MP3 CD Format Somebody in Washington is updating Shakespeare. The first thing he wants to do is kill all the lobbyists. Knocking off three of them in consecutive weeks, he's off to a fast start. On the lapel of each victim, the killer leaves a pin that, arguably, resembles Porky Pig.
The Metro police are on the case when Putnam Shady steps forward and identifies the third victim as a friend. Authority averse, Putnam gives the cops only bare bones information—but he tells Margaret "Sweetie" Sweeney that he thinks he will be the next victim.
The reason, he explains, is quite simple. There are two plans afoot to seize control of the federal government. At the center of one plan is the speaker of the House of Representatives. The group behind the other plan consisted of Putnam and his three dead colleagues.
Sweetie vows to protect Putnam. She enlists Jim McGill, the president's henchman, to find out who is behind the murders. But then McGill's whole world is turned upside down. His son, Kenny, is diagnosed with leukemia.
Joseph Flynn has been published both traditionally — Signet Books, Bantam Books and Variance Publishing — and through his own imprint, Stray Dog Press, Inc. Both major media reviews and reader reviews have praised his work. Booklist said, “Flynn is an excellent storyteller.” The Chicago Tribune said, “Flynn [is] a master of high-octane plotting.” The most repeated reader comment is: Write faster, we want more.
1-Star -- DNF @ 45% Review: As indicated below in my Listening Activity extracts, the major stumbling block for me in this Audible audiobook was the lack of plausibility.
Please don't tell me "It's fiction, it's meant to be fun and enjoyable, it doesn't have to be true, etc...". I read a lot of fiction, so I already understand this, but unless the genre is 'fantasy', I do expect a modicum of credibility in the stories, plots and characters presented to me.
For example, there were dual plots to overthrow the current U.S. government and take control of the country. Plot A included the (Republican) Speaker of the House leading a variety of instigators and Plot B was a group of 'influential' lobbyists (affiliation uncertain?) who were committed to putting an end to Plot A's ambitions by displacing the Speaker and his mob and installing their own group. But, the lobbyists are being murdered one by one (by whom we can only guess - that's for Jim McGill, the President's Husband and Henchman to solve).
In the meantime, Madam President is seeking a second term as the (Democrat) nominee, but there is some doubt whether she will stand as a Democrat, an Independent, or, quelle horreur, a Republican! Further, the President's son has been diagnosed with leukaemia, so at very short notice she marshals ten of the best medical specialists in Washington (or the country, I'm not sure), complete with their nurses or whomever, to resolve the best treatment for the fourteen year old lad.
There was more similar and annoying activity, particularly the repeated references to God, prayers, church, etc, but at 45% I decided to call it quits.
Extracts from my Listening Activity: April 30 @17%: "I am giving the author and this series a second try, after a disappointment with #1, The President's Henchman. If GR friend, Matt Pechey, has lauded the whole series so highly, how can I not try again?" May 02 @31%: "I fear that I am tiring of "The K Street Killer" :-/. The implausibility of dual plots to overthrow the Federal Government, which include the direct involvement of the House Speaker, and the nepotistic treatment of the President's step-son's leukaemia... too much!" May 06 @45%: "I have been trying hard to enjoy this audiobook, my second attempt to understand and enjoy the President's Henchman/Husband. @45%, simply too many characters, plots and storylines; far too much implausibility; way too many references to God, prayers, etc." May 06 @45%: "I'm bailing out @45% - a rating and a brief review will follow tomorrow."
Always excited to find a new author who piques my interest, I am glad to have started this political thriller series by Joseph Flynn. Jim McGill’s life changed drastically when his second wife became the US president. He’s found his niche with the PI firm he has opened in the heart of DC. However, all that is shelved when his son takes ill. While Jim tries to handle that, his wife, President Patricia Grant, has some major decisions to make about her political future. All the while, political lobbyists are being killed on the streets, making the mysterious hunt for a killer headline news. With no time to rest, this book actions all of it and keeps the reader enthralled. Flynn proves his worth once more with this one.
Washington is abuzz as someone has been targeting lobbyists. Three men have been killed on DC streets in as many weeks, with an odd pig pin stuck to their suit jackets. Weird is the norm in this city, but even this is pushing the limits. When a fellow lobbyist, Putnam Shady, approaches the authorities that he was friends with one of the lobbyist, he is not quite ready to share all he knows. Instead, he confides in his lover, Margaret “Sweetie” Sweeney, that he thinks he may be next.
Sweetie works alongside Jim McGill, the First Husband, who has been trying to keep his newly created PI firm going, while not being stuck as a decoration to his wife, President Patricia Grant. While McGill is interested in what Sweetie has to say, he has other things on his mind. His son has been diagnosed with an illness and there is little time to wonder about much else. As Jim gathers his family together to put up a fight, many of those around him, including POTUS, step up to help.
With all this going on, the political machine is still roaring and President Grant makes some major decisions about her future with an election on the horizon, She must push back the Republicans within her party from trying to oust her before its too late, but she also has her eye on all the lobbyists who have been turning up dead. Her plan is drastic, but nothing President Grant does is simple or by the book. As she finds her targets, she learns that there are those who might be planning their own political machinations that could include political chess like no other. With so much going on, there is little time to breathe, something that everyone will have to do in the August heat of DC. Flynn pens a wonderful story that kept me hooked until the very end, with a stunning cliffhanger.
Joseph Flynn shows his skills once more with this piece that had me hooked from the opening paragraphs. There is so much going on that a summary cannot be done properly without really spending hours reciting all the plot lines. The narrative is full of great aspects and the story builds on each one as things gain speed. While he balances a number of narratives, Flynn keeps the reader in the middle of it all as things progress and there is no time to ponder things taking place. The use of ‘chapters’ is deceiving once more, as Flynn simply divides the story into six parts and breaks them up with vignettes that all that is needed. Jim McGill shows some of his true colour and this helps provide the reader with a well-rounded picture of the protagonist, particularly the compassionate father who wants nothing but the best for his son.
The plot is thick and ever-evolving, perfect for a reader such as myself, who always needs action to fuel the story’s progression. Flynn is able to juggle so many plot points without muddying them that I cannot wait to see how things will progress in the next novel, with a catchy title. Another longer piece, but justifiably so to lay out all the groundwork needed for what is to come. I look forward to seeing where things are headed and how the political themes will develop from here.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for a great novel and stellar ending!
This entry in the series continues the quality of the first two books. As in those books, there is a lot going on here and tension on every page – some low key, some intense – builds steadily to the climax.
Plots, counter-plots, machinations, and dirty deeds abound. Everyone, except for the primary characters, is out for their own gain – be it power, money, or influence – and will do anything to get it.
While this book is fiction, if even half of how Flynn describes the way things are done in Washington is true, our country is in trouble. Big trouble.
This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I’m not a fan of books that end that way and have stopped reading some authors who did it because it felt like the author did it just to lure me into buying the next book. I didn’t get that feeling here.
So I look forward to reading the next Jim McGill thriller.
This one hooked me just like the others. The plots are multiple and intertwined so well it’s just one thing after the other and I couldn’t stop reading until I finished. Of course everything has a political consequences one way or another and there are a lot of people gunning for the president. One of the most fun political thrillers I’ve read in a long time. One caveat—this one ends with a cliffhanger.
I give it three stars cause it is a compelling read... with all the plot threads at least having some connection to each other, unlike in the previous books. This one is pretty far fetched though... a lot of coincidences that are pretty outlandish and some things that would never happen in the real world.. No way does a major event held at the VP's mansion that the President is attending allow so many people to get in while carrying weapons.. i don't care if they are cops or McGill's buddies or whatever.. the secret service would never allow it. Also, President Grant is still written way too idealistically.. no politician could get where she is by this altruistic.. and practically her bans on lying in advertising are unconstitutional and would be opposed by pretty much everyone. It ends on a cliffhanger which was frustrating as many of the plot threads were not resolved.. also.. Wellborn and Kira... their relationship never made much sense to me... wish Flynn had spent more time in the previous books actually showing them getting closer rather than making them Hallmark caricatures.
The latest book in this series is awesome, the Author really understands the Current Political Situation. The main plot revolved around the murders of four lobbyists, K Street is the center of the Lobby Industry. The author makes you understand that lobbyists and the Right Wing Media have tremendous power on our Democracy. Unfortunately millions of Americans are blind to this and the lobbyists do what's best for the Corporation that they represent. The other main storyline involved cancer striking one of McGill s children. The author paints a vivid picture about the complex nature of Bone Marrow transplantation and how devastating the process can be.
I’m loving this series! Another cliffhanger, not sure if that’s what the author calls it, but I am. The cast of characters, you’ve got love them. The crooked politicians, not so much. The way Mr. Flynn explains the machinations going on in Washington helps a person understand why politics is a dirty business. And the lobbyist! Geez, they really need to get rid of that dirty money. It’s been going on wayyyyy too long! I could say more, but I have to start the next book in the series.
I am really enjoying this series. Good plots, some of which could come from today’s newspaper. Good characters, developed nicely. People you can care about and want to know better. This book does end with a hell of a cliffhanger which I don’t like. I have already decided to read the entire series. I don’t need cliffhangers to draw me in. Highly recommended.
This series continues in an awkward place for me. What I like about Flynn's writing I really like, but the parts of his writing I don't like are conspicuous and grating. I suspect that I may take a breather from the series for a while. I want to pick it up again, but I need some time to forget about some of those negatives. It doesn't help that he ends this book with .
Another cliff hanger with twists and turns as well as several plots throughout the book. It was somewhat disappointing that JimMcGill seemed clueless to the complications and serious of donor in bone marrow transplant. Normally he is depicted as thoughtful, acutely aware of surroundings and ahead of everyone. I will begin #4 and look forward to seeing how the family survives the circumstances they face. All in all Joseph Glynn is gifted.
This book had me from the start. The mix of characters is fantastic but the one that got me tearing up constantly is Kenny. I thought the first two books were great but this book is fantastic! I can’t say enough why but from page one to the cliffhanger on the last page, fantastic. Glad I bought the whole series when I did. On to the book, can’t t wait to see who…………
This author is so very well written, that it's hard to find another who meet's his level of story telling in the e-books library, thank you so much for the great editing, the compelling story line, these are in the league of Ludlum and others of this class.
I enjoyed the first two books but was quite disappointed with this one. Too many characters, too much retelling of the first two novels, too much description of medical procedure and too much of the author's political and religious views, in my opinion. And I'm not a fan of cliff hangers.
I enjoy the books in the Jim McGill Series. The characters are well developed and draw me into the plot. Sometimes, however, the books seem to continue for too long with too many story lines. It can be confusing. The major characters are so likeable that you identify with them and continue reading to learn about the next twists and turns.
Author does not finish the plot. You have to read his next book!
Personally, I do not appreciate it when an author does not finish the plot and makes you read the next book to find out how this book's different plots played out. However, I do like this author's writing and the contemporary nature his of his plots,so I will read the next book .
This installment is a loaded gun...or several! This story gives a multitude of seemingly unrelated characters the "tie that binds" as it were. Amazingly, the bride and groom...I guess we just have to wait for the next book. To be continued???
If even a portion of the things mentioned in these books really happen in Washington D C, I would be very afraid of our politicians, very good book, just started book 4 in the series, hard to put down
This is a series you must read in order, so that you can pick up story lines and characters from past books. I really enjoy reading about the President, her husband, and all the intertwined events that take place in D.C. and around the country (or world).
The plot seems almost plausible given the current state of our country. There are some very sad moments as well as some exciting ones. It ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want to rush on to the next book in the series.
Love this series—so far I have enjoyed the writing, characters, political themes, relationships. Hated that it ended with a cliffhanger but off to number 4!!
A thriller of substance. The stepson of POTUS has leukaemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. The president’s own party does not want her to support her, for a second term in the White House and lobbyists are being gunned down in the streets. This a full, action-packed story that ends with a cliffhanger.
The author is top notch! Being a conservative I take offense to the author’s insinuating, although slight,that we are idiots and religious zealots. Abortions are murder! Other than that I enjoyed book three and will be reading the others in the series!
Love the series, but getting tired of too many plots and subplots and the constant switching back and forth. Its a 5 star but all these books are too long, so going back to read my other favorite authors.
This is a great series. A lot of books in the series but each is different enough to make you keep turning pages far into the night. It's a good thing I am retired 😌 I have been reading Mr. Flynn for years and have not been disappointed in his work.
I read 29% of this and finally gave up on it. This is an author I usually very much enjoy; I think it's just too much politics for me right now. Maybe I'll try to read it another time. I rate it 2 stars.
Assuming this novel has not been revised/updated in the last fifteen years, the warnings are plain to see Nostrodamus-like. Had it been more widely read at the time, perhaps some of the traumatic events taking place today could have been avoided?