I’ve recently received a copy of this as a gift, and I wasn’t expecting much from it. I am not that familiar with Patterson’s style. However, I’ve read his Women’s Murder Club series and a couple (I think) from his Alex Cross, ages ago and I seem to remember generally liking his writing. And with President Bill Clinton as a collaborator, I thought this would be an interesting read given the premise of the book.
I do find the beginning of the book a bit slow and unexciting. I thought there are just too many details that won’t affect the plot without being too verbose. The title, by the way, was a catchy one. I mean, it’s the ‘President trying to save the US’ premise but with twists and turns that was quite compelling.
I find the President’s characterization a bit too much, If I’m honest. He is a former marine and a prisoner of war in Iraq who has lost his wife to cancer and has a blood disease too! I mean, the dude just couldn’t get a break in life. But hey, he’s the President, and it’s his responsibility to stop a virus from destroying the country!
Over time, I find myself not wanting to put it down! Hah! It’s admittedly quite engaging because it’s the state of affairs in the US and the entire world nowadays. Everything is online, and cyberterrorism is a critical issue facing particularly powerful nations such as the US.
I think it’s interesting to see a scenario like this and see what the President would do in such a situation, and with Bill Clinton at the helm of this story, it makes it more believable. We get insights into what a ‘good’ president / or good people in the government are willing to do for the common welfare of the country.
Overall, I thought it was enjoyable. I find the poignancy of the message from the President at the end quite touching, although it could get a bit preachy too, but hey, this is politics at the end of the day. I’d recommend this for people looking to read an excellent political thriller!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kindle Edition, 513 pages
Published June 4th 2018 by Little, Brown and Company and Knopf
About The Authors
James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. His books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett and Private novels – and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers.
James is passionate about encouraging children to read. Inspired by his own son who was a reluctant reader, he also writes a range of books for young readers including the Middle School, I Funny, Treasure Hunters, Dog Diaries and Max Einstein series. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed author of adult fiction in UK libraries for the past eleven years in a row. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.
William Jefferson Clinton was the 42nd president of the United States. After leaving the White House, President Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. His Clinton Global Initiative brings together global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. He served as the UN Envoy for Tsunami Recovery and is now the UN Special Envoy to Haiti.
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