The First Gentleman: A Thriller

by James Patterson, Bill Clinton

480 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Ayrie Peddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reasonably interesting story. That being said - it didn’t suck me in, I found myself putting it down, picking it up again, putting it down , etc. It took me almost 2 weeks to read and a book this size would normally take me about 3 days. I figured out the “murderer” around page 80. The main protagonist was never introduced in her chapters and just used “I.” There were a slew of other characters required to tell the story. It was a large cast - occasionally hard to remember them all.
Overall, interesting read but not one of my favourites.

[Sydney Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of reminds you of scandal without Shonda Rhimes. Really good book!

[Robert Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very talented author. He has a gift for enthralling the reader.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars