The Perfect Candidate

by Peter Stone

From debut author Peter Stone comes a heart-stopping, pulse-pounding political thriller that’s perfect for fans of Ally Carter and House of Cards.

When recent high school graduate Cameron Carter lands an internship with Congressman Billy Beck in Washington, DC, he thinks it is his ticket out of small town captivity. When he lacks connections and Beltway polish he makes up in smarts, and he soon finds a friend and mentor in fellow staffer Ariel Lancaster.

That is, until she winds up dead.

As rumors and accusations about her death fly around Capitol Hill, Cameron’s low profile makes him the perfect candidate for an FBI investigation that he wants no part of. Before he knows it—and with his family’s future at stake—he discovers DC’s darkest secrets as he races to expose a deadly conspiracy.

If it doesn’t get him killed first.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Politics, Realistic Fiction

372 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2018

About the author

Peter Stone is a lifelong fan of thrillers on the big screen, small screen, and page. Prior to his career in TV and film marketing, he worked in Washington, DC, first as an intern on Capitol Hill and later as a Spanish tutor for a former Speaker of the House. The Perfect Candidate is his debut novel. He lives in Amsterdam with his wife and three sons.

Reviews

[Jillian Reynolds (Jillian Loves Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I... Actually didn't see that ending coming. Bravo, Peter Stone. This literally NEVER happens to me. I'm so glad this was my first book of 2019. Because the last 150 pages had me on the edge of my seat and that was just what I needed.

I'll certainly be writing a review for this one. If you find this hidden gem in your bookstore, and you're a fan of thrillers and mysteries and/or political drama, GO GET THIS ASAP.

Okay, soapbox moment over. Real review to come soon!

[Peter Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book about a hundred times. :) I hope you enjoy reading it as I enjoyed writing it. I'm excited to hear what all of you think!

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first glance, this book didn't look fascinating as such but turning over to the back cover and reading the tagline " John Grisham meets John Green" had me intrigued. I then opened it and read the blurb, and as I do like my YA thrillers/mysteries and books with a bit of a political/law angle, it did seem a bit up my alley. The book introduces us to Cameron Carter who has been given a chance to intern on Capitol Hill for an upcoming Senator who seems to be winning the votes of his city and the hearts of those voters. Cameron is different than the other interns as this is personal for him as his mother who died when he was a child, was also an Intern and loved Politics. During Cameron's internship, he becomes friends with Ariel - one of the staffers whose mother is the Senator's PR. Ariel we learn has been investigating the Senator's past when she is killed. Everyone is writing it off as an accident, but Cameron isn't so sure. When the FBI approaches him, he will learn the role of being an undercover informant. Though is Cameron up to the task and will he be able to save the ones he loves as he uncovers some daunting information that could ruin the Senator's chances? This was a great read and though a tad slow in points, a good thriller. I loved the ending and was like OMFG when I read it. I had to re-read the end to make sure I was reading correctly and has now made me hoping that Peter Stone has a sequel in the works as he can't just leave us hanging like that.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always on the lookout for new YA thrillers and The Perfect Candidate was, quite literally, the perfect candidate. In his debut, Peter Stone has created a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable novel, with twists, tension, high-stakes investigations, humour and a touch of romance.

Cameron Carter has worked hard to land a top summer internship in Washington DC with up and coming Congressman Billy Beck. But when a fellow staff member dies, Cameron is drawn into the mystery surrounding her death. When an FBI agent recruits Cameron to do a bit of quiet digging in the office, Cameron puts himself, as well as his family’s future, in the line of fire. With some help from his roommates and fellow interns and (slightly more useful help) from his new girlfriend who happens to be the Mexican Ambassador’s daughter, this summer internship is proving to be far more interesting and dangerous than Cameron ever expected.

The Perfect Candidate combines buried secrets and dangerous people with a thrilling plot to uncover and exposed them.

