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ABSOLUTE POWER DAVID BALDACCI Product Details * Pub. Date: October 2000 * Publisher: Grand Central Publishing * Format: Mass Market Paperback, * ISBN-13: 9780446603584 * ISBN: 0446603589 * Edition Number: 1 Synopsis In a heavily guarded mansion in a posh Virginia suburb, a man and a woman start to make love, trapping Luther Whitney, a career break-in artist, behind a secret wall. Then the passion turns deadly, and Luther is running into the night. Because what he has just seen is a brutal murder involving Alan Richmond, the president of the United States, the man with...Absolute Power. Annotation Set in Washington, D.C., this fascinating thriller of unparalleled suspense dares to explore an unthinkable abuse of power and criminal conspiracy--a vicious murder involving the president, his mistress, and a coverup orchestrated by his zealously loyal chief of staff and the Secret Service. Unbeknownst to the president and his lackeys, one unlikely witness saw everything. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman. Reviews Publishers Weekly Casting the president of the United States as a crazed villain isn't a new idea-Fletcher Knebel worked it 30 years ago, in Night of Camp David-but in this sizzler of a first novel, Baldacci, a D.C. attorney, proves that the premise still has long legs. The action begins when a grizzled professional cat burglar gets trapped inside the bedroom closet of one of the world's richest men, only to witness, through a one-way mirror, two Secret Service agents kill the billionaire's trampy young wife as she tries to fight off the drunken sexual advances of the nation's chief executive. Running for his life, but not before he picks up a bloodstained letter opener that puts the president at the scene of the crime, the burglar becomes the target of a clandestine manhunt orchestrated by leading members of the executive branch. Meanwhile, Jack Graham, once a public defender and now a high- powered corporate attorney, gets drawn into the case because the on-the- lam burglar just happens to be the father of his former finance, a crusading Virginia prosecutor. Embroidering the narrative through assorted plot whorls are the hero's broken romance; his conflict over selling out for financial success; the prosecutor's confused love-hate for her burglar father; the relentless investigation by a northern Virginia career cop; the dilemma of government agents trapped in a moral catch-22; the amoral ambitions of a sexy White House Chief of Staff; and the old burglar's determination to bring down the ruthless president. Meanwhile, lurking at the novel's center like a venomous spider is the sociopathic president. Baldacci doesn't peer too deeply into his characters' souls, and his prose is merely functional-in both respects, he's much closer to Grisham than to, say, Forsyth; but he's also a first-rate storyteller who grabs readers by their lapels right away and won't let go until they've finished his enthralling yarn. "plenty of danger and surprises.... Characters are complex and Unpredictable enough to be interesting." San lose mercury news "a suspense thriller that keeps you engaged." Denver post -intense, invigorating, thoroughly enjoyable. David baldacci is one of The best new writers on the fiction scene today. This is the one Absolutely must-be-read novel this year." -herald (ga) -a gripping, hard-to-put-down yarn.... Baldacci is a born storyteller." richmond times-dispatch "a first-novel blockbuster, absolute power is a fascinating suspense Story, entertainment at its best." if you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as "unsold and destroyed' to the publisher. In such case neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this 'stripped book." WARNER BOOKS EDITION Copyright 0 1996 by Columbus Rose, Ltd. All rights reserved. Cover design and illustration by Tony Greco Warner Books, Inc. 1271 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 Visit our Web site at http://pathfinder.com/twep Printed in the United States of America Originally Published in Hardcover by Warner Books. First International Paperback Printing: July, 1996 First U.S. Paperback Printing: November, 1996 Biography A Washington, D.C.-based lawyer-turned-author, David Baldacci writes legal thrillers that are as tightly constructed as they are authoritative. Readers know his books, with their cinematic plots and colorful details, are sure to offer the sort of breathless entertainment that thrillers always promise but can’t always deliver. DEDICATION To MICHELLE, my dearest friend, my loving wife, my partner in crime, without you this dream would have remained a feeble glint in a weary eye To MY MOTHER AND FATHER, no parents could have done any more To MY BROTHER AND SISTER, for putting up with a lot from their younger sibling and still always being there for me ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Jennifer Karas, for being a terrific friend and avid supporter and for getting the ball rolling way back when. Karen Spiegel, my biggest fan on the West Coast, may there be many huge movies and small statuettes in your future. Jim and Everne Spiegel, for all their support and encouragement. Aaron Priest, the man who plucked me from obscurity, my friend and agent for life, and a helluva nice guy on top of it. And his assistant, Lisa Vance, who diligently answers every one of my questions, no matter how off-the-wall. And to the Priest Agency's editor-in residence, Frances Jalet-Miller, whose insights and thoughtful comments made me dig deeper into my characters and made the book far better in the process. My editor, Maureen Egen, for making my freshman publication experience so painless and rewarding. And to Larry Kirshbaum, who saw something in the pages very late at night and changed my life forever. Steven Wilmsen, a fellow writer, who well knows how hard it is, and who fed me good advice and tons of encouragement all along the way. Thank you, my friend. Steve and Mary Jennings, for technical advice, legwork, and being the best friends anyone could hope for. Richard Marvin and Joe Barry, for technical advice on security systems. And to Art, Lynette, Ronni, Scott, and Randy for all their love and support. Here, the words really do fail me. 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely." -LORD ACTON ABSOLUTE POWER CHAPTERS CHAPTER ONE HE GRIPPED THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSELY AS THE CAR, ITS lights out, drifted slowly to a stop. A few last scraps of gravel kicked out of the tire treads and then silence enveloped him. He took a moment to adjust to the surroundings and then pulled out a pair of worn but still effective nightvision binoculars. The house slowly came into focus. He shifted easily, confidently in his seat. A duffel bag lay on the front seat beside him. The car's interior was faded but clean. The car was also stolen. And from a very unlikely source. A pair of miniature palm trees hung from the rearview mirror. He smiled grimly as he looked at them. Soon he might be going to the land of palms. Quiet, blue, see-through water, powdery salmon-colored sunsets and late mornings. He had to get out. It was time. For all the occasions he had said that to himself, this time he felt sure. Sixty-six years old, Luther Whitney was eligible to collect Social Security, and was a card-carrying member of AARP. David Baldacci - Absolute Power Page 1