Demoralized by the arrest of his candidate for the Senate, brilliant political tactician Greer Whitaker gets involved in a sensitive national security operation with the CIA, an operation with deadly implications. 35,000 first printing.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
According to Oxford, Miss., resident Compton, it was the sight of John Grisham walking into a local church that prompted him to write his first novel. In its lickety-split pacing, there's more than a touch of Grisham in this thriller about a young CIA agent who uncovers a global conspiracy; but, alas, there's also Grisham to be found in the obvious characters. Newly minted agent Greer Whitaker, 28, is assigned to spy on Randall Jenkins, the president's closest friend and advisor, as part of a sanctioned CIA operation to nail Jenkins as a foreign mole. What Whitaker doesn't know is that he is being used, if not set up, as part of another CIA operation, as secret agents and stubborn bureaucrats combine forces to keep the president unaware of an impending economic Pearl Harbor. Compton lacks the financial chops of a Michael Thomas?his conspiracy is barely described and never detailed?and once the real plot is uncovered and Whitaker goes on the run, the novel's energy flags. Whitaker is unbelievably gullible, as well; most readers will realize way before he does that the women in his life are more than they seem. But high concept and cinematic execution count for a lot in a thriller, and Compton delivers these in spades, which is one reason?along with a big movie sale?that this book has received significant advance publicity, albeit under the rather catchier title of Axis. Whatever the name, this novel likely will have bookstore cash registers ringing. Film rights to Touchstone for a film to be directed by Mike Newell.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Scientific American
An excellent novel. Fast-paced. An explosive combination of murder, violence, and national security guaranteed to keep the reader on the edge of the seat.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Grisham's Acolyte Missed It By That Much...,
This review is from: The ACOLYTE: A Novel (Hardcover)
Good first effort from David Compton, but in desperate need of an editor. The story is rambling and un-focused at times, but when it clicks, this tale of espionage takes some interesting twists and turns, coupled with heavy doses of violence and sex. Compton, a University of Memphis grad and acquaintance of John Grisham, shows real potential, and I look forward to reading his next novel.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
acceptable first effort,
By
This review is from: The ACOLYTE: A Novel (Hardcover)
I started this book three times before I was able to get past the first 100 pages. If a book does not captivate me in the first 25 pages I rarely bother. For some reason I hung on to this one forced myself past the beginning and I am glad I did. Compton did an acceptable job overall, but to me it was tad bit too predictable. I think Compton was inspired by Frederick Forsyth, but Forsyth makes for a more interesting read with a much simpler plot. The Acolyte's plot is a bit overdone and this would have been a better book had he kept it simpler and developed the conflicts better. I never really "felt" Greers danger and fear, they all happened too fast and resolved way too easily. I recommend this book, and feel that Compton will improve with practice. To D.C.: re-read some more Forsyth books.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fast moving CIA thriller - Loved it!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The ACOLYTE: A Novel (Hardcover)
It was easy to immerse oneself into the characters of the Acolyte. A fast moving thriller in the Crichton/Grisham/Stuart Woods genre, this book rarely lept into stories too far-fetched, but kept the excitement building throughout. Well thought out and apparently thoroughly research story makes for an exciting, pleasurable read!
I can't wait for the next one
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