The Hellfire Club

By: Jake Tapper

Narrated by: Jake Tapper

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The debut political thriller from Jake Tapper, CNN's chief Washington correspondent and the New York Times best-selling author of The Outpost - 1950s DC intrigue about a secret society and a young congressman in its grip.

Charlie Marder is an unlikely congressman. Thrust into office by his family ties after his predecessor died mysteriously, Charlie is struggling to navigate the dangerous waters of 1950s Washington, DC, alongside his young wife, Margaret, a zoologist with ambitions of her own. Amid the swirl of glamorous and powerful political leaders and deal makers, a mysterious fatal car accident thrusts Charlie and Margaret into an underworld of backroom deals, secret societies, and a plot that could change the course of history. When Charlie discovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of governance, he has to fight not only for his principles and his newfound political career...but for his life.

©2018 Jake Tapper (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Tapper uses his storytelling chops to deftly put you in the moment when Joe McCarthy was waving his infamous paper and the Congress was at peak skullduggery. Hellfire is a potent thriller, replete with well-developed characters that made me think that history does indeed repeat itself." (David Baldacci, number one New York Times best-selling author of End Game)

"The Hellfire Club's first, thrilling scene pulled me into 1950s Washington, D.C., and didn't let go until the last, satisfying page. Tapper's passions for history and politics shine through in this remarkably timely, page-turning debut." (Alafair Burke, author of the New York Times best-selling The Wife)

"Here's your chance to get up close and personal with John and Bobby Kennedy, Nixon, Eisenhower, Kefauver, LBJ and Joe McCarthy. Jake Tapper puts you right back in the 50's. At the same time, Tapper has written a superior thriller that I couldn't stop reading. To be completely honest though, Tapper is an irritating bastard. Journalists like him are supposed to be writing dusty non-fiction tomes that help us get to sleep, not thrillers that keep us up half the night. The Hellfire Club is a helluva good read. Now Tapper should return to writing non-fiction." (James Patterson, number one New York Times best-selling author)

Story is good.

I haven't finished this book yet because Jake Tapper as a narrator isn't cutting it. I think the story, the premise, everything else about this book is good. I think it would be better listening if they'd paid the bucks to hire a professional narrator.

Telling...

I thought the story took a while to get going, but it does come together well and in the end leaves you with the compelling thought that this story, although it takes place in the early political 1950's, could just as well be the politics of today...

Fabulous book, interesting story, well read by JT

This was my 1st ever audio book and I wasn't sure that it would hold my attention. It sure did!! It was well read by Jake Tapper (the author) whose voice I like, and the story was interesting about the US political scene in the early 1950's. It felt like history coming alive in a fabricated story. Overall I would recommend this audio book without hesitation.

Good 1950’s Political Thriller

At first I had doubts about this 1950’s political story and the author’s, Jake Tapper, narration. I was quickly won over by both. The central character processes character flaws in this fast moving story the politicians who serving in the House. The very liberal sprinkling of obscure period background info had me turning to Google for fact checking time and again. Did this really happen in 1954? It did.
While a friend found this distracting, I found these lost historical tidbits quite fun. As a Marylander, the subplot about the Eastern Shore wild ponies drew me on. Political figures of the era, LBJ, the Kennedys, Eisenhower pop into the plot to add to the ‘50s ambiance. One can not help but draw some parallels between red bater Joseph McCarthy and the political situation of today.

Great listen!

This book combines fictional storylines with historical personages and events and is well plotted. Highly recommend!

A Great Tale!

This book was lots of fun!

Great 'color' commentary on the mores and feel of things in the early/mid '50s. I thoroughly enjoyed it -- it is a thriller as well as one that makes you go look stuff up!

I really appreciate Mr. Tapper's work on this... Thank you.

Pat M.

Loved the story - the narrator - not so much

I really enjoyed this flashback story of the glamorous days of DC! I hope that when Jake Tapper writes his next book - the budget can hire a professional to do the narration - you could tell he tried his best but the variety of voices really challenged him. I do look forward to the next chapter in the story.

Exceptionally well written

This story really drew me in. I thought the narrator did an excellent job and may have missed his calling.

Couldn't Finish

I love Jake Tapper's writing--the Outpost is one of my favorite reads. Alas, I couldn't get through this one for the narration. Wound up returning it. Really glad he hired Rob Shapiro for his next book as he's one of my favorite narrators.

Scandal meets McCarthyism

The story is well woven. I did have to rewind a quite a bit to review the storyline. Tapper reads in the same tone and voice as a journalist rather than a narrator. Still, it was enjoyable to hear his voice. Certainly, there will be a Book #2, and I’ll read it.:)