The First Counsel

by Brad Meltzer

JFK Jr. was Lark. Amy Carter was Dynamo. Chelsea Clinton was Energy. Meet Shadow. "Shadow" is the Secret Service codename for the First Daughter, Nora Hartson. And when she starts dating young White House lawyer Michael Garrick, he starts feeling like the First Counsel. That's what happens to everyone who lives in her world. It's a world all of us have heard about, but none of us truly know - a world where your dad's the President, your close friends wear earpieces and carry guns and a world where everyone is watching. On a date, Nora and Michael see something they shouldn't. To protect her, he admits to something he shouldn't. And when the problem snowballs out of control, she may have to do something she shouldn't. The First Counsel. The President's Daughter. You've never dated anyone like this.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Legal Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Legal

608 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2001

About the author

Brad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and eleven other bestselling thrillers. He also writes non-fiction books like The JFK Conspiracy, about a secret plot to kill JFK before he was sworn in – and the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series, which he does with Chris Eliopoulos and inspired the PBS KIDS TV show, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. His newest kids books are We are the Beatles, We are the Beatles, and I am Simone Biles. His newest inspirational book is Make Magic, based on his viral commencement address.

In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (The Nazi Conspiracy), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.

He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, and is responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Meltzer unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors.

He also recently delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan, in front of 70,000 people, including his graduating son. Entitled Make Magic and called “one of the best commencement addresses of all time,” it’s been shared millions of times across social media. Do yourself a favor, watch it here and buy the book here.

For sure, it’s tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.

His newest thriller, The Lightning Rod, brings back characters Nola and Zig in a setting that will blow your mind (you won't believe where the government let Brad go). For now, we'll say this: What's the one secret no one knows about you? It's about to come out. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Raves by everyone from the Wall Street Journal, to James Patterson, to Brad's mother-in-law. Plus that twist at the end! And yes, the new Zig & Nola thriller is coming soon!

His newest non-fiction book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy -- and Why It Failed, which he wrote with Josh Mensch, is a true story about a secret assassination plot to kill JFK at the start of his Presidency and, if successful, would’ve changed history.

His illustrated children’s books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln, which he does with artist Chris Eliopoulos, were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won’t believe how inspired you and your family will be. Some of our favorites in the series are I am Mister Rogers and I am Dolly Parton.

His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes – from Jim Henson to Sally Ride — that he’s been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.

He’s also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.

Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. The Tenth Justice was his first published work and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Dead Even followed a year later and also hit the New York Times bestseller list, as have all thirteen of his novels. The First Counsel came next, which was about a White House lawyer dating the President’s daughter, then The Millionaires, which was about two brothers who

Reviews

[Juli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying right now, I absolutely disliked this book. & the only reason why I finished the book was because I sincerely wanted to know who the bad guy was.

For a good 75% of the book, there is nothing but Michael shouting at Nora not to lie to him, Michael shouting to Trey not to lie to him, or Michael shouting to Pam not to lie to him. Honestly… I’ve never, NEVER, read so much shouting back & forth in a novel, to no end.

Further, Nora’s erratic & bizarre behavior is just exhausting. It was intriguing at first, but after several incidents of what I would consider Bi-Polar reckless behavior. But, after a while, it simply got old & tired & annoying.

The only good thing I could find with the novel is that I couldn’t figure out the ending.

It only gets 2 stars, I just thought it was going to be better and I thought that it could have been better.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book a lot more. There were so many potentially good elements but at the end they just didn't come together. Plus, just some unsavory elements that turned me off from start to finish like the crazy character who's really crazy (with good reason as explained in the end), the one key piece of evidence that was introduced at the beginning of the story and which does not make an appearance until the very end (okay, there was one brief mention about halfway through but that didn't go anywhere) and the protagonist who's written as a very intelligent guy but who makes dumb decision after dumb decision. Overall, a decent read but definitely not a captivating page turner.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meltzer writes a good thriller, but has a repetitive theme-- hapless guy gets blamed for something he did or didn't do-- runs from F.B.I. or Secret Service, etc.

In this case, the hero works in the legal department for the White house and is dating the first daughter. Out one night, he sees his boss in a compromising situation-- and from there-- he is slipping and sliding into a plot that is not of his making. Is the first daughter really the basket case she pretends to be or is she in on the plot?

This one is a page turner, but doesn't really have a lot of satisfaction to offer when it reaches the climax. The conclusion is really mediocre and left me feeling like I wasted my time to get to the end.

