The Inner Circle

By: Brad Meltzer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

There are stories no one knows. Hidden stories. I love those stories. And since I work in the National Archives, I find those stories for a living. Beecher White, a young archivist, spends his days working with the most important documents of the U.S. government. He has always been the keeper of other people's stories, never a part of the story himself...Until now.

When Clementine Kaye, Beecher's first childhood crush, shows up at the National Archives asking for his help tracking down her long-lost father, Beecher tries to impress her by showing her the secret vault where the president of the United States privately reviews classified documents. After they accidentally happen upon a priceless artifact - a 200-year-old dictionary that once belonged to George Washington, hidden underneath a desk chair, Beecher and Clementine find themselves suddenly entangled in a web of deception, conspiracy, and murder.

Soon a man is dead, and Beecher is on the run as he races to learn the truth behind this mysterious national treasure. His search will lead him to discover a coded and ingenious puzzle that conceals a disturbing secret from the founding of our nation. It is a secret, Beecher soon discovers, that some believe is worth killing for.

Gripping, fast-paced, and filled with the fascinating historical detail for which he is famous, The Inner Circle is a thrilling novel that once again proves Brad Meltzer as a brilliant author writing at the height of his craft.

©2011 Brad Meltzer (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Meltzer has earned the right to belly up to the bar with John Grisham, Scott Turow, and David Baldacci." (People)

Struggled to finish

The climax of the story just wouldn't end. I endured it in 5-minute increments and still am not sure what really happened. I can't tell if it was just really bad writing or overacting by the narrator.

Another great read!

What did you love best about The Inner Circle?

Brad Meltzer is and excellent writer and researcher who pulls lots of great details into a story, which captures your attention from start to finish.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The details are excellent additions and creates much interest.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Scott Brick is a fabulous narrator and gives the characters life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Refreshing Deceit

I purchased this book because of the reviews and I was not disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot and the mystery surrounding it. I found myself listening to this book at all hours of the day. Starting on the second in the series today. I hope it is as good as this one was!

So interesting!!!

Good story. History can be so intriguing. Great imagination on the authors part. At least I hope it’s only his imagination!!

I love Brad Meltzer!

Brad writes a very good mystery with lots of historical tidbits throne in. I never read one I haven't liked

his voice I like fingernails on a chalk board

Scott Brick is to dry of a reader for me, I had to increase the speed to be able to stand his dragging voice.

When Does Part II Come Out?

This book was interesting and exciting but I hope if Brad Melzer is going to complete the story, it will be available soon. There are too many loose ends which left me very dissatisfied in the end.

A story to listen to more than once

Would you consider the audio edition of The Inner Circle to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version, but due to Scott Brick's performance, I cannot possibly see how it would be better than this version.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot is so out of the blue, that it is impossible not to be kept on the edge of your seat. This is a strange thing, because the characters in the book are laid back, low toned and seemingly low keyed, but Scott Brick's performance based on Brad Meltzer's character developments are both masterful and will keep you guessing and wanting to continue to listen!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is the scene in which Beecher comes full circle and realizes that he is strong; and I am not going to give anything away, but his interaction with the President and realization that it is not a small distinction between the President and the Presidency!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I absolutely wanted to listen to this in one sitting, and then did so on the third and fourth listening. Which reminds me Audible friends, did you know that you can receive awards for listening to stories in one sitting, for listening to a story more than once and for more "achievements"? At least in the mobile/phone application it does this. Yay, I'm a winner!!! LOL

Any additional comments?

I would so highly recommend any fan of the thriller genre to pick this series as one to listen to. It's a fresh twist on an old genre and he is easily on par with Dan Brown!! If you're a fan of Dan Brown and his Robert Langdon, you should fall in love with Brad Meltzer and his character Beecher!

Wonderful until chapter 107

The wheels fell off the wagon after that.
The cancer drug that will kill a guard but not harm the woman that is suppose to take it as therapy, the cancer itself of so rare a type as not to be definable. The president’s crime doesn’t convince.
And if ever a deep dark “deep state” could be better depicted I have not seen that book yet. The “ring” is that in spades.
On the other hand, beautifully written and full of historical pearls.
Very enjoyable.
Thanks

Slow and simple. Didn't like it

Any additional comments?

Took too long to get out of the basement at the beginning. Contrived and over explained National Treasure sort of feel to it.