Balance of Power - Hardcover

Balance of Power, the third of Richard North Patterson's political thrillers about the election and Presidency of Kerry Kilcannon, is as gripping and savvy as its predecessors. Kilcannon's second marriage, to his long-term fiancée Lara, is marred by the shooting of most of her family by her deranged and abusive brother-in-law who bought an automatic weapon and gut-shredding bullets from an anonymous dealer at a gun fair. Kilcannon had always intended to take on the gun lobby--and this high-profile massacre of his wife's relations gives him an opportunity. What follows is a nightmare of political chicanery, as his opponents are persuaded to ever lower tactics by their gun lobby contributors.

The personal injury suit his surviving sister-in-law brings against manufacturers and lobbyists runs aground on perjury and a politically ambitious judge. His opponents are even prepared to use blackmail--a document surfaces proving that the relationship between Kilcannon and Lara preceded his divorce. This is a terrifying novel, which pictures the currency of American political life as bribery, threats and the grossest of intrusions into private life; it is a vision of how vilely things can perhaps sometimes work, and how intelligence, will and the application of sound legal principles might make them otherwise. --Roz Kaveney

"A rip-roaring novel about guns, lawyers, and politics . . . This is a great read by a masterful writer."--SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY "ALWAYS KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT. Patterson has the rare gift of enthralling as he informs."--"The Guardian" (London) "REVEALING . . . WILL LEAVE YOU LOBBYING FOR MORE."--"Entertainment Weekly ""PATTERSON TURNS UP THE HEAT."--"The Dallas Morning News ""A MUST READ."--FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON "THOUGHT-PROVOKING . . . [Patterson's] passion for politics, public discussion, and gun control are infectious and admirable."--"USA Today" "[A] SPELLBINDING NOVEL . . . Patterson's extensive research, plot skills, and ability to create engaging, authentic dialogue set his writing apart. . . . believable and eloquent."--Associated Press ""Balance of Power" is a compelling story, fully worthy of Richard North Patterson, which is made even more intriguing by its detailed insight into the world of special-interests politics in Washington, D.C."--SCOTT TUROW "A masterpiece . . . From the first page, President Kilcannon faces plot twists that challenge his resourcefulness and moral character."--"The Tulsa World ""Compulsive reading . . . An engrossing blend of courtroom and political drama."--"The London Times""IMPORTANT READING, EVEN ESSENTIAL . . . Patterson masterfully touches all the right historical reference points to lure us into his story. . . . The image of the gun--and what to do about it as a society--linger long after the covers close."--"Ft. Myers News Press ""Patterson has done his homework, and "Balance of Power" presents a clear picture of the argumentsand political realities on both sides of the debate."--"The Denver Post ""A powerful, in your face, condemnation of the American political system that abets gun violence . . . Patterson makes no apologies as he denounces a system in which money buys Congressional votes [and] ethics mean nothing."--"The Midwest Book Review ""A harsh, persuasive indictment of the politics that breeds gun violence in America . . . bare-knuckle, page-turning, political infighting. For ordinary folk, it's good stuff. For political junkies, think Harry Potter."--"Kirkus Reviews" (starred review) "One of [Patterson's] best . . . Fascinating . . . A thoughtful exposition of an important issue . . . ["Balance of Power"] will entertain, challenge, inform--and, just maybe, open a few minds."--"Times Dispatch" (Richmond, VA) ""Balance of Power" and "Protect and Defend "stand as a remarkable project in popular fiction: an extension of the genre of the legal thriller to explore the morality and strategies of U.S.'s greatest civic controversies."--"The" "Guardian" (London)