It wasn't really, really, bad.. but then it wasn't very good either. I won't give up on Meltzer, but I hope the next one I read is better.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read! Pure escape. Fast paced, suspenseful, the author is compared to John Grisham in the critiques. It's the story of a young lawyer working as legal counsel for the President of the United States. He starts dating the President's lively daughter and...I really can't give any more away. FYI - 10-15 F-words, and a few references of a sexual nature. If you don't mind that, it was lots of fun.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a slow moving, at times irritating, mystery novel set in the White House, going into a presidential election with the president struggling at the polls. The mystery whirls around a lawyer and others in the White House Counsel's office, the president's daughter, murder and blackmail. All the elements to make a good mystery novel, but it doesn't work well here. The lawyer protagonist often behaves contrary to a what a lawyer would do, his actions increase his suspect role, he quickly flies off the handle and panics. The end also leave a little to be desired as it leaves a few things hanging.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I consider myself fortunate to only have suffered through the abridged version of this story that features an acid roofie of all things. 2 of 10 stars

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love to read fast-paced mysteries about Washington, especially those people who live in the White House, The First Counsel is probably a perfect fit for you. It starts with a White House lawyer on a date with the First Daughter. She's a bit wild, unpredictable and always challenging, but for Michael Garrick, she proves irresistible. And soon Nora Hartson has him walking into a gay bar where they see something that don't really understand or comprehend. And it will forever change their lives.

Because there is not much you, as a member of the first family — or a member of the White House staff— can do that isn't seen, recorded and filed away. Should Garrick be frustrated by the 22-year-old presidential daughter, believe the rumors that she is on drugs or feel sorry for someone who is always in the spotlight? Garrick sees it all first hand — and discovers what it is like to be under the microscope. And suddenly finds all of it is tightening a noose around his neck. Soon he begins to question why is all this happening, can he trust his friends, his boss ... or Nora?

Great writing, great story pacing, even if I didn't really like the main characters. This is one hell of an exciting mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you riveted to this story.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written book by Meltzer and the first book I read by him. It was a fast paced book and got me interested in the book right away. The idea of a young lawyer dating the President's daughter was interesting. I was surprised at the ending, hope you will be too.

[Marc de Brujo de Pronosticador Deportivo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author, I have read several of his books, which is why I grabbed this one. Usually like most books of this genre the plots and action is relatively the same, hero does his thing then gets in trouble then the conclusion , this one is no different. Meltzer in this one succeeds to create an enjoyable and stimulating book. He does a different take on the White House bringing in elements from his day as well as new features we didnt know about. His characters are well done, deep and very believable, some you may know and others you could see holding office. I was truly floored by the storyline and ending, it was not what I expected in its 400+ pages. The things that resonated most was honor and how far you would go for it and to keep it matched with family and what you would do to protect it. A really great lawyer story!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Garrick, a mid-western State school graduate, felt a tad out of sync with the Harvard/Yale graduates who populate the Legal Department of the White House and like a fish out of water when First Daughter, Nora Hartson, decides to date him. Nora's world is populated by people with earpieces and guns, the press, and those who want something from her. Secret agendas, blood and bodies, blackmail, threats and lies, Michael is on a roller coaster ride and doesn't know who to trust or what to believe and a mistake would cost his job and could cost his life. I enjoyed the glimpses into that white building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the daily politics and paranoia and know I'd never want to work under that much pressure.

[Gulshan B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't make myself go past the first few chapters. while the premise is good, and the plot looked interesting, the way the author handles the scenes in the book reminds me of those "simplified and abridged" texts from high school. consider this - when Michael is entering the White H for the first time, him describing the security number pad is probably OK, but his description of the walkway and the turnstile, his banal conversation with the elevator SS guy - none of that adds to the story, or his character depiction. also, found his and Nora's interaction equally teenager-ish. this guy is Counsel to the PotUS!?!

this is my third book from Brad M. all unsatisfying; can't say there's much reason to try another.

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found "The First Counsel" interesting enough to allow me finish it and find out who was the "bad guy", but all along the way I found myself distracted by the fact that the characters, their behavior, and the dialog was unrealistic. None of the characters were believable, and I was totally unsympathetic to their ongoing difficulties. If it wasn't for the fact that I have somewhat of a stubborn streak, and wanted to finish what I started, this was the kind of book I could have easily simply put aside half way through and never pick it up again.
And any comparison of Michael Garrick, the lawyer in this book, to the lawyers in any of John Grisham's books is limited to the fact that they may both be practicing attorneys. But this book had little or nothing to do with being a lawyer, and as a character, Michael Garrick was most unlawyerly.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. However, the "love" that Michael feels for Nora is pretty unbelievable - she's nothing but obnoxious and I can't imagine that Michael really felt anything but fascination with her. The end was ridiculously overdone with the drama - something I didn't like in Meltzer's first book, either. Nevertheless, it was a fun read.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so good as expected. Or I am not in the right mood to read this book. Or perhaps I am reading too many classical books.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This was a white knuckle ride for me. Late nights of reading..... I think I need a calmer book, which is what I normally read, but sometimes you gotta shake things up a bit ;-)

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Fascinating and scary at the same time - the FBI can make or break you. I look forward to reading other books by Brad Meltzer.

[msleighm]

Audiobook.

DNF

[Ithlilian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to give this book three stars, but I found myself skipping pages towards the end just to finish this and see what happens. Our main character falls for the reckless daughter of the president, she gets him into a bit of trouble and is generally bad for him, but he doesn't seem to care about that. They come across a secret and spend the entire novel trying to figure out how to fix the predicament it put them in. That's basically it, and my disinterest in the characters coupled with the shallow plot made this tough for me to finish. I hoped the main character would get caught, since it would serve him right, and I hoped the president's daughter would overdose or get outed for the crazy person she is. I don't think the author intended for us to feel that way, so that disconnect probably contributed heavily to my dislike for this book. I may give Meltzer's earlier books another chance, since I have liked all the others I've read, and I will chalk this one up to characters that didn't connect with me.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Michael Garrick, a junior atty. in White House counsel's office, is the main character. A self-described 'Boy Scout," Garrick starts dating First Daughter, Nora Hartson, which is where the adventure also begins.

