Janis K. (scrapbooklady) reviewed First Family (Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, Bk 4) on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
As all of Mr. Baldacci's books there were more than enough twist plots and surprises to keep me interested. "First Family" was an excellent read and left me wanting a few more hundred pages. I would recommend "First Family" over any other thrillers that have been recently released.
Cindy M. (cindymcc) reviewed First Family (Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, Bk 4) on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The central premise is that a child who is part of the extended family of the President and First Lady is kidnapped. The First Lady approaches a trusted PI, who once helped her out, to conduct his own investigation. While determining what happened and theorizing about possible motives of the kidnapper, he and his partner proceed in the face of FBI and Secret Service resistance. During the same timeframe, his partner has to deal with problems within her own family.
It's a fast read and enjoyable, but I'm glad I got it from the library. So much about the timeframe and what the protagonists do simply do not make sense. When the partner's attention was understandably diverted, I would have thought that the novel would have focused solely on his search for the child, but instead the novel shows his attention divided between the search and the support he offers to his partner. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief that both were possible. There were other instances as well.
I did finish the book in one night, and I did enjoy it - but it's the equivalent of an action movie that is fun to watch, but doesn't result in a lot of reflection and is pretty much forgotten once you leave the theater.
It's a fast read and enjoyable, but I'm glad I got it from the library. So much about the timeframe and what the protagonists do simply do not make sense. When the partner's attention was understandably diverted, I would have thought that the novel would have focused solely on his search for the child, but instead the novel shows his attention divided between the search and the support he offers to his partner. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief that both were possible. There were other instances as well.
I did finish the book in one night, and I did enjoy it - but it's the equivalent of an action movie that is fun to watch, but doesn't result in a lot of reflection and is pretty much forgotten once you leave the theater.
Debbie W. (yomama1) -
Helpful Score: 2
As usual, I loved David Baldacci, who writes a compelling story. However, the storyline really bothered me! I don't know why, except it made me think about how corrupt some people can be, and that fiction follows fact. Obviously, many fictional books are based on fact, but to me, this particular story was scary, in that it could very well be true, and probably is in some governmental scenarios. I'm no innocent, but to think that the First Family would stop at nothing to remain in the White House makes me wonder what they would stoop to in areas that affect the whole country, and by proxy, the whole world. And I am certainly not talking about any particular REAL adminstration, present or past. But...you should judge the story for yourself.
Stephanie S. (punkinema) -
Helpful Score: 1
Exciting from the very beginning of the book! We are with Michelle and Sean in this book by David Baldacci. The First Lady's niece is brutally kidnapped from her home and the child's mother is murdered. The First Lady calls on Sean, a friend from long ago, to hire he and Michelle to find her. Sean and Michelle face the ire of the Secret Service and FBI for their involvement but they are determined to find the 12 year old. Ugly secrets in the First Family's past come to haunt them as the case gets closer to being solved. Just how far will the First Lady go to protect her husband? Excellent book - kept me glued to the chair in order to find out what happens next!
Marianne S. (sfc95) -
Helpful Score: 1
A good, fast read. The beginning was somewhat cumbersome with the introduction of characters in what seemed to be rapid succession, but it was necessary. Alot of action and plot development, another Baldacci winner.
