Capitol Betrayal

A Novel

By: William Bernhardt

Narrated by: William Bernhardt

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

William Bernhardt’s best-selling novels explore politics, power, ambition, crime, and the law. Now he scales new heights of suspense as, in one harrowing day, lawyer and former senator Ben Kincaid enters the eye of an international storm, a crisis with consequences beyond calculation.

Kincaid is in a meeting with the president in the Oval Office when Washington suddenly explodes into chaos. Facing an imminent threat to the White House, Kincaid is whisked, along with the president and his advisors, to the underground PEOC - Presidential Emergency Operations Center - built to withstand a nuclear blast, but vulnerable to another kind of attack.

Inside the bunker, defense specialists realize that a malevolent foreign dictator has hacked into the US nuclear defense system and now has a finger on the trigger of America’s most dangerous weapons. The dictator’s message is clear: Heed his demands or suffer unfathomable destruction. Forced to make critical, split-second decisions, the president seems to be falling apart under the pressure. The vice president wants to strip him of his powers - a move that could have a disastrous impact on national defense. But even during this time of upheaval, in order for the president to be removed, there must be a trial. With the clock winding down, Kincaid has precious little time to defend the president. While Kincaid faces the trial of his life, legendary CIA agent Seamus McKay races through the clogged streets of Washington, searching for a hidden command center - guarded by murderous fanatics - that now controls US ballistic missiles.

Two sides of one unforgettable story, McKay and Kincaid home in on their targets. One uses a gun - and any weapon he can get his hands on; the other employs his intuition and the law. And in William Bernhardt’s spectacular thriller, as both move closer and closer to uncovering a world-shattering plot, the ultimate act of betrayal is launched from the heart of America’s capitol itself.

©2010 William Bernhardt; 2010 Random House Audio

A page turner

I really enjoyed this one. I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. It is an excellent mix of espionage, domestic trial, domestic terrorism, politics, and a touch of love story. I read it in two days and had a really difficult time putting it down. I highly recommend it

Waste of a credit

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I really don't know. I used to be a fan of William Bernhardt but this book is a caricature of his previous books. It is time to either kill off or at least retire Ben! The dialogue is wooden and the plot is ridiculous.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

This book was a major, major disappointment. Really Mr. Bernhardt!!!!

Deeply disappointing!

I listened to Capitol Betrayal when it was released in October 2010. This is a case of there being an excellent idea for a story that the author screws up. The story is still good, but not nearly as good as it could be. The bigger sin with the author deciding to narrate his own book. Unlike Barry Eisler who does a great job of narrating his own novels, William Bernhardt is likely the worst narrator I have ever listened to; as a narrator he is totally incompetent.

Waste of time

What disappointed you about Capitol Betrayal?

It was too fantastical to be true. Never could happen as told.

What could William Bernhardt have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Make it more real.

Which character – as performed by William Bernhardt – was your favorite?

The lawyer.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Can't think of any.