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The Next President
Joseph Flynn's critically acclaimed novel Digger was a People magazine Page-Turner of the Week and was hailed by The Denver Post as being "as clever as...any John Grisham work." Now, with The Next President , he has set a new benchmark for suspense. This is no simple cat-and-mouse story, but a nonstop thriller in which you'll never guess who's the cat and who's the mouse until the shattering conclusion.
J. D. Cade was trained to kill by his country. To kill without leaving the slightest suspicion as to who pulled the trigger. He did his duty and put the past behind him. Or so he thought. Now someone is blackmailing him to use his deadly skills one more time. Someone is using his only son as a pawn to force him to do what he swore he'd never do kill a human being. And this time the target is Franklin Delano Rawley-the first African-American on the verge of becoming the president of the United States.
As J. D. penetrates the inner circle of the Rawley campaign and gets to know the man he must kill, the more he realizes how difficult it will be to pull the trigger. But in order to spare Rawley's life while saving his own son, J. D. must somehow find out who is behind the conspiracy that could change the fate of a nation.
It won't be easy. J. D.'s every move is being watched by his blackmailer. He has already drawn the attention of a suspicious Secret Service agent. And he has met an old army "friend" working in the Rawley campaign. Just as troubling is J. D.'s attraction to Rawley's beautiful campaign manager. If J. D. does have to kill the candidate, he will have to betray her, too.
Time is running out. When J. D. finally pulls the trigger, who will live and who will die? Rawley? J. D.'s son? Or J. D. himself? And who will be the next president? You won't find out until the explosive conclusion of Joseph Flynn's totally unique thriller, one that defies you to guess the answers.
J. D. Cade was trained to kill by his country. To kill without leaving the slightest suspicion as to who pulled the trigger. He did his duty and put the past behind him. Or so he thought. Now someone is blackmailing him to use his deadly skills one more time. Someone is using his only son as a pawn to force him to do what he swore he'd never do kill a human being. And this time the target is Franklin Delano Rawley-the first African-American on the verge of becoming the president of the United States.
As J. D. penetrates the inner circle of the Rawley campaign and gets to know the man he must kill, the more he realizes how difficult it will be to pull the trigger. But in order to spare Rawley's life while saving his own son, J. D. must somehow find out who is behind the conspiracy that could change the fate of a nation.
It won't be easy. J. D.'s every move is being watched by his blackmailer. He has already drawn the attention of a suspicious Secret Service agent. And he has met an old army "friend" working in the Rawley campaign. Just as troubling is J. D.'s attraction to Rawley's beautiful campaign manager. If J. D. does have to kill the candidate, he will have to betray her, too.
Time is running out. When J. D. finally pulls the trigger, who will live and who will die? Rawley? J. D.'s son? Or J. D. himself? And who will be the next president? You won't find out until the explosive conclusion of Joseph Flynn's totally unique thriller, one that defies you to guess the answers.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2000
264 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Flynn
70 books198 followersJoseph Flynn has been published both traditionally — Signet Books, Bantam Books and Variance Publishing — and through his own imprint, Stray Dog Press, Inc. Both major media reviews and reader reviews have praised his work. Booklist said, “Flynn is an excellent storyteller.” The Chicago Tribune said, “Flynn [is] a master of high-octane plotting.” The most repeated reader comment is: Write faster, we want more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
September 17, 2024
A great fan of Joseph Flynn, I have enjoyed many of his past political books. This standalone intrigued me and I was pleased to finally get around to reading it. Flynn mixes the political realm he writes about regularly with the thrills of a killer whose target seems to be ascending the polls on his way to the White House. Offering a more personal view of a killer, Flynn weaves a story and keeps the reader in suspense throughout. A great story that held my attention until the final pages.
After an intense time in Vietnam, J.D. Cade is back stateside and no longer wants to be known as a ruthless killer, or even a keen sniper. He’s traded it all in for the quiet life and is happy to live it, though a decades-long blood feud with another family has him always watching his back. Nothing could push Cade back into the world of guns and killing, or so he thought.
As J.D. is living the quiet life, he is approached to kill again. The bait? His adult son, whose trajectory is looking promising, seems to be caught up in a murder investigation. J.D. must kill in order to keep his son out of jail, though the target is highly troubling; Franklin Delano Rawley, the first Black man running for president.
While he would do anything to protect his son, J.D. knows that this is not Vietnam and the kill order is much more impactful. Rawley is gaining momentum in the polls and the election is just around the corner. The blackmailer awaits results and is happy to pull the trigger on the younger Cade at any time.
After a few attempts already, the Secret Service is working to find out who is targeting Rawley, with a few suspects in mind. It will all come down to a battle with one’s conscience. J.D. must decide whose life means the most, and who is expendable. A decent Flynn novel that is sure to have the reader guessing until the very end.
Joseph Flynn has a knack for delivering a great political thriller with his Jim McGIll series. Flynn uses a strong narrative to guide the reader through the various twists the story presents. As the story gets more intense, the narrative speeds up and creates needed conflict. Characters add something else to the story, which creates a great flavour for the subject matter at hand. The reader is sure to find one or two characters with whom they connect, following them along the journey this book offers. A plot twist or two is key to keeping the story unpredictable and full of excitement. Political thrillers are usually jam-packed with action, this one being no exception. While all the ingredients were there, I found there were times at which Flynn seemed to have the story on auto-pilot, as I cold not connect with the needed intensity of the moment. A strong story that has a little something for everyone, allowing Flynn to impress me once again.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for your political presumptions and knowledge of the system at hand.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After an intense time in Vietnam, J.D. Cade is back stateside and no longer wants to be known as a ruthless killer, or even a keen sniper. He’s traded it all in for the quiet life and is happy to live it, though a decades-long blood feud with another family has him always watching his back. Nothing could push Cade back into the world of guns and killing, or so he thought.
As J.D. is living the quiet life, he is approached to kill again. The bait? His adult son, whose trajectory is looking promising, seems to be caught up in a murder investigation. J.D. must kill in order to keep his son out of jail, though the target is highly troubling; Franklin Delano Rawley, the first Black man running for president.
While he would do anything to protect his son, J.D. knows that this is not Vietnam and the kill order is much more impactful. Rawley is gaining momentum in the polls and the election is just around the corner. The blackmailer awaits results and is happy to pull the trigger on the younger Cade at any time.
After a few attempts already, the Secret Service is working to find out who is targeting Rawley, with a few suspects in mind. It will all come down to a battle with one’s conscience. J.D. must decide whose life means the most, and who is expendable. A decent Flynn novel that is sure to have the reader guessing until the very end.
Joseph Flynn has a knack for delivering a great political thriller with his Jim McGIll series. Flynn uses a strong narrative to guide the reader through the various twists the story presents. As the story gets more intense, the narrative speeds up and creates needed conflict. Characters add something else to the story, which creates a great flavour for the subject matter at hand. The reader is sure to find one or two characters with whom they connect, following them along the journey this book offers. A plot twist or two is key to keeping the story unpredictable and full of excitement. Political thrillers are usually jam-packed with action, this one being no exception. While all the ingredients were there, I found there were times at which Flynn seemed to have the story on auto-pilot, as I cold not connect with the needed intensity of the moment. A strong story that has a little something for everyone, allowing Flynn to impress me once again.
Kudos, Mr. Flynn, for your political presumptions and knowledge of the system at hand.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 11, 2014
Very enjoyable read. First time reading this author, but not my last!
November 12, 2022
An unputdownable thriller.
This is the first of Joe Flynn's books I have read, and I am impressed. The plot is first rate, the characters very well developed, the pacing is perfect, and the story line perfect. The only thing I did not like was the gratuitous use of the F word. I can understand it in some character dialogue, but the use outside of dialogue is excessive and unnecessary. To me, it detracts from the otherwise excellent writing.
