What do you think?
Rate this book
Access To Power
Three weeks before a crucial senatorial election, a man is gunned down execution-style in a D.C. office. Police are quick to call it a case of robbery gone bad, but Frank Miles suspects something far more sinister behind the murder of his business partner.
Washington's most feared image maker, Frank's ruthless media manipulation has earned him countless admirers...and just as many enemies. Now, for the first time in his life, Frank's met his match in a shadowy schemer as clever as himself--but far more lethal.
As the body count rises, Frank becomes the U.S. Attorney's chief suspect--and a cunning killer's next target. From the underground tunnels networking Capitol Hill to the dome high above, his race for the truth--and his life--will bring him face-to-face with power at its deadliest extremes--where winning isn't everything...it's the only thing.
Washington's most feared image maker, Frank's ruthless media manipulation has earned him countless admirers...and just as many enemies. Now, for the first time in his life, Frank's met his match in a shadowy schemer as clever as himself--but far more lethal.
As the body count rises, Frank becomes the U.S. Attorney's chief suspect--and a cunning killer's next target. From the underground tunnels networking Capitol Hill to the dome high above, his race for the truth--and his life--will bring him face-to-face with power at its deadliest extremes--where winning isn't everything...it's the only thing.
367 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2001
390 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ellis
15 books198 followersRobert Ellis is the bestselling author of Access to Power and The Dead Room, as well as two critically acclaimed series--the Lena Gamble novels, City of Fire, The Lost Witness, and Murder Season, and the Detective Matt Jones Thriller Series, City of Echoes, The Love Killings, The Girl Buried in the Woods, and City of Stones.
Born in Philadelphia, Robert moved to Los Angeles and worked as a writer, producer, and director in film, television, and advertising. After ghostwriting the final draft of Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Robert wrote his first novel, Access to Power, a national bestseller. His books have been translated into more than ten languages and won praise from authors as diverse as Janet Evanovich and Michael Connelly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
September 13, 2012
While I usually really enjoy political thrillers, this one I just couldn't get into. Still on my Kindle, so maybe I'll revisit it and try again.
February 22, 2018
PROTAGONIST: Frank Miles, media consultant
SETTING: Washington, DC
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Frank Miles' partner in their media consultancy business, Woody, is murdered in their offices. The police chalk it up to a robbery gone bad, but it is really something much worse. Frank will resort to anything to support the political campaigns of his clients--fake news, dirty tricks and more. The character of the candidate doesn't matter in the least. When people aspire to higher office, the gloves are off. A well done political thriller that takes you behind the scenes of campaigning. What was amazing to me that although the book was written in 2001, it sounds exactly like what is going on in politics today.
SETTING: Washington, DC
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Frank Miles' partner in their media consultancy business, Woody, is murdered in their offices. The police chalk it up to a robbery gone bad, but it is really something much worse. Frank will resort to anything to support the political campaigns of his clients--fake news, dirty tricks and more. The character of the candidate doesn't matter in the least. When people aspire to higher office, the gloves are off. A well done political thriller that takes you behind the scenes of campaigning. What was amazing to me that although the book was written in 2001, it sounds exactly like what is going on in politics today.
August 27, 2014
Politics is something I follow on a daily basis, now more than ever as I watch our constitution be ripped to shreds. Because of 24 hour news coverage, we are now witness to the in's and outs of dirty politics non-stop. The result is desensitization. What used to be morally wrong or even criminal is now acceptable or worse politically correct. The goal for those aspiring to run our government is power, and they will do whatever it takes to get there. Lie, steal, sabotage, manipulate, or murder and then make you believe what they want you to believe. Ellis writes a real page turner that makes you want to scream at how easily voters are manipulated. He paints a vivid and dead-on accurate picture of our political system today, without ever naming sides. It was only after finishing the book that I realized I didn't know the political affiliation of the protagonist or anyone in the book and it didn't matter. The actions were universal. A great read. Thought provoking.
