Favorite Son

By Steve Sohmer

Book Overview

"Fast, characterful, intricate, surprising . . . Sohmer knows his way around television, politics, Washington and suspense fiction." -Los Angeles Times Book Review

It begins with an assassination. A Nicaraguan freedom fighter is gunned down on live TV while being welcomed to the United States by Sen. Terry Fallon. Though shot and wounded, Fallon, an up-and-coming political star from Texas, survives, and milks the spotlight with help from his ambitious and fiercely loyal press aide Sally Crain.

As the nominating convention looms on the horizon, incumbent president, Samuel Baker, faces an uphill battle in his fight for a second term. His campaign needs an injection of new blood-and who better than Fallon, the newly crowned hero? But Baker's existing vice president isn't going down without a fight . . .

Thrust into the hunt for the assassin, two FBI agents, a grizzled veteran, and a brash rookie, soon learn that nothing is as it seems in the corridors-and bedrooms-of power. Political operatives fight tooth and nail to control the narrative, secrets are exposed and exploited, and a deadly virus is weaponized, all to cover up a conspiracy that could topple the American government.

But for the most dangerous man in the world, everything is falling into place, making it easier than ever for his ascendency . . .

"Extremely good reading." -The Washington Post Book World

"Outstanding." -The Cincinnati Post

"Intensely plotted, fast-moving." - Publishers Weekly

"Exciting, scandalous." -Kirkus Reviews

"Top-notch thriller fiction . . . Irresistible." -Booklist

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1504077199
• ISBN13: 9781504077194
• Release Date: August 2022
• Publisher: Open Road Media Mystery & Thri
• Length: 536 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining trash

I first bought this book back in '87 when I was just fourteen years old and, to be honest, my sole motivation for the purchase came from the pre-publications publicity dealing with the novel's somewhat explicit sex scenes (actually rather tame by today's standards). I recently sat down and reread the book and discovered that, hidden amongst an overly complex and trashy plot, Favorite Son was actually a moving examination of the loss of innocence in 20th Century America.The plot deals with the aftermath of the attempted assasination of Sen. Terry Fallon, a charismatic liberal from Texas who becomes an American hero and a potential Vice President. Unfortunately, Fallon remains a rather flat character. Luckily, even if Fallon doesn't engage the imagination, Sohmer has created a rogue's gallery of other characters who really stick with you. To echo many others, aging FBI agent Mancuso is truly one of the most engaging, likeable characters I've come across in a long time. At the end of the book, I actually did find myself saddened to be parting his company. As I think someone else said, its a shame Sohmer didn't write more Mancuso novels.

A book to be read

Political intrigue in the USA, very clever. The author is great, it's a pity he didn't write many other books...

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