First Family by David Baldacci
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Book Reviews of First Family
Book Review: An exciting thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors, and this novel did not disappoint me notwithstanding all of the negative reviews, which for me are unfounded.
The novel reprises two characters from an earlier novel Simple Genius--Michelle Maxwell and Sean King, who are both former Secret Service Agents and now partners in a detective agency; however reading the earlier novel is completely unnecessary for this novel. They are asked by the wife of the First Lady's brother to come to her house to discuss a matter that she has not revealed. They arrive to find themselves in the midst of a kidnapping of the eldest daughter Willa, and engage in a gun battle with the kidnappers, who manage to escape with Willa. They then discover that Willa's mother, who was to be their client, has been murdered, and that her husband and two other children are all unconscious, though they survive.
As Michelle and Sean spend the rest of the novel trying to find Willa at the request of the First Lady, whom Sean knows from an episode years earlier involving the President when he was a newly elected Senator, they find themselves embroiled in a complex--but wholly believable--web of deceit and lies by the First Family that are related to the kidnapping. As is often true with Baldacci, things are not always what they seem.
The mastermind of the kidnapping is a man called Sam Quarry, who cannot easily be classified as good or evil and is a fascinating character.
As a subplot, Michelle's mother is murdered, and she and Sean seek to solve that crime as well. Although some readers might consider this an unnecessary distraction, it enables Baldacci to explore the relationships between Michelle and her father (a retired cop who was Michelle's role model growing up) and the rest of her family. During the murder investigation of her mother Michelle gains insights into her own difficulties in forming personal relationships, in particular with her partner Sean King, by revisiting troubling incidents from her past.
The novel provides some interesting insights into a Native American tribe known as the Kosati, the inner workings of the Secret Service, and the boundless ambitions of politicians. The action is nonstop, and while the novel has a semi "Hollywood ending," I found it to be both realistic and plausible.
This novel will not only entertain you, but also make you wonder just what you would do if you were confronted with the circumstances in which Sam Quarry finds himself. Baldacci has written another winner.
Finally a word for Kindle owners. You need to wait two weeks after any new novel comes out for the price to drop to $9.99, which is what I paid; if you want to buy it sooner, you will pay more. But please stop giving negative reviews to novels based on your experience with Kindle prices, especially since it is quite simple to buy all new novels for just $9.99 if you don't insist on downloading them immediately when they come out
Book Review: Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are BACK!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Return to the old Baldacci writing formula-San King and Michelle Maxwell are Back!
In First Family Mr. Baldacci returns to his old writing formula of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell as they investigate and deal with Washington political intrigue. I know many readers like the Camel Club series, but I am more partial to Mr. Baldacci's original style and characters. He just seems more comfortable and believable writing about the inside world of the Secret Service and Washington. First Family is a complex tale that is really 3 linked stories in one. The primary thesis is the kidnapping of Willa, the niece of the First Lady. The second interwoven story concerns the murder of Michelle Maxwell's mother. And the final connected story concerns the despicable actions of both the President and First Lady. Woven together Mr. Baldacci crafts a tale of intrigue, murder, deceit, hate, love and sadness in the emotionally charged world of Washington D.C.; where power is everything and integrity means nothing. In this emotionally charged environment King and Maxwell must somehow find the elusive truth of who and why evil deeds are done. Their quest for that truth will lead them to the highest center of corruption that Washington D.C. has become.
Superb character development. We meet again Sean and Michelle and all the baggage that they bring with them. I like how Mr. Baldacci dug into Michelle's past and fleshed out just who she is. That side story gave enhanced credibility to the main story by defining just who Sean and Michelle are and why they are believable investigators. The slow character development of the kidnappers is also excellently done and makes one empathize with why they did what they did.
No gratuitous language, sex or violence.
Recommended. Like Mr. Baldacci's other King and Maxwell books, this one will keep you engaged throughout. There are no dead pages or filler chapters. The story will hold your interest and it is tough to put this book down. I am very happy to see that Mr. Baldacci has returned to his writing roots. I eagerly look forward to the next King and Maxwell adventure.
Book Review: Fast-paced Thriller- Hang on to your hats!
Summary: 5 Stars
I couldn't put this down. You know those books where you want to skip pages or just read *faster* so you can find out what happens?!? This is one of those.
I haven't read much by Baldacci but I'm going to go back now and see if he has other books I can load up on. Great writing, especially the action scenes. I love that the two protagonists have a little intrigue of their own instead of being your typical heroes all-in-white.
The First Lady throws a Birthday Party for her favorite neice at Camp David. The party goes well and the First Lady heads home happily to the White House. Later that night, her neice goes missing, there is a murder and another unrelated woman is kidnapped. Sean and Michelle are PIs who arrive on the scene. Sean is linked to the First Lady and he and Michelle are both former Secret Service.
From there,not even knowing why the First Lady's sister had called for their help, they become entangled in this complicated mystery.
You'll have to read it- no spoilers here! A quick read because it is hard to put down but very well written! Love how it all comes together in the end! I literally couldn't sit still while I was reading First Family.
For me, it was totally worth the price even if it didn't have as big a discount as other books- actually, I'd probably pay more having read it now!!
Book Review: Complicated Plot with Twists & Turns-- Engrossing!
Summary: 5 Stars
Baldacci writes with a unique turn of events! This story is one outrageous, descriptively picture of the possible First Family! I was hooked at the very beginning. Willa, Gabriel, Michelle, & Sean are my favorite characters. But there are no bounds to the Evil personalities! Of course, the Old Indian Named "Fred" is a likeable old man in his background & ability.
After reading several thrillers by Baldacci, this one wins the Trophy, with its' fabulous mix of characters, plus enough psychological description to reveal each personality. It seems that Michelle & Sean are familiar from the author's earlier books.
No one else can create such a complex, convoluted picture of the many possible evil schemes from the hands of SAM QUARRY. His proposed reasons for turning the tides of the First Family are sufficient reasons for his evil plans of turning his old farm into a battlefield for the Fed's Secret Service! As the story arrived past the middle, I became addicted to continue following the exciting mix of Evil against the Good forces to rescue Willa from her strange prison. Whatever likely ways that could happen, my imagination could not predict any possible solution!
As the complicated events took place it seemed to be a race between Michelle, Sean & Gabriel against the huge Federal Rescue Team! Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood
Book Review: Best Book of the Spring
Summary: 5 Stars
I knew First Family was going to be released on Tuesday and I rushed to catch up on my reading so I could get it on the release date. I got the book early afternoon and could not put it down! First of all I would like to thank Mr. Baldacci for putting out back to back solid reads. I agree with another reviewer that stated that Grisham and Patterson's is becoming watered down and in my own opinion they are just phoning in their books.
First it is nice to see Mr. Baldacci still working on character development of Sean and Michele, I really feel that Michele is coming along nice and Simple Genius would be nice to read again before starting First Family. The plot which as you know involves a kidnapping of the presidents niece. Our heros are off on another adventure which will pit them against a elderly mastermind from Alabama.
As all of Mr. Baldacci's books there were more than enough twist plots and surprises to keep me interested. It was a great read and left me wanting a few more hundred pages. I would recommend First Family over any recent thrillers that have been released in the last several months.