This falls into the category of mystery in which the central detective is not a detective by trade.

This is a thriller that takes place mainly in the workplace -- where the usual principles apply (rivalry, alliances, turfdom, rank). Because it's the White House, though, everything is amped up.

An interesting twist -- Garrick has a low I.Q. father who resides in a facility since he can't live independently (without being taken advantage of).

The "mother" of all twists, though, Nora Hartson turns out to be under the sway of an individual that the author has set us up to least suspect -- i.e., a key advisor to the president, with a friendship that dates back to the men's high school years.


Wish Nora hadn't ended up dead.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Michael Garrick
SETTING: Washington, DC
RATING: 3.0
WHY: Michael Garrick is an attorney in the White House's legal office and has just begun dating the President's daughter, Nora Hartson. They follow Michael's boss as he leaves a gay bar and deposits a large sum of money at a remote drop. Nora foolishly steals $10,000 from the stash which is ultimately found by the police in Michael's car. When the head of ethics is murdered, Michael is the prime suspect. The characters in this are unbelievable. Nora is a complete loose cannon, manipulative and spoiled. Somehow, Michael believes in her, despite her bizarre behavior. The only thing that kept me going with the book is that I was interested in seeing how Michael would get out of being set up and the portrayal of his mentally retarded father. At 479 pages, it was not worth the effort.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think anyone is quite as good as Brad Meltzer at writing the kind of paranoid thrillers that make one feel almost as anxious as the characters who are undergoing the ordeals he concocts for them. I almost suffered through this book! The solution to who was making the main character's life so difficult was a real surprise (although it did occur to me that that was a possibility, though not the motivation).

[Jeff Swystun · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel starts with quotes from real daughters of US presidents. It instantly reminds and informs the reader of how trying it would be to grow up in the White House. This is a story of blackmail where a handful of characters are suggested to be the perpetrator. The plot does not hold up unfortunately and resolution particularly disappoints.

[Kenny Turpen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an action packed story.

[Di Richardson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really should have DNF’d this book, as it annoyed me from the very beginning. But since I bought it instead of getting it from the library, I kept hoping it would get better. But it was just stupid. The premise is that one of the President’s top employees gets murdered, and Michael, a White House Attorney, is being set up to take the fall. Michael is also dating Nora, the President’s daughter. one minute he things she is the greatest thing since sliced bread, the next he thinks she is the one setting him up. This goes on over and over, and most of the book is them having their ridiculous fights and then making up, Totally unbelievable characters, totally unbelievable relationships, just...yuck!

[Cj Zawacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Meltzer's, The First Counsel, takes the reader on a look into the politics of the White House intrigue. While dating the daughter of the president, a young White House staffer is set up to be marked as the killer of an important counsel. Meltzer is one of the exciting authors to read.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a very exciting, fast paced read. There were lots of twists in it and I'll admit I did not see who the guilty one till the very end when it was revealed. Maybe you can. Highly recommended.

[Leilani Hardee Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I finished this book, pure stubbornness I suppose. I wanted to know what happened so badly, but it was such a let down. The only likeable character was Michael's dad. Nora - don't even get me started. Ugh.

[Remo · Rating 2 out of 5]

En cuanto a planteamiento y argumento, es del montón. En cuanto a ejecución y diálogos, mediocre. El resultado es una novela que me cansó en algún momento, me aburrió en otro, y me decepcionó cuando al final todo se supo. No es para mí.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the library basically closed for who knows how long, I have been reading some of my backlog!

[All Mota · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es un buen thriller, aumenta la velocidad cuando es necesario y no resulta nada pesado.

Pero me parece tan banal, y tan simplista, o sea, y eso que el plot es tremendamente exagerado, el protagonista sale con la hija del presidente de Estados Unidos, y en realidad, eso, hasta un punto, se vuelve creíble, incluso poco emocionante, monótono, es un tema que se repite, y entiendo la importancia, pero te recuerda a cada rato que ESTA SALIENDO CON LA HIJA DEL PRESIDENTE.

Los personajes me resultaron un poco planos, casi caricaturas, la historia en sí es el foco principal, y está bien contada, simple, rápidamente, el lenguaje es también simple y nada elaborado, no lo encontré ni un poco hermoso, o sea no señale nada, cosa que es super rara, pero sí cumple con su premisa de develar un montón de secretos constantemente, y la duda sí crece mientras se desarrolla la historia, hasta el final no pude ver que tanto era realmente lo que envolvía todo, so eso es muy bueno pues es lo que quiere el escritor, pero es otra lectura de aeropuerto, fáciles y olvidables.

Btw, Nora siempre me cayó mal y la todo el tema de la salud mental en el libro está tan mal desarrollado que me da cringe pensar en eso.