Rating: 
Summary: The First Counsel...............
Review: More twists and turns than a roller coaster speeding out of control! Man oh man. This one is definitely a keeper. Brad Meltzer does it again and yet again. He's got the goods. I've read two of his earlier books as well. "The tenth Justice" and "Dead Even." Both are extremely well written and a good read. The First Counsel gives more than just a glipse into the world of 1600 Pennsylvania ave! Brad Meltzer unleashes a tale of wild car chases, blackmail, betrayal, spy versus spy, romance, deception, murder and politics! What else can you expect from a guy who graduated with honors from the University of Michigan and Columbia Law school? Nothing but the best! I dunno, but this one smells like a movie in the making. Hey, if ya got the cash, get the book!
Rating: 
Summary: Aren't we all sick of White House Scandals?
Review: If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be: Unlikely. A young White Lawyer begins to date the daughter of the President. They have some fun events and adventures outwitting the Secret Service at times, and those episodes have their merits, but both the young Lawyer and "Shadow", the code name for Nora Hartson, the president's daughter, become ensnared in a political snaggle that involves betrayal, murder, and of course, the inevitable scandal. The reason I use the word "Unlikely" is because it is highly improbable for any of this to happen the way the author tries to betray it, and books. as you know, that try hard to incorporate an element of truth but use the wrong characters and situations, are a failure. It becomes a who-dun-it, and a boring one at that.
Rating: 
Summary: White House Thriller, Badly Flawed
Review: This is a White House thriller I really wanted to love. The hero, Michael Garrick, is one of those up-and-coming high energy white house staffers, who, as the book opens, is on a date with the president's daughter. Exciting concept. She is, to say the least, emotionally disturbed. Unpredictable mood swings, impulsive, using drugs, takes unbelievable risks. Drags Michael into an ever thickening plot, a murder, shenanigans involving the highest levels of the White House--what more could you ask? Unfortunately the ever thickening plot is hard to follow, the characters are not believeable, the dialogue is nothing but snappy comebacks, shouting, nobody listening. There is a lot of running and hiding. The book starts off with a bang, but by the middle of the 479 pages I had to force myself to keep reading. Toward the end the pace picks up again, racing toward a slam-bang finish which feels artificial and contrived. Michael has miraculously escaped with his life and won't be going to prison, but, has he learned anything? Doubtful. This White House adventure was a big disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Two of his books is more than enough
Review: I tried the 10th Justice and found it sophomoric. I thought this one may be better -- if time and a little more experience could help. It did not. The "hero" Michael is conveyed as a 29 year old,top of the heap White House lawyer, but his reactions resemble a naive 13-year-old. This guy's sensitive side gags, rather than charms. The only reason this receives 1 star, is that there is nothing below that to chose.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute page-turner
Review: I picked up this book during exam week just to have a little something to read. Was I in for a surprise!! I couldn't put it down! GREAT BOOK!! Too bad my studying might've suffered!! As for the reviewers who didn't like the characters or thought they were unbelievable--characters are supposed to be flawed. Flawless=boring. If Nora wasn't such a nut and Michael wasn't such a pushover (only at times) the story wouldn't have been as good. They were all part of the recipe for this novel!!
Rating: 
Summary: True example of a page-turner
Review: So well written and clever, I couldn't put it down. It a prime example of a page turner. Went out and bought other Brad Meltzer books and wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, I hope he comes out with a couple more very soon! The First Counsel makes you feel like you're right there with him through everything...your heart will race. Additionally, you'll feel like you have a true understanding of Washington politics, but learn about them the fun way. Highly Recommended!!
Rating:
Summary: Good Read - a little too violent
Review: This is a real page turner - don't be discouraged if you are a little confused the first few chapters - too many characters are introducted at the same time but it is worth making your way through - it is interesting to see the insider's view of the White House - I think it could have had a better ending (which to me was unbelieveable) and it has way too many murders (where are the Secret Service and White House security while all these characters are being knocked off??) when I was done I reread it - a lot of the clues made more sense. Meltzer's 'The Tenth Justice' is his best so far.
Rating:
Summary: The First (truly stupid) Counsel
Review: If the real White House hired emotionally ga-ga lawyers like Michael Garrick, the president would be in a heap of trouble. Garrick falls for a whacked out, unstable, First Daughter and then lets her suck him into a self-incriminating situation that, from the outset, clearly jeopardizes his career, not to mention puts him at risk of criminal indictment. What ambitious, political savvy, inside-the-beltway go getter would ever find himself in such a mess?The dialogue is barely adult. It's more typical of sitcom wisecracking among "Animal House" fraternity types. The characters are shallow, cardboard cutouts. The plot is so-so (hence two stars rather than one), but is hardly the thriller that some believe it is. I'll give Meltzer a point for accurate depictions of Washington neighborhoods and the Metro system. He certainly knows his subway stations.
Rating:
Summary: No improvement
Review: Having been disappointed in "The Tenth Justice" and the ludicrous "Dead Even," I picked this up to see whether Brad Meltzer has gotten any better. He hasn't. Breathless narrative, highly improbable plot and juvenile dialogue again leave us with these two question: 1) Has Meltzer ever even met anyone over 25 years old? and 2)How does he get this stuff published?
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Summary: 'The Firm ' in the White House
Review: Brad Meltzer is the perfect answer to anyone who thought, "Who's next after Grisham, Turow or Martini?" With just two books to his name, the suspense thrillers The Tenth Justice & Dead Even, Meltzer's The First Counsel keeps the same magic that readers have found enthralling. This time around, Meltzer takes us into the life of a young White House lawyer - Michael Garrick. Life is normal & fine (as fine as a normal day in the White House can be) until he catches the attention of Nora Hartson, daughter of the President of The United States. On a date one night, the couple witnesses something they were never meant to see, & suddenly Garrick is caught up in a conspiracy & entangled in a web of deceit. The next day a senior White House Counsel is found dead, & it dawns on Michael that he is becoming the prime suspect in the case. As he becomes a pawn in someone else's hand, the young lawyer fights back - risking his job & his life. What follows is a breathtaking journey in a fight for survival, where Garrick tackles power politics & exposes corruption & blackmail in the upper echelons in the White House. The First Counsel is a chiller thriller of the first order. Meltzer's eye for detail, especially while describing the White House, its behind the scenes activities, etc. is commendable. In terms of action & suspense, it stands right along with Grisham's The Firm. What makes The First Counsel different from other political thrillers is the author's description of the personal life vis-à-vis the public life & image of the White House players. The harrowing account of the life of a First Daughter & the pressure of maintaining a public image, are brought out in a soft yet succinct style. While dealing with power politics & the White House, comparisons with Tom Clancy's political thrillers are inevitable, The First Counsel is as good as any Clancy & Meltzer has done a superb job. I will not be surprised if a movie based on this thriller soon hits the silver screen. After reading The First Counsel, I am sure of one thing, whatever the glamour & the glitz of life in power, life sure is better outside the White House than inside! The First Counsel is enjoyable, highly enjoyable!
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