The Book of Fate by Brad MeltzerBlurb Written by Chris, Librarian at Bridgewater Library
There was an assassination attempt on the President; the attempt failed, but one of his oldest friends was killed in his stead, and one of his aides disfigured for life. Six years later, the aide is still working with the former president when he runs into the old friend who, as far as he knew, has been dead the whole time. When the aide tries to understand why, he reveals a secret of corruption that goes higher than anyone imagined. And the news is out that the would-be assassin is once again on the prowl... The book is a fast-pace thriller with a plot that constantly twists. The story is mostly told from the perspective of Wes, the scarred aide; alternate chapters (each about two or three pages) are told from that of other characters: mostly the Roman (one of the conspirators) and Nico (the assassin).
The huge Masonic subtext hinted at in the logo and on the book jacket seems more of an attempt to cash in on the WOO MASONIC CONSPIRACY readers that Dan Brown would sucker three years later; there is mention of the membership of some of the Founding Fathers and the planned geometry of DC, and Nico is portrayed with an obsession with the Masons being part of his overall full-guano insanity, but otherwise there is no real connection. The conspirators in the book are not related to the brotherhood; most of the book takes place in Palm Beach, not DC; and the political intrigue remains generally political.
It is far more well-written than Dan Brown's later book, although as mentioned, people looking for a THE MASONS CONTROL EVERYTHING will be disappointed. Read it for the suspense and political machinations instead.
