In this #1 New York Times bestseller, a child is kidnapped at a presidential retreat and two former Secret Service agents must become private investigators in a desperate search that might destroy them both.
A daring kidnapping turns a children's birthday party at Camp David, the presidential retreat, into a national security nightmare.
Former Secret Service agents turned private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell don't want to get involved. But years ago Sean saved the First Lady's husband, then a senator, from political disaster. Now the president's wife presses Sean and Michelle into a desperate search to rescue a kidnapped child. With Michelle still battling her own demons, the two are pushed to the limit, with forces aligned on all sides against them-and the line between friend and foe impossible to define...or defend.
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"I really don't know why this book didn't get higher marks to be honest. I've listened to all the previous King and Maxwell series, and while they were good (in that they kept you guessing the whole time), they had a tendency to drag on and on before finally, at the very end, they picked up speed. This book is completely different - it maintains speed the entire time and while it is a bit more predictable, it is still a very good mystery story. Baldacci is a master of mystery."
— Nate (5 out of 5 stars)
“Plenty of intense action drives bestseller Baldacci’s stellar fourth novel to feature former Secret Service agents Michelle Maxwell and Sean King…Baldacci excels at making the improbable believable…Careful plotting and confidant depictions of national security procedures make this a thinking man’s thriller.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Ron McLarty is the perfect choice to present Baldacci’s latest thriller. His clear, strong voice shifts effortlessly among the story’s varying passages of sadness, anger, and irony. His facility with multiple characters of both genders and many ages, races, and regional accents enables the listener easily to keep track of everyone.”
— AudioFileThe story unfolds wonderfully. It's another top-flight thriller from this bestselling author, and it's good to see King and Maxwell again.
— OklahomanWhat Baldacci does best is provide thrills, chills, and suspense. This novel is a total surprise from beginning to end.
— Columbus TelegramMr. Baldacci's books are jigsaw puzzles of intersecting events, not simple whodunits. FIRST FAMILY is no exception.
— Washington TimesIt's always a good thing when David Baldacci brings back former FBI agents King and Maxwell.
— New York Daily NewsFightening...shocking...Sean and Michelle [are] surely one of the more interesting teams of private investigators...Baldacci is a more subtle writer now, able to tell stories of deep moral ambiguity and to create characters who balance on the line between hero and villain...It will be fascinating to watch where he takes these two heroes from here.
— BooklistPlenty of action drives Baldacci's stellar fourth novel to feature Maxwell and King.
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)" Probably the best of the King/ Maxwell series, but that's not saying a lot. Camel Club series is better. This series always seems to get bogged down with implausability and sappiness. First half is solid, however. "
— Jon, 2/19/2014" I liked this book and the plot line but I listened to it on tape (for when I'm exercising) and I hated the narrator's voice for the women. It came off childish and whining for every one of them. "
— Staci, 2/19/2014" Interesting mystery - kept my interest - a President's niece is kidnapped - what is the real story? "
— Tulara, 2/19/2014" Loved it ! I have become a David Baldacci fan for life !! "
— Bernadette, 2/16/2014" A good read, but a bit predictable and far fetched at points. Enjoyable but not the best. I had heard rave reviews and it didn't quite seem to match up. "
— Bob, 2/10/2014" What a twisted tale; I loved it. Baldacci continues the saga of Michelle Maxwell and Sean King and actually gives them a life before the Secret Service, so this book has some character development that plays into the next book in the series, The Sixth Man. There really is no way for me to describe the action and intrigue in First Family without giving away clues to the ending so please let me just say to buckle up and enjoy the ride! "
— Jill, 2/8/2014" A real page turner. Just so happened the book, re: a US President, who was a womanizer before becoming president seems to corespond to the present day "political affairs". "
— Nell, 1/30/2014" Really enjoyed this book. Kept my interest the entire time, and I had a hard time putting it down. It took a month to read, but only because my life got busy, not because the book wasn't interesting. "
— Carrie, 1/28/2014" Suspenseful audio book. "
— Amy, 1/19/2014" REALLY REALLY GOOD! I love these characters. "
— Stacy, 1/18/2014" This book got better towards the end, but overall I thought it was too slow. "
— Lana, 1/11/2014" I enjoy all of his books. He can't write fast enough for me. "
— Tammy, 1/1/2014" Very convoluted plot "
— Sandi, 11/4/2013" I enjoy reading local authors. I did not realize this was the 4th book in a series. Even without reading the other books I was able to keep up. Good book. "
— Jen, 9/20/2013" Not entirely realistic but entertaining. There are actually two mystery threads in First Family. Baldacci does a good job of keeping the reader interested in his fully developed characters. He seldom disappoints. "
— Kathie, 8/24/2013" One of Baldacci's better suspense novels. Held my attention right up to the very last page. Not a newer one of his but one terrific story! "
— Ruth, 7/8/2013" Couldnt put it down. Kept moving - no lulls!! Another good one Mr. Baldacci!! "
— Linda, 7/3/2013" Loved it. Kept me reading until the wee hours of the night!! Good, clean thriller with a great storyline. "
— Juline, 6/20/2013" This book came recommended, but I felt it was very predictable and not very exciting. Chapters were short and the writing minimal. "
— Kathryn, 4/17/2013" Have never read this author before but found I could not put the book down once I started, wanting to know what was going to happen next. "
— Dana, 2/19/2013" 't was moeilijk om het boek neer te leggen, zal zeker nog van deze schrijver lezen. "
— Gwenny, 1/28/2013" very dissappointed in this book. Too many far fetched ideas for me amoung too many story lines. "
— Essie, 1/24/2013" Fine book but not great. Easy to read and keeps you intrigued like most Baldacci novels but the plot was so unbelievable as to be not entertaining. "
— Matt, 11/30/2012" Mijn eerste boek van Baldacci. Het viel niet tegen, spannend en prima vermaak. "
— Marielle, 9/11/2012" Sean King/Michelle Maxwell book 3 "
— Pamela, 7/24/2012" Baldacci is generally a great storyteller, but this one fell short for me. Not as good as other Baldacci books I have read. "
— Juliana, 7/19/2012" Really enjoyed this book. If anyone is open for an easy to read and can't put down book this is it. "
— Chuck, 5/12/2012" Pretty quick read. Enough twists and turns to make it interesting but it still is a bit predictable, which isn't all bad. I enjoyed it. "
— Beth, 5/1/2012" I love the entire King & Maxwell series. Very well written. "
— Kim, 1/18/2012" This is an interesting spin on the lives of a fictional US President, First Lady, and their extended family. Interesting reading FBI, Secret Service, and lots of hidden secrets to uncover "
— aldr6870, 11/29/2011" Wow, this was an exciting book! And a look at just how evil people can be even if they are the President and First Lady. What an imagination Baldacci has. "
— TeriC, 10/21/2011" Good read, but took awhile to get through. Interesting plot keeps you reading. "
— Shannon, 8/14/2011" Beautiful story and totally different side of David Baldacci. I would recommend it highly. "
— Karen, 6/29/2011" Good read for summer. A little sad but worth reading. About a widower and his children and a lighthouse. "
— Karla, 6/28/2011" Wonderful story about a family and its struggles with illness and death. David Baldacci usually writes mystery books, but a great job with this novel. "
— Alice, 6/27/2011" This book if very different from Baldacci's other books. It reminds me of a Nicholas Sparks tear jeaker. Although the story started out depressing and slow, it grabbed me about a third of the way through. Good story about family relationships and redemption. "
— Melanie, 6/27/2011" really sappy - a totally brainless Summer book - not even brain-candy - don't even know why I'm listening to this - maybe it's like a "rest" in music, a kind of place-holder "
— Candace, 6/26/2011" I kept looking at the cover. . .who wrote this book? Nicholas Sparks, right? No David Baldacci! Well, it's an ok beach read. I think I prefer Baldacci thrillers set in old town Alexandria, but this one will take you painlessly through a few hours of summer relaxation. "
— Jane, 6/26/2011" If you read "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks you will see similarities with the basic plot: a fractured family spends the summer at a beach house dealing with grief. However, there are quite a few hair pin turns and twists in this particular story I certainly did not expect. "
— Anna, 6/26/2011" Wow! May be one of my new all time favorites. Fantastic change Mr. Baldacci! "
— Tara, 6/25/2011" Nice, easy to listen to audiobook about a family dealing with death, loss and going on with life. A love story without sex scenes, no bad language, a different kind of storyline by David Baldacci. "
— Deanna, 6/22/2011" This book is making me cry already! But it is good so far. <br/>I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SAD. IT MADE YOU APPRECIATE YOUR LIFE A LITTLE MORE AS IT GOES ON AND IT MAKES YOU APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. IT WILL MAKE YOU CRY THOUGH. "
— Kari, 6/22/2011" This is unusual for Mr Baldacci. It is a love story and well worth <br/>reading. The story is really good and it is well written. <br/>Put this on your list for the summer but beware this is a real <br/>tear jerker "
— Tom, 6/21/2011David Baldacci is one of the world’s favorite storytellers and a global bestselling author, with twenty-one of his novels making the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. In 2011 he was inducted into the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame. His books are published in over forty-five languages and in more than eighty countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. He is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America.
Ron McLarty is a veteran actor of television, film, and stage as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He has more than 100 television appearances to his credit, including as a series regular on Spencer for Hire and Law & Order. His film career began in 1977 with a performance in The Sentinel and continued with such films as The Postman, Flamingo Kid, and, most recently, How Do You Know? His stage credits include Broadway and other productions. He has narrated more than 100 audiobooks, earning nine Earphones Awards and recognition by AudioFile magazine as a Best Voice in Mystery & Suspense in 2009 and 2010. He has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Awards and then won the award in 2001 for Best Mystery Narration. He is also an accomplished playwright and an acclaimed novelist.