Thanks 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.
shalini said:
Kim, you have a secret crush? So are you leaving Roark for him…? You are? Really? Great!! a huge sigh of relief one down 2 to go
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Nope. Sorry Shalini. Roarke will forever be my fictional love!😁
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shalini said:
Whaaaat… You are still in?? I just got you eliminated in my mind and was plotting about Nina and Jay… Shucks… I have to rethink my strategy
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Sorry Shalini!🤣
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shalini said:
😂😂
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
Roarke is the definition of fiction yumminess! Hehehe!😅
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
God yes!😍
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
Amen Sista!😍❤📚 fans self
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shalini said:
Great review, I didn’t know you read books of this genre. Eclectic tastes, I must say!! Remarkable
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Shalini! I don’t read a ton of them, but I have read some great ones. One of my favorite authors is John le Carre.
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shalini said:
Wow..
Never heard of him… Just wow..
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ooh! You should give him a try Shalini. Have you heard of The Constand Gardener movie with Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz? Or Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, with John Hurt, Gary Oldman, and Benedict Cumberbatch? Those are just two of his novels that have been adapted to film.
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shalini said:
Ooooo nooo I haven’t seen a movie in quite some years now.
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Carrie Rubin said:
I was wondering about this one. Good to see your take on it. It seems like so many celebrities are publishing novels nowadays.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie. I really had high expectations for this because I enjoyed his nonfiction so much.
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beetleypete said:
I had to look up Tapper. (And I don’t know who Roarke is either) 🙂
But 2.0 Kim stars is the kiss of death for me. Sorry, Jake.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of Tapper Pete. He’s a well-known and widely respected journalist/anchor on CNN. And Roarke is a dishy character in J.D. Robb’s In Death series.😊
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Teagan R. Geneviene said:
Well shoot… Thanks for this honest review, Kim. I saw this book promoted on a talk show and, frankly, I wondered if the “enthusiasm” of the host wasn’t faked. I had a sneaking suspicion that he didn’t think much of the book. Thanks for this review. Hugs.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s so disappointing. Teagan.🙇🏻♀️
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Teagan R. Geneviene said:
Agreed. But you like his non-fiction, so it’s not totally as though the idol has feet of clay. And for him, he tried to branch out, and that’s always a positive. His next book might be terrific.
Journalism, and other forms of writing (that aren’t novels or other fiction) are two different skill to hone.
I started writing fiction in my mid thirties. Went for a technical degree that I could use for tech writing because I wanted some kind of job that paid me to write.
In the 20+ years since that time, I’ve worked on both crafts. Some knowledge is transferable, true. But believe me they are different “jobs” entirely.
Have a thriving Thursday, my friend.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
So true Teagan. And thanks for for sharing your own experience.🤗
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Tea and Tales1 said:
I’m pretty sure we gave it a low score also. It was disappointing.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I had to force my way through it to be honest.
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
Great honest review, Kim! I’m sorry this didn’t work out for you!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Raven. Can’t win them all.🤷🏻♀️
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fragglerocking said:
Well I guess he gets points for trying. Close but no cigar?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Exactly Fraggle. He’s still a fantastic journalist and I still love him.
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deesradreadsandreviews said:
i’m sorry this one didn’t work out for you, Kim. I appreciate your honest review.
I hope you have lots of great reading this coming weekend.
🤗❤️
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Deanna. I still love Jake though. I’m reading a couple of good books right now so I’m a happy camper. 🤗
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Beware Of The Reader said:
This is too bad Kim! But you wrote a great honest review ❤
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie!🤗
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jennifertarheelreader said:
You wrote such an eloquent and thoughtful review! I hope your next read is better and it sounds like Tapper should stick to nonfiction (taking note of those!).
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jennifer!😊
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
Great Review, Book Sister!😍❤📚 I wish this was enjoyable for you but hopefully better luck next time!😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Dani.😚
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
You’re welcome!💜💙💜
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Carrie said:
Lovely review Kim! Sorry it was such a disappointment for you though, seems like it’s even worse when you don’t enjoy those you’ve been really excited to read.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie. I was a bit crushed after reading this.🙇🏻♀️
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Carrie said:
I can imagine. 😦
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Jen said:
Oh my goodness, that’s a lot of subplots ack!! I’m sorry this book didn’t end up working out but I hope you love the next one you pick up!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen. I just read two in a row that had me reading until the wee hours of the morning so alls good.🤗
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
The era sounds fascinating, but those subplots? I honestly don’t know how he even put all that into one book! Great honest review, Kim. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yeah. I was really surprised because the two nonfiction books I read were fantastic, especially the one about the 2000 election.
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Lelia T said:
O-o-h, such a disappointment!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Sigh.😒
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