Rating: 
Summary: I'm Done....
Review: with Brad Meltzer. "The Tenth Justice" showed enough promise to make me read his second novel, "Dead Even", which showed that the big book machines put too much pressure on new authors, so that second books often are a huge disappointment. I had made up my mind not to buy or read this one, but a few of the Amazon reviews caused me to change my mind, and waste my time. Implausible? You bet. Attraction between Michael & Nora...why? They are the two least likely characters on the planet to connect so deeply. And if political machinations and drugs aren't enough for you, we can always throw in incest. Sorry, Brad, you are off my reading list!
Rating: 
Summary: An awesome book!
Review: If you are bored of those slow moving books, then this is the book you should opt for. A very fast moving book, which keeps the reader at the edge of their seat. You keep reading and before you realize.... you are almost finished. This is one of those rare books that start fast. Mostly all books I have read start so slowly that they steal the reader's interest but this one does not slow for a minute. Very well written and truly shocking. The writer has so much information about the White House that you wonder if it is fiction or real. The characters in the book are mysterious and they reveal themselves very slowly. There are not many descriptions of characters because I think the writer did not even know where to put descriptions in such a fast moving book! Recommended to everybody who likes thrillers, (one of the best in the market). Well Done!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Read!
Review: This is my 1st book I've read by Mr. Meltzer and may I say, you have a new fan right here in the East Bay, CA. This book was fast read and can't put down as well. Although, it was quite a long one, but really is superb! I'm looking forward to read his previous books and of course his next one as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: In my opinion, this book is not for the mature reader. The characters were naive. The main character was not believable. Smoke and mirrors but no real substance.
Rating: 
Summary: Caught my interest but didn't always hold it
Review: After reading the reviews I expected more. The plot a bit confusing and I did tire of the first person activity. But having said that I did enjoy the book especially the last 100 pages.
Rating:
Summary: Another Outstanding Novel By Brad Meltzer
Review: I finished reading "The First Counsel" over the past weekend. Brad Meltzer didn't let the momentum down on this one! From the turning of the first pages of Chapter One, the reader is not only treated to an excellent legal thriller (in the class of John Grisham)but an inside peak of the workings of the White House and views of what the inside and living quarters would be if we could be there! The reader could tell that Mr. Meltzer had done his "homework" making the reader feel he/she was taking each step that Michael was taking! Each character had their own nuiance and validity to the story keeping the fast paced storyline going forward. This booking was a clencher as much as Mr. Meltzer's first novel, "The Tenth Justice" which was one of my favorites. My only problem with the book was it took so long in between "The First Counsel" and Mr. Meltzer's last novel, "Dead Even". I will look forward to another release in the future from this author. I can also see the movie play out in my mind as I read along...one word-BLOCKBUSTER! I could see Anjelina Jole as Nora and Will Smith as Trey. Who would play THE character of Michael? Read and see what you think!
Rating:
Summary: Thriller with a semi-predictable ending
Review: I had a hard time putting this book down and absolutely loved the characters. The author made you feel like you were in the White House the entire time. The ending was a bit far-fetched but I definitely recommend this book to Grisham lovers!
Rating:
Summary: First Rate Political Thriller
Review: A first rate political thriller that takes you behind the scenes at the White House and deposits you right into the personal lives of the President and his family. A young White House counsel, Michael Garrick, gets embroiled in a sinister and baffling murder plot, when he falls in love with the President's rather dizzy daughter. The action and suspense never lessen, as Garrick struggles to find answers and to free himself from a tightening web of suspicion. I am an avid reader of political thrillers, especially those with an offbeat approach and a really surprising plot twist. Brad Meltzer fulfills both of these in "The First Counsel"". The only other political thriller I've read recently that fulfills these two demands is "The President's Astrologer" by Barbara Shafferman.
Rating:
Summary: A big disappointment
Review: Having read Meltzer's other books and enjoyed them I looked forward to his new one. This is totally unrealistic, the plot is contrived, the characters not well drawn at all. One never understands the attraction the main character has for the President's daughter. Very uninspired writing.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but could have been better.
Review: Brad Meltzer wrote a wonderful book with The Tenth Justice then hit the sophomore slump with Dead Even, and with The First Counsel he tries his best to climb out of that slump. Parts of this book reminded me of the Tenth Justice in that the main character has good friends that he thinks he can trust, but then he starts doubting everyone around him. Meltzer must have done quite a bit of research to write this book because I easily found myself seeing where the characters were in the White House, even though I have only seen pictures of the White House. We don't find out a lot about the main character until near the middle part of the book, and when we find out the info we find it all out at once. I wish Meltzer would have thrown some of that out at the start, because I just did not find the background that interesting or that surprising to know. When I put myself in the place of the main character, which I like to do with a good book, I could see myself making some of the decisions that Michael made. But at other times I just wondered what he was thinking. Meltzer tries to surprise the reader a few times, sometimes it works, but other times I saw it coming a mile away. Meltzer writes in a way that it will keep you interested. He keeps the dialogue sharp and most of the characters are interesting. Some of the characters he will give you just enough information so that you will suspect them. I would have given this book five stars, but the middle part drags a bit after the exciting beginning.
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