Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put down!
Review: I enjoyed this book- I couldn't put it down. The information about what the inner workings of the White House is like was interesting and the plot kept me guessing. I couldn't wait to find out what happened and then was sad when the novel was over. I'm an avid reader and haven't read such a fun book in a while. I can't wait to read another Brad Meltzer book.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent!!!
Review: I thought this book was phenomenal. First, it was action packed from page one, rather than the typical "read 50 pages before we get you interested" genre. Second, I found it intriguing that I kept playing in my head all the various possibilities to determine "who did it". This was my first Meltzer novel, and I must say, I will undoubtedly read the rest of his books. My only question now is who will play the roles of the characters on the big screen
Rating: 
Summary: An Quick Enjoyable Read
Review: The book is a page-turner that keeps you guessing but then again Meltzer develops few characters to point a finger at. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll simply say you won't have enough information to solve this mystery until Meltzer reveals all. The ending had me calling "foul". The death was an interesting turn but should of been further developed with a little aftermath of the politics and news frenzy in true Washington style. A little clean up would have went a long way. I think the last chapter was omitted! : ) Grisham is still my man!
Rating:
Summary: You have the right to speak with an attorney, Mr. President
Review: Imagine yourself being at the top of your class in law school, starting your career in a "white shoe" law firm, working in a presidential campaign and then being rewarded with an office in the White House and the title of Deputy Counsel to the President of the United States. Pretty heady stuff even for the best and brightest. But then, find yourself flirting with the First Daughter at a social function, making a date with her, trying to ditch the Secret Service escort to please and impress the First Daughter and prove that lawyers can be cool too, and before you know it you have entered a world where no schooling or training could prepare you for what would happen next. Brad Meltzer catapults Deputy Counsel to the President, Michael Garrick, into the White House residence where drugs, deception and bribery operate like it's a banana republic after the First Daughter, Nora Hartson, enters his life. Meltzer knows how to snare his readers with a plot and characters that run to a finale the reader can't wait to reach. Code names, security badges that give access to only the most connected and briefing time with the President become the literary devices that give the plot credibility. While we might be disappointed if these characters actually inhabited the West Wing, Meltzer can get away with a storyline that seems so unlikely because we all have grown accustomed to less than perfection in those who serve at the highest levels of government. You'll finish this book quickly and want the next book from Meltzer who is the envy of every young associate toiling away at their law firm writing briefs instead of novels.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: Brad Meltzer has the makings of a new John Grishman. A legal thriller melded with a conspiracy story, The First Counsel delves into the depths of the White House's legal team. A young lawyer in the counsel's office begins dating the President's daughter. The rumors that she's a sex fiend and a habitual drug user are easily overlooked when he's with such a beautiful woman. But something goes wrong, on their first date, and he finds himself in more trouble than he could have ever imagined. The plot itself is captivating, and what really draws us in, is that the story centers around our favorite address in the world, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Rating:
Summary: The First Counsel
Review: I could NOT put this book down. Quite a page turner. I think everyone would enjoy reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Another gripping drama from Meltzer.
Review: Brad Meltzer has once again woven a fantastic story of suspense, keeping me turning page after page LONG after I should have been sleeping. I really enjoy his thorough details and obviously huge amounts of research which must go into descriptions of places, events, and other facts - I come away from one of his novels feeling I am going to meet the character on the street and recognize him or her! I look forward to his next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book, bad ending
Review: Through this entire book all I could focus on was what a GIANT size mess the character was getting himself into. I couldn't wait for the end to see how it all came together, and most especially, how he survived. I was very, very disappointed. The ending was a copout and lead me to believe that Brad Meltzer himself couldn't write his character out of this awful situation. This was a real let down for me, as I was expecting to be breathless at the end. But, I wasn't breathless at all, I was frustrated and disappointed. It's a good story with a bad ending...I can't, in good faith, tell anyone to read it because if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have.
Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and fun
Review: Okay, I admit, I'm a "West Wing" fan. This rather improbable story line kept me reading late into the night, and in the morning at the breakfast table, and during breaks at work. Yes, it's a little contrived, and yes, it is impossible to conceive that all of these creeps made it past years of FBI screens. But it was FUN! And sometimes, that's all I ask of a book.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Start That Lacked Punch
Review: I enjoyed the first 100 pages, a story about a guy dating the President's daughter and the hazards that it may entail. I thought it contained a good mix of action and character interaction (you can sense the "but" coming, can't you?)...but...from the moment a dead body was discovered, rather than take off on a thrilling romp, the story seemed to fizzle into a directionless meander. The main character, Michael Garrick, ran around like a chook with it's head cut off confronting everyone with accusations of guilt which, naturally, they denied, getting us nowhere and making me wonder what the point was. Some books suffer from information overload, this one suffered from information deprivation, yet it took over 400 pages to not tell us anything. I guess the lack of information was meant to build the tension, but it caused my interest gradually leak out until I really didn't care what the outcome was.
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