by Phillip Margolin, published this year.
A new book by a new author (for me). This is a very fast, speedy read, along the lines ala Baldacci. Jeff read it in a matter of 2 days. I took a bit longer. It's about the abuse of government power at the highest level; a modern day president gets taken down and loses the election to a female candidate due to his indiscretions and unfaithfulness. (Clintonesque, shall we say?).
But the surprise twist here (SPOILER ALERT.....!!!) is that the first lady is a jealous power-hungry malicious killer who visciously murders each of the 3 young women whom the Prez has dalliances with. This isn't revealed until about the very end of the novel but all along, we think it's the Prez' sidekick, Mr. Hawkins, a close confidante and old friend, who is the murdering bastard. In fact, he eventually confesses to the crimes (it's at this point in the book that I'm doubtful of his sins since he confesses so readily). Turns out, he's protecting the 1st lady (he was in love w/her back in college).
It's a relatively good, simple read, a good story. It keeps you going with plot development and twists. It's a "go-go-go" kind of read.
Nevertheless, it's nothing out of the ordinary, quite formulaic and some of the writing tends to be somewhat old-fashioned and not necessarily smart or witty. Rather, it's dry and soap-opera like.
This one can only be rated a two-star in my book.
