The Means

A Novel

By: Douglas Brunt

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Bob Walter

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Part Primary Colors, part House of Cards, The Means takes you deep into high-stakes politics where everyone has something to hide.

Tom Pauley is a conservative trial attorney in Durham, NC, who is tapped by GOP leaders to campaign for the Governor's mansion. His bold style makes him a favorite for a run at the White House.

Mitchell Mason is the president-elect of the United States, pushed into politics by a father determined to create a political dynasty. Mason manages the White House with a personal touch that makes both friends and enemies.

Samantha Davis is a child actor-turned-lawyer-turned-journalist, working her way up from the bottom in a competitive industry. She is determined and brilliant, and her dogged pursuit of a decade-old story could trigger a scandal that would upend the political landscape.

©2014 Douglas Brunt (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

" New York Times best-selling author Douglas Brunt's 'savage' prose creates an incisive portrait of ambition, power, and what it takes to win in the ruthless world of politics today." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great book

loved it hard to put down, can't wait to start next novel. keep'em coming Doug Blunt.

What a kicker!!!!

Great "read" loved it! Listen twice!!! Will again. Can't wait till he starts a series....... Really love his writing..... NEXT

Thought I was listening to abridged version

I thought this was a pretty good story but would have preferred that one narrator be used. The writing was somewhat disjointed and the use of multi narrators didn't help. Also I did not like the author's technique of jumping ahead of important milestones in the story and reflecting back on them. I gave the book three stars because it revealed some behind-the-scenes looks into politics and journalism. I'm also a fan of Megan Kelly and heard she did some first edits. A solid three stars.

Not my favorite

I’m not usually a political thriller novel type, so take that into consideration when I say I didn’t enjoy it. It’s written third person present tense, and I guess that’s a style people use, just not a style I enjoy. It jumps and skips and takes place over several years and just doesn’t have any real depth to the story. I feel like I’m getting the Wikipedia version peppered with bad novel cliche phrases thrown in and clunky sex without the sex and swearing, and over all it was like I’m at a bar and people I don’t like are drunk and telling each other lies and I don’t care about any of it and I want to go home, but I kind of want to see the fight start first. I was interested until it split off to follow the governor candidate but that’s when I started predicting things and when it started riding the surface of this long process story. I also thought about the terrible writing in the opening scenes of Romancing The Stone, but mostly I just think I should stick to other types of novels.

Loved the ending

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Means?

The last sentence surprised me as I never saw it coming.

Any additional comments?

In this book time sometimes jumped ahead which to me left small gaps. Overall the story was well constructed. I think it only fair to mention that I am a fan of Megan Kelly and bought the book because of her interview with her husband. It was a good choice.

Probably right on target with what can happen

Interesting story. Seemed rushed to clear it up in the end but turned out OK. I hated all of the bad language. I wish I could buy "clean" versions of books, like are available in music.

Garbage! I expected BETTER! Well read, bad story!

What disappointed you about The Means?

Everything! I had hoped it would be an interesting story about politics!

What could Douglas Brunt have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Get Real and try to make a realistic story!

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Can't remember any.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment!

Any additional comments?

Sexual suggestions and comments about politicians should not be the main part of this sleazy story!