Kingdom Come [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Tim Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2006

Bob King is a self-made billionaire who parlayed a rusty backhoe into 27th spot on Forbes' list. Now, his corporation is a multi-billion dollar construction company that instills greed and competition among friends, including his son Scott and his two best friends, Thane and Ben. But instead of handing over the company's crown, Bob reveals a massive public offering that will make him CEO for life. Thane's wife, Jessica, is furious and goads him into a conspiracy to kill Bob. When the board of directors makes Thane CEO, Ben investigates the truth - and Thane realises that he can only be safe if his old friend is also dead.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Totally enjoyable' New Woman ** 'A funny, quirky read' Company ** 'Colourful characters and witty writing Heat ** 'Hilarious' Hot Stars ** 'When a novel breezes along as lightly as this, you simply cannot put it down' What's On in London ** "I was laughing and crying from page one. Koomson deals with grown up issues: friendship, death, betrayal and forgiveness - a very moving read." Adele Parks --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Tim Green is a television commentator and regular contributor to USA Today. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1st Ed(AsSuch) edition (August 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786287438
• ISBN-13: 978-0786287437
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,421,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim is the NY TIMES BESTSELLING author of fourteen highly successful suspense novels, including soon-to-be-released FALSE CONVICTIONS and national bestseller ABOVE THE LAW, as well the non-fiction New York Times Bestseller, THE DARK SIDE OF THE GAME which was featured on CBS's 60 Minutes. His last five novels have all been national bestsellers hitting the charts between #22 and #30 on the NY Times Bestseller list. While his first five novels used professional football as their backdrop, his most recent works have drawn more on his experiences as a lawyer exploring the themes of ambition and revenge.

Tim is also the author of a memoir entitled A MAN AND HIS MOTHER: AN ADOPTED SON'S SEARCH which was featured in PEOPLE magazine, Entertainment Tonight, and ABC's Prime Time.
His writing career began at Syracuse University where he was a Rossman Scholar for Humanities, a Syracuse Scholar, an NCAA Top Six Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, and co-valedictorian of his class. While studying English Literature, Tim became acquainted with the renowned minimalist Raymond Carver, and had the opportunity to study under the award-winning writer and professor Tobias Wolff.

During his studies, Tim also played football for the Syracuse Orangemen with a career that included a consensus All-American honors as well as his recent induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 1986, he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons where he was a star defensive end for eight years. During his NFL career, Green began his thirteen year career as a commentator for National Public Radio, wrote columns for USA Today, and received his law degree with honors at Syracuse University. Because of his accomplishments both Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times have called Tim Green the "Renaissance Man" of sports. After his playing career, Tim spent eleven years as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports and recently hosted FOX's nationally syndicated news magazine, A Current Affair. His other broadcast experiences have included ABC Good Morning America's legal commentator, Court TV's Pros and Cons, host of FOX Sports Net's Emmy nominated show NFL TOTAL ACCESS, and Comedy Central's Battlebots. Recently, Tim hosted the ABC Prime Time reality show, FIND MY FAMILY.
In 2007, Tim wrote FOOTBALL GENIUS, his first novel for young readers, and an instant NY Times Bestseller. The success and enjoyment of working with his own kids on the project resulted in FOOTBALL HERO, which was released in 2008. In both novels, Tim models the main characters after his own children, submerging them into a suspenseful world that blends adolescent life and sports with the visceral realm of the NFL. FOOTBALL HERO was selected as a Junior Library Guild choice and a GMA summer page turner for young adults. Most recently he released BASEBALL GREAT, another NY Times Bestseller, as well as FOOTBALL CHAMP. Tim's newest young reader novel, RIVALS, will be released in stores in March 2010.
Tim lives with his wife, Illyssa, and their five children in upstate New York. More information about Tim can be found at his Web site www.timgreenbooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars UGH!, April 22, 2006

By 

Tina Avon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kingdom Come (Hardcover)

What happened to Tim Green? I use to love all of his book until the last one and, of course, this one.

