Dark Ambition [Paperback]

Allan Topol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2003

In Dark Ambition, Topol explores the highest levels-and darkest corruptions-of power. When the Secretary of State is murdered, Justice Department lawyer Ben Hartwell uncovers a lifetime of political intrigues, private indiscretions, and personal enemies-in a high-level career with questionable ties. The answers could expose America's darkest secrets-and get anyone who knows too much killed.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

John Grisham and Richard North Patterson may have a new successor in Topol. The Washington D.C. lawyer's second thriller (after Spy Dance) exposes a power-hungry group of people in the White House's inner sanctum. When womanizing Secretary of State Robert Winthrop is murdered, Washington's top brass push for a quick conviction of Winthrop's African-American gardener, even though many doubt his guilt. Eventually, federal prosecutor Ben Hartwell and Gillis's attorney, Jennifer Moore (also Hartwell's old flame), team up to uncover an intricate operation linking Winthrop's murder to officials in the Chinese government who loathed the secretary for supporting arms build-up in Taiwan, and to someone who may have close ties to the Oval office. Suspicions fall on a broad cast of characters, including the President's chief of staff and a young FBI agent appointed to the case. As entertaining as it is complex, this energetic narrative is loaded with close calls and compelling relationships. While keeping track of the numerous key characters isn't always easy, Topol weaves a convincing conspiracy theory.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

John Grisham and Richard North Patterson may have a new successor in Topol. -- Publishers Weekly, January 6, 2003

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Onyx; 1st Printing edition (January 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451410645
• ISBN-13: 978-0451410641
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,946,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Riveting adventure!, May 28, 2003

By 

Newt Gingrich (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
("THE")   

This review is from: Dark Ambition (Paperback)

Topol might be the most riveting spy-adventure writer in America today. Dark Ambition is his second novel, and it continues the pacing and excitement of Spy Dance, his first novel (which you should read immediately if you enjoy Dark Ambition).

Dark Ambition unveils the perplexing murder of an indiscreet Secretary of State, combining powerful maneuverings in Washington, tangled detective work, and underhanded court dealings. Various characters are linked to the murder, from corrupt Chinese government officials who detested the Secretary of State for his support of Taiwan's weapons' buildup, to the most intimate of the presidential Oval Office advisors.

The masterful plot moves seamlessly between Washington, China, Zurich, London, and New York, while at the novel's core is the American process of honest, courageous people battling bureaucracy to ascertain the truth. I found myself solidly immersed in Topol's multi-faceted conspiracy and am eagerly anticipating his next work.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Topol Does It Again!, July 19, 2003

By 

Melvin Hunt (Cleveland,, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Ambition (Paperback)

This book was an excellent follow up to Topol's first book "Spy
Dance". In this book the Secretary of State Robert Winthrop is
murdered by a visitor named George Nesbitt who actually turns out to be Gwen a psycho contract killer. The blame for the crime is place on the Winthrop gardener Clyde Gillis.Assigned to prosecute the case in Ben Hartweel.Hired to defend Gillis is
Jennifer Moore an old love of Hartwell's.They launch a thorough
investigation. They discover ties to the Chinese government and a
huge conspiracy. The actual villains in this story will actually
shock you.This is an outstanding murder-mystery book that you
will enjoy. It is definitely enjoy. Definitely read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Ambition, January 29, 2012

By 

Bruce Wolf (JUPITER, FL, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dark Ambition (Kindle Edition)

This is another of Allan Topol's excellent books in the spy/mystery genre. It deals with what happens to people who are too close to the center of the government and their feelings that they are above the law and morality. The characters are well developed. I am writing this review during the 2012 Republican campaigns for nomination for the Presidency. Unfortunately, the corruptibility of those in power and those aspiring to those positions is too well seen. It has been said that, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This well written book fictionalizes what we see in reality every day.