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

Good story but uneven narration

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but Scott Brick's narration drove me crazy. He would whisper some lines and then start shouting. I listen to the books while driving and was constantly adjusting the volume. A more consistent narration would have made this a great book.

I enjoy this author

The narrator is fantastic, the story was intriguing and kept me interested. It makes the drive to and from work go by very quickly. I didn't love the ending. It worked for the book but I would have preferred something else.

Very entertaining..

Well worth the time and price of the book. Also great insight into the inside of the White House both physically and historically.

Wow the intrigue!

Enjoyed the story line, moved at a nice pace. You could visualize the settings. And the ending was very unexpected definite a recommended read for others . Narrator was excellent and as always Brad Meltzer outstanding author 👍🏻

Another good book by Meltzer & great performance by Brick

Another good book by Meltzer & great performance by Brick, who really makes it come to life.

Narrator needs help.

I enjoyed the story as much as "The Zero Game", but I had the a major problem with the narrator. I had to constantly raise the volume to hear him and then he would yell out and and blow out my ears. The process got so bad, I just bought the book. The narrator is dire need of a compressor on his voice. Story five stars and the narrator none.

Another fantastic Meltzer piece

The story reads quickly and the twists and turns are perfect. I highly recommend this one.

Enjoyed with Continued Intrigue to the Very End!

The suspense and action in the story is consistent throughout. The inside descriptions of the White House provided great imagery. Finally, this is a book I can recommend to my teenagers, as it wasn't full of sex and profanity as many other authors' books in this genre. Thanks, Brad Meltzer, for sharing your talent!

Good story but

Author has good story but, my opinion, needs work on the dialogue. e.g., too many "excuse me". Just one reader's opinion.

If you like West Wing

First Council contains many insights into the workings of the executive branch. Questions of trust intermixed with interesting plot turns permeate the book. It kept my interest!