No Safe Place

by Richard North Patterson

Book Overview

In the high-stakes, high-pressure world of presidential politics, where predators carry microphones and one misstep can savage a lifetime of achievement, Kerry Kilcannon is the rarest player of all. Kilcannon believes he can make the system work. And he just may die trying. Driven by the violent nightmare of his childhood, fueled by forces that few could understand, and burdened by secrets no one must know, Kilcannon is running for President--and...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345404777
• ISBN13: 9780345404770
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 544 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

THE THRILLS ARE IN THE CHARACTERS

Being a neophyte to Mr. Patterson's books, I have been going through them in order; I have been awed overall by this man's brilliant writing. I was disappointed at first in "No Safe Place," as Patterson moves away from criminal law to a political drama. I even considered not reading it after the first few chapters. But once again, Patterson's skills as a writer forced me to finish it and I'm glad I did. For what he achieves again is an incredible mixture of characters and situations that can't help but grab you by the throat and never let you go. In the alternating flashbacks, we learn so much about all of the characters. At times, Kerry Killcannon seems too good to be true, but beneath this saintly figure is a man with bitterness, the need for vengeance, and a need to climb out of the shadow of his assassinated brother, Jamie.The scenes of family abuse are stunning--and disturbing---the moment at the end of the Anthony Musso trial is shocking and heartbreaking. Kerry's decision regarding the child in this situation has far reaching results.Lara Costello, the lovely reported that Killcannon has fallen in love with, is portrayed as a career-driven, but ultimately a woman of substance.The issues attacked in this book are the hard ones that we all face each day. Pro-life/pro-choice/gun control/spouse abusal protection...Patterson packs some powerful comments and whether you agree with them or not, you have to admire him for trying to be fair and realistic in his approach. Journalism takes a beating in this one, as it should. It gives further evidence how the media will do anything to get a story, even ruin people's lives.The tragic Sean Bean is a very disturbing but pitiful character and the path he takes to his own destruction is gutwrenching, but at the climax of his scene, you'll understand why.A brilliant book, and quite well done.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Vintage RNP,just exemplary

My first RNP. The book made that made me a fan of Richard N Patterson. After No Safe Place, Silent Witness,Escape the Night and Degree of Guilt Richard North Patterson proved to be my most favourite author, even over John Grisham and Steve Martini.The campaign trail is amazing, the romance touching and the way RNP takes us to the past of the protagonist Kerry Kilcannon is just great. His feelings and character are well written. Kerry Kilcannon is a lawyer mostly dealing with cases of domestic violence. He then enters politics and runs for president. His brother James was assasinated in a campaign. Past memories,his love and emotions make a great read; u gotcha read this book, you'll surely get hooked.

Suspense, politics and murder ... the perfect combination.

A Kennedyesque Senator Kerry Kilcannon is running for his party's nomination for president against the vice president. This book follows Kerry's campaign across the country in the days leading up to the primary. In the end, the focus is on California, where Kerry needs to win. Haunted by the assassination of his older brother whose footsteps Kerry now follows, Kerry is determined not to let an old affair ruin his chances to be president. The real suspense comes from a right to life fanatic, wanted for murdering three abortion clinic workers, who tracks Kerry to California, where he plots the assassination of the presidential hopeful. This book is like a train wreck: It is obvious what is about to happen; what is not obvious is who the mysterious assassin is. The author effectively uses flashbacks to give us a glimpse of Kerry's past, which dramatically influences who he is today: his abusive father, his Irish godfather/mentor who guides Kerry's political career, and the importance of his campaign manager. The details about the campaign, the press, and the Secret Service are astonishingly clear, but not a surprise given the research Patterson did in writing this book.

Exciting and believable at the same time!

This book was a bit slow at the beginning, but the farther I read, the better it got. The writing, plot, and characterization were all excellent. The most surprising thing to me was that the author made the entire thing so completely believable. I think that's a rare accomplishment. This is the first Patterson book I've read (he seems to write mostly crime/mystery stories, which I'm not nuts about), and I'm so glad I had the experience.

Richard North Patterson is one of our time's best writers

Twelve years ago, James Kilcannon was making a strong run for president when he was assassinated in California. Now in the election for the first president of the new century, James' younger brother Kerry is making a surprisingly strong bid. However, Kerry has a secret past that could easily torpedo his run if any of it becomes known. With the media digging into every facet of his entire life story, the probability is that at least one of his secrets, if not all, will become headline news. Worse yet is the fact that an unknown assailant is unhappy with Kerry's position on abortion. This individual has killed before and has no qualms about murdering anew. His current plan is to make Kerry the most famous victim of his cause. Richard North Patterson is renowned for his legal thrillers. However, this time he leaves behind the courtroom to enter the political arena. The main story line is crisp but is somewhat marred by a Cape Cod romance. The characters are all fun to read about even if the lines of idealism Vs cynicism is drawn too sharply. Though not quite on a par with SILENT WITNESS, NO SAFE PLACE is an interesting political drama but then with a master like Mr. Patterson writing, what else can one expect.Harriet Klausner