Cameron is a highly likeable protagonist and narrator for this story. He is the perfect amount of self-depreciating and confident. He is funny, smart, determined and yet knows he doesn’t fit into the normal Washington DC society. He is at times awkward and bumbling, but also cares about what happened to Ariel, is quick to get the girl, and is oddly charming. He’s basically a lot of fun to hang out with. Cameron is at first reluctant to investigate what happened to Ariel and how the congressman might be involved, but quickly gets swept up in finding clues and exposing the bad guys.

There are not a lot of surprises with the way things unfold. While the plot line is fast-moving and there is never a dull moment, it is easy to pick up who the bad guys might be, but that’s not unexpected as the reader is right there alongside Cameron as he quickly uncovers the details of the crimes. He’s smart, so it’s okay to feel smart right alongside him. I did love that epilogue, though. Have to say that I did not see that coming and was very surprised. It makes me very eager for a sequel, one that is sure to ramp up the action and stakes even more.

Other things I loved about this story:
- Inclusion of romance, which is a nice and uncomplicated addition to the story, only adding to the plot and never detracting or distracting from the main investigation.
- Humour. There is a light-hearted tone to the novel, especially from Cameron’s sense of humour and insightful comments.
- The politics. I am brave enough to admit I don’t understand a lot about American politics (I’m not American, so it’s okay), but even though this book was set deeply in the world of politics, my lack of knowledge did not detract from or impact my enjoyment of the story in any way.
- Clean. With only vague references to a sex scandal, and a touch of violence (murder and all) The Perfect Candidate is a book I will enjoy promoting to teen readers of all ages.
- Boys and girls alike will enjoy Cameron’s voice and take on the story.

The Perfect Candidate is a thrilling book about conspiracies, mysteries, dirty secrets, and a young man who is smart enough to uncover them. I do hope there will be a sequel as the stage is set for an entertaining series.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Peter Stone's first book and I am thoroughly impressed. One of my favorite genres is Political Thriller and this fits neatly into that category. I found this book in the Young Adult section of Barnes and Noble but honestly I think anyone of any age would enjoy this book. I am very much looking forward to any followups from Peter Stone. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Amanda (MetalPhantasmReads)]

DNF at 55 pages, including the ending
I truly hate to give books one star reviews, but sadly, I'm not the audience for this book at all. I don't like politics, don't follow it and never got interested in it through the book. This book was not engaging for me at all and it was a struggle to read those 55 pages. The main reasons why I didn't finish this book are: a very dry main character that has no personality that I can't root for or connect to, the first person POV is vastly underused in this novel (no inner thoughts or deeper details to get to know the main character), a really awful female side character, normal cliches of politics and the murder mystery plot was something I didn't care about. The girl who gets murdered wasn't in the novel enough for me to care that she died. If you're not into politics, you might not like this.

[Rebecca Alleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the relatable main character, the thoughtfully crafted words describing DC in the summer, and of course the engaging plot. Definitely recommend this page-turning yet endearing thriller.

[Lindsey Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so delightful. I was on edge, sad, laughed, and had an “awe” moment or two. Loved it.

[Miss Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Great suspenseful read!!! Normally I don't like action books and politics and this book is both. It is about a "perfect Candidate" who may not be so "perfect"

[Linda Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

With luck on his side, Cameron Carter from small town California manages to get an internship with an up and coming Congressman. Cameron may lack the connections that the other interns have but he easily makes friends, he is extremely ambitious and he is smart, real smart.

The first person he befriends, Ariel Lancaster ends up dead, killed in a drunken driving incident; at least that’s what Cameron believes until an FBI agent whispers to him in an elevator.

The next thing Cameron realizes is that he has been sucked into a D.C. conspiracy and he must expose the conspiracy; before he is the next person to die.

[Bookworm Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! I kinda expected the ending, but as of the whole plot, it was great! A thriller + a bit of romance. Recommend!

[Stephani Tusing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron Carter has it made with his new summer internship with Congressman Billy Beck in D.C. He’s hopefully that it will be the ticket out of his small town upbringing into bigger and better opportunities for college. While his adjustment is a bit rough with annoying roommates and an overbearing supervisor, Cameron still maintains an optimistic viewpoint, especially with the help of Ariel Lancaster, a high ranking staffer, who appears to be an experienced and supportive mentor.

However, through the first week of the internship, Ariel seems a bit anxious with some secrets of her own. Before Cameron can investigate further, he arrives to Beck’s office one morning to find out that Ariel had died in a mysterious car crash. Although Beck and other staff have written off the accident as a tragic death, Cameron remains suspicious that there’s more to this story. Shortly after Ariel’s death, an FBI agent reaches out to Cameron to become an undercover informant, leading to him uncovering explosive evidence that all is not what it seems with Beck’s political career.

This book quickly drew me in due to its’ well paced and intriguing plot. The author added some humorous elements/situations without taking away from the tension behind the murder mystery. While it became a bit obvious who killed Ariel towards the middle of the book, Stone still provided enough cliff hangers and twists to keep my interest to the end. Also, the last chapter provided a major plot twist, which definitely portrayed the events from the rest of the book in a completely new light.

I enjoyed Cameron’s straightforward narrative of the unfolding murder mystery. He remained a sympathetic character throughout the book, but he had enough flaws to make him a character that the reader could relate to on a personal level. Also, I thought that Cameron had great romantic chemistry with Lena, the Mexican ambassador’s daughter too. Their relationship didn’t feel forced or clichéd, rather it developed naturally with mutual respect throughout the book. I particularly liked how Lena helped Carter in finding answers as opposed to being a distraction from the main plot.

I highly recommend The Perfect Candidate for any reader looking for a griping and well written young adult murder mystery/thriller.

[Mandy Laferriere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just reviewed this super fun political thriller for SLJ. Review to come after publication.

[Rosie M. Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

But like that ending tho...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I did NOT see that coming.

Overall, a great book with great characters.

[Lisa Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

With “The Perfect Candidate,” Peter Stone delivers today’s YA audience a timely and taut political thriller that exceeds expectations for suspense and storyline. Fresh out of High School, Cameron Carter exits his small-town California home and arrives in DC as an intern under his district’s Congressman. Readers are swiftly initiated into the scope of our Capital’s landscape as Cam navigates the newness of office politics, social strata ladders and DCs iconic geography,. The tragic death of fellow intern triggers far more than shock and grief. Cam, contacted by an FBI agent, reluctantly accepts an undercover assignment to investigate a potential conspiracy. Fueled with stunning plot twists, “The Perfect Candidate” is fast-paced, filled with a diverse cast of characters, and energized by an innocent romance. Underage drinking and sexual harassment headlines, however, should be weighed as potential markers before matching this book with younger teens. Reluctant readers will appreciate the rapid progression of the novel, but may experience potential setbacks due to Stone’s somewhat blurry secondary characters and deterring selection of Nadia and Nani as names of two different characters. This debut novel, and ideal “book-alike” for “Zero Day” by Jan Gangsei, establishes Peter Stone as a formidable force in the YA arena. Stone’s final riveting final chapter will stun his constituent readers and is certain to inspire votes for a sequel.

[LD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually don't like politics, but I am always intrigued by political dramas...and this book intrigued me for sure! I really liked all the characters, and I realized I have a high school friend that resembles each character in the book. That humored me from the front to back cover. The office romances were written well...very little cheese...just easy to follow and to root for them. But what I liked the most, is I could totally see this happening in today's political world (sadly!)...I felt like I was reading an expose of the latest power-blinded and hungry ladder climbers, and just how low they will stoop! Great first novel author Peter Stone! I hope the last page means we get a sequel!

