The First Counsel

By: Brad Meltzer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Shadow is the Secret Service code name for First Daughter, Nora Hartson. And when Michael Garrick, a young White House lawyer, begins dating the irresistible Nora, he's instantly spellbound, just like everyone else in her world.

It's a world all of us have heard about but few of us really know. A world where power is an aphrodisiac, your father is the President, your close friends wear earpieces and carry guns, and everyone watches your every move.

Like most, Michael thinks he can handle the pressure. Until, while together late one night, he and Nora witness something they were never meant to see - and become ensnared in a secret scheme by a White House insider that includes betrayal and murder.

Suddenly, this young Washington power broker, who just yesterday was out on a dream date, finds himself trusting no one, not even Nora, in a battle to prove his innocence. It's a battle that will shake the walls of the Oval Office to their foundations - and may ultimately cost Michael Garrick his life.

©2001 by Forty-Four Steps, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (P)2001 Time Warner AudioBooks, A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing

creative and captivating

This First Counsel intensely interesting from cover to cover. Excellent mystery.

Sorry to say this one was so disappointing.

I got tired of the main character who was so obtuse. Wanted to smack him.

great story

I listened to this every chance I could. The plot and narrator's tone made the story irresistible. kudos!!

Hard to hear when driving

This is a great book, but the reader talks loud and whispers during his reading of the book. This causes difficulty when driving to hear the book, but is ok when setting on the couch.

Narration problems overshadowed

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

While I would agree with many of the reviews here which detail volume issues with the narration I believe that those issues are overshadowed by problems with characterization, plot, and suspension of disbelief. One issue I found very distracting was the gender disparity in the narration. Maybe it was just another problem with the narration but I could swear that multiple times a female character was referred to as "he" and vise versa.

I found the characters almost entirely unlikeable. That may have been Mr. Meltzer's intention but without empathy for a protagonist who - while he should be considerably intelligent as an attorney in the White House - came across as unwise, and hampered by an inability to make good decisions. A leading character - his girlfriend - who comes across as not only overly spoiled and immature but flawed to the point of real distaste for the character. Cliché after cliché run rampant and I was left wondering in what universe these two would possibly exist and survive....

Without real empathy for the characters or a resultant interest in their affairs the plot just sort of crawled along...why do I care what happens to these characters? Is it just because they reside and work within the White House...pull that plot device out and you wouldn't give them the time of day. Why do I feel suspense for characters who consistently make choices that go against what I basically believe that their character would generally do? It's hard to watch (or listen to narration about) somebody make repeated poor decisions when you can't justify to yourself their actions.

I've very much enjoyed Mr. Meltzer's work in the past (and expect to enjoy it more in the future) and as I mentioned before - maybe this was his intent with these characters - but for me; I cannot believe what I am hearing/imagining as I listen and that spoils it for me.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting to me would be the aspect of an insiders life within the White House. The characters, their motivations and their thought processes was the least interesting.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Audio quality issues (volume) and what may have been some enunciation problems.

Could you see The First Counsel being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

great read!!!

This was a very good book. The Plot was well developed; as were the characters. The pacing was fast and kept hold of my attention. The ending was to me quite satisfying ,as well as a nice twist. Get this book. You won't be disappointed.

The First Counsel

Fast paced, suspenseful. Hard to put down. Great narrration

Good but a bit long.

Great story but it for me got long in the middle. I feel like it could have moved faster at times. I have enjoyed some of Meltzers book other books better.

love Meltzer

love the book and story. the audio I received however was choppy and loud in one moment then couldn't hear the next.

The First Counsel

Brad Meltzer is a superb story-teller -- Scott Brick responds to the challenge of bringing this fast paced story to life.