First Family

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Ron McLarty

Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

When she turned the page and her gaze flickered over the date on top, it was as though the lightning outside had somehow grounded right into her. A billion volts of pain, a shriek of anguish you could actually see and feel as it pierced her.

Camp David, USA. A birthday party turns into a nightmare when a child is snatched after the celebrations. The first lady enlists the services of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to bring the child home safely. But she and King share a past. Years ago he saved her then-senator husband from political disaster. And this may not be all that passed between them. With Michelle still battling her own demons, the two are pushed to the limit, with forces aligned on all sides against them - and the line between friend and foe impossible to define...or defend.

©2009 David Baldacci (P)2009 Hachette

Excellent read

I enjoyed this book as it built from previous books in the series. Very hard to put down.

Baldacci amazes us once again.

The First Family keeps the reader/listener engrossed from the first words. Kept my interest throughout. More Please!

Well worth the listen!

Baldacci does not disappoint with this story. The plot is intricate, the characters are well developed and the ending had wonderful twists. Throughout the story, I kept having the feeling that something was not as it seemed but could not put my finger on exactly what it was. As I rushed to keep listening, I was sad to know the story was coming to an end.

No Cardboard Characters in this Book

Every time Baldacci writes something about the Secret Service it's fascinating. (The author really does / did his research well on ALL they do to protecting presidents (ALWAYS interesting and obviously heavily used for the subject matter.) The storyline is good.(The 4th star is is for all regarding the S. Service angle.) The "bad guys" aren't purely nasty and the "good guys" are never purely good. The plot has its few clever twists. What is it with the author and coal mines? (Used in 2 of 3 books I've read so far by this guy.) The narration is fine, (it's hard to narrate children.) I get they're kids, and they're also developed enough to be characters. Everyone speaks of the story being predictable but because of character complexity I found it far less so. Well narrated, well edited. Solid entertainment. Baldacci has now twice resorted to a bit of "deus ex machina" (magical, or almost so, solutions)with characters in peril(see Wikipedia) but, I suppose so does any good "cliffhanger" plot line. I haven't been spoiled enough by this author's previous books to consider this so terrible as many say.

Another hit!!!

Love David Baldacci and really love the Camel Club. Hope he's working on another one!!

Awesome

I love the relationship between Sean King and Michelle Maxwell and FINALLY they get together. The plot and mystery of this book was one of the best.

My favorite Baldacci characters

I have always liked the characters of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell and look forward to each new adventure. I have listened to each one as an audiobook so my one disappointment is the narrator of the latest segment. Scott Brick will always be the voices of Sean and Michelle and while Ron McLarty is a fine narrator, it just wasn't the same. It got to be alot with the two plots of the kidnapping and Michelle's family. I'm glad they did include the later because it tied up the loose ends from "Simple Genius" but it did get to be a bit much. I hope this won't be the last King/Maxwell book but I also hope to hear them narrated, once again, by Scott Brick.

Great characters

This book kept me interested throughout, not a slow spot in it.

It passed the time

Not a wow story nor narration but entertaining. Often I feel like Baldacci manhandles the writing, using the same words too much making the writing feel tired and predictable. But the plot on this one was well thought through and I felt like it kept my imagination alive throughout, trying to piece the clues together.

Why the switch in narrator??

I love this series but it seems that I'll be reading them on my kindle from here on out. The story was wonderful but the narrator was not my preference. Scott brick was much better in my opinion. And since the next book is the same narrator with an additional reader I'll be switching to print. Was also not a fan of the sound effect. Very distracting. Great story though and I liked the characters.