Time for another book review! Today I am reviewing The Candidate by Paul Harris for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The Candidate is a suspense novel centering around a man running for President. Jack Hodges is a decorated veteran who is virtually unknown as his campaign takes him to wintry Iowa and the Iowa caucuses. He is well behind the established favorite in the polls. The press barely notes his presence in the race. Yet his staff members fervently believe in him and his message. One night in Iowa, someone tries to assassinate Hodges. His heroic response to the shooting propels him on to the front page of every newspaper, every television network, every political blog. Suddenly he is surging in the polls and his charismatic message can finally be heard. The campaign is revitalized.
The shooter – a woman – is caught and in jail. She will not speak. No one knows why she attempted to murder Hodges.The campaign manager, Dee Babineaux, knows that they have to find out everything they can about the woman before the facts are uncovered by the media or the rival campaign staff. She gives the job to Mike Sweeney, a campaign staffer who is firmly committed to Hodge’s cause. The suspense builds as he attempts to uncover the truth in the midst of mounting political pressure, dirty campaign tactics and a race for the presidential nomination.
My review:
Paul Harris, the author of this novel, is a US Correspondent for The Observer and The Guardian (British newspapers) and has been writing about American politics for many years. He clearly knows his subject. This suspense novel is compelling and a great read. From the moment that shot rings out, the suspense builds as Sweeney tries to uncover the truth. All of this happens against the background of a national political campaign and we witness all the political maneuvering, strategizing and dirty politics that go into a campaign these days. I never reveal too much plot information but you can trust me when I say this is a compelling and suspenseful read.
Harris writes wonderfully detailed characters: Dee Babineaux, the seasoned and ruthless campaign manager; Sweeney, an idealistic campaign worker; Hodges, the charismatic candidate. The plot is intricate, the suspense real. I couldn’t put the book down.
I loved all the political intrigue, the details about how a campaign is waged, the background of the primaries. I’m fascinated by all of that and I bet many of you are, too. It raises compelling questions about truth, morality and the demands of a political campaign in this 21st century. This is the perfect time for this novel to be released. I recommend it highly.
About the Author:
Paul Harris is a US correspondent for The Observer, a British weekly that is the oldest Sunday newspaper in the world, and also its sister daily paper, The Guardian. He has been based in the US for the past nine years covering all aspects of American political and cultural life from Hollywood stars to Washington politics. He is currently covering his third presidential election having previously reported on George W. Bush versus John Kerry in 2004 and John McCain versus Barack Obama in 2008. His experiences covering these races, especially the epic battle between Obama and Hillary Clinton for the 2008 Democratic nomination, were the inspiration for The Candidate.
Prior to his posting in the US, Harris was a journalist based in Britain and Africa. He has covered wars and conflicts in Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, South Africa and Sierra Leone. His first novel, The Secret Keeper, was set in Sierra Leone against the backdrop of that country’s brutal civil war. He lives in New York (but fantasizes about living in France.)
I have a free copy of The Candidate for one of you lucky readers. Just leave a comment and I’ll pick a winner on Friday evening.
It’s been too hot to do much outside, so I have found the local library and I’m up to my neck in mysteries, just like when I was a child in the summer reading program. I’m ready some of my old favs and exploring new (new to me) authors. I’ll see if our library has this author.
Sounds like a good read Claudia.
This sounds like a great book. I love the high intrigue. Please count me in.
I have heard of this book..Sounds like it would hold my attention..It will be winter before I have time to read…!
I’m always looking for a new read! This one sounds good. Many thanks for the chance to win!
I love a good mystery, thank you for the offer. I hope everyone has a great day!
That sounds like a great read!
I really enjoy your book reviews, Claudia. You were spot on in your review of of Darkness All Around, in your comments about the dialogue and scenery. I’m a politics junkie, so this one is definitely going on my to-read list. Thanks!
Hi Claudia,
I was worried about you, and asked Meredith if you were okay. My blog has now shown that you have updated your blog for two weeks,. So I popped in today and see that you have indeed been updating, and for some reason my blog is not showing it. I am glad that you are doing okay. That was my main concern. Have you also changed to wordpress? Perhaps that is the problem, because I noticed when I went to comment, that the field for name and email was blank, as if I were a new commenter. Oh well…..so happy to see you are doing okay.
Hugs,
Kris
The same thing happened in my Blogger dashboard. I had to re-add the URL of this blog as I was missing notifications of posts, too. It was a relief to know that Claudia hadn’t de-blogged herself!
Claudia – Sounds good! Love your script headings.
Love,
Judy
I love mysteries and this certainly sounds interesting. Not to mention the subject matter is very timely!
Claudia this sounds like a really good book! I love political intrigue! Thanks for the chance to enter this book giveaway! hugs, Linda
What a timely topic for a novel. I love the idea that the assassination attempt propels him to the front pages – we are a sensational-driven nation and this is quite imaginable. What a great twist that the assassin is a female! Thanks for your review. Ann
I haven’t read a political thriller in ages…this sounds like a great one with a sidedish of mystery
oh how I would love to have this book. I commit no less than an hour a day to reading in the fall and winter, more if LIFE will allow it.
I spend my time working at home with my favorite political news channel as background music, from waking to sleeping, so this book would be perfect for me.
Thanks for the great review- not giving away too much of the plot- and a chance to win it.
Sonny
Hi Claudia! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. My mom is a total politics junkie and she’s reading it right now (loving it, too!) Thanks so much for being on the tour and sharing your thoughts on The Candidate with your readers.
Oh this sounds like a real good page turner! I need to see if our local library has it yet.
Just catching up on a few of my fave reads.
Thanks so much for the very kind review, Claudia. I feel you really got what I was trying to go for with the book. That is always incredibly gratifying to hear. bests, Paul Harris
I enjoy suspense/intrigue novels. This one sounds really interesting, especially appropriate for a major election year!