Jake Tapper

Another political thriller from Jake Tapper, his third - and just as well-written as the other two. I am impressed - where does Mr. Tapper get the time???... This time his established protagonists, Senator Marder and his wife, step aside a bit to give stage to their two children - Ike and Lucy - both in their twenties, who do quite an impressive job of working the plot. I should also mention that the time is the 1970s. Jake Tapper did his homework for sure - political scenery and all, just like in his previous two novels. I enjoyed this one thoroughly. Good writing and an interesting plot.
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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.… (más)

This is the second of the three (by now) novels by Jake Tapper, involving the same main personages, congressman Charlie Marder and his wife Margaret. Under very unlikely circumstances, the pair ends up in Hollywood on sort of an assignment from Robert Kennedy, who is Attorney General at the time frame described, and who made it his mission to fight Mafia and organized crime.

Here we encounter the famous Rat Pack, with the emphasis on Frank Sinatra - I found that quite an eye-opener: what an impulsive personality he was, among his other not so attractive character traits. There is a curious insight into the Church of Scientology worth reading.

But altogether, I enjoyed the first book of this series, The Hellfire Club, a bit more than this one. I remember being amazed at Jake Tapper coming out as a pretty good writer. Well, the 3rd book is already out and I am planning to read it soon - with hope that it will recapture the better impressions of the first one.… (más)