September 9, 2012
this is another that would have got three and a half stars not three, but not quite up to four.
I had read a Ellis book previously and enjoyed it a lot.
this one wasnt quite as good, I think some of that is due to the fact that I dont have a clue how the politics work in my own country, let alone anyone elses.
It was quite slow to start, or at least as they set up the case, with first few murders, and named all the clients and characters, I found it easy to put down and forget about.
When it came into the second half though, and Frank realised to some degree that it was his client that had paid for the murder, it got really gripping, with double crossing galore, and a few surprises along the way.
the odd red herring too, as I was convinced Linda was in on the plot too, which I've now just told you she wasnt.....
anyway, good book.....
I had read a Ellis book previously and enjoyed it a lot.
this one wasnt quite as good, I think some of that is due to the fact that I dont have a clue how the politics work in my own country, let alone anyone elses.
It was quite slow to start, or at least as they set up the case, with first few murders, and named all the clients and characters, I found it easy to put down and forget about.
When it came into the second half though, and Frank realised to some degree that it was his client that had paid for the murder, it got really gripping, with double crossing galore, and a few surprises along the way.
the odd red herring too, as I was convinced Linda was in on the plot too, which I've now just told you she wasnt.....
anyway, good book.....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2015
Power at it's deadliest.
D.C. thriller, window into the inner workings of campaigns, manipulative liars, media consultants, lobbies and special interest groups. This book makes Watergate just a basic training. All we can do just vote one of the lesser evils, and watch rich getting richer.
D.C. thriller, window into the inner workings of campaigns, manipulative liars, media consultants, lobbies and special interest groups. This book makes Watergate just a basic training. All we can do just vote one of the lesser evils, and watch rich getting richer.
September 6, 2018
I Was surprised how much I enjoyed this novel. I've not really time for Political Thrillers
( Can they compete with the real thing?) This one more than holds it's own. It's over 5 years
since I Read it, and yet I am still able to recall a lot of it.
When renowned image-maker Frank Miles is hired to wage a no-holds-barred advertising blitz for Mel Merdock, a senatorial candidate with deep pockets and few morals, Frank's primary concern is to win the race, even if his client isn't the best man for the job. Three weeks prior to election day, Frank's longtime business partner and friend, Woody, is murdered during what appears to be a botched robbery. Unable to shake the feeling that Woody's death was no accident and aware of the considerable enemies his sometimes sleazy media schemes have earned him, Frank does some investigating of his own and uncovers a shocking trail of corruption that leads all the way to the White House. Ellis writes in crisp, punchy prose, mirrored by the novel's short, sound bite–like chapters, which are skillfully woven to form an absorbing narrative. A side story involving a romance between Frank and an associate is a pleasing touch, and Ellis's painstaking attention to character development, pacing and detail will ensure that this hard-hitting debut will leave conspiracy buffs hungering for more.
( Can they compete with the real thing?) This one more than holds it's own. It's over 5 years
since I Read it, and yet I am still able to recall a lot of it.
When renowned image-maker Frank Miles is hired to wage a no-holds-barred advertising blitz for Mel Merdock, a senatorial candidate with deep pockets and few morals, Frank's primary concern is to win the race, even if his client isn't the best man for the job. Three weeks prior to election day, Frank's longtime business partner and friend, Woody, is murdered during what appears to be a botched robbery. Unable to shake the feeling that Woody's death was no accident and aware of the considerable enemies his sometimes sleazy media schemes have earned him, Frank does some investigating of his own and uncovers a shocking trail of corruption that leads all the way to the White House. Ellis writes in crisp, punchy prose, mirrored by the novel's short, sound bite–like chapters, which are skillfully woven to form an absorbing narrative. A side story involving a romance between Frank and an associate is a pleasing touch, and Ellis's painstaking attention to character development, pacing and detail will ensure that this hard-hitting debut will leave conspiracy buffs hungering for more.
