Kirkus Style Review- The Inner Circle

The discovery a 200 year old dictionary containing cryptic messages suggesting that George Washington's most trusted spies, the Culper Ring, may still be in existence is only the beginning of a dark conspiracy that unfolds within the pages of this fast-paced thriller.

Beecher White, an archivist working in the National Archives, is unintentionally thrust into a conspiracy of presidential proportions when he and an old high school crush, Clementine Kaye, locate the 200 year old dictionary in the bottom of a hollowed out chair. The problem: the chair is in a study room in the National Archives awaiting the arrival of the current President of the United States. A friendly security guard helps cover their tracks, but is dead within hours. Beecher and Clementine are forced to to uncover the secret of the dictionary or suffer the same fate as the security guard. The dictionary seems to imply that the Culper Ring, rumored to have been started by George Washington, is still active today. With no one to trust, Beecher and Clementine turn to Clementine's estranged father the institutionalized Nico Hadrian. For Meltzer fans, this name marks the return of a character that attempted to assassinate a former president in Melzter's novel The Book of Fate. Can the madman provide insight into the dubious dealings of the current president and his inner circle? Does the Culper Ring still exist? If they do, are they operating for good or evil? All these questions are answered in Meltzer's trademark fast-paced, short chapter style that is sure to leave the reader wanting more. Which is a good thing because the book's ending suggests that Meltzer may begin a series for the first time.

Conspiracy stories are best when laced with enough fact to make them believable, and Meltzer is at the top of his game with this novel. Fans are sure to love this book as Meltzer only seems to get better with each novel he pens.