The Patriots Club

by Christopher Reich

Thomas Bolden grew up on the streets, his childhood a blur of fragmented memories. But now he’s managed to put his past behind him, find the woman he wants to share his life with, and carve out a successful career on Wall Street. Until, in the blink of an eye, his world is turned upside down. A bizarre kidnapping sends him fleeing for his life, his face everywhere on the TV news, and a violent, shadowy organization is framing him for crimes he did not commit.

Desperately trying to get back to where he was just a day before, Bolden must re-learn the survival skills of his hardscrabble boyhood. But as Bolden–with just eleven dollars in his pocket and hunters all around him–survives one violent, harrowing hour after another, he makes a series of startling about a mysterious woman wanted for murder…about an astounding secret rooted in history, among the country’s Founding Fathers and families…about a conspiracy lurking in the darkest corners of corporate America–and a deadly plan that only he can stop. And in the process, maybe Bolden will also find out who he really is....

Furiously paced, filled with brilliantly drawn characters from politicians to patriots, from Wall Street players to battle-hardened cops, The Patriots Club is vintage brilliant, breathtaking, and impossible to put down until the final unforgettable page is turned.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Audiobook

560 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Christopher Reich was born in Tokyo. In 1965 his family moved to Los Angeles. He attended Georgetown University and the University of Texas and worked in Switzerland before returning to the United States to become an author. His novel The Patriots Club won the International Thriller Writers award for Best Novel in 2006. He lives in Encinitas, California.

Reviews

[3 no 7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Patriot’s Club” by Christopher Reich inserts United States history into a modern thriller. Thomas Bolden is kidnapped and assaulted after receiving an award for his philanthropic work. Bolden firmly believes that everything happens for a reason, and while he is wondering why this is happening to him, “they” know that sometimes the only way to get things done is to spill a little blood, and unfortunately, in this case it is Bolden’s.

Bolden’s life is upended by a "terrorist" group that has been around since 1776 dedicated to “the greater good.” He, it seems, is in the way and most likely a threat to the entire United States. He is determined to find out who is fabricating these threats to his very life. Everyone he encounters seems to have a secret past, and those “sins” of the past come screaming back creating chaos. All the while, the enemy, in the name of duty and honor to the country, watches. They spy; they report; they wait, and they wait for him.

Reich takes readers on a thrill ride driven by conspiracy and underground power. The action is nonstop, taking place over just the few days before the January 20th inauguration of a new president. With each new page, a fresh clue is dropped. The conspiracy is omnipresent, and the ending is a series of shocking events.

The Patriot’s Club was first published in 2006, and though much has changed since then, much has not. It leaves one wondering: what is the relationship between “Wall Street” and Washington, D.C. ?and more importantly, what should it be?

[Sharon :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It will hook you fast. Has some good twists and turns.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook

Interesting and enjoyable story. Well plotted with a likeable main character. Not really well developed characters but more like cutouts. Many times I will get an image of the main character in my mind (an actor, famous person or someone I know) but I didn't this time. We really don't get to know them very well. Yeah, a little back story helped but never really got into their heads like some novelists write. This is a fast-moving plot driven story that pushes action and intrigue. It's easy to listen to and stay involved in (audiobook version). Pretty transparent plot line though- it's easy to follow and the author lays out what is going to happen very plainly and in the open. No real surprises- other than WHO "Bobby Stilton" and the big bad guy "Pendleton" are. Nice twist at the end.

[Mike Tueros]

The Patriots Club certainly provided some excitement - and grabs you from the first chapter - but the 2 lead characters never seem plausible (I know it's fiction!) - and just didn't do enough to hold my interest. And a Patriots Club that has been around for hundreds of years pulling the strings of our government...?!?! Skip this...

[Robert Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story but far too many impossible to believe escapes from highly trained agents. As well as a highly trained sniper missing by a foot and only causing a minor wound??? The plot is good in the it describes the people with "old money" as having a sense of entitlement - the can do anything and get away with it....but this describes most democratic government leaders. Good but not great.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book until the last 100 pages or so. The ending wrapped up so neatly it was almost painful to read. I couldn't recommend it.

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dinspre East River bătea un vânt cald, care aduna de pe stradă praful și gunoaiele și le ridica în aer, într-un vârtej înecăcios. Înainte de a-și continua discuția, cei doi bărbați s-au întors cu spatele la vânt.

― Mergi prea departe, ca de obicei, spuse generalul. Trebuie să te liniștești. Firea ta colerică o să te omoare într-o bună zi.

― Nu prea cred, răspunse camaradul său, mai scund cu un cap. Uită-te în jurul tău. Țara se duce de râpă. Haite de tâlhari atacă tribunalele din Vest. Fermierii din Pennsylvania se luptă zi și noapte pentru scăderea taxelor lor, iar Regele Bumbacului din Sud nici nu vrea sa audă de noi. Suntem asupriți și dezbinați.

― Cu timpul, o să le rezolvăm plângerile.

― Cu timpul, republica va înceta să existe! Țara asta a devenit atât de mare, atât de felurită! Plimbă-te pe Broadway și o să auzi doar limbi străine ― germană, rusă, spaniolă. Oriunde te uiți, vezi numai imigranți, îți dau câte un dolar pentru fiecare vorbitor de engleză pe care poți să mi-l găsești.

― Îmi amintesc că și tu ești de peste ocean.

Bărbatul mai scund învățase de mult să ignore realitatea neplăcută a originii sale. Era de profesie avocat, bine făcut și îngrijit, cu un nas ca al unui senator roman și cu ochi de un albastru-deschis.

