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iguanka's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
so cliché it felt like a parody + the biggest r/menwritingwomen vibes
jamiehandy's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first Baldacci I have read. It was quick and a fun summer read while on vacation.
twilitlugia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Abortion, Death of parent, and Murder
ladodgerjeff's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
The First Family brings back Secret Service agents turned private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell.
It was just like any other day. Everyone had gathered to celebrate the birthday party of the president's niece at Camp David. Suddenly the party turns sour really fast when Willa is kidnapped.
This is where Sean and Michelle come into the picture. Sean helped save the president years ago when he was a senator. The First Lady never forgot Sean. Even though the FBI and everyone else is looking for Willa, the First Lady trusts only one person and that is Sean. She calls him and begs him to take the case. Sean agrees with his his partner, Michelle.
Michelle has her own problems to deal and is distracted by them. Her mother has been murdered and her father is the prime suspect. Though Michelle would like to believe her father would never do anything like that, she can't help but feel that her father is hiding something. Michelle will have to try and put her demons aside in order to save a little girl.
This is only the second book I have read by David Baldacci. The best thing I like about him is that you can read any of his books without having to start at the beginning. This is a good thing as this is exactly what I did. I enjoyed reading this book but I had one problem with it. I was surprised how many times I kept putting this book down. This is because...why I love this types of suspence novels, I kept waiting and wondering when the " Oh my God, I can't put this book down" moment was going to happen. For me it really never got there but I still enjoy Mr. Baldacci and will keep on reading his books.
It was just like any other day. Everyone had gathered to celebrate the birthday party of the president's niece at Camp David. Suddenly the party turns sour really fast when Willa is kidnapped.
This is where Sean and Michelle come into the picture. Sean helped save the president years ago when he was a senator. The First Lady never forgot Sean. Even though the FBI and everyone else is looking for Willa, the First Lady trusts only one person and that is Sean. She calls him and begs him to take the case. Sean agrees with his his partner, Michelle.
Michelle has her own problems to deal and is distracted by them. Her mother has been murdered and her father is the prime suspect. Though Michelle would like to believe her father would never do anything like that, she can't help but feel that her father is hiding something. Michelle will have to try and put her demons aside in order to save a little girl.
This is only the second book I have read by David Baldacci. The best thing I like about him is that you can read any of his books without having to start at the beginning. This is a good thing as this is exactly what I did. I enjoyed reading this book but I had one problem with it. I was surprised how many times I kept putting this book down. This is because...why I love this types of suspence novels, I kept waiting and wondering when the " Oh my God, I can't put this book down" moment was going to happen. For me it really never got there but I still enjoy Mr. Baldacci and will keep on reading his books.
casadelibros's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this audio novel and disagree with a lot of the negative reviews, as thought it was very suspenseful and the narrator (Ron McLarty) is my favorite of Baldacci’s books. Baldacci has other performers which I do not care for; however, I always look for Ron when purchasing audio.
The novel was all about protecting the president (his wife in particular). He was a slime ball and everything from his past becomes a nightmare to many victims. The book begins at a birthday party with a planned kidnapping. My favorite character – Sean King and of course Michelle Maxwell were former SS agents turned private investigators. The First Lady has secrets of her own from years of covering up her acts and only wants Sean to handle locating this kidnapper.
A dramatic story with great sound effects, and one man who wants revenge while protecting his family and that will to any lengths to get it. A must read! I look forward to reading the other books in the Sean and Michelle Series as have read Baldacci’s new books and playing catch-up with the older ones.
The novel was all about protecting the president (his wife in particular). He was a slime ball and everything from his past becomes a nightmare to many victims. The book begins at a birthday party with a planned kidnapping. My favorite character – Sean King and of course Michelle Maxwell were former SS agents turned private investigators. The First Lady has secrets of her own from years of covering up her acts and only wants Sean to handle locating this kidnapper.
A dramatic story with great sound effects, and one man who wants revenge while protecting his family and that will to any lengths to get it. A must read! I look forward to reading the other books in the Sean and Michelle Series as have read Baldacci’s new books and playing catch-up with the older ones.
jacki_f's review against another edition
2.0
It's Baldacci, so you don't pick it up expecting great literature, but you're hoping at least for a fast-paced page turner. And it starts well. The niece of the President of the US is kidnapped after celebrating her 12th birthday at Camp David. It quickly becomes apparent that the kidnappers are motivated by something other than money and that the First Lady is somehow central to what's happening. She enlists Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to assist the FBI in their investigations. I admit it, I was intrigued.
But the book goes quickly downhill from there. There are two main plotlines. The kidnap (a fairly simple plot so extreeemely stretched out) and the suspicious death of Michelle's mother (which adds nothing to the story). I kept feeling that there was a decent 300 page thriller hiding inside the 600+ pages of bloat, but it was well concealed. Far too much talking and not enough action. The same conversations, over and over. By the (totally absurd) ending, I was well and truly over it.
I have not read Simple Genius, which is the first Baldacci book that features Sean and Michelle. According to my husband, I would have liked First Family more if I had.
But the book goes quickly downhill from there. There are two main plotlines. The kidnap (a fairly simple plot so extreeemely stretched out) and the suspicious death of Michelle's mother (which adds nothing to the story). I kept feeling that there was a decent 300 page thriller hiding inside the 600+ pages of bloat, but it was well concealed. Far too much talking and not enough action. The same conversations, over and over. By the (totally absurd) ending, I was well and truly over it.
I have not read Simple Genius, which is the first Baldacci book that features Sean and Michelle. According to my husband, I would have liked First Family more if I had.
memmeb's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5