Summary
First Family is the fourth installment in David Baldacci's popular King and Maxwell crime fiction series. Published in 2009, this gripping novel features former Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell as they become embroiled in a high-stakes kidnapping case at Camp David. The book was well-received by fans of the series and further solidified Baldacci's reputation as a master of the thriller genre.
Plot
David Baldacci's First Family revolves around a kidnapping that occurs during a children's birthday party at Camp David, the presidential retreat. The abduction quickly escalates into a national security crisis, drawing in former Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, now working as private investigators.
Despite their initial reluctance, King and Maxwell become embroiled in the case when the First Lady personally requests their help. Her plea stems from a past connection with Sean King, who once saved her husband's political career when he was a senator. As the duo embarks on a desperate search for the missing child, they find themselves pushed to their limits, facing opposition from multiple directions.
Throughout the investigation, Michelle Maxwell grapples with her own personal demons, adding another layer of complexity to their mission. As King and Maxwell delve deeper into the case, they discover that the lines between allies and enemies are blurred, making it increasingly difficult to determine who they can trust in their race against time to rescue the kidnapped child.
Themes
Political intrigue and corruption
Loyalty and betrayal
Personal demons and redemption
The blurred line between duty and personal relationships
The impact of past actions on the present
The complexities of power and influence
The struggle between professional ethics and personal morality
Setting
Set in the contemporary United States, First Family unfolds against the backdrop of the nation's highest echelons of power. The story takes place during a time when security concerns and political intrigue are at the forefront of public consciousness, reflecting the real-world tensions of the early 21st century.
The narrative centers on Camp David, the presidential retreat located in Maryland's Catoctin Mountain Park. This secluded and highly secure compound serves as the initial setting for the dramatic events that set the plot in motion. As the story progresses, the geographical scope expands, taking the protagonists on a high-stakes journey across various locations in their desperate search for the kidnapped child.
While specific details of other locations are not provided, the action likely spans multiple states and potentially involves both urban and rural settings. The novel's setting effectively captures the contrast between the protected world of political elites and the dangerous undercurrents that threaten to upend it, creating a tense atmosphere that permeates the entire story.
Characters
Sean King: The protagonist, a former Secret Service agent turned private investigator. He is the crime-fighting partner of Michelle Maxwell.
Michelle Maxwell: The protagonist, a former Secret Service agent turned private investigator. The crime-fighting partner of Sean King, she continues to battle personal demons.
First Lady Jane Cox: Wife of the President who enlists Sean and Michelle's help to find a kidnapped child. She has a past connection with Sean King.
President Dan Cox: Current President of the United States, whose niece is kidnapped during a birthday party at Camp David.
Willa Dutton: The kidnapped 12-year-old niece of the President, taken during her birthday party at Camp David.
Sam Quarry: The antagonist responsible for kidnapping Willa Dutton, with a complex motive tied to his past.
Agent Joan Dillinger: A Secret Service agent assigned to the First Family, who becomes involved in the investigation.
Tippi Quarry: Sam Quarry's wife, who plays a role in the kidnapping plot.
Mick Dutton: Willa's father and the President's brother-in-law.
Quick facts
First Family is the fourth book in David Baldacci's King and Maxwell series.
The main characters, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, are former Secret Service agents turned private investigators.
For this and his other political thrillers, Baldacci draws on his background as a lawyer who practiced in Washington, DC, for nine years.
The story involves a kidnapping at Camp David, the presidential retreat.
The First Lady personally requests King and Maxwell's help in the kidnapping case.
Sean King has a past connection with the First Lady, having saved her husband from political disaster years ago.
Michelle Maxwell is dealing with personal demons throughout the novel.
First Family explores themes of political intrigue and the blurred lines between friends and enemies.
Publishers Weekly praised the novel's “intriguing setup” and “steady supply of murder and mayhem,” while Kirkus Reviews highlighted its “high-spirited mayhem” and “satisfyingly twisted” plot.
An audiobook version narrated by Ron McLarty was released in May 2009, less than a month after the hardcover publication.
The King and Maxwell crime fiction series was adapted into a TV series, which consisted of 10 episodes and aired on TNT in 2013.
About the Author
David Baldacci is a prolific American novelist known for his suspense thrillers and legal dramas. With a background in law, Baldacci draws from his experiences to craft intricate plots and compelling characters. His works often explore themes of power, corruption, and justice. To date, he has published more than 50 novels for adults and seven for younger readers, with his books translated into more than 45 languages and sold in over 80 countries.
Born in 1960 in Richmond, Virginia, Baldacci began his writing journey in childhood when his mother gave him a notebook to record his stories. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, and practiced law for nine years in Washington, DC. His literary breakthrough came in 1996 with his debut novel Absolute Power, which was. later adapted into a film starring Clint Eastwood. His other notable works include Memory Man, Zero Day, The Christmas Train, and two thriller series, The Camel Club and King and Maxwell.
Baldacci and his wife, Michelle Collin, co-founded the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy programs across the United States. He lives in Fairfax County, Virginia, with his family.