― Ne-am pierdut simțul răspunderii. Războiul ne-a unit, dar azi fiecare luptă pentru el. Eu n-am de gând să accept asta, mai ales după toate sacrificiile pe care le-am făcut. Avem nevoie de o mână de fier care să pună lucrurile la punct. O singură voce. O singură viziune.

― Vocea poporului ne va îndruma.

― Chiar asta e problema! Nu ne putem încrede în vox populi. Nu ne putem bizui pe voința plebei.

― Sunt americani! a protestat generalul.

― Exact ce spuneam, veni răspunsul, pe un ton dezgustat. Știi vreo adunătură mai gâlcevitoare?

Generalul a început să se plimbe în sus și-n jos, iar privirea lui a alunecat spre Wall Street și a coborât până la docurile care fremătau de activitate. În fiecare zi ancorau tot mai multe nave. Tot mai multe suflete coborau pe pasarelele corăbiilor și se grăbeau să populeze această țară fără granițe ― fiecare om cu obiceiurile lui, cu prejudecățile lui, cu tradițiile lui. Fiecare cu țelurile lui care erau, de obicei, egoiste. Ce altceva aduceau ei, dacă nu discordie?

[ER Bran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never heard of this author but now I am hooked, this was his first novel that was recognized and received accolades that were well deserved. The story starts slow with background interspersed in the story that deals with the US history and the creation of a masonic like club that was in place since the days of Washington and Hamilton who in fact were the first members of this exclusive club. Secrecy being a key component of these societies is important so when they suspected that a threat was looming the current club members agree to pursue the threat. Enter a successful financial broker on Wall Street being celebrated for his work with the NYC Boys Club and his long time girlfriend, who on the way home are accosted and Jenny winds up being nicked by a knife and Thomas Bolden runs off to get back the watch. When he catches up, he realizes too late that the mugging was a ruse that was used to get him alone, only when he is thrown into the car and winds up fighting off a merc that is wanting to murder him on the steel girders underestimates his resolve to survive and send them both over the side to land on the cargo net that is placed there for safety. From here the story meanders to a conclusion that no saw coming who is Bobby Stillman and what is CROWN, why will they kill Bolden and jenny. Read the book and enjoy a wonderful surprise.

[Rupesh Goenka · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Patriots Club by Christopher Reich is a good conspiracy historical thriller. Thomas Bolden, a successful investment broker on Wall Street is kidnapped. He decides to find out the person responsible for the attack on his life. The story-line centers on a "CLUB" which is present for last 200 years in the US, that works privately behind the scenes to run the government for their own selfish benefits relating to money. PAGE-TURNER.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent novel about a "club" of wealthy men who secretly control the USA beyond congressional authority, basically deciding for themselves (and their pocketbooks) what's best for the country. The club was originally formed during Washington's Presidency and continued thru modern times...the deep state about which so many conspiracy theorists often yammer. The very last few sentences were disappointing and made no sense in context.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this authors work. This may not be my favorite of his stories but the characters are will developed and generally believable. While this is somewhat dated by when it was written the violation of privacy theme has only become more prevalent as social media and other platforms i.e. search engines, etc. make it the new normal. I do recommend this book and others I have read.

[Fussnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely gripping. read it through packing up my apartment to move. will read whatever else he's written. refers to minutes on hidden meetings with George Washington and his cabinet, and other important governing American people to raise money for illegal actions unsanctioned by the American people. not sure how much is history how much fantasy, but it's great.

[Paquita Gabarró · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sí, diferente porque más bien trata temas financieros, Wall Street, las intrigas que se traen entre manos sociedades secretas, como El club de los patriotas, que es una asociación de éste tipo, y que son capaces de llegar a hacer lo que sea para que sus planes salgan bien. Lo recomiendo para entretener, y porqué no?, también para evadirte...

[Kodakjack · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Truthful?

This work has to be very close to a truthful scenario. The super rich have their way and the politicians are their pawns. Their version of what’s best for the country is what you get and there are no choices and they take no prisoners. This novel is enough to turn your stomach, but, I think it’s a glimpse into how things are done.

[sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book. The book held the usual cliches. For example, both Jenny and Bolden always questioning why the other wanted them to do something. If you supposedly love this person don’t you trust them enough to just do it?
I almost DNF but I was so annoyed at these two I stuck with it to see what would happen

[Alison Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a 3.75+*. I did enjoy this book, but I wasn't necessarily able to keep up with some of the government factions. Although that didn't really matter as I was still able to get the gist of it all.

[Monzenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I much prefer the books that are more directly related to finance. The finance angle is just secondary here, as this is basically a quasi-government / secret cabal plot more or less. And it's just okay as that.

[J.S. Reedholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun - good read

[Jerry King · Rating 4 out of 5]

2005

[Boris Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminiscent of DaVinci Code. Centuries-old conspiracy of The Establishment targets an investment-banker dweeb.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will appeal to conspiracy theorist. It has action galore and sympathetic good guys and really bad, bad guys. An entertaining read, that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars because this plot has been done before by several writers. Well written and paced but not new material.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Thomas Bolden has managed to carve out a successful career on Wall Street. Then a bizarre kidnapping sends him fleeing for his life.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reasonably new to Reich. Definitely enjoying his writing

[Mark Pierson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good first 2 acts but the wrapping up of the story was very quick and boring. It could have gone in so many other directions and was just a little bit too easy a climax.

[John Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

none very good

[Karen Suhorsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and hope to read more from this author.

[Curt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Reich doesn’t disappoint. Good book by a very good writer.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. It grabs at the very beggining and doesn't let you go till the last page.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read , I highly recommend…