This gallery contains 3 photos.
Originally posted on Didi Oviatt -Author:
If you were to take a twenty to thirty minute drive from my house to a…
14 Thursday Jun 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inThis gallery contains 3 photos.
Originally posted on Didi Oviatt -Author:
If you were to take a twenty to thirty minute drive from my house to a…
14 Thursday Jun 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inThanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
352 Pages
Synopsis: The debut political thriller from Jake Tapper, CNN’s chief Washington correspondent and the New York Times bestselling author of “The Outpost”—-1950’s D.C. intrigue about a secret society and a young Vongressman in its grip.
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 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.
I have a confession to make. Jake Tapper is not only one of my favorite journalists, but I also have a secret crush on him. Plus he has my eternal admiration for the way he interviews Kellyanne Conway without ever losing his cool when she’s spouting her “alternative facts”. So, when I heard that his first foray into fiction was coming out I knew I had to request it.
The Hellfire Club starts out very strong and immediately grabbed my attention. I love the time period of the early 1950s and Tapper, not surprisingly knows his stuff when it comes to politics during the McCarthy era. All the big political players are here: Jack and Bobby Kennedy; Joe McCarthy and his legal minion Roy Cohn; Senator Estes Kefauver who led a highly publicized investigation into organized crime, and many other well known personalities of the time. Dropped into the Washington swamp is the young and naive Charlie Marder. I liked a couple of the characters, but most of them were a little two-dimensional. The plot turned into something so convoluted it further spoiled my enjoyment. There are too many subplots that cover everything from juvenile delinquency, to comic books, to farm bills, to Puerto Rican revolution, and even wild horses. If Tapper had just focused on the secret society and conspiracy angle, I think this would have been a great political thriller. I love conspiracies much as the next reader, but there was so much much going on my head was spinning. There were also too many parallels to what’s going on with Washington politics today and they came across as forced and contrived.
It breaks my heart to give The Hellfire Club a poor review. The concept and premise is wonderful, but for me the characters and contrived storyline just never meshed. I’ve read a couple of Jake Tapper’s nonfiction books—The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor (2012) and Down & Dirty: The Plot to Steal the Presidency (2000). The first book detailed one of the deadliest battles between U.S. troops and the Taliban. The second was an intriguing breakdown of the Florida election debacle that took place in 2000. Both were meticulously researched and captivating, and I’m saying this as someone who doesn’t read a lot of nonfiction. If Tapper decides to try his hand at another fiction book, I’ll probably try it, but I’m hoping he won’t because I suspect it’s just not his forte. The Hellfire Club is receiving mixed reviews, so if you’re interested by the premise, as always I encourage you to check this out for yourself.
Books, Reviews, Recommendations and occasionally Poetry
Understanding the psychology that drives our politics
Because paradise is a library
Memories of a Senior citizen
The Journey Home
a bookworm detailing all her bookish thoughts
Connecting Author to Readers and Readers to Author
the confessions of a random blogger
Reviews for children's and adult books.
Here’s where I’ll gush about my favorite books , shows, and other projects!
all things bookish!!
My slice-of-life as child and as parent. Of reading, writing, gardening, and giving back to nature.
Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm
As decided by me, your favorite raccoon host
a book blog
Falling in Love One Book at a Time…
"Writers Helping Writers" with Marcia Meara & Friends
Jane's Lens
Cozy up and read with me!
"Books wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Book Reviews with Bianca
Moments cherished, memories kept, dreams fulfilled and little things that make everyday a blessing.
Leon Stevens is a poet, science fiction author, and composer. Writing updates, humorous blogs, music, and poetry.
My journey as a dog mom and book worm...
Living the dream one page at a time
Reviewing enchanting reads and discussing all things bookish
Book reviews and more by Michael David
52 Cookbooks. 52 Recipes. A Tasty 2022!
READER - WRITER - CURATED RESOURCES - & MORE
Writer
The jumbled musings of Tallis Steelyard
Books and Stuff
Eclectic Mix Book Blog
Opinion Is The Medium Between Knowledge And Igonrance
Book Reviews
Writing & Coffee. Especially coffee.
Forever lost in literature
Documenting the inspiration I find, Between Pages
rambling book reviews and queer SFF writing
Self beyond the Personality
Writing Magic, Myth and Mystery
If you love mythology? You'll love this series. The UnHoly Pursuit Saga and related series. Paranormal romance, demons, saints, angels, Azazael, witches, warlords, fiction, fantasy, antichrist, harassment, devils, hell, spirituality!,
Books, Reviews, Recommendations and occasionally Poetry
Understanding the psychology that drives our politics
Because paradise is a library
Memories of a Senior citizen
The Journey Home
a bookworm detailing all her bookish thoughts
Connecting Author to Readers and Readers to Author
the confessions of a random blogger
Reviews for children's and adult books.
Here’s where I’ll gush about my favorite books , shows, and other projects!
all things bookish!!
My slice-of-life as child and as parent. Of reading, writing, gardening, and giving back to nature.
Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm
As decided by me, your favorite raccoon host
a book blog
Falling in Love One Book at a Time…
"Writers Helping Writers" with Marcia Meara & Friends
Jane's Lens
You must be logged in to post a comment.