It seems as if conspiracy theories have existed as long as politics and secret societies. Politics lead to factions and divisions (and perhaps vice-versa) which lead to men who feel they must take their beliefs underground. We've all heard the stories, from the very real Knights Templar to the shadowy Illuminati. They work behind the scenes, for good or for ill, and legends build around them, somtimes creating a monster that is far removed from the real thing. The Masons are one such group. Possibly (and most likely) an innocuous group but because of their secrets, and the high-profile of some of their members they are subject to a wide range of accusations. For Presidential aide Wes Holloway these secrets may hold the key to an event that ruined his political career and his face.

Wes Holloway is a cocky bastard. There really is no other way to put it. And by rights he should be. He's young, handsome, bright, and he's the top aide to the sitting President, Leland Manning. He is on a very fast and direct track to his own political career. All of this is torn away in an instant however when an assasin appears at a political function. The President will walk away unharmed but his deputy chief-of-staff, Ron Boyle, will be dead and Wes will be horribly disfigured from the bullet that rips through the left side of his face. Eight years later the president is now the former President and Wes is nothing more then a glorified errand boy. When he spots a very much alive Ron Boyle on a Malaysian tour the past comes roaring back and Wes finds himself chasing ghosts, trying to piece together what really happened eight years before.

The Book of Fate is a rare gem in a genre that has recently become bloated with political and religious conspiracy. It was 528 pages of twists and turns that kept me up until 1am because I coudn't stop reading. I am disappointed at some of the other reviews I've read that try to place this as cashing in on the fame of that other book that was just made into a movie and caused so much havoc with the Catholic church. I refuse to mention the title because it doesn't even compare with this book. Not to mention the fact that Brad Meltzer has been writing such thrillers since 1997. I highly recommend this book. It was a fabulous ride and well worth the time.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Warner Books (September 5, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0446530999
Buy This Book