, what else could you ask for? David Baldacci’s new novel First Family has all that and more. Overall this was an entertaining read. The characters were well developed which helps to draw you into the story.
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Baldacci has a way about showing the good in all people even if their bad side reigns supreme. The book had good pacing and kept me turning the pages. Although some of the scenarios where more than a bit unrealistic, it still made for an entertaining detachment from reality. This was my first foray into the Baldacci lair, but based on my experience here, I will definitely return.
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LibraryThing member Twink
I've been a fan of David Baldacci from the beginning and have read all of his novels. This was the first time I've listened to one. First Family did not disappoint!
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, Secret Service Agents turned private eyes, are contacted by the First Lady - Jane Cox. Her neice has
This was an excellent story, told from both the viewpoint of the kidnapper and those looking for him. The reasons behind the kidnapping are slowly and deliciously eked out, keeping my interest piqued. The character development is excellent as is the secondary plot line involving Michelle.
Ron McClarty was the reader and he did a phenomal job of bringing the characters to life. His voice is rich and pleasant to listen to. Each character was easily defined with a different voice. His inflections conveyed the emotions and nuances of the plot extremely well.
I knew I would enjoy the story as I knew the author, but honestly I think I just might listen to the next one as well.
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, Secret Service Agents turned private eyes, are contacted by the First Lady - Jane Cox. Her neice has
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been kidnapped. The FBI is heading up the investigation, but Cox has dealt with King in the past and trusts him. She wants an extra set of eyes looking that report to her alone. This was an excellent story, told from both the viewpoint of the kidnapper and those looking for him. The reasons behind the kidnapping are slowly and deliciously eked out, keeping my interest piqued. The character development is excellent as is the secondary plot line involving Michelle.
Ron McClarty was the reader and he did a phenomal job of bringing the characters to life. His voice is rich and pleasant to listen to. Each character was easily defined with a different voice. His inflections conveyed the emotions and nuances of the plot extremely well.
I knew I would enjoy the story as I knew the author, but honestly I think I just might listen to the next one as well.
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LibraryThing member mikedraper
Ex CIA Agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are asked to meet Pam Dutton, who wants to hire them. When they arrive at her home, someone has just murdered her and kidnapped her child, Willa. Willa is the First Lady's niece and when the First Lady hears of the kidnapping she asks King and Maxwell to
Sam Quarry, a Viet Nam vet is behind the kidnapping. He sent his son and a man named Kurt to carry out his orders. When Pam Dutton fought back, Sam's son Daryl accidentally killed her. Quarry is very militaristic and wants to teach a lesson, so to pay for their mistake he kills Kurt.
While Sean and Michelle are investigating the kidnapping, Michelle gets a call that he mother has died. She goes to her parents home and finds that her mother had been killed. Now Michelle is investigating that murder in addition to Sean taking the lead on the kidnapping. This takes away from the main story and is irrelivant to the central plot.
Quarry has also kidnapped another woman, Diane Wohl and when the two kidnapped women meet they try to escape. They are unsuccesful the Quarry talks to Diane and tells her that she's actually Willa's mother, the child she put up for adoption twelve years ago. He also has a duaghter but she is in a coma and has been for years.
The two stories are told in separate chapters but still add confusion and make the kidnapping less suspenseful. King and Maxwell don't seem as sympathetic as they have and the story took a long time to get going. It is still enjoyable but not one of Baldacci's best.
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find the girlSam Quarry, a Viet Nam vet is behind the kidnapping. He sent his son and a man named Kurt to carry out his orders. When Pam Dutton fought back, Sam's son Daryl accidentally killed her. Quarry is very militaristic and wants to teach a lesson, so to pay for their mistake he kills Kurt.
While Sean and Michelle are investigating the kidnapping, Michelle gets a call that he mother has died. She goes to her parents home and finds that her mother had been killed. Now Michelle is investigating that murder in addition to Sean taking the lead on the kidnapping. This takes away from the main story and is irrelivant to the central plot.
Quarry has also kidnapped another woman, Diane Wohl and when the two kidnapped women meet they try to escape. They are unsuccesful the Quarry talks to Diane and tells her that she's actually Willa's mother, the child she put up for adoption twelve years ago. He also has a duaghter but she is in a coma and has been for years.
The two stories are told in separate chapters but still add confusion and make the kidnapping less suspenseful. King and Maxwell don't seem as sympathetic as they have and the story took a long time to get going. It is still enjoyable but not one of Baldacci's best.
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LibraryThing member Alaric.Adair
The plot rather wanders around and eventually reaches a finale. Reasonable dialogue, but not a book to rush down to the book shop to buy.
LibraryThing member edwardsgt
Well written and plotted thriller about the President's niece who is kidnapped for no apparent reason, together with another apparently unrelated woman. The case is investigated by two private eyes, one an old acquaintance of the President's wife and it becomes clear that the PI's brief has not
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been entirely frank and that a number of the participants have something to hide. As other reviewers noted there is a sub-plot which doesn't really link to the main plot and seems a bit of a diversion to pad out the story. However, it did keep me turning the pages to the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member caroren
A real page turner -- with no answers until the very end. Would make a good book club discussion book -- lots of subject matter for discussion of honesty and morality in politics.
LibraryThing member labwriter
I give this one a half-star rating because I can't give it minus-stars. And I'm writing a "review" here to remind myself never, never to buy another Baldacci book. I really need to quit picking up books on a whim at the grocery store. I like a good mystery-detective-thriller as much as the next
This book was so unevenly written, it was almost as if there was more than one person writing it. The scenes with the character named Quarry in Georgia were at least readable. The scenes with the two former Secret Service people, Sean and Michelle, were absurd. If I ever need an example of wooden, childish, boring, tone-deaf dialogue, then this book will be where I'll go for the best example of the worst dialogue by a published writer, maybe ever.
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person, but this thing ain't it. I also don't expect books in that genre to be written with deathless prose. But this one--I read to the halfway point, hating myself with every page for not putting it down, and finally I threw it at the wall when I Baldacci threw in yet another absurd "how his characters will solve the mystery" plot twist. Any writer who so disrespects his readers doesn't deserve readers in the first place.This book was so unevenly written, it was almost as if there was more than one person writing it. The scenes with the character named Quarry in Georgia were at least readable. The scenes with the two former Secret Service people, Sean and Michelle, were absurd. If I ever need an example of wooden, childish, boring, tone-deaf dialogue, then this book will be where I'll go for the best example of the worst dialogue by a published writer, maybe ever.
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LibraryThing member DBower
This book saw the return of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Baldacci once again did a great job of keeping me intrigued and guessing to the end. He does a good job of making good guys bad and showing the good in bad guys. I also liked the two mysteries that ran simultaneous in this book. Overall I
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really enjoyed the book (although I do prefer the Camel Club books). Show Less
LibraryThing member photomarg
Not my favorite in this series -- I thought the plot was predictable, but the action and characters were up to his usual standard.
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
Drama and who-dun-it with two concurrent plots which have Michelle, a private investigator involved in each. Balducci does a good job of bringing this together through one character. Since this does involve the fictional Washington First Family, I could not help but thinking and imagining a real
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first family, past or present, in this situation. Show Less
LibraryThing member dspoon
t began with what seemed like an ordinary children's birthday party. Friends and family gathered to celebrate. There were balloons and cake, games and gifts.
This party, however, was far from ordinary. It was held at Camp David, the presidential retreat. And it ended with a daring kidnapping . . .
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell were not looking to become involved. As former Secret Service agents turned private investigators, they had no reason to be. The FBI doesn't want them interfering. But years ago, Sean King saved the First Lady's husband, then a senator, from political disaster. Now, Sean is the one person the First Lady trusts, and she presses Sean and Michelle into the desperate search to rescue the abducted child.
With Michelle still battling her own demons, and forces aligned on all sides against her and Sean, the two are pushed to the absolute limit. In the race to save an innocent victim, the line between friend and foe will become impossible to define . . . or defend.
This party, however, was far from ordinary. It was held at Camp David, the presidential retreat. And it ended with a daring kidnapping . . .
Show More
which immediately turned into a national security nightmare.Sean King and Michelle Maxwell were not looking to become involved. As former Secret Service agents turned private investigators, they had no reason to be. The FBI doesn't want them interfering. But years ago, Sean King saved the First Lady's husband, then a senator, from political disaster. Now, Sean is the one person the First Lady trusts, and she presses Sean and Michelle into the desperate search to rescue the abducted child.
With Michelle still battling her own demons, and forces aligned on all sides against her and Sean, the two are pushed to the absolute limit. In the race to save an innocent victim, the line between friend and foe will become impossible to define . . . or defend.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rondoctor
Very good read, but not as good as Michael Palmer's First Patient. Excellent descriptions of how the Secret Service protects the First Family.
LibraryThing member she_climber
Conspiracy nuts rejoice! This book picks up right where book three left off and takes on the dark and seamy side of our nation's first family. Fun and fast-paced, no earth-shattering plot twists but thoroughly entertaining. Special treat for fans of the series tucked in there too.
LibraryThing member hemlokgang
Another realy good book!
LibraryThing member 22soccermom
Surprisingly good. I haven't read much David Baldacci, so I was pleasantly surprised. The president's neice is kidnapped by a man seeking revenge for a decades old transgression/crime. Surprising ending. At least I was surprised. Wonder if all his other books are this entertaining.
LibraryThing member cathymoore
Ex-Secret Service agents, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell return in this fast-paced thriller. The president's neice has been kidnapped and the First Lady retains the services of King and Maxwell to get her back, hoping that by using a private investigator instead of the FBI she can prevent all the
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murky secrets of her husband's past being exposed and threatening his re-election. This was enjoyable and easy to read, I found the sub-plot about a murder in Maxwell's family more interesting than the main story though. I often feel that King and Maxwell are a bit clueless, I have always figured out "who did it" a couple of chapters before they have. Perhaps that is the author's intention though. Show Less
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Good story...I learned something about Long Island. Demille's twist of plot kept my interest throughout the reading of the book.
LibraryThing member ZachMontana
First Lady asks Private Investigators to find her niece. Story is intertwined with the kidnappers story and why he is doing this huge plan to punish the President and First Lady.
Language
Original publication date
2009-04-21
ISBN
9781607518051