The First Gentleman by Bill Clinton and James Patterson (June 10, 2025) Thank you Hachette Audio and Little Brown for the gifted advanced listening copy of this fast-paced and classic political thriller!
The book opens with Cole Wright, the First Gentleman of the United States, on his way to court for his own murder trial. From there, we rewind nine months to investigative journalists Brea and Garrett, who have uncovered a bombshell lead: Cole may have murdered his girlfriend nearly 20 years ago… and gotten away with it. With a book deal in hand and a story that could shake the nation, they start digging – but the deeper they go, the more dangerous it becomes. Can they uncover the truth before powerful forces silence them for good?
Told in three gripping acts (the investigation, the fallout, and the courtroom drama), this thriller is classic James Patterson: propulsive pacing, short chapters, and a web of intertwining POVs that’s easy to follow but hard to put down. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it doesn’t need to. Longtime Patterson fans will find plenty to enjoy here.
🎧 Audiobook Notes 🎧 With multiple POVs, the full cast narration is a huge win. Aja Naomi King, Saskia Maarleveld, Will Collyer, and James Fouhey bring dimension and tension to every scene. It’s a well-produced, immersive listen. (Length: 11h 1m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Audio Performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book Smart Kate 