During a bad storm, the President's helicopter goes down, killing him and everyone on board. Mike Nolan is hired by the insurance company to defend the French manufacturer of the helicopter. Mike is one of two partners in a small law firm. He has to take on a big law firm and its pompous leader. Soon he discovers that he can't trust most people around him, even in his own law firm. With attempts on his life, he seeks to find the truth behind the crash. Was it the fault of the manufacturer, the pilot who hated the President, or a cover-up by the government? This book held my interest to the very end. I saw this book at a used bookstore for a quarter. What made me buy this one over many other choices was the genre combined two of my biggest interests: law and politics. And the plot summary was instantly gripping. The President is killed and Mike Nolan, a lawyer for the helicopter company accused of murdering the President, has to fight enemies both foreign and domestic to find the truth. So does the book live up to my initial expectations?For the most part, it does. The book begins with the President flying to a very secret and important meeting during a terrible storm. His helicopter crashes, killing everyone on board. Mike Nolan is retained to defend WorldCopter (the builder of Marine One) in a lawsuit against the widows of the crash.From the beginning, we are aware that there is much more to the crash than just a shoddy helicopter. Government agents make threats to Nolan, WorldCopter's case is constantly sabotaged, and there are hidden people watching their every move.The middle of the book gets a little slow. Nolan and his team are working on the case but for a while, not much is learned. The opening statements and the prosecution's case don't do much to excite. But the final four chapters, the book reaches great heights. I couldn't put it down. There were hidden documents, traitors, action, and sabotage. I couldn't wait to find out how the book would end and I was very satisfied when it all came together.There is just one thing I wish was added. There is no epilogue. The author gives a one sentence look into what happens after the trial. But a short epilogue that concludes the stories for all those involved would have been nice. Instead, there are many plots (three at least) that the reader is left wondering how they worked out.
What do You think about Marine One (2009)?
This novel proves yet again why Huston is one of my favorite political legal thriller authors.
—Tori
A fascinating story. The courtroom drama is pretty far fetched though. A captivating read.
—a_duvall15