March 20, 2017
This was a good political thriller with a solid plot line, and it would have rated 4 stars from me if the misogyny weren't so pervasive. I really don't need to know how voluptuous a woman's breasts are every new time she enters a room, nor do I need a detailed description of essentially how much whatever man is in the particular scene wants to bang the woman he's speaking with. It was very clear that, despite the intent of the author to make several of the women competent, intelligent professionals, he wasn't able to see them as people so much as sex objects. The last straw for me was when (very minor spoiler alert) Frank, the main character, was a fugitive and disgraced from his career, a senator's assistant who no longer showed a sexual interest in him was referred to as a "beltway bitch," someone who was only interested in him when he could help her scale the D.C. power ladder, with no consideration for the fact that perhaps power wasn't her issue, character was. I read a lot of political thrillers with sexist overtones, but have never been as bothered by it as I was in this book.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the producer for an unbiased review.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the producer for an unbiased review.
February 19, 2020
I Can’t Remember When I Read A More Poorly Written And Implausible Book!
I decided to read Robert Ellis’s first book, Access To Power, because of the many favorable reviews it received on Amazon and Goodreads and because its plot concept (that attempts to convey the superficiality and shrewdness of life on Capitol Hill) appealed to me.
Sad to say it was one of my worst reading experiences in many years.
Here’s why:
...The characters were poorly developed, one-dimensional stick figures that seriously lacked credibility;
...Ellis’s dialog and narrative skills were quite poor, bordering on amateurish; and
...Its action scenes, of which there were many, instead of being exciting were so implausible and far-fetched that my eyes haven’t as yet stopped rolling around in their sockets.
I could go on but why bother, as I think you get the sense by now that I found this book to be a major disappointment. My hope is that since it was written several years and was the author’s first book, his writing skills have considerably improved in the several books he’s written since Access To Power.
Will I ever decide to read another book by Robert Ellis? My answer is “never say never.”
I decided to read Robert Ellis’s first book, Access To Power, because of the many favorable reviews it received on Amazon and Goodreads and because its plot concept (that attempts to convey the superficiality and shrewdness of life on Capitol Hill) appealed to me.
Sad to say it was one of my worst reading experiences in many years.
Here’s why:
...The characters were poorly developed, one-dimensional stick figures that seriously lacked credibility;
...Ellis’s dialog and narrative skills were quite poor, bordering on amateurish; and
...Its action scenes, of which there were many, instead of being exciting were so implausible and far-fetched that my eyes haven’t as yet stopped rolling around in their sockets.
I could go on but why bother, as I think you get the sense by now that I found this book to be a major disappointment. My hope is that since it was written several years and was the author’s first book, his writing skills have considerably improved in the several books he’s written since Access To Power.
Will I ever decide to read another book by Robert Ellis? My answer is “never say never.”
May 17, 2019
Worth 10 stars!
I have read several of Robert Ellis' book now and they never disappoint!
ACCESS TO POWER is another great read and so relevant right now!
It's about a campaign manager and his team campaigning for a man who wants to be a U.S. Senator representing Virginia. The man and his wife are corrupt, the campaign manager discovers what's really going on and tries to stop the man from reaching his goal of Senator!
Throughout the story there is an Attorney General, a President, another campaign manager, and many other characters who play a huge part in this story!
It's a good verses evil kind of story that makes you root for the good guy even though you think it is impossible for him to come out on top!
I LOVED this book and encourage anyone who likes political thrillers to get this book immediately!
I will be reading this again and again and eagerly looking forward to more from Robert Ellis!
I have read several of Robert Ellis' book now and they never disappoint!
ACCESS TO POWER is another great read and so relevant right now!
It's about a campaign manager and his team campaigning for a man who wants to be a U.S. Senator representing Virginia. The man and his wife are corrupt, the campaign manager discovers what's really going on and tries to stop the man from reaching his goal of Senator!
Throughout the story there is an Attorney General, a President, another campaign manager, and many other characters who play a huge part in this story!
It's a good verses evil kind of story that makes you root for the good guy even though you think it is impossible for him to come out on top!
I LOVED this book and encourage anyone who likes political thrillers to get this book immediately!
I will be reading this again and again and eagerly looking forward to more from Robert Ellis!
January 14, 2018
I love this book! If you are one for thrillers, you will not be disappointed.
Robert Ellis paints such a visceral picture of his characters in action that you very soon forget that you are reading, and enter the adventure with him.
I hate giving away the plot, so try it for yourself. I read it straight through without pause.
Excellent!
Robert Ellis paints such a visceral picture of his characters in action that you very soon forget that you are reading, and enter the adventure with him.
I hate giving away the plot, so try it for yourself. I read it straight through without pause.
Excellent!
May 14, 2019
Another book I was glad to be finished with. I wanted to find out what would happen and how things would be resolved, but the journey to get there was full of disturbing discoveries, political corruption and murder. The resolution was better than I was thinking it would be, but I wish I hadn't started.
June 17, 2019
All bets are off
What a ride it was reading Access to Power. All the dirty tricks, the bribes, the lies, the scandals related to politics. Nothing is considered safe when power and money seem between reach. It's a rats eats rats world. Depressing but true in our real world. Politics corrupts everything and everybody it touches. Excellentstory plot. Thumbs up!
What a ride it was reading Access to Power. All the dirty tricks, the bribes, the lies, the scandals related to politics. Nothing is considered safe when power and money seem between reach. It's a rats eats rats world. Depressing but true in our real world. Politics corrupts everything and everybody it touches. Excellentstory plot. Thumbs up!
December 31, 2020
This is a new author that I discovered via kindle unlimited and I would recommend you give him a try.
I really enjoyed this book. Plenty of action and twists along the way. Nice short chapters so it’s easy to dip in when you’ve got a spare few minutes.
I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
I really enjoyed this book. Plenty of action and twists along the way. Nice short chapters so it’s easy to dip in when you’ve got a spare few minutes.
I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
September 23, 2022
Typical politician
This is the fifth book by Robert Ellis that I have read. Although different from the first four, it was still worth reading. The first four were about Detective Matt Jones and they were riveting. This particular story was totally different, but just as good. I have another two of his books to read, so I suppose I should start.
This is the fifth book by Robert Ellis that I have read. Although different from the first four, it was still worth reading. The first four were about Detective Matt Jones and they were riveting. This particular story was totally different, but just as good. I have another two of his books to read, so I suppose I should start.
February 8, 2017
Starts and stops
Fast paced in the beginning
Slows in the middle . Then makes your heart race the rest of the time. Dividing most of the time. A bit confusing at first with two characters having names sounding so similar. Randolph and Raymond.
Fast paced in the beginning
Slows in the middle . Then makes your heart race the rest of the time. Dividing most of the time. A bit confusing at first with two characters having names sounding so similar. Randolph and Raymond.
December 30, 2017
New Author Strikes Gold!
One word: WOW!!!!! As Hannibal said on the A-Team, I love it when a plan comes together! Riveting and spellbinding, I couldn't put it down. Going to definitely read more by Robert Ellis.
One word: WOW!!!!! As Hannibal said on the A-Team, I love it when a plan comes together! Riveting and spellbinding, I couldn't put it down. Going to definitely read more by Robert Ellis.
September 22, 2019
Exciting
A great storyline about the political system, with a strange twist.
Lot of action and fantastic insight into the behind the screen door btw of the corrupt political system of this nation. Truth or Fiction ?
A great storyline about the political system, with a strange twist.
Lot of action and fantastic insight into the behind the screen door btw of the corrupt political system of this nation. Truth or Fiction ?
November 26, 2019
Great read
Great read. This book was a page turner from page one. Will definitely read more by this author. Great storyline with plenty of twists. I would recommend this book as a quick and entertaining read.i
Great read. This book was a page turner from page one. Will definitely read more by this author. Great storyline with plenty of twists. I would recommend this book as a quick and entertaining read.i
February 2, 2020
Started this book once, but don’t remember anything
As I started this book again, I couldn’t imagine why i stopped. It was well written thriller I thoroughly enjoyed. Probably buying more this author’s novels in the future.
As I started this book again, I couldn’t imagine why i stopped. It was well written thriller I thoroughly enjoyed. Probably buying more this author’s novels in the future.
January 16, 2021
Media consultant works for a rich but not to smart client seeking a senate seat. His family and the president support his run. Things begin to turn dark...book sucks you in from the beginning and off you go on a terrific read
December 14, 2017
Keeps you guessing
Starts off slow and picks up speed. Couldn't wait to turn the page. Usually able to guess who did it but not this time!
Starts off slow and picks up speed. Couldn't wait to turn the page. Usually able to guess who did it but not this time!
April 17, 2018
Another thriller!
This is another thriller with great twists and turns all throughout that anyone can enjoy! I am very excited to start the Lena Gamble series.
This is another thriller with great twists and turns all throughout that anyone can enjoy! I am very excited to start the Lena Gamble series.
December 28, 2018
Slow startup but a good read.
May 16, 2019
Gripping
Political campaign argey-bargey as imagined, now articulated. First Roberta Ellis I've read; certainly won't be the last! Thoroughly engaging story.
Political campaign argey-bargey as imagined, now articulated. First Roberta Ellis I've read; certainly won't be the last! Thoroughly engaging story.
September 26, 2020
Kept me going throughout the book with a very exciting ending.
April 5, 2025
Not sure why I left this for last. An exciting and well written thriller.
June 11, 2013
Access to Power by Robert Ellis
Frank Miles ran a successful publicity agency specializing in political clients. It is a cutthroat business, and Frank knows how to make the business get results, no matter how he needs to do it.
Mel Merdock, from Texas, wants to be the next senator in Virginia. He is willing to move to Virginia in order to obtain his goal. As it turns out, Mel Merdock is willing to do far more than just relocate in order to get what he wants, but he is unwilling to tell Frank, or anyone else, the lengths he will go to.
Lou Kay, a Virginia resident, is running against Merdock, but without Merdock’s extraordinary financial resources. Merdock, on the other hand, has millions of dollars in Texas oil wealth at his disposal, and the blessing of the President, who achieved the Presidency using Frank Miles’ agency.
This all sounds quite ordinary, a bit sleazy and underhanded, and business as usual for political candidates. Frank Miles is unaware, however, that there are others in the Merdock camp who are willing to go to any lengths, much farther than Frank would ever consider. They would even commit murder to see that Merdock is presented in the best possible light.
In reality, the election has been fixed, without Frank’s knowing it. Once he realizes what is really going on, he finds that he cannot stop the power-hungry forces who have employed him.
If you enjoy political intrigue, you will love this book. It starts out a bit slow, and at first it’s hard to find someone to admire in this pool of corruption.
But as Frank’s choices become clear, and he must go against even his own company, I found this book very hard to put down.
I give this book five stars. Robert Ellis has earned every one of them.
Frank Miles ran a successful publicity agency specializing in political clients. It is a cutthroat business, and Frank knows how to make the business get results, no matter how he needs to do it.
Mel Merdock, from Texas, wants to be the next senator in Virginia. He is willing to move to Virginia in order to obtain his goal. As it turns out, Mel Merdock is willing to do far more than just relocate in order to get what he wants, but he is unwilling to tell Frank, or anyone else, the lengths he will go to.
Lou Kay, a Virginia resident, is running against Merdock, but without Merdock’s extraordinary financial resources. Merdock, on the other hand, has millions of dollars in Texas oil wealth at his disposal, and the blessing of the President, who achieved the Presidency using Frank Miles’ agency.
This all sounds quite ordinary, a bit sleazy and underhanded, and business as usual for political candidates. Frank Miles is unaware, however, that there are others in the Merdock camp who are willing to go to any lengths, much farther than Frank would ever consider. They would even commit murder to see that Merdock is presented in the best possible light.
