The Devil May Dance

A Novel

By: Jake Tapper

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Charlie and Margaret discover the dark side of Hollywood in this sequel to New York Times best seller The Hellfire Club - a thrilling cocktail of corruption and ambition from CNN's Jake Tapper.

Charlie and Margaret Marder, political stars in 1960s Washington DC, know all too well how the tangled web of power in the nation's capital can operate. But while they long to settle into the comforts of home, Attorney General Robert Kennedy has other plans. He needs them to look into a potential threat not only to the presidency but to the security of the United States itself.

Charlie and Margaret quickly find themselves on a flight to sunny Los Angeles, where they’ll face off against a dazzling world of stars and studios. At the center of their investigation is Frank Sinatra, a close friend of President John F. Kennedy and a rumored mob crony, whom Charlie and Margaret must befriend to get the inside scoop. But in a town built on illusions, where friends and foes all look alike, nothing is easy, and drinks by the pool at the Sands and late-night adventures with the Rat Pack soon lead to a body in the trunk of their car. Before they know it, Charlie and Margaret are being pursued by sinister forces from Hollywood’s stages to the newly founded Church of Scientology, facing off against the darkest and most secret side of Hollywood’s power.

As the Academy Awards loom, and someone near and dear to Margaret goes missing, Charlie and Margaret find the clock is not only ticking but running out. Someone out there knows what they’ve uncovered and can’t let them leave alive. Corruption and ambition form a deadly mix in this fast-paced sequel to The Hellfire Club.

©2021 Jake Tapper (P)2021 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

“Frank Sinatra, Robert Kennedy and Charlie Marder — you can’t lose with this combination of characters in The Devil May Dance. Jake Tapper explores the thin lines between politics, pop culture and crime, and the story is always gripping, accurate and right on target when it comes to underlining that the past is prologue and politics are always played for keeps.” (Michael Connelly)

“One helluva a mystery — bursting with early-‘60s luminarios from Bobby Kennedy to Frank Sinatra and his swinging gang. Tapper effortlessly blends a journalist’s sharp eye with a storyteller’s keen sense of suspense: The result is as bracing as the bourbon the book's Rat Packers knock back and as fizzy as the champagne the Hollywood stars swig. Raise a glass.” (Gillian Flynn)

"Jake Tapper's deep inside knowledge of power, greed and politics fuels this riveting page-turner. Warning: Don't start this book late at night unless you have no plans the next day." (Harlan Coben)

So Naughty and FUN!

I downloaded this book just days after it was released because of a review I read. I don't think I read the review very closely because once I got into the book I was surprised at the direction it went. And that was fine. THIS BOOK IS SO FUN!!! It is a great mystery. It brings celebrities to life as characters in this mystery. I love all the Hollywood backstory and political backstory and JFK backstory and mafia backstory - all from the early 60s' and late 50s. This book is truly super fun, interesting, old Hollywood glamour, political fun, decadent for those of us who love the blending of politics and Hollywood and murder mysteries. This book is GREAT. I could not put it down.

More for those into the Rat Pack than suspense

Narrator's pace was at an odd almost drawl, like a bored socialite, inconsistent with a crime story. I never felt any suspense in the narration. And the author seems more interested in delivering well known trivia about the Rat Pack and the Kennedys than presenting anything new. I like the author as a TV journalist so was disappointed.

Great Story!

I found this book very interesting and very well written.

Rob Shapiro did a great job narrating the different characters of the book.

Great historical mystery. Well researched

Great historical mystery. Well researched. Hard to put down. The disclaimer of fiction at end is obviously ironic.

The Devil’s In the Details

I loved the setting in Hollywood and the characters surrounding Charlie and Margaret. Jake’s details of the era and the pitfalls of Hollywood elites in that era was nicely written. The plot had unpredictable twist and turns which made for
great storytelling. Jake also did an excellent job of blending the real-life people with the fictional characters. Can’t wait until his next book and where it will take Charlie and Margaret.

Disappointed

There was too much name dropping and that helped make the story confusing.
Don't get me wrong, I love Jake Tapper. Maybe he should stick to his profession.

Under the Covers of Tawdry Intrigue

Given what we've seen and read in recent years of the tabloid shenanigans of those in power and the toadies who do their bidding, it's no surprise that this caper makes a worthy follow-up to Jake Tapper's debut "The Hellfire Club." Perhaps Tapper's greatest strength is his ability to weave a through-line in this slice of the early Sixties Hollywood wherein the fictional Congressman Charlie Marder and his whip-smart zoologist spouse Margaret negotiate a salacious serpentine storyline. Their encounters with Sinatra and Rat Pack entourage, depraved studio slime and legendary organized crime bosses all within a well researched foundation where multi-agency governmental duplicity stirs the plot of intrigue that elevates the mission-worthy risks Charlie and Margaret are forced to take. Superb narration by Rob Shapiro brings spot-on verisimilitude of the key players, particularly Sinatra, Martin, Davis and Lawford and convincing voices to supporting roles.

Fun Listen

Enjoyed the book, the performance and the story. Have enjoyed Jake Tappers books so far.

Tremendous story

The writing, the characters, the history, and the narrator are all superb. Absolutely worth every minute spent listening.

Can we get another?

It was great to go on another ride with Charles and Margaret again. I hope JT brings them back for another adventure……maybe 1973 Watergate!