[Thomas James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Candidate is a must-read for all ages! The pages seem to turn themselves as the murder mystery unfolds. It is full of unexpected twists that leave you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Although the main plot involves the mysterious death of a D.C. staffer, the book maintains a lighter tone as young Cameron Carter romantically pursues the Mexican ambassador's daughter and continually interacts with the small-town world he left behind in the fictional town of Lagrima.

[Teenreadsdotcom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recent high school graduate Cameron Carter is about to embark on the most exciting summer of his life, moving from the rural nowhere of Lagrima, California, to the high stakes hustle of Washington, DC, interning in his congressman’s office on Capitol Hill. It’s a job he didn’t think he was qualified for, being somewhat of a “diversity hire,” in the words of his coworkers, as the son of a less-than-successful landscaper, but one he feels will cement his political destiny nonetheless. Cameron’s late mother had worked in DC prior to settling down in Lagrima to start a family, and he feels a duty to honor her memory by entering politics himself. The world of DC is all that he imagined and more, and it’s not until the sudden death of a coworker in a drunk driving accident that the “more” in that statement seems to suggest “more than he bargained for.” Details of the accident don’t add up; too many questions remain. It’s not until Cameron is accosted by a mysterious man during a tour of the Capitol that he realizes he might be in the middle of a political conspiracy, and that his friend’s death might not have been an accident after all.

Peter Stone’s THE PERFECT CANDIDATE is a wonderfully orchestrated political thriller, trading in the tropes of the genre while still having enough twists and turns to evade predictability. The story offers us some expected and exciting set pieces with dire foot chases across the Mall, after-hours office espionage, Deep Throat-style meetings in dark and abandoned places, coded messages and clues leading to an ever-broadening web of conspiracy and even a romantic rendezvous atop the Washington Monument. It feels appropriately exciting without placing its teen protagonist in absurdly dangerous situations.

Author Peter Stone also uses his firsthand experience as a former Congressional intern to give verisimilitude both to the feel and character of DC as a city, and to the inner-workings of a Congressman’s office. You won’t find high-tenor philosophical conversations about what it means to be an American, here. Congressional interns are dispatched from their office to sit idly in the fields of the National Mall, reserving a hotly contested space through “dibs,” for the congressional softball leagues. It’s serious work. The interns are often staffing phone banks, compiling spreadsheets and trying to score free food from any of the dozens of receptions being held on the Hill on a given day. In demystifying the goings on in these offices, Stone grounds his story in the practical details of an insider’s experience, which helps to make the stakes of the plot feel higher in comparison. This insider knowledge also leads to some of the book’s best moments of humor, such as Cameron’s fellow intern, Hillary, desperately longing to make the list of the 50 Hottest Congressional Staffers (which is, by the way, a very real thing).

Something else that Stone completely nails in THE PERFECT CANDIDATE is an area that many young adult authors struggle with: text messages. Often, they’re formatted weirdly, with an overuse of emoji/emoticons to seem casual, or they sound stilted and artificially abbreviated in their composition. But here they are perfectly rendered. About a third of the way through the book, Cameron begins dating the daughter of the US Ambassador to Mexico, and outside of a few dates most of their relationship is revealed through text messages. They don’t read like they were composed by a man several decades past his teen years. Stone has a refreshingly strong grasp of how teens are texting (which is to say, more like adults than adults want to give them credit for) and this goes a long way towards fleshing out some of the book’s supporting cast.

It’s also a neat trick to read a book so entwined with our current political climate and revolving around governmental misdeeds that doesn’t feel aggressively partisan in its outlook. Stone doesn’t shy away from commenting on particular policies or periods of political rule in American history, but does so in a way that speaks to the broader cultural problems of Washington. It’s a story that feels current and specific without taking shots at any one figure, which would run the risk of distracting readers from the action of the story. Much like with a television show such as “Veep” or “The Thick of It,” THE PERFECT CANDIDATE is more successful in its plotting and lampooning of DC culture by striking at the broad flaws of the city rather than laser-focusing on individual incidents.

About the only frustration this book offers, and it feels a bit severe to even use the word frustration, is the embedded sequel set-up in the book’s closing moments. I won’t give away any of the details or plotting that leads up to it, but there’s a narrative thread in the book which gets completely exploded in the final few pages and is more than a bit silly in the reveal, given the context of everything that came before it. It’s the kind of thread you’d want to see fully explored in a sequel, but one which feels out of place as a teaser at the end of a long narrative. Still, seeing what Stone is capable of in THE PERFECT CANDIDATE makes even a silly sequel tease somewhat exciting.

Teen readers looking for a story steeped in political intrigue and DC insider knowledge would be hard-pressed to find a better book for it. Add to that the book’s humor, well-crafted characters and strong sense of place and THE PERFECT CANDIDATE really lives up to its title.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness this book had twist and turns all over the place. I loved our main character and all the politics and presidential topics that were discussed I greatly enjoyed. It was also so hard to trust anyone in this book as everyone was super sketchy and all the things they did was just super suspicious. Overall I greatly enjoyed this book

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh why! I wanted to DNF this book so many times because it was NOT thrilling or engaging or high stakes. The ending just made it worse.

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always delighted to find a well-written young adult novel to recommend. The Perfect Candidate by Peter Stone passed my "Is it clean?" standards with a book that is entertaining, suspenseful, and will be enjoyed by both girls and guys.

Cameron Carter, a recent graduate of Lagrima High in California, is excited about his Washington, D.C. summer internship with his congressman, Billy Beck. He wants to honor his late mother's memory because she was also an intern on the "Hill." Since he's from a small town and a lower-middle class family, he feels out of place in D.C. but is convinced that this internship will jumpstart his political future and provide an opportunity to "make a difference."

He quickly discovers that there are reasons that D.C. is referred to as the "swamp." His fellow-staffer, Ariel, gives him a mysterious message about contacting a girl named Caitlin if anything should happen to her. When she dies in an apparent drunk driving incident, Cameron is left with a lot of questions--and a dizzyingly fast cover-up by Representative Beck who is accused of having had an inappropriate relationship with Ariel. Who is speaking the truth and who is spinning public opinion?

When he is contacted by a stranger who turns out to be Memo, an FBI agent, Cameron is both spooked and intrigued. Memo insists that Cameron is in a unique spot as an intern. He has "all the access but no profile" to investigate the apparent suicide of Branson, a pharmaceutical CEO. Cameron reluctantly agrees because of Memo's carrot--Cameron's father will receive a large landscaping bid that will set his business for life.

Cameron's research, interrupted by a romance with the Mexican ambassador's attractive daughter, leads him from one disturbing clue to another. Why did Branson commit suicide? How was his death related to Ariel's? Who was Caitlin and why did Ariel want him to contact her? Why did Ariel's mother (a junior congresswoman who has been assisted by Beck) say, "We all tell the stories we want to believe"? How is this all connected to Congressman Beck, who appears genuinely interested in him and concerned for his constituents?

Cameron's slightly sarcastic voice is authentic for a rural teen experiencing D.C.'s subterranean train system as well as the inner workings of the political system. The life and death stakes make this a page turner (if you're reading the book) or keep you entertained on a long car trip. And by the way, you'll never guess the surprise ending!

Giveaway ends June 10! www.carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review: When I started this one I wasn't too sure about it. I am not into politics at all but it sounded like a really interesting story so I thought I would give it a try and man if even you don't like politics this was one amazing title!! This needs to be a movie!

The story started out with the normal high school grad going to a summer job. It was a great way to start this story as we got some past information about the character and was driven right to the thick of the story. I really enjoyed the pacing in this one as every step took me closer to the twist. I didn't feel like this was predictable at all which was great. So many thrillers fail to surprise me but this one did a great job! The espionage, late night meets, chases, and action was done wonderfully and really made this one intense story! I also enjoyed that the author doesn't shy away from a lot of the darker choices that really speak volumes for the current political climate.

The characters in this one were wonderful. There were quite a few of them but it was pretty easy to keep track of everyone. I also enjoyed the romance between the main character and the daughter of the US Ambassador to Mexico. It was an ingenious idea to do a lot of their relationship revel through text messages. I also found out that the author used his firsthand experience as a former Congressional intern to give us a real look at how interns work which made this story feel more real. At the time that I read this, I didn't even know that so that was a nice surprise.

The end of this one was speedy which worked really well for this book. I will say that this one kind of ends on a slight cliffhanger. It ends in a way that I really hope that there will be a book two to this one!! Because, ya I need one! If you are looking for something to drown your political sorrows in check this one out!


Go Into This One Knowing: Political Intrigue, Cliffhanger, Humor

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, this was a great book. This book is about a murder mystery in the political climate of Washington D.C. It highlights how people can bribe each other, manipulate others to push their agenda and keep their careers alive. Many things I liked about this book were that it was very realistic. None of the scenes in the book were too ridiculous. Everything was kept very realistic. I cannot think of anything I disliked about this book. One thing that resonated with me was that this could happen in real life. It is almost scary that these events that take place in the story can happen or have happened. For instance, the immense bribing. Without spoiling the story, certain members of Congress use their power to control what happens in their world. This book really expresses how do individuals develop values ​​and beliefs. In the story, Cameron uses evidence to formulate his opinion of what happened rather than listen to others. While reading Cameron's side of the story, I started to believe that the accident maybe wasn’t an accident. For instance, Cameron finds a hint/note from Ariel right before her death. On page 170 to 171, Stone writes, “I opened the folded paper and found a hastily scrawled note in all caps. It looks as if Ariel had written it quickly while no one was looking.” Cameron had just found a note from Ariel and it contained an address for him to check on. The note gave me the suspicion that there was something not right about Ariel’s death. This leads the readers to believe this accident was planned or may be scheduled to happen. The book really comes together in the Epilogue.
I would recommend this book to people who love murder mysteries, politics and conspiracies. The Perfect Candidate is for readers who love to look at the facts, formulate their opinion, and guess to see what really happened in the end. This book isn't for everyone. People who may not understand how government and Congress work might not enjoy the book as much as I did.


I loved this book and I will definitely read it again.

[Julissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this read so much, it was thrilling and suspensful, it even had a little romance which is always a win for me. I sat in the same spot all day reading through this political thriller not able to put it down, it had me completely enthralled. I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to guess what was going to happen next. The story plot was so well executed and I really enjoyed the authors writing.

This book is definitely one that everyone will enjoy, it's a fast paced read that gets your heart racing. Anyone who loves a good old political murder mystery will not be able to put this book down, it's that good! For this being Peter Stone's first novel I'm thoroughly impressed, he really did his research and it shows in this debut novel. I can honestly say it exceeded my expectations, I wasn't expecting to love it they way I do.

The twist at the end was the icing on the cake, I didn't see it coming. I'm usually really good at being able to guess what's going to happen next, but that wasn't the case with this read. It definitely left me feeling like there could possibly be more to this story, which I'm all in for. As soon as I was done I wanted more, I can't wait to see what Peter Stone gives us next. Do yourself a favor and read this book, you will not be disappointed.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, this was an amazing book. Each page kept you on the edge of your seat wondering who did what. In the book, I liked the mix between murder mystery and politics because if you know me I am a political guy. The part that confused me was why did Cameron keep talking to Berto, it was his hometown friend. Berto didn't really help in the story so I feel like he was just trying to add pages using Berto.
The essential question in that is answered in literature is "how do individuals develop values and beliefs". This shoves people of wildly different upbrings and morals into 1 storyline. Cameron is from a small city, blue-collar family, and he only has 1 dad. Hillary was born in the same town as Cameron yet they were far from similar she is a small city, white-collar, spoiled, and popular girl. These two may share a similar experience, but the way they act and the way they treat people is far different. Hillary for one is snooty and treats everyone one around her like dirt. Cameron, on the other hand, is a humble guy and treats everyone with respect. Two people that developed far different personalities and morals. While Cameron may lie occasionally in this situation he is doing to hunt down the truth" And Then I immediately realized she was referring to my faux intestinal challenges/trip to Virginia Beach earlier in the week."
I would recommend this book to young adults who like politics and mysteries. The quick pace of the book and the thrill of wondering what is going to happen is amazing.

[Brittany Searfoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron Carter lives in a small California town, but when he gets the opportunity to be an intern for a Congressman in Washington D.C., he jumps at the chance. However, there is more to his internship than he bargains for when a staffer named Ariel enlists his help to uncover a murder that happened six years earlier. When Ariel dies in a car accident, Cameron is the only one left to bring the murderer to justice. If he can survive...
I loved this book! The suspense and mystery was engaging, the characters were realistic, and sometimes this book was just plain funny. There was a perfect balance of danger and humor, and Cameron's relationship with Lena was sweet and substantive. I didn't care for the profanity, but it was surprisingly mild compared to fiction these days. I was very happy with the ending and I hope there is a sequel coming. I can't wait! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an entertaining, well written, suspenseful novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Daniel Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “The Perfect Candidate”, by Peter Stone, is a great novel that follows the story of a boy named Cameron Carter. Ever since the death of his mother, Cameron wanted to honor her by working on Capitol Hill in D.C., just like she had. To begin his journey, Cameron obtained a summer internship on Capitol Hill under congressman Billy Beck, a.k.a BIB. With Cameron growing up in a small town in Lagrima, California, it took him a while to get used to the fast and busy style of Washington D.C.; but his summer internship quickly took a turn for the worst. A girl named Ariel, who worked in the same office as Cameron, died unexpectedly in a car accident on the way home from a bar.
The death of Ariel shocked everyone in the office, but just as suddenly as it happened, it was swept under the rug and forgotten. Shortly after Ariel’s death, Cameron was randomly approached by a strange-looking man who told him that Ariel’s death wasn’t an accident, and after Cameron did research on a name that the strange man had mentioned to him, he realized that he hadn’t been lying. Cameron agreed to work with the man, who is secretly an F.B.I agent, and figure out the reason behind Ariel’s death. Throughout Cameron’s investigation, he finds many clues that ultimately lead him to believe that Ariel’s death is directly related to BIB.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I remember picking it up for free from my school's library, which was giving books away before the summer, as something to read after I finished my exams, and I was amazed. I had originally thought it wouldn't be anything but a simple distraction from the boredom that would follow a test, but I soon realized I could not put it down!
There was the perfect amount of suspense and mystery that kept me reading, and I didn't expect the ending at all, which was a pleasant surprise. I was amazed by how well the story came together, and I loved everything, from the characters to the realism of the setting. Overall, this book is great fun to read, and I strongly recommend it.

[Gina Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great ending of a book. I was not super impressed in the beginning. Though the writing was good and easy to fly through I was unimpressed by the plot until about halfway through. Cameron made the strange and uncharacteristic decision to call Russell and the entire book changed. I don’t think it was very like him as someone who seemed to be flailing and unwilling to really do the work he was tasked with. It did move the story into the direction it needed to be unpredictable. The ending made it new and interesting and changed it from a 3 star to a 4 star read for me. Also Lena and Cameron’s relationship is wonderful and a true highlight of the book.

[Amber Mungavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading a decent amount of the book, I was not very intrigued by it. I didn't find it to be a strong like of mines. I thought that the drama and political background would be something I enjoyed but it was not. Cameron is just coming to DC from the West C0ast and then meets this young lady who ends up in a drunk driving accident and then the FBI comes and starts an investigation. The thriller and suspense is very different in my taste of novels and it was challenging for me to follow the story. I would recommend this to someone who likes a young adult novel that is a thriller, suspenseful, and has political interest.