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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The stories are good but I always feel like I skip a page and miss something.
This isn’t the type of book I’d normally read, but my brother wanted me to read it. I enjoyed it. It’s fast paced and easy to read. There were a few tactical errors I found. A lot of questions are left unanswered which will hopefully be answered in the rest of the series. There’s suspense and action without a lot of gore, profanity or sex.
Beecher White is an archivist at the National Archives. When he tries to impress his old school friend, Clementine, he finds himself chin-deep in danger revolving around the President and the his inner circle known as the Culper Ring. Meltzer provides lots of historical detail to bring this story to life, although it drags along at times. I was a bit disappointed by the way everything finally unfolded in the end but I tend to like stories that wrap up neatly so don't let my opinion hold too much weight on that matter.
This book starts off with an incredibly implausible scene. Beecher, an archivist, is helping an old the friend in the archives try to locate some information about her long-lost father (who turns out to be in an asylum for the criminally insane after attempting to assassinate the president.) He is showing her a SCIF room, very private rooms where the president and other special dignitaries can view especially important and secret documents without being spied upon (why would they have surveillance videos in the room then? Anyway, Beecher spills coffee and knocks over a chair revealing a hidden document which for some bizarre reason (the room might be being used as a blind drop site) Beecher and the security guard friend feel they must take and investigate. The guard squirrels away a copy of the security video to hide that they were in the room and then he is murder. Inexplicably, Beecher becomes immediately paranoid assuming everyone else knows something is is out to get him. My crap detector was into overdrive by this point.
The premise is not a bad one, and I love books that integrate historical facts to build alternate conspiracy theory type of story. The Culper Ring was a group of spies working for George Washington. This group actually existed, but Meltzer takes it one further, building his plot around the continuation of the ring as a conspiracy to well, you know, take over the world. Supposedly they communicated by using special invisible inks and sending messages on pages in books in the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Clementine (Clemmi for short if you can swallow it,) is an old friend of Beecher (his fiance had recently died, of course) and, we learn, the unknown daughter of Nico who had assassinated the president’s wife, missing the president, and is now incarcerated in a mental institution. The implausibilities continue to build.
That’s enough. A big disappointment.
Smacks of a badly done DeVinci Code. I received this book free as an advance reader copy.
The premise is not a bad one, and I love books that integrate historical facts to build alternate conspiracy theory type of story. The Culper Ring was a group of spies working for George Washington. This group actually existed, but Meltzer takes it one further, building his plot around the continuation of the ring as a conspiracy to well, you know, take over the world. Supposedly they communicated by using special invisible inks and sending messages on pages in books in the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Clementine (Clemmi for short if you can swallow it,) is an old friend of Beecher (his fiance had recently died, of course) and, we learn, the unknown daughter of Nico who had assassinated the president’s wife, missing the president, and is now incarcerated in a mental institution. The implausibilities continue to build.
That’s enough. A big disappointment.
Smacks of a badly done DeVinci Code. I received this book free as an advance reader copy.
Meltzer puts out another great novel! He brings conspiracy to the forefront and makes you wonder what is REALLY going on inside US Politics.
Heart-racing and plot-twisting, Brad Meltzer has written a historical fiction novel under the pretext of present day. Conspiracy theorists and American history junkies alike will relish in the every mention of the past, while questioning the future of the characters. Overall, a good read for National Treasure fans looking for a presidential thriller.
Yes, yes, and yes I am completely here for it all. Brad Meltzer delivers a great mystery book and includes archivists. Now true story, I did not really know what an archivist's job entailed until reading this book. But trust me when I say they are so much more than glorified librarians.
Beecher is my new spirit animal. Meltzer really outdid himself with this character. Beecher gives me cute, nerdy, smart vibes with an all too caring heart. He's that guy friend that always wants the best for everyone but is also an introvert. And who can't forget the bad girl with too much spunk, Clementine? Her name is badass in itself.
Well, what I enjoy most about Meltzer's writing in The Inner Circle is how he intertwines history with fiction. The conspiracy theories are real with this one, or are they simple truths come to light? Secret agencies keeping hundred-year-old secrets, common people accidentally finding out said secrets, and foolishness and mayhem ensue. This book has it all action, mystery, romantic moments and more. I cannot wait to read book #2 in the series.
Beecher is my new spirit animal. Meltzer really outdid himself with this character. Beecher gives me cute, nerdy, smart vibes with an all too caring heart. He's that guy friend that always wants the best for everyone but is also an introvert. And who can't forget the bad girl with too much spunk, Clementine? Her name is badass in itself.
Well, what I enjoy most about Meltzer's writing in The Inner Circle is how he intertwines history with fiction. The conspiracy theories are real with this one, or are they simple truths come to light? Secret agencies keeping hundred-year-old secrets, common people accidentally finding out said secrets, and foolishness and mayhem ensue. This book has it all action, mystery, romantic moments and more. I cannot wait to read book #2 in the series.
I keep wanting to like Brad Meltzer's books. I've read a few. The premise, like in this one, sounds good and interesting. However, I find myself confused and not really engaged by the plot and the characters.
Certainly my favorite Meltzer book so far. The plot weaves along perfectly, and Meltzer is adapt at creating quirky characters that you care about. My only issue, as was the case with his previous books, is that at times the stakes don't "feel" high enough. And I say "feel" because the stakes are high, you just kind of lose the sense of them.
That said, Meltzer is a genius at blending fascinating bits of history within a thrilling story. Definitely a fun read.
That said, Meltzer is a genius at blending fascinating bits of history within a thrilling story. Definitely a fun read.