First Daughter

First Daughter Reviewed by Elizabeth Willse

“First Daughter” is more nuanced than the usual fast-paced political thriller. Eric Van Lustbader, well known for his continuation of Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne novels, uses the search for a criminal mastermind to explore larger themes like parents’ grief, tensions between Church and State, and a young man’s struggle with dyslexia. The result is a substantial and thoughtful mystery that keeps the plot twists coming.

Dyslexia grants ATF Agent Jack McClure surprising flashes of insight in his search for the President-Elect’s kidnapped daughter, Alli Carter. “I envisioned Jack as being damaged” Van Lustbader mused. in an interview via e-mail in early August. “Like almost everyone else I’d always had a rather simplistic view of what this disability really was. Then I found out the truth and how parents could help their dyslexic children learn; it was a beautiful experience I wanted to share with others.” A keen visual sense gives Jack McClure an intuitive grasp of crime scenes. As tensions mount, McClure wrestles even more with his secret disability.

The most timely element of “First Daughter” is the tension between church and state. The incumbent president is a devout man, keen to keep religion at the forefront of government. As the tension surrounding Alli Carter’s disappearance mounts, the incumