A grizzled professional cat burglar gets trapped inside the bedroom closet of one of the world’s richest men, only to witness, through a one-way mirror, two Secret Service agents kill the billionaire’s trampy young wife as she tries to fight off the drunken sexual advances of the nation’s chief executive. Running for his life, but not before he picks up a bloodstained letter opener that puts the … the president at the scene of the crime, the burglar becomes the target of a clandestine manhunt orchestrated by leading members of the executive branch.
Meanwhile, Jack Graham, once a public defender and now a high-powered corporate attorney, gets drawn into the case because the on-the-lam burglar just happens to be the father of his former financee, a crusading Virginia prosecutor.
Embroidering the narrative through assorted plot whorls are the hero’s broken romance; his conflict over selling out for financial success; the prosecutor’s confused love-hate for her burglar father; the relentless investigation by a northern Virginia career cop; the dilemma of government agents trapped in a moral catch-22; the amoral ambitions of a sexy White House Chief of Staff; and the old burglar’s determination to bring down the ruthless president.
Meanwhile, lurking at the novel’s center like a venomous spider is the sociopathic president.
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I read this years ago, but I remember being fascinated by the premise and how it was resolved. In fact, I think I’ll read it again!
One of Baldacci’s earliest works. Great story….the President ends up killing a woman he is having an affair with. He doesn’t know he has been seen. Characters are great
lots of twists and turns, completely enjoyed awaiting the next turn
Great read!
Great book, exciting to read.
My favorite author. I’ve read everything he has ever written!
This was my first David Baldacci book, and I’m angry with myself for waiting this long. I can’t wait to read more. I’m starting the Maxwell and King series today.