The Hellfire Club (Charlie and Margaret Marder Mystery, 1)

The debut political thriller from Jake Tapper, CNN's chief Washington correspondent and the New York Times bestselling author of *The Outpost ***-- 1950's D.C. intrigue about a secret society and a young Congressman in its grip * Charlie Marder is an unlikely Congressman. Thrust into office by his family ties after his predecessor died mysteriously, Charlie is struggling to navigate the dangerous waters of 1950s Washington, DC, alongside his young wife Margaret, a zoologist with ambitions of her own. Amid the swirl of glamorous and powerful political leaders and deal makers, a mysterious fatal car accident thrusts Charlie and Margaret into an underworld of backroom deals, secret societies, and a plot that could change the course of history. When Charlie discovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of governance, he has to fight not only for his principles and his newfound political career...but for his life. * ** Charlie Marder, A World War Ii Veteran And Popular Academic, Is An Unlikely Congressman. Thrust Into Office By His Power-broker Father's Connections, Charlie Is Determined To Use His New Position For Good. He Quickly Learns, However, That In 1950s Washington, Little Is As It Seems. Struggling To Navigate The Treacherous Waters Alongside Real-life Figures Such As President Dwight Eisenhower, Senator John F. Kennedy, And Roy Cohn, Charlie Is Confronted By A World In The Throes Of Mccarthyism, Where No One Trusts Anyone. His Education In The Compromising And Occasionally Illegal Ways Of Washington Makes Him Question His Own Ethical Compass And The Morality Of Men He Admires, Including His Father. Alongside His Pregnant Wife, Margaret, A Zoologist With Ambitions Of Her Own, Charlie Struggles To Do What Is Right While Learning More About The Mysterious Circumstances Of His Predecessor's Death. Amid The Swirl Of Glamorous And Powerful Politicians And Businessmen, A Fatal Car Accident Plunges Charlie And Margaret Into An Underworld Of Backroom Deals, Secret Societies, And A Conspiracy That Could Change The Course Of History. When Charlie Learns Too Much, He Has To Fight Not Only For His Principles And His Newfound Political Career... But For His Life.-- In 1950s Washington, Little Is As It Seems. Charlie Marder, World War Ii Veteran And Academic, Was Thrust Into Office By His Power-broker Father's Connections. As A Congressman, Charlie Is Determined To Use His New Position For Good, But Is Confronted By A World In The Throes Of Mccarthyism, Where No One Trusts Anyone. Soon He Is Questioning His Own Ethical Compass And The Morality Of Men He Admires, Including His Father. Learning About The Circumstances Of His Predecessor's Death, Charlie And His Wife Margaret Are Plunged Into An Underworld Of Backroom Deals, Secret Societies, And A Conspiracy That Could Change The Course Of History. -- Adapted From Jacket Jake Tapper. Subtitle From Dust Jacket. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 329-339). A young Congressman stumbles on the powerful political underworld of 1950's D.C. in this "potent thriller" (David Baldacci) and New York Times bestseller from CNN correspondent Jake Tapper. Charlie Marder is an unlikely Congressman. Thrust into office by his family ties after his predecessor died mysteriously, Charlie is struggling to navigate the dangerous waters of 1950s Washington, DC, alongside his young wife Margaret, a zoologist with ambitions of her own. Amid the swirl of glamorous and powerful political leaders and deal makers, a mysterious fatal car accident thrusts Charlie and Margaret into an underworld of backroom deals, secret societies, and a plot that could change the course of history. When Charlie discovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of governance, he has to fight not only for his principles and his newfound political career...but for his life. After a mysterious fatal car accident kills his predecessor, Congressman Charlie Marder struggles to navigate the dangerous waters of 1950s Washington, D.C., where he finds an underworld of backroom deals, secret societies, and a conspiracy at the highest levels of the government.