The Book of Fate

By: Brad Meltzer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 18 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In six minutes, one of us would be dead. None of us knew it was coming. So says Wes Holloway, a once-cocky and ambitious presidential aide, about the day that changed his life forever. On that Fourth of July, Wes put Ron Boyle, the chief executive's oldest friend, into the presidential limousine. By the time the trip came to an end, Wes was permanently disfigured, and Boyle was dead, the victim of a crazed assassin.

Eight years later, Boyle is spotted, alive and well, in Malaysia. In that moment, Wes has the chance to undo the worst day of his life. Trying to figure out what really happened takes Wes back to a decade-old presidential crossword puzzle, mysterious facts buried in Masonic history, and a 200-year-old code invented by Thomas Jefferson.

But what Wes doesn't realize is that The Book of Fate holds everyone's secrets. Especially the ones worth dying for. The Book of Fate. What does it say about you?

©2006 Forty-Four Steps, Inc., All Rights Reserved (P)2006 Hachette Audio, a Division of the Hachette Book Group USA

Critic reviews

"Meltzer's many fans will enjoy this substantial meal of a book." (Publishers Weekly)
"Skillfully written...the plot fluidly integrates historical fact and fiction....Fans of thrillers that reach far back into history will be, well, thrilled." (Booklist)

False Advertising

This book intrigued me because of the Masonic angel. I was interested in seeing how the author would incorporate masonic folklore with a modern day presidential assassination.

He did not! In fact, very little references were made of the Masons at all. I don't know why the author played that angle other than you use it as a means of inciting people to fall into the trap (as I did). The story was o.k.. The main character was much too whinny for my liking and I story dragged at times.

Great book, wonderful presentation

Great storyline. Great reading performance. Another grest book from Brad Mezter! A must read book!

Just O.K.

I think what I liked the least about this book was its extreme level of improbability. Any time you get into uber high level conspiracy stuff, I tend to see the holes in the logic. Lots of holes in this book. That being said, it was entertaining and I had no problem finishing it.

Not as advertised

The description is very misleading as it clearly alludes the role of the Masons in the story. However, the Masons play, at best, a minor portion of the story. In fact, the Masons could have been left all together without hurting the story. The story itself is ok but not great. Falls into the trap of an action adventure movie where people continue to function even after they've shot multiple times...

Great book!

Enjoyed the storyline and the narrator. I must admit though I figured out the identity of "the fourth " way before it was revealed.

A good read

Fairly interesting. A little confusing at times, but all in all a good book.

a good book

I enjoyed the book and the 18 hours went by quickly. In reading several summaries and even in listening to the introduction, one gets the impression that the Masons figure prominently in the book. They do not. However, the book is enjoyable especially if listen while exercising.

Great listen

This was a fast paced, can't stop listening book. Good charactors and even a bit of humor. Scott Brick really makes 18 hours go by so fast you hate to see it end.

this is a book that will have you guessing from be

beginthis is a book that will have you guessing from bening to end trying to guess whodunnit

Again with the music

Granted this is an older book so maybe they've stopped with the silly, unnecessary music. It's just annoying. I'd get into the story and BAM! distracting and obvious music. If other options were available to me at the time I began listening I would have stopped at the 2nd chapter.

The story was interesting and it mostly held my attention. Probably about 60-90 minutes of text could have been edited because it did drag bit and it seemed a good amount of plot was needlessly reiterated.

It's just hard for me to be objective when lame production techniques are used. Again, it was the music; Scott Brick was Scott Brick.