Review: 1. The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer...

The Inner Circle is my first Brad Meltzer, so I'm starting off the new year with a new author! Yay!

Title: The Inner Circle
Author: Brad Meltzer
ISBN-13: 9780446577892
ARC: 449 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Hachette Book Group

drey's thoughts:
This thriller got me interested when I found out the main character is an archivist. I mean, how cool is that? *grin* Anyway. Beecher White works at the Archives, and gets in way over his head one day while showing off for an old childhood crush who shows up out of the blue. (Moral of this story: don't show off for old childhood crushes...)

Next thing he knows, he's on the run with the girl and an old dictionary, and trying to stay one step ahead of their pursuers--difficult enough on a normal day, almost impossible when he doesn't even know who they are. Except that they may be working for the President of the United States...

Character: Beecher is an earnest hero. He tries to always do the right thing, and can't seem to not help out if asked. He's not the brightest, but eventually does put two and two together to get four--even if it is at gunpoint and the bad guys are staring him right in the face. Not your typical hero, but more of a nerdy-type-does-good kinda dude, which is alright in my book!

Pace & Plot: The story moves along quickly, and you're never bored or wondering "what on earth?". I felt that it got a bit convoluted in the middle--there was a lot of who-can-you-trust  (or not!) situations, and I didn't think Beecher was that dumb that he couldn't figure this out. But then again, he's not your typical hero, so maybe he did need the help?

drey's rating: 3/5 Good: Pick this up if you're a fan of the underdog-vs-powers-that-be thrillers.

2011 Challenge: New Author