I agree with another reviewer who said that they could not like any of the lead characters in this story. I kept wanting to like the main lead, but he was written in such a nonchalant, I don't give a damn attitude, that I just could not get there. I actually did not care what happened to him and his precious wife.

The story was boring and kept being entertwined between the past and the present in which our main character is talking to a shrink.

Also, I realize this is a thriller, but the gruesome descriptions of killing of animals was not really necessary.

Overall, this book was a little gross and a lot boring.

On the positive side, I just took a look at the photo of the author and he is "hot". So, I should have just looked at the picture and insted of read the book.

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I'm wondering if some of the other reviewers read the same book I did, April 10, 2006

By 

Brian Baker (Santa Clarita, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kingdom Come (Hardcover)

First of all, contrary to the Editorial Review and the other member's review mentioning character names, there's no character in the book (at least my copy) named Bob King. The father who built the business over which the characters struggle is James King, and his son is Scott King. Not a single Bob in sight anywhere.

That having been cleared up, I was pretty disappointed in this book. I've enjoyed Green's work in the past, but this was a failure, primarily in one area.

Yes, the plot worked. Yes, Green has an accomplished style, and is very craftsman-like in his delivery.

The problem is I hated the lead character, Thane Coder. An earlier reviewer likened this novel to Macbeth, and there are similarities, though not to the same extent as Green's last book (Exact Revenge) was an update of The Count of Monte Cristo. But we do have a lead character (Coder) who is weak, bullying, self-involved, greedy, obsessed, with no sense of personal values, who allows others to easily manipulate him into committing multiple murders. Just the kind of guy you want to have over for dinner. And his wife is orders of magnitude worse than he is.

And these are the lead characters of the piece!

Which is exactly why I didn't like this book. For a book to be enjoyable to me, I must be able to like, or at least understand, the protagonist on some level. I despised Coder, and thought he got off way too easy in the end - in my opinion, he should have been flayed, hung, and shot.

Well, there you have it. Caveat emptor.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exquisitely written and suspenseful loose modernization of Macbeth, May 11, 2006

By 

Bookreporter (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kingdom Come (Hardcover)

I sacrificed --- quite willingly --- a beautiful spring Sunday afternoon on the altar of KINGDOM COME, Tim Green's latest and perhaps penultimate novel. Green has always been a competent and constantly improving wordsmith, but nothing he has done before has foreshadowed the addictive readability of this work.

The plot is a loose modernization of MACBETH, a fact that Green reveals early on with an introductory quote from that work as well as the name of his primary character. Thane Coder has a life that many, if not most, would envy. He has a fabulous job working for King Corp, a giant real estate entity that has become one of the richest, most powerful companies in the United States under the strong hand of founder James King. Coder also has Jessica, his beautiful, seductive wife, and a salary that can provide him with everything he wants. He lives in a dream come true for someone who came from less-than-humble beginnings.

As he freely confesses, however, this is not enough. When King announces that he's taking the company public and promoting his son Scott ahead of Coder, Coder refuses to accept the news. Putting himself in the pocket of a powerful and corrupt construction union, Coder --- with Jessica's careful plotting and subtle encouragement --- murders James and frames Scott for the deed. Things begin unraveling almost immediately, and not always in the way one might expect. Coder and Jessica give themselves over to an opulence and indulgence that quickly corrupts them from within and without. Killing becomes easier, and as both of them play the FBI and the union against each other, it slowly becomes clear that they are headed down an inevitable path of ruin.

Green's pacing is exquisite, particularly in the latter half of the novel, wherein the pending doom is held at bay even as it dips and swirls in and out of the story. Green also infuses the climax with a fine and just symmetry that is not revealed until the very end, thus leaving the reader satisfied at precisely the right moment.

Whether you are a longtime reader of Green's work or have never read him before, KINGDOM COME is an imperative addition to your must-read list. Highly recommended.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub