First Family (Sean King and Michelle Maxwell Series #4)

by David Baldacci, Ron McLarty (Read by)

Overview

#1 New York Times bestsellingauthor David Baldacci follows the instant success of Divine Justice with another unstoppable thriller.

Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, back from their harrowing and near-fatal adventure in the blockbuster #1 bestseller Simple Genius, return in a mesmerizing new thriller. A daring kidnapping turns a children's birthday party at Camp David into a national security nightmare, but the hostage is not who anyone would expect. The First Lady enlists the services of King and Maxwell to bring the child back safely. Years ago, King saved her then-senator husband from an assassin's bullet; whether they shared anything else is their secret. With Michelle still recovering from her own demons the pair are pushed to the limit, with forces aligned on all sides against them, and the line between friend and foe impossible to define...or defend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781600248368
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	03/01/2010
Series:	Sean King and Michelle Maxwell Series , #4
Edition description:	Reprint
Sales rank:	279,020
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 5.75(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

DAVID BALDACCI is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world's favorite storytellers. His books are published in over forty-five languages and in more than eighty countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at DavidBaldacci.com and his foundation at WishYouWellFoundation.org.

Hometown:

Northern Virginia

Date of Birth:

August 5, 1960

Place of Birth:

Richmond, VIrginia

Education:

B.A. in Political Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1982; J.D., University of Virginia, 1986

Website:

http://www.david-baldacci.com/

Editorial Reviews

Last seen in Simple Genius, former secret service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell return for another top-secret executive mission. This time the first lady calls on them to conduct a strictly below-the-radar investigation of a daring kidnapping that took place at a Camp David kids' party. The pair's descent into this national security nightmare isn't the only thing on their minds; Michelle's emotional balance is still askew, keeping the couple at near wits' end even as they try to save a child -- and much more.

Veteran character actor Ron McLarty brings a strong performance to a rather weak entry in Baldacci's political thriller series featuring ex-Secret Service agents turned private investigators, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. When the president's niece, 12-year-old Willa, is kidnapped, the first lady brings in King and Maxwell to help find her. Unknown to the PIs, the motive behind the abduction has the potential to shake the presidency to the core. Although the action moves swiftly enough, the plot strains credibility, and it is to McLarty's credit that he manages to impart some reality with excellent character voices and sense of urgency. His reading is exceptional during the scenes between Willa and her kidnapper as he plumbs a depth of character beyond the written words. Strategically placed sound effects enhance the listening experience. A Grand Central hardcover (Reviews, Mar. 30). (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Plenty of action drives Baldacci's stellar fourth novel to feature Maxwell and King."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Fightening...shocking...Sean and Michelle [are] surely one of the more interesting teams of private investigators...Baldacci is a more subtle writer now, able to tell stories of deep moral ambiguity and to create characters who balance on the line between hero and villain...It will be fascinating to watch where he takes these two heroes from here."
—Booklist

"It's always a good thing when David Baldacci brings back former FBI agents King and Maxwell."
—New York Daily News

"Mr. Baldacci's books are jigsaw puzzles of intersecting events, not simple whodunits. FIRST FAMILY is no exception."—Washington Times

"What Baldacci does best is provide thrills, chills, and suspense. This novel is a total surprise from beginning to end."—Columbus Telegram

"The story unfolds wonderfully. It's another top-flight thriller from this bestselling author, and it's good to see King and Maxwell again."—Oklahoman

From the Publisher

"The story unfolds wonderfully. It's another top-flight thriller from this bestselling author, and it's good to see King and Maxwell again."

Oklahoman

"What Baldacci does best is provide thrills, chills, and suspense. This novel is a total surprise from beginning to end."

Columbus Telegram

"Mr. Baldacci's books are jigsaw puzzles of intersecting events, not simple whodunits. FIRST FAMILY is no exception."

Washington Times

First Lady Jane Cox summons her old friend, Sean King, and his partner to investigate the murder of her sister-in-law and the kidnapping of her niece. King and partner uncover a bizarre tangle of events that could have disastrous consequences. Ron McLarty is the perfect choice to present Baldacci's latest thriller. His clear, strong voice shifts effortlessly among the story's varying passages of sadness, anger, and irony. His facility with multiple characters of both genders and many ages, races, and regional accents enables the listener easily to keep track of everyone. Music and sound effects, used liberally in the opening sequences, trail off as the story progresses, becoming less frequent and lower in volume with each chapter. Too bad—their use enhances the story. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2009 - AudioFile