The First Counsel

By: Brad Meltzer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Shadow is the Secret Service code name for First Daughter, Nora Hartson. And when Michael Garrick, a young White House lawyer, begins dating the irresistible Nora, he's instantly spellbound, just like everyone else in her world.

It's a world all of us have heard about but few of us really know. A world where power is an aphrodisiac, your father is the President, your close friends wear earpieces and carry guns, and everyone watches your every move.

Like most, Michael thinks he can handle the pressure. Until, while together late one night, he and Nora witness something they were never meant to see - and become ensnared in a secret scheme by a White House insider that includes betrayal and murder.

Suddenly, this young Washington power broker, who just yesterday was out on a dream date, finds himself trusting no one, not even Nora, in a battle to prove his innocence. It's a battle that will shake the walls of the Oval Office to their foundations - and may ultimately cost Michael Garrick his life.

©2001 by Forty-Four Steps, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (P)2001 Time Warner AudioBooks, A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing

Excellent Book

Slow to start, but picks up and keeps you guessing. Interesting to listen to and as always, Scott Brick does a wonderful job at narrating.

Audio Quality Poor

Any additional comments?

Audio quality made it difficult to listen to this book while driving. Normally I have no problem hearing every word from an audio book in my car, but this one had volume fluctuations from medium to very soft all within the same sentence. The story is ok, what I did hear kept me interested, although there were too many disjointed conversations. Between that and the volume fluctuations, they both made it difficult to follow to story at times.

Great book, excellent narration

I really enjoyed this book--it got me hooked on Brad Meltzer. And, as always, Scott Brick's narration was superb. Don't listen to the nay sayers... this one's a keeper.

Good basic thriller

Like most murder mysteries it takes a bit of suspension of reality to enjoy this book. But all in all a good read.

Story was good but seems to drag

It he story was good, and Scott Brick did as good as he could but the story just seemed to drag. I really could not put my finger on it but I found myself waiting for it o be over. If it had been a print book maybe it would have gone different. Didn't turn me off of the author but glad the book is over.

Much better than many reviews

This seems very similar to other Brad Meltzer books. There are more in depth characters, and the women tend to be villains, or not very nice. Some parts of the story touch on difficult or sensitive topics, but listing them would give away the plot. The actions scenes, like chases are too long. I drifted away from the story until people stopped chasing each other around. Narration was brilliant as usual.

Good Story But Needs to Be Recorded Again

What made the experience of listening to The First Counsel the most enjoyable?

This is a classic Brad Meltzer story with a nice mix of intrigue and history/politics (in this case: the Presidency and the White House).

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The story was a little slow at first and I found the two main characters to be very aggravating at times, but overall it was a good book and I enjoyed the ending.

Did Scott Brick do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

As always, Brick did a great job with all of the characters, but this book needs to be recorded again. You can tell the book is a patchwork of different recording sessions: the audio quality and volume level differs a few times throughout the audiobook. I had to turn my iPhone and car volume up really loud to be able to hear an important section of the end.

Good book!!

I like this book! I'm sure Brad Meltzer likely takes some liberties with life working in the White House. However, you get a good feel for what it might be like to work there. While the audio is long (14 hours), I was interested and always wanted to see what happens next. There were a few moments when the dialog got choppy and hard to follow but I chalked it up to fast talking between characters. (Remember, a few moments out of 14 hours.) I did not like the ending but a couple of my friends who have read the book said the ending "makes sense". I actually liked the narration although some of the reviews on this site make me wonder if I need to go back and listen again. To close, I give it 4 stars. Good story! Good dialog! Great setting! Better then ok narration.

Another great story by Brad Meltzer

Characters are well defined and the story is a roller coaster. I have always been impressed with Mr. Meltzer's writing. He melds fiction and history into a tight story with great characters. He did it again in The First Counsel.

I must do a special shout out for Mr. Meltzer's honest and accurate portrayal of a person with intellectual disabilities (ID). Even though this character was not a main focus of the story, he still developed the character as a real person and not a caricature. I have worked with people with ID for over twenty years and I get so angry at authors in both literature and television that have characters with ID appear either completely evil or hapless and helpless. Mr. Meltzer added a character who is a full person who happens to be ID. Thank you!

The First Counsel

Before I buy books from Audible I usually read the reviews to get a feel for the book. I didn't read them this time and I'm extreamly glad because if I had I would not have bought the book and, most of all, would have missed one of the best books I've listened to since I joined Audible.
Having been close to inner beltway trials and tribulations for many years, I found all the characters very believable and very easy to almost feel the sometimes intense emothion they display.
A great listen! I strongly suggest this title.