Executive Privilege

By: Phillip Margolin

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Includes a teaser excerpt from Capitol Murder, the third book in the Washington Trilogy!

The first book in Phillip Margolin’s New York Times best-selling Washington Trilogy, a powerful tale of murder that snakes its way through Washington, D.C.'s halls of power, leading straight to the White House and the most powerful office on earth.

When private detective Dana Cutler is hired by an attorney with powerful political connections, the assignment seems simple enough: follow a pretty college student named Charlotte Walsh and report on where she goes and whom she sees. But then the unexpected happens. One night, Cutler follows Walsh to a secret meeting with Christopher Farrington, the president of the United States. The following morning, Walsh's dead body shows up and Cutler has to run for her life.

In Oregon, Brad Miller, a junior associate in a huge law firm is working on the appeal of a convicted serial killer. Clarence Little, now on death row, claims he was framed for the murder of a teenager who, at the time of her death, worked for the then governor, Christopher Farrington. Suddenly, a small-time private eye and a fledgling lawyer find themselves in possession of evidence that suggests that someone in the White House is a murderer. Their only problem? Staying alive long enough to prove it.

Executive Privilege, with its nonstop action, unforgettable characters, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, proves once again that Phillip Margolin—whose work has been hailed as "frighteningly plausible" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) and "twisted and brilliant" (Chicago Tribune)—belongs in the top echelon of thriller writers.

©2008 Phillip Margolin (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

No surprises, but enjoyable

Nothing exceptional, but a decent mystery with some thrills, even if it is a bit predictable.

A Truly Great Suspense Novel

This is going to be short, only because I wrote a long review that simply disappeared. I loved this book! It grabbed me from beginning to end.

There's been just a few books that have thrilled me like this. Absolute Power, Noble House. The Snowman. Like Baldacci's Absolute Power, it's the premise that makes this book so special.

Imagine a bright young associate for a prestigious law firm being giving a pro bono appeal of murder case. The convict is a famous serial killer who admits he is guilty of multiple murders, but one. It's assumed the court will simply reject his appeal. Only the killer has indisputable evidence he's innocent of this particular murder. If the associate follows through with the new evidence his career is threatened.

Great narration. Stellar novel.

Good weekend listen

Interesting characters and story line (although you do have to suspend your disbelief toward the end). Male narrator did a good job of switching between male and female voices.

First Margolin--will buy more!

If you could sum up Executive Privilege in three words, what would they be?

Better than anticipated.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dana, the private eye. The woman has ice water in her veins. After surviving horrific abuse as a result of an undercover cop assignment, she triumphed over her abusers but spent a year in a mental institution. She sure should have gotten a disability pension but instead is working as a P.I. She stumbles on a situation that puts her life on the line and ultimately risks herself again to ensure justice. What resilience! What a woman!

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Don't recall any other books he read. I thought he did a good job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Impossible. Too long. But very gripping.

Any additional comments?

Never read a Margolin book before but want to read more after this. The reason I didn't expect much was the premise of the book didn't seem to me to hold much promise: the President a suspect in a murder case? Would his lifetime Secret Service detail go to prison with him?! But the book was wonderful. A couple nits:The first quarter of the book (dialog) seemed a little bumpy - I was aware someone was reading somebody's writing to me--but after that I got totally immersed in the story. Technical details: I read a lot of books like Patricia Cornwell, and when the FBI agent noted there was no way to tell if a man was shot in Dana's apartment (as the neighbor claimed_ because somebody came & cleaned up the blood, I was dubious. Hasn't the FBI ever heard of a Luma Light?! I saw a TV show that claimed even cleanup w/bleach won't eliminate all indicatations of blood w/a Luma Light. I thought they'd have to basically REFINISH wooden floors to hide this blood evidence. Also, I thought the CIA, etc., would have enough connections to figure out who Dana's boyfriend was (from phone records) and get his vehicle's plate numbers. And they seemed pretty incompetent letting her get away from the restaurant. But these are plot/technical nits and what was great about the book were the characters, particularly Dana. I also loved Brad and GInny. Was SCREAMING for them to do this or that. Really got invested in these characters.

ok - not great

Any additional comments?

The story was kind of silly in re: the handling of the President and his reactions to things but overall this was an entertaining read (listen).

4 story 1 narrator

Truth and fiction mixed.
The unnecessary pauses sent me up the wall. Not sure I can do any more books with him narrating

I buy audio books to be entertained.

This book will not win any awards, but it did entertain me. It prompted me to get the next book in the series. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one. The narrator did an excellent job.

Entertaining enough

The narrator does not do the story any favors. His voice is too monotonous, his pauses too long.

The story itself is not great. A tad too unbelievable. A tad too predictable. A tad too "convenient" in terms of events happening right when they had to.

AND YET, I give it four stars. It kept me entertained to the end. Sometimes, that's exactly what you want.

This is my first Margolin book and I might give another a try.

"Executive Privilege"

The author keeps one in suspense throughout the novel with lots of twists and turns in this "who done it". I never read any of the author's other works as either a hard cover novel or audiobook but recommend this one. The book story flows very well.

Mediocre for Margolin - TERRIBLE Narrator

I'm a major Margolin fan, but this was far from his best work. In fact, I think it may be his weakest. I had the ending figured out less than halfway through. Characters not as developed as in his other books.

The worst thing: the narrator. Bad voices. Inconsistent voices. What really grated on my nerves, however, was his tendency to enunciate the words "a" and "the." So unnatural.