This is the first of Joe Flynn's books I have read, and I am impressed. The plot is first rate, the characters very well developed, the pacing is perfect, and the story line perfect. The only thing I did not like was the gratuitous use of the F word. I can understand it in some character dialogue, but the use outside of dialogue is excessive and unnecessary. To me, it detracts from the otherwise excellent writing.
July 10, 2017
One of my friends left this book on my desk at the library with a note, "it's not due back until the 26th." I took that as a hint she really liked it. I would never have picked this up by myself unless I was looking to see if the library should buy more by this Flynn. We should.
This was a real page-turner with the story told from several empathetic if not fully developed characters. The suspense was not just in who was the master criminal, but also in whether the good guy would actually try to kill the "Next President." Lots of twists, turns, complicated ways of escape. The final reveal of who was behind the evil was "overkill." There were enough bad guys already.
Give to adrenaline junkies everywhere.
This was a real page-turner with the story told from several empathetic if not fully developed characters. The suspense was not just in who was the master criminal, but also in whether the good guy would actually try to kill the "Next President." Lots of twists, turns, complicated ways of escape. The final reveal of who was behind the evil was "overkill." There were enough bad guys already.
Give to adrenaline junkies everywhere.
August 22, 2024
Great Book.
Reading this book with the 2024 elections coming up really put a different look into the story. The author did his usual good job putting the story line in with a great flow that made you want more with no end to the book. All characters were great, whether they were good or bad. The author gives a great description of what is going on in the story and within the characters mind. Mr. Flynn always puts a great book together. Read and enjoy.
Reading this book with the 2024 elections coming up really put a different look into the story. The author did his usual good job putting the story line in with a great flow that made you want more with no end to the book. All characters were great, whether they were good or bad. The author gives a great description of what is going on in the story and within the characters mind. Mr. Flynn always puts a great book together. Read and enjoy.
May 31, 2019
Outstanding
This one was hit out of the park. Couldn’t figure out where it was going next but it was fun trying to guess where it was heading. The characters were interesting and some were oh so macho, but not in a good way. If I wasn’t already a fan of this author I would shout “I am now a fan.”
This one was hit out of the park. Couldn’t figure out where it was going next but it was fun trying to guess where it was heading. The characters were interesting and some were oh so macho, but not in a good way. If I wasn’t already a fan of this author I would shout “I am now a fan.”
November 1, 2022
What a gripping story!
So many parts interwoven into a brilliant masterpiece. A former snipper is forced into trying to kill the Presidential hopeful a good man who is trying to become the first black President. A family feud is involved which is the source of some blackmail used by several of the people trying to control the future of America.
So many parts interwoven into a brilliant masterpiece. A former snipper is forced into trying to kill the Presidential hopeful a good man who is trying to become the first black President. A family feud is involved which is the source of some blackmail used by several of the people trying to control the future of America.
September 1, 2024
Totally Riveting
From the first page on this book commanded attention! Impossible to put down! Such good people and such bad ones kept the reader wanting justice and wanting all to be good! Nothing revealed and really only one kind of sad part. Published a few years ago but highly recommend reading!
From the first page on this book commanded attention! Impossible to put down! Such good people and such bad ones kept the reader wanting justice and wanting all to be good! Nothing revealed and really only one kind of sad part. Published a few years ago but highly recommend reading!
November 21, 2017
The next shot is from who and where
Excellent story. I really liked how the different family scenarios and plots tied in together. It is a great read hard to put the book down . It would make a good if not an excellent tv series.
Excellent story. I really liked how the different family scenarios and plots tied in together. It is a great read hard to put the book down . It would make a good if not an excellent tv series.
March 10, 2018
Truly tension filled
This book kept me on pins and needles to the very end! I was truly surprised at every new twist. I love the way Flynn writes. His characters are fleshed out and draw you in to wanting to know about them. Loved this book!
This book kept me on pins and needles to the very end! I was truly surprised at every new twist. I love the way Flynn writes. His characters are fleshed out and draw you in to wanting to know about them. Loved this book!
July 6, 2021
Review of The Next President
Mr. Flynn is a master storyteller. This book written 8 years before Obama became POTUS was amazing. There are many different storylines tha the author manages to connect and make for a very interesting and exciting ending.
.
Mr. Flynn is a master storyteller. This book written 8 years before Obama became POTUS was amazing. There are many different storylines tha the author manages to connect and make for a very interesting and exciting ending.
.
November 16, 2022
Every story gets better
The author spins stories that keep you turning page after page. Every book I have read are engaging, accurate and woven with believable plots and characters that keep you coming back for the next one.
The author spins stories that keep you turning page after page. Every book I have read are engaging, accurate and woven with believable plots and characters that keep you coming back for the next one.
August 22, 2024
Loved this story. Lots of suspense, very difficult to predict who the "bad" guys were because they kept changing for me. I think that Flynn has done a great job of putting the story together with lots of detail and lots of action. I'll read more of his work.
September 6, 2024
Flynn is as good as it gets.
Loved every bit of this read. There were more twists than I can remember in any book. The characters were outstanding and plentiful. They were also very odd/different.
Loved every bit of this read. There were more twists than I can remember in any book. The characters were outstanding and plentiful. They were also very odd/different.
September 5, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
November 6, 2017
What a book
From first page to last this book grabbed you. Plan on finishing up on one setting its that good.I highly recommend it .
From first page to last this book grabbed you. Plan on finishing up on one setting its that good.I highly recommend it .
February 10, 2018
Worth the read
It was a slow start and a little hard for me to keep all the characters straight at times, but it finished strong and I didn’t see the head bad guy coming.
It was a slow start and a little hard for me to keep all the characters straight at times, but it finished strong and I didn’t see the head bad guy coming.
October 21, 2018
Maybe a little too close to current political antics? Good read. I enjoy Joseph Flynn novels.
April 7, 2019
Really liked it
Had the most amazing characters in it. You were never really sure who was good and who was bad. I recommend you read this one
Had the most amazing characters in it. You were never really sure who was good and who was bad. I recommend you read this one
November 1, 2019
Enjoyed very much.
A hard to put down book
A hard to put down book
December 30, 2019
Awesome read!
October 2, 2020
Fair book. Some implausible moments but good character development and a few plot twists. Not my favorite but might be willing to give Mr. Flynn another try.
December 6, 2021
Ok read. Not the best writing. Long on plot, short on character development and theme.
January 26, 2022
a good read
Picked this up one afternoon and put it down only to perform life’s necessities. A bit too long, but a good story arc and satisfying conclusion
Picked this up one afternoon and put it down only to perform life’s necessities. A bit too long, but a good story arc and satisfying conclusion
October 29, 2022
Bravo!
Totally gripping from go to woe. Couldn't put it down. Hope to read more from this author ... if my heart can take it!
Totally gripping from go to woe. Couldn't put it down. Hope to read more from this author ... if my heart can take it!
September 11, 2023
Fantastic book that really keeps your interest. Wonderful characters
November 4, 2023
Absolutely amazing!
January 18, 2024
Once more
Once more an amazing read from Joe Flynn.
So Intricate and so many moving parts er stories in one book.
Don't miss any of his books if you can help it!!
Once more an amazing read from Joe Flynn.
So Intricate and so many moving parts er stories in one book.
Don't miss any of his books if you can help it!!
October 26, 2021
Another winner
Wonderful tale! This author spins his story like no other! I love reading anything written by Mr. Flynn. Take a chance.
Wonderful tale! This author spins his story like no other! I love reading anything written by Mr. Flynn. Take a chance.
September 18, 2024
Couldn't finish it. I don't like the protagonist planning to murder an innocent person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews