THE BOOK OF FATE by Brad Meltzer
Brad Meltzer burst on to the literary scene with his novel THE TENTH JUSTICE. Since that time he has written four other thrillers. They never quite measured up to his first book. But now he is back with THE BOOK OF FATE and it is the best Brad Meltzer novel yet.
In this new novel Meltzer takes a look at the world of Presidential politics and the dirty tricks and evil machinations that arise. It is a story full of drama and mystery, guaranteed to keep the reader glued to its pages for the entire length of the book.
Wes Holloway is the focus of the plot. He is a young, cocky aide to President Manning when the book starts. He has the world opening up before him and the sky is the limit. He is one of President Manning's favorite employees and Holloway is sure he can use his current position as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
Then his world turns upside down. There is an assassination attempt made on the President's life. One of his staff members is killed and a ricocheting bullet hits Holloway. He is not killed but his face is badly scarred by the bullet.
After many surgeries and months of recovery Holloway returns to work. He is physically healthy but the trauma of the wound and the scarring have left him emotionally crippled. He has no confidence and hides himself away in service to the now former President.
One day while traveling overseas with former President Manning, he glimpses a man waiting in the President's quarters. This man flees when Holloway enters the room but he gets enough of a glimpse to recognize him as Ron Boyle, the man who "died" on the day of the assassination attempt.
From this point on Holloway becomes obsessed with finding out the truth of what actually happened that day. The only people he can rely on to help him find the truth are a lawyer named Rogo, an aspiring politician named Dreidel, and a gossip columnist named Lisbeth. They aid him in his investigation but even the combined efforts of these three can't keep him entirely safe.
Once Holloway launches his investigation he puts himself in harm's way. The people who planned the "assassination" attempt are now bent, bound and determined to bring Wes down before he discovers their secrets.
Meltzer keeps the story fast paced and engrossing. He also makes it believable which is an asset in a story as wild and wooly as this one is. There are plots inside of plots and the corrupt forces reach into the highest ranks of power in the United States. Using a David-like character against this type of Goliath stretches the boundaries of credibility but Meltzer pulls it off.
It also helps that Wes is such a likeable character. He never loses his nerdish demeanor, even when caught in the most dangerous of circumstances. He remains Clark Kent through and through even though at times he needs to be Superman.
Meltzer showed great promise when THE TENTH JUSTICE was released. With THE BOOK OF FATE he fulfils that promise and then some. This is a book to be read, savored and enjoyed; just as the best books by John Grisham always were.
THE BOOK OF FATE is published by Warner Books. It contains 510 pages and sells for $25.99.