Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9076 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 576 pages

Synopsis
"Accomplished and amazing - one of the hottest reads around" - "Daily Mail." Set in Washington D.C., this fascinating thriller of unparalleled suspense dares to explore an unthinkable abuse of power and criminal conspiracy: a vicious murder involving the US President and a cover-up orchestrared by his zealously loyal Chief of Staff and the Secret Service. But, unknown to the President and his lackeys, one unlikely witness saw everything. Trapped behind a two-way mirror in a country house in Maryland, Luther Whitney, a professional burglar, witnesses an event that destroys his faith in justice. By the time he escapes, pursued by two Secret Service agents, a young woman has been sexually assaulted, then shot dead. And a breathtaking cover-up has been set in motion. "Baldacci's prose is fluent and amazing ...this book is sure to make a killing"- "The Times." "A high-octane legal thriller. An almost Shakespearian study in the nature of evil - horror in its purest form" - "Spectator".

Customer Reviews

Absolutely Excellent
This is only the second book I have ready by David Baldacci and I was not disappointed, in fact it was one of the best books that I have ever read. I could not put it down. It was compulsive reading. Brilliant. Here's to the next book.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely
Here we have a book where the President of the United States is the bad guy.....and the criminal is the man of honor. This book is a thriller with political intrigue and takes place mostly around the Metro D.C. area.

The book starts with an aging burglar, Luther, breaking into a billionaire's well protected mansion. He is suprised, but not caught by none other than the President of the good ol'USA. Who happens to be with the billionaire's young wife. Luther who is hidden in a safe with a two-way mirror, watches as the President starts to beat on the young woman. The woman in an act of self preservation, grabs a letter opener and stabs the President. The ensuing struggle and yell from the President, brings the very effective Secret Service Agents into the room. Where they shoot and kill her.

The scheming Chief of Staff hatches a quick course of action to start a cover up. But no one is aware of Luther who has watched the whole horrid affair. The story begins to pick up speed when Luther decides he has do what is right and set things straight.

You can tell this is Mr. Baldacci's first book. But worth the read. I read Total Control first, and find that book of a much higher quality. I think he will only improve with each book he writes. There were parts in this book where I just had to read one more section before I put it down.

A Terrific Thriller Writer

David Baldacci attended law school at the University of Virginia, and went on to work as a trial lawyer, and later as a corporate lawyer, in Washington, D.C. He is now a full-time writer whose best selling novels include Absolute Power, Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth and Saving Faith. He lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.

This is one of David Baldacci's earlier books, written in 1996. Probably one of the books that has made him such a popular author of thriller reader's everywhere. His writing style has changed very little since then and the plots of his early novels are just as interesting as his later work.

A professional burglar unwittingly witnesses a a vicious murder, involving none other than the President of the United States. Luther Whitney's experience leads to him being pursued by Secret Service agents. A young woman has been sexually assaulted and then shot dead. Luther would give anything not to have been there, but he was and now he is going to be hunted like an animal . . .