David Baldacci: Absolute Power. London, Simon & Schuster, 1996. First edition, first printing. 9 3/4 x 6 1/2 black cloth, gilt titles, dust jacket.

First thriller by former corporate lawyer who has gone on to produce many international bestsellers in the tradition of John Grisham and Scott Turow. Unusual plot with an experienced burglar, Luther Whitney, breaks into a billionaire’s house with the intent of robbing it. While there, he witnesses the American president and the billionaire’s wife having sex; however, their lovemaking turns violent agents burst in and kill the woman. Whitney escapes, but not before the Secret Service learns of his presence; they blame the wife’s murder on Whitney. Whitney goes on the run from the President’s agents while a detective tries to piece together the crime. Clint Eastwood made the story into a Hollywood film, also starring Gene Hackman.

Baldacci books cover diverse yet contemporary themes such as coming of age, the power of global markets and the hidden perils of clandestine intelligence services. He has won several awards, published over twenty novels and he is rated highly in Barry Forshaw’s The Rough Guide to Crime Fiction.

Condition: No inscriptions, clean sound copy with a bit of yellowing to the book block and the odd edge crease to the jacket.