June 10, 2009

Review: First Family by David Baldacci



Being the president’s niece has its perks so as a special treat Willa Dutton’s 12th birthday party was held at Camp David. But when the party was over and Willa’s family was back home the unthinkable happened, Willa was kidnapped and her family was left with one person dead and the rest either knocked out or drugged.

As a favor to the First Lady, private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are called in to assist in finding Willa’s kidnappers and bringing her home. In the middle of it all Michelle is dealt a major blow in her personal life and as the pair race to save Willa the truths they uncover lead all the way back to a surprising source.

Well first off I have to start out by saying I love David Baldacci and have read all his books but that’s what makes First Family a little bit disappointing. It’s a faced-paced thrill ride but in my opinion it just doesn’t live up to Baldacci’s previous books.

The bad guy is ho-hum. The good guy that ends up bad in the end is too unrealistic. Michelle’s personal situation seems to have no relation to the plot or the resolution. I feel that this could have been a much better book if there was less of Michelle’s drama and more work on the bad guys. Not one of my favorites from Baldacci but it’s still a recommended read as a library pick or borrowed book.

5 comments :

bermudaonion said...

I'm disappointed to see this is so-so, since it's in my TBR pile.

Dixie said...

Sadly, I'm finding it hard to get into this as well. I keep picking it up but it's just not the suspenseful read I was hoping for.

Becky W. said...

I just received the audio of this. I really have gotten into Baldacci's books this year and have read several, so I had high hopes for this one.

Your review is candid and I like that about you and all your reviews! I'll let you know what I think of it when I'm done!

Kat Bryan said...

This was the first Baldacci book I had read and I liked it although it had a few flaws. I picked up a copy of his Abslute Power but I haven't read it yet.

MonieG said...

Absolute Power was the first Baldacci book I read. Its a great book. Even better than the movie of course.