In reality, the election has been fixed, without Frank’s knowing it. Once he realizes what is really going on, he finds that he cannot stop the power-hungry forces who have employed him.
If you enjoy political intrigue, you will love this book. It starts out a bit slow, and at first it’s hard to find someone to admire in this pool of corruption.
But as Frank’s choices become clear, and he must go against even his own company, I found this book very hard to put down.
I give this book five stars. Robert Ellis has earned every one of them.
December 17, 2020
I selected this book because, although written over ten years ago, its central critique of political spin doctors still resonates. It brings home the reality of the nasty ins and outs of the spin doctors' world, and is particularly riveting around this. The plot around the murderer's identity, and the interaction with the political and police states, works in the conspiracy vein, though some of the police procedure work isn't as strong as by other writers. Good pace throughout the book. Am glad that the main protagonist develops something of a conscience, as this gives the character more credibility and warmth than he would otherwise have.
I enjoyed this book, and am impressed given that it was the first book from this writer. When I selected it I noted that it was the first by this writer, and this first foray encourages me to look to read other books by this writer, whom I hope has developed and improved.
I enjoyed this book, and am impressed given that it was the first book from this writer. When I selected it I noted that it was the first by this writer, and this first foray encourages me to look to read other books by this writer, whom I hope has developed and improved.
August 20, 2016
Access to Power
After reading a couple of Ellis' recent releases, I looked for other books he's written and found this one. It is his debut novel, released in 2001. Any concerns I had about it being dated were quickly put to rest, however. This book is even more relevant now than when it was written fifteen years ago.
Frank Miles is a D.C. image maker at the top, a partner at Miles, Darrow & Associates, and he has the President as a friend and a client. He also has Mel Merdock, a wealthy Virginia based Senate candidate as a client, and he's losing. So Frank is reaching into his bag of dirty tricks to turn things around when his partner, Woody Darrow is murdered in his office. Evidence leads police to believe it is a robbery gone wrong. But Frank believes something else is in play. And the more he digs, the more he stands to loose in a complicated, deadly game of cat and mouse.
This is an excellent KU library read.
After reading a couple of Ellis' recent releases, I looked for other books he's written and found this one. It is his debut novel, released in 2001. Any concerns I had about it being dated were quickly put to rest, however. This book is even more relevant now than when it was written fifteen years ago.
Frank Miles is a D.C. image maker at the top, a partner at Miles, Darrow & Associates, and he has the President as a friend and a client. He also has Mel Merdock, a wealthy Virginia based Senate candidate as a client, and he's losing. So Frank is reaching into his bag of dirty tricks to turn things around when his partner, Woody Darrow is murdered in his office. Evidence leads police to believe it is a robbery gone wrong. But Frank believes something else is in play. And the more he digs, the more he stands to loose in a complicated, deadly game of cat and mouse.
This is an excellent KU library read.
April 25, 2013
This was probably a very accurate look into the grimy world of politics and the dirty tricks political agents get up to to get their man elected. It was well written and kept me guessing. My problem was that I couldn't really warm to the main character, a political agent who got as down and dirty as the rest of them.
By the time he found himself on the receiving end of some of the nasty stuff and was fighting for his reputation and even his life, he was having a crisis of conscience and I liked him a bit better. But by them it was too late. Besides, he left his dog alone all day! Can't forgive that.
Don't be put off by my lukewarm reception. It's well worth a read and kept me guessing. The ending was clever, too. I wonder how much of those political dirty tactics really go on. Okay, I'm not really that naive!
By the time he found himself on the receiving end of some of the nasty stuff and was fighting for his reputation and even his life, he was having a crisis of conscience and I liked him a bit better. But by them it was too late. Besides, he left his dog alone all day! Can't forgive that.
Don't be put off by my lukewarm reception. It's well worth a read and kept me guessing. The ending was clever, too. I wonder how much of those political dirty tactics really go on. Okay, I'm not really that naive!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews