The Incumbent

by Brian McGrory

For Jack Flynn, Washington correspondent for the Boston Record, it's a chance for the type of exclusive story about which most reporters can only a round of golf with President Clayton Hutchins just days before he stands in front of voters in what has been the closest race for the White House in decades.
But events on the links take a surprising turn. On the tenth tee, the president, confident of renewing his mandate, offers Jack the job of press secretary in his new administration. Minutes later, shots are fired. The president is wounded. Jack is caught in the hail of bullets. And the gunman lies dead nearby, taken out by the Secret Service.
As he recuperates in the hospital, Jack receives an anonymous telephone call about the shooting, warning him that "nothing is as it seems."
Using his considerable journalistic skills, Jack sets forth on an investigation that takes him from a remote militia compound in Idaho to the inner sanctums of the federal government - and which forces him to face a devastating personal tragedy he has been unable to confront for a year. Along the way, with his bosses at the newspaper hounding him for daily scoops, the White House urging him to accept the president's job offer, and a fetching female FBI agent breathing down his neck, his anonymous source continues to contact him with new clues - and new warnings.
But just as he seems to be getting close to the truth, Jack Flynn unwittingly becomes front-page news himself.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Brian McGrory is a longtime newspaper reporter, editor, and columnist. Born and raised in and around Boston, he went to college at Bates College in Maine. He worked for the Patriot Ledger in Quincy, the New Haven Register in Connecticut, and has written for and edited the Boston Globe since 1989. He has a twice weekly column that appears on the front of the metro section, for which he has won the Scripps Howard journalism award, and is the author of four novels. He lives in Massachusetts with his entire family.

Reviews

[Yarely Madinaveitia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Sin importar quién sea uno, la vida no es para vivirla solo."

(3.5)

La confabulación es una novela policíaca narrada desde el punto de vista de un reportero, cuando Jack Flynn (reportero y protagonista del libro) solicita una entrevista a Clayton Hutchins (presidente de los Estados Unidos), ambos se ven enredados en un intento de homicidio al presidente, Hutchins asegura que la investigación está siendo llevada a cabo por el FBI pero Flynn descubre ciertas inconsistencias en las investigaciones del departamento de investigación más seguro del mundo así que decide investigar por su cuenta, nos llevaremos cada vez más sorpresas, nos inundará el miedo que siente Jack y descubriremos la verdad junto a él. Una novela sin duda sencilla de leer, entretenida y con giros inesperados.

A decir verdad, el libro no me atrapó desde el inicio, lo sentí muy aburrido, pero en el último cuarto de libro no podía dejar de leerlo, mientras más cosas descubría Jack más quería leer, pasaron cosas que nunca me imaginé que pasarían, justo cuando decía "ah, qué predecible, va a pasar esto" la historia daba un giro totalmente inesperado y pasaba todo menos lo que yo había pensado, fue muy fácil de leer, la recomiendo ampliamente.

[Patrick McMullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cliff hanger for sure,

[C.R. Sedore · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first, I was really into this book but by chapter 8 I just wanted the story to end. It's probably again because it's not my typical genre. I felt like I was forcing myself to finish.

I felt like there was a lot of scattered information that didn't seem to do really anything for the plot. It just seemed like unnecessary information to fill up pages, and it annoyed me. The conspiracy theory was enjoyable at first, but it carried on too long. The best part of this novel as the mystery. The answer was the only reason I kept reading. The who, where and when, motive, opportunity was definitely answered and that's a big positive.

The murder was easy to guess, and that's why I'm giving this book a two. Mysteries should be difficult to guess and this one was not. The tension of the guessing, the confusion and shock were lost in this book.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Flynn is an investigative reporter who's looking into why this one guy got a presidential pardon. He makes routine inquiries and the next thing he knows, the president of the United States has invited him to play a round of golf. He's playing this incredulous round when he becomes part of an attempted presidential assassination. And the story begins. This is a first novel for McGrory and I sure hope it isn't the last. The story is really well told with delicious little snippets like '...a man so large that the fabric on the collar of his white button-down shirt didn't appear so much tight as absolutely furious…' A great read.

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this political thriller. It might have been a bit convoluted but it was an interesting read. I think it was a great example of the importance of a free press. It is also a great example of let the truth shine forth and the American people can make up their own minds. Hiding the truth is never good especially when people are willing to kill to keep some secrets from coming forth. If a person is unwilling to shine a light on his own life, he/she should not be president of this great country. A great story. A worthy read.

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good writing on a good premise for a book.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly relevant story about truth and lies in politics and journalism, despite its publication 18 years ago.

[Sherry Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a three star until the end and then it jumped to a four.

[Erin]

First time I read a political fiction book and thought it was hilarious. The ending came as a surprise to me and I thought it was intelligently written.

[DaveWS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pace. Main character lacked some depth. Single track storyline.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book after the event of Trump being fire at a golf club. It is a good read with many surprises twist.

[Peter Mayeux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Excellent suspense.

[Chris Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Unexpected ending.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journalism meets mystery and conspiracy theory for a fun, quick easy read. In this story, a journalist named Jack Flynn is shot while playing golf with the President of the United States. Questions of why, how, and who was actually the target were raised and pursued. In the meantime, Flynn goes on a wild goose chase mixed with a non-goose chase, but he has to figure out which is which. It's really not as convoluted as it seems in the condensed version; I can only hope the full version remains as streamlined and clear.

I can't even really say that the mystery part was so much of a mystery, though it did try to lead you in the wrong way at first. It was actually far more of a conspiracy and thriller than a mystery, and a fun one at that.

Shockingly, this is another condensed book that was done pretty well. As a I read it, I didn't feel like I lost any of the emotion, although I'm sure some of the tension of the "whodunit" part was removed.

[Shirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Incumbent took me a while to really get into probably because I was only reading a few pages at a time. As with most thrillers the reader's mind will try to figure out the surprising conclusion almost from the beginning...but likely won't be able to. The Incumbent has a nice mix of characters that are not difficult to keep up with and seems realistic in the way matters unfold. The reader will wonder throughout about the characters the Protagonist is in contact with and whether they are trustworthy or not what they seem. We probably have Hollywood movies to thank for that.
Overall, the story moves pretty well, is not very predictable and toward the end will likely cause you to ask yourself whether certain outcomes, should they happen in real life, are right. I liked this story and it's a pretty good bet you will too.

[Michel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Salutary warning!
McCain is not likely his term (certainly not his second term) and we know nothing about Palin (nor does she know anything about government: "What is the Bush doctrine?").
Anyhow, if the American people (or the voting machines) prefer a beauty queen to a Black man, there isn't anything we can do about it, is there?
Back to the book: it is really lame, the press is more naive even than in reality, the plot is transparent and the characters are neither believable nor interesting.
I am going to create a shelf for books I could not bother to finish.

[Pete · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good example of why I generally avoid novels written in a first person narrative. The main character Jack Flynn is completely self absorbed and constantly tries to convince the reader (unsuccessfully) that he is insightful and possesses a witty sense of humor. The end result is that the plot development drags badly. By the time the pieces of the investigation had come together at the end my interest had waned.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discovered this book accidentally at the library. Don't let the 2000 copyright discourage you. I would give it an 8 or 10 if they had that many stars. In the weeks before a presidential election, a reporter gets caught up in an assassination attempt. The book unfolds as he tries to discover who the dead, would-be assassin is. His droll comments in the midst of great tension make the book even more enjoyable. Read it if you can find it. It is worth your while...totally unpredictable!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read peppered with suspense and displayed the intricate work of a reporter. It does get a little predictable towards the end, though. The questionable, or perhaps unrealistic, part is the identity of the president. Is it really possible that the history of the president of USA is not thoroughly researched and documented?

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't actually finish this book. I stopped on Chapter 11 yesterday after reading it all day long. This morning, I woke up and felt like it was more like a chore to get through this book so I am going to return it. From what I read, 3 stars. I felt like the storyline was decent but the details are so scattered. I wish the story was more straight-forward.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the incumbent on a lark amid a book of short stories. What a treasure. ALL of his books were fantastic reads with his dry wit and compelling suspense. I tell everyone about this series and if you don't try it out you are missing out on some very entertaining reading.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's a good but not great political thriller. Some of the plot twists I figured out early on. The writing style reminded me a bit of Harlen Coben's Myron Bolitar series. It is an overall enjoyable read.

[Linda Thibert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked all his books, but they should be read in order. This is not really political, more a mystery.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read from a real newspaper reporter..the insides of Washington and White House involved in an attempted assasination and the search for the truth...leaving bodies along the way.

[Doug Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading before election if you are sensible and leftish.

[Atishay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting read for those who love political thrillers.

[Dusty The2ofHarts-com · Rating 2 out of 5]

Select Editions, Mystery

[steds · Rating 3 out of 5]

vacation book! great political thriller.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An historical fiction novel is the only way I enjoy politics. It's less scary when you know it isn't true, but it does make you wonder how much of this stuff really happens, and that's scary.