Synopses & Reviews
New York Times bestselling author of
Ghosts of Manhattan Douglas Brunt brings his "savage" (
Publishers Weekly) and hard-hitting prose to Washington, DC in this novel of political intrigue that follows two complicated presidential candidates—and the brilliant reporter determined to uncover the truths they are so desperate to hide.
Tom Pauley is a well-liked conservative trial attorney in Durham, NC, who is plucked by GOP leaders to retake the Governor's mansion—and there are whispers that he is being groomed to head for the White House sooner rather than later.
Mitchell Mason is the president-elect of the United States, a blue-blooded son of a senator who has finally surpassed his father's achievements. He manages the White House with a personal touch, though not everyone is on such good terms with the seemingly jocular leader.
Samantha Davis is a lawyer-turned-journalist, once again working her way up from the bottom in a cutthroat industry. She is determined and brilliant, and her dogged pursuit of a decade-old story could trigger a scandal that would explode the political minefield.
Part Primary Colors, part House of Cards, The Means explores the characters and motivations behind high-stakes politics where everyone has something to hide, and they will do whatever it takes to achieve their ends.
Review
“Brunt offers up a savage, jaded, and comical depiction of freewheeling Wall Street bond traders during their precollapse heyday in this engaging debut. . . . As Nick’s life, his marriage, and the U.S. economy edge closer to meltdown, Brunt brings all the pieces together for a satisfying climax to this compulsively readable novel.”
Review
“Delves not just into the mechanics of the financial crash, but also the mindset that created the explosive state of affairs. . . . A smart shot at the absurdity of Wall Street and the long fall that brought us all down.”
Review
“Mix together Charles Dickens, Theodore Dreiser, and Tom Wolfe and you get novelist Doug Brunt and his modern-day financier character, Nick Farmer. Faust would have a feast with so many of the people populating Farmer’s world—and you will have a literary feast devouring this book.”
Review
“After the mortgage bubble burst, if you ever wondered, 'What were they thinking?' Ghosts of Manhattan provides a thoughtful and thrilling portrait of what they were doing instead of thinking.”
Review
“Douglas Brunt . . . is a persuasive storyteller. . . . Reading [Ghosts of Manhattan], it is easy to understand how the worst of Wall Street came apart. But in Nick’s determination to escape his own inevitable destruction we are uplifted and find renewed hope for a cleaned-up world without Bear Stearns.”
Review
"Awesomeness."
Review
"Awesomeness." Kid Rock
Review
“I love this book. With great insights to the political process and human nature, The Means takes you into the backrooms and bedrooms of an anything-goes presidential campaign. If Doug Brunt wasn’t a great novelist, he should be a campaign manager. This is a taut, thoughtful, and totally believable story of American politics at its best and worst.”
Review
"Many writers have tried but failed to capture the unique environment that is a presidential campaign, but Douglas Brunt's depiction of life on the trail is right on the money. The Means is a terrific, fast-paced novel that is not only entertaining but prophetic."
Review
"Fans of House of Cards will appreciate The Means with its insider’s look at a presidential campaign and a surprise ending I did not see coming."
Review
"Douglas Brunt’s The Means is a must read for even the casual political observer."
Review
"Douglas Brunt's brilliant and evocative novel, The Means, draws you deep into a disturbingly believable world of immoral politics and money."
Review
"Douglas Brunt's gripping novel starts full throttle and doesn't let up. This compelling story takes you into the harsh reality of hard-ball politics and cutthroat journalism. Some books are just for fun; some give you insight and depth about things you never knew, that you can't read in your daily paper. In The Means, you get it all and more."
Review
"A well-researched portrait of the incestuous relationships between the media and Beltway power players . . . that makes Heilemann and Halperin's nonfiction Game Change look sedate by comparison."
Review
“Gripping . . .Brunt’s rousing and relentless pace keeps readers turning the pages through to a startling climax. [A] fast-paced, noirish novel.”—Library Journal
Review
“The twisted psyche and psychiatric instability of our politicians and our times is evoked convincingly in the new novel The Means. . . . [A] compelling psychic drama.”—Forbes.com
Review
“[A] tale of political intrigue . . . [Brunt] takes readers behind the scenes in a presidential campaign likely to interest even readers who don’t have a deep interest in politics.”
Synopsis
Part
Primary Colors, part
House of Cards, The Means takes you deep into high-stakes politics where everyone has something to hide.
Tom Pauley is a conservative trial attorney in Durham, NC, who is tapped by GOP leaders to campaign for the Governor's mansion. His bold style makes him a favorite for a run at the White House.
Mitchell Mason is the president-elect of the United States, pushed into politics by a father determined to create a political dynasty. Mason manages the White House with a personal touch that makes both friends and enemies.
Samantha Davis is a child actor-turned-lawyer-turned-journalist, working her way up from the bottom in a competitive industry. She is determined and brilliant, and her dogged pursuit of a decade-old story could trigger a scandal that would upend the political landscape.
New York Times bestselling author Douglas Brunt's “savage” (Publishers Weekly) prose creates an incisive portrait of ambition, power, and what it takes to win in the ruthless world of politics today.
About the Author
Until 2011, Douglas Brunt was CEO of Authentium, Inc., an Internet security company. He now writes full time and is currently working on his second novel. A Philadelphia native, he lives in New York with his wife and their two children. Visit DouglasBrunt.com.