Reviews

Arab terrorists, nuclear threat and political perfidy drive bestselling Baldacci's latest. The Camel Club, a four-man group of Washington, D.C., misfits (their leader has taken the ironic pseudonym "Oliver Stone") gathers every week to discuss political conspiracies they believe exist and what actions they might take. One night, while meeting on Roosevelt Island in the middle of the Potomac River, club members witness the murder of Secret Service employee Patrick Johnson, thus thrusting the wacky crew into the middle of a bigger conspiracy than they could ever have imagined. There are scores of characters and subplots to keep track of while the story veers back and forth between venues and villains, forcing readers to remain alert yet patient while awaiting the high-concept payoff. When it finally appears, it's a doozy: kidnappers who harm no one and are reasonable people with a legitimate gripe bring the U.S. to the verge of nuking Damascus. Baldacci maintains interest during the long buildup by supplying fascinating historical facts, amusing characters, high-tech spy lore and the backstories of his super agents, both good and evil. As fans of this writer know, years of experience have made him an author who promises a good story and then delivers it. (Oct. 25) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Just outside the White House gates, a ragtag group of conspiracy theorists gathers to find the hidden truth behind the actions of the power elite in Washington, DC. Led by the mysterious and aptly aliased Oliver Stone, the Camel Club develops wild conspiracy theories about the inner workings of the U.S. government-theories that, on rare occasions, turn out to be accurate. While the club is generally considered a nuisance, this time its members have witnessed a murder, and their subsequent investigation may uncover clues that could prevent a nuclear war. In his latest political thriller, Baldacci (Absolute Power) takes a page-turning look at the repercussions of cultural and religious differences between ethnic groups-and at unlikely saviors in the thick of the battle. The terrifyingly vivid plot has more twists and turns than any conspiracy theorist could ever conceive. Strongly recommended for most popular fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/05.]-Ken Bolton, Cornell Univ. Lib., Ithaca, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.