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The 500: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,337 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A gripping thriller debut, set deep in the heart of the world's most powerful political arena.
A year ago, fresh out of Harvard Law School, Mike Ford landed his dream job at the Davies Group, Washington's most powerful consulting firm. Now, he's staring down the barrel of a gun, pursued by two of the world's most dangerous men. To get out, he'll have to do all the things he thought he'd never do again: lie, cheat, steal -- and this time, maybe even kill.
Mike grew up in a world of small-stakes con men, learning lessons at his father's knee. His hard-won success in college and law school was his ticket out. As the Davies Group's rising star, he rubs shoulders with "The 500," the elite men and women who really run Washington -- and the world. But peddling influence, he soon learns, is familiar work: even with a pedigree, a con is still a con.
Combining the best elements of political intrigue and heart-stopping action, The 500 is an explosive debut, one that calls to mind classic thrillers like The Firm and Presumed Innocent. In Mike Ford, readers will discover a new hero who learns that the higher the climb, the harder -- and deadlier -- the fall.
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"If you're looking for a legal thriller filled with courtroom drama...this isn't it. It's more of an action drama where the main character just happens to be a lawyer. I really enjoyed all of the action in this book and I wouldn't be suprised to see it made into a movie. I'd cast Gene Hackman as Henry Davies."
— Yvonne (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The Firm goes to Washington, only with a whole lot more action.”
— James Patterson -
“What an absolutely phenomenal, kickass thriller. Not since The Firm has a novel left me this breathless. This one’s going to be huge.”
— Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author -
“The 500 is a riveting page-turner…It’s smart, intriguing, packed with action and heart, and loaded with detail on the hidden workings of Washington. It’s going to be the big debut thriller of the year.”
— Jeff Abbott, New York Times bestselling author -
“Quirk’s engaging first novel transplants the milieu of Grisham’s The Firm to the world of political lobbyists…Quirk supplies just enough characterization and journalistic detail of Washington, DC, life to ground his story as he launches into a streamlined, gripping man-on-the-run thriller.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“A thundering David-and-Goliath tale of corruption…This is a real page turner, with high stakes action that doesn’t stop. Expect this to be one of the season’s most talked-about debut thrillers. A sequel is in the offing and will be much anticipated.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Washington, DC, is the setting for this John Grisham–style thriller…Offers lots of action.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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Selected for the June 2012 Indie Next List
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A New York Times bestseller
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A 2013 International Thriller Writers Award Nominee for Best First Novel
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A 2013 Anthony Award Nominee for Best First Novel
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A 2013 Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee for Best First Novel
The 500 Listener Reviews
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Elizabeth Huff, 4/16/2018
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" Pretty decent thriller. "
— Eric, 2/15/2014 -
" If you are a fan of John Grisham, you will definitely enjoy this gripping novel by Matthew Quirk! "
— Jorge, 2/15/2014 -
" Comparisons to "The Firm" are fair. However, that book was a lot more entertaining than this one. The main character in this story should be some kind of superhero the way he takes a beating and keeps on going. A little too improbable for me. "
— Robert, 2/12/2014 -
" If you read Grisham's The Firm, this story will be familiar. A lawyer takes a job with a DC "consultant" firm. He is thrilled with the $$ and perks after a life of poverty with dad in prison. He himself was a bit of a criminal in his youth-before a judge told him the Navy or jail. he discovers the firm is involved in some shady stuff and must decide what to do. The problem I had with the story is how many narrow escapes he made-hard to believe some of it, but I did like this debut novel. "
— Pmcdnld2, 2/8/2014 -
" This was a great, captivating book. I loved the style, with the narrator's voice really telling the reader the story of what happened to him. There was one part where the twist was a little unbelievable, but overall a great read. I can totally see this become a movie within the next couple of years. "
— Irene, 2/2/2014 -
" The premise was intriguing, but the book didn't really create characters that I could care about or develop the plot in any interesting way. "
— Loree, 1/5/2014 -
" Pretty good. Better than what some of the reviews said. "
— Jeffrey, 1/1/2014 -
" Like a John Grisham "
— Jeannine, 12/26/2013 -
" A quick, entertaining read -- a variation of "The Firm" "
— Anne, 12/22/2013 -
" Not a bad distraction. Very Grisham-like effort that is somewhat entertaining. "
— Steve, 12/19/2013 -
" This was an enjoyable read - perfect for summer. I can see the similarities to Grisham but frankly, I couldn't put the Firm down. This one was a bit easier to set down and leave for awhile. "
— Anjanette, 12/11/2013 -
" While the prose was nothing special, the plot was very good. There were numerous unexpected twists and turns and while there were some areas where plot points weren't explained well enough to make them believable, it didn't really detract from the overall experience. "
— Barrett, 12/2/2013 -
" Fun to read thriller. Very much like the firm. "
— Sarah, 11/16/2013 -
" Read my review this week on bookreporter.com "
— Ray, 10/22/2013 -
" This really should be a 21/2. I liked most of it. I thought the end was rushed, and I don't completely understand what the protag did to Henry. But, this was Quirk's first novel, and I definitely will read others. I love thrillers, esp with conmen with hearts of gold. "
— Katherine, 7/13/2013 -
" A very exciting and intense book, but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. It feels rushed, with no flow and certainly no character development of any worth. Quirk has a great future, he is an excellent storyteller but he needs a little work. "
— Don, 7/12/2013 -
" very good/suspenseful.Reminded me of The Firm. "
— Kim, 5/4/2013 -
" Political thriller, right up my alley. Probably overrated it a bit but I enjoyed it. "
— Mike, 3/26/2013 -
" Read this book in one sitting. I simply could not put it down. All the comparisons to The Firm are spot on. "
— Sherry, 2/14/2013 -
" I am impressed by this author's debut. Mike Ford lands what he believes is his dream job, but it proves to be anything but. Well thought out plot with lots of political intrigue. "
— Lynette, 11/11/2012 -
" Fun, fast paced book. Reminded me of The Firm so much. "
— Laura, 9/25/2012 -
" Great break-out novel. "
— David, 6/4/2012 -
" Awesome first novel. I couldn't put it down! "
— Laura, 6/4/2012
About Matthew Quirk
Matthew Quirk studied history and literature at Harvard College. His book The 500 has been translated into twenty languages. He spent five years writing and reporting for the Atlantic and now lives outside Washington, DC.
About Jay Snyder
Jay Snyder is a voice actor, voice director, and script adapter who studied acting at the Julliard School in New York City. He is best known as the voice of Yugi Muto from the Japanese manga television series, Yu-Gi-Oh! His audiobook narrations have earned three AudioFile Earphones Awards, and he was a finalist for the Audie Award for Best Fiction Narration in 2015.