The Perfect Candidate by Peter Stone; Narrated by John Kroft
Recorded Books
Publication Date: January 4, 2019
ISBN: 9781980034322
Immediately after high school graduation, Californian Cameron Carter is off to Washington, D.C., following his late mother’s political ambitions as he interns for Congressman Billy Beck, better known as BIB and widely touted as the next Speaker of the House. Intoxicated with the energy and ambition of Capitol HIll, Cameron finds Ariel Lancaster, a veteran staffer with a Congresswoman mother, to help him navigate the thorny alliances and politicized priorities of his new milieu. Suddenly when his mentor is inexplicably killed, Cameron becomes embroiled in a much larger machinations.
This fast-paced thriller is laden with Beltway insider trivia and with his crisp, clear narration, John Kroft manages to infuse Cameron with age-appropriate idealism and naivete despite his unchecked adventures in the big city and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The cast of characters are well-differentiated and Cameron’s occasionally cringe-worthy adventures are handled especially well, including his budding romance with Lena Cruz, daughter of the Mexican ambassador.
The Perfect Candidate is an absorbing listen for fans of Adam Zadoff’s Boy Nobody series and budding political junkies tuned in to Veep, Scandal, and House of Cards. An epilogue promises more intrigue to come with the same shadowy forces recruiting Cameron for further intelligence work after the summer ends.
— Wendy Stephens