First Family
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In adroitly written novels such as Absolute Power and Saving Faith, David Baldacci has long established himself as one of the most accomplished and imaginative crime writers at work today – and it’s a particularly fecund field at present. With his latest novel, First Family, he adds even more lustre to his reputation -- and tackles surprising new areas of characterisation and plot. The setting is the haunts of the powerful: the upper echelons of the political class.
A birthday party at the presidential retreat Camp David takes a nasty turn when a child is abducted after the party has finished. The First Lady needs the very best to help in this dangerous situation – and who better than top operatives Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to track down the child? (Baldacci enthusiasts will know his reliable protagonists from earlier novels). However, the First Lady and Sean King have had dealings before: he was instrumental in saving her husband (then a senator) from a very unhappy situation… and perhaps their involvement was more than political. Michelle Maxwell, as we know from earlier books by this author, is a woman with her own major problems, and everyone involved in the events of First Family will emerge chastened and changed from an incendiary situation.
As in his earlier books, David Baldacci is notably sharp at the cross-currents of tension within a family (while never forgetting pressing external threats). In the new book, he has the reader caught up in a spectacular and disturbing narrative, with the involvement of the most important family in America adding piquancy to an already gripping piece of writing. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
The heart-racing follow-up to the international bestseller Simple Genius
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have read quite a few David Baldacci books so generally knew what I was getting myself in for, from the opening page right through to the end of the book, was an unputdownable story of lust, love, hate and revenge. When after her 12th Birthday party is held at camp David, a little girl goes missing from her home, her mother (and sister-in-law to the most powerful man in the world) found brutually slain, and her brothers and sisters drugged, which all happens in the first 2 chapters you know something good is going to happen in the following 90 or so chapters. What does follow is a touching tale of how far a man will go to get justice for his daughter- even if that means taking out the first family!
Great Book well worth a read!
Great Book well worth a read!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's Baldacci, so you don't pick it up expecting great literature, but you're hoping at least for a fast-paced page turner. And it starts well. The niece of the President of the US is kidnapped after celebrating her 12th birthday at Camp David. It quickly becomes apparent that the kidnappers are motivated by something other than money and that the First Lady is somehow central to what's happening. She enlists Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to assist the FBI in their investigations. Then a second, seemingly unconnected abduction occurs. I admit it, I was intrigued.
But the book goes quickly downhill from there. There are two main plotlines. The kidnap (a fairly simple plot so extreeemely stretched out) and the suspicious death of Michelle's mother (which adds nothing to the story). I kept feeling that there was a decent 300 page thriller hiding inside the 600+ pages of bloat, but it was well concealed. Far too much talking and not enough action. The same conversations, over and over. By the (totally absurd, dragged out) ending, I was well and truly over it.
Sean and Michelle have featured in three other Baldacci books: Split Second, Hour Game and Simple Genius. I have not read the others but according to my husband who's read at least one of them, I would have liked First Family more if I had.
But the book goes quickly downhill from there. There are two main plotlines. The kidnap (a fairly simple plot so extreeemely stretched out) and the suspicious death of Michelle's mother (which adds nothing to the story). I kept feeling that there was a decent 300 page thriller hiding inside the 600+ pages of bloat, but it was well concealed. Far too much talking and not enough action. The same conversations, over and over. By the (totally absurd, dragged out) ending, I was well and truly over it.
Sean and Michelle have featured in three other Baldacci books: Split Second, Hour Game and Simple Genius. I have not read the others but according to my husband who's read at least one of them, I would have liked First Family more if I had.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I like Baldacci's books, I've read all the Camel Club series and this is the first of the King and Maxwell thrillers I've been enticed to read.
Lately, and this book is no exception, I've felt that his books lack that certain something. Don't get me wrong, they're well written, short chapters, genuine mysteries that leave you wanting to read on, etc but I think his character development could be better. King and Maxwell are not exactly appealing, so who should I care for? And adding in personal stories for maxwell here lack depth.
Baldacci is a better writer than to head down Lee Child territory of a no-brainer of a novel.
Good story, could be better.
Lately, and this book is no exception, I've felt that his books lack that certain something. Don't get me wrong, they're well written, short chapters, genuine mysteries that leave you wanting to read on, etc but I think his character development could be better. King and Maxwell are not exactly appealing, so who should I care for? And adding in personal stories for maxwell here lack depth.
Baldacci is a better writer than to head down Lee Child territory of a no-brainer of a novel.
Good story, could be better.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good Read
This is a good read, I have read Baldacci's books before and always enjoyed them, this takes us into the realms of the President and his family, the plot was sometimes a little... Read more
Published 8 days ago by snapperjon
Predictable, but still entertaining
First Family is the fourth instalment in the King and Maxwell series and extends the story arc started in Simple Genius, although you won't have had to have read that novel to... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Leaveitwithya
Not Baldacci at his Best, But Still a Good Read
This is not David Baldacci at his peak, but nonetheless this is an absorbing read with plenty of action and which, at times, is definitely a page turner. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Brett H
First Family David Baldacci
Gripping from beginning to end. I have read several of Baldacci's books and this does not disappoint. If you like a good mystery with a twist at the end then read this book.
Published 21 months ago by Mrs. M. Ross
Baldaci not on best form
I have read most if not all of David Baldaci's books but this one really didn't do it for me. The plot was rather implausible, the many strands to the story seemed to take an age... Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by Mr. R. C. Muse
Not his best...
I'm a big DB fan but think this is not his best; it lacks the tension of many of his other books and the end is a bit unrealistic. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2010 by Reluctant Reviewer
Another Winner
Another winning book from David Baldacci and the excellent private detective team of Sean and Michelle. Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by Ms. D. Passey
Riding the Shark
This is the sixth Baldacci novel I have read. Although enjoyable and highly readable -- as always -- the plot went too far for me. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by Fusionfan
Yeah OK!
Not a bad read; not up to his usual standards and really a bit far fetched! But entertaining enough although it seems to fizzle out a bit at the end.
Published on 5 Mar 2010 by P. M. G.
As always fantastic
So what did become of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell?? Never a dull moment with David Baldacci, Ive read all his books and still find myself holding my breath in anticipation. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Ms. Kristena Woolford
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