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)

Really enjoyed these books. Looking forward to more

Shapiro did a great job storytelling. And what a perfect Peter Lawford. Really enjoyed the story really enjoyed the performance. I think I already said that :-)

A darkly entertaining romp with the rat pack

This is a well written, noir-style thriller with believable characters and enjoyable plot twists. The question probably should be what famous character in early 60s Hollywood did NOT make at least a cameo appearance?
Jake Tapper has done an admirable job of research and resurrection. Hollywood, strewn with celebrities and in all it’s drunken dazzle comes back to life. Not to mention the Kennedys.
Besides being one of the brightest and sharpest interviewers on television, Jake has real skill as a novelist. Don’t believe me? Read this and be convinced.

Sooo much better than last one!

It could be that an actor read this one - I like Tapper but couldn’t get through his last book read by him: was like listening to State of the Union. This book is a fun romp through a very dark aspect of Hollywood culture. It’s not a deep plot but there is a sense of verisimilitude in the fictional situations that is engaging and entertaining. Sinatra, Kennedys, mafia, Cuba - it’s a ripe period and location for noir socio-political thriller.

Good story marred by needless contrivance

At first, I thought this was a solid four star thriller. I enjoyed the juicy anecdotes about Hollywood, the Rat Pack, and the Kennedys. I was surprised to hear that Frank Sinatra had an Oscar nomination for a song he sang for one of my favorite epics, El Cid (1961). I immediately looked for this song on Amazon, and found that it wasn't true. El Cid did indeed get an Oscar nomination for best song, but it was sung by Billy Storm, not Frank Sinatra. The lyrics to the fictional song in the book were in no way related to the movie, which was obvious to anyone who saw it. This contrivance is an insult to fans of the movie and fans of Billy Storm. I don't understand why Tapper did this, as it was not even important to the plot.

What’s true, what isn’t.

Regardless, I enjoyed this book. Jake Tapper can write. I still love Frank Sinatra. Thanks!

Highly recommend

Very entertaining; at times just barely approaching the line of cheesy, but never stepping over. Great narration!

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this book. Once I started listening I couldn’t stop. It was a good thriller. I enjoyed the old Hollywood references and the relationship between Charlie and Margaret. Nice job Jake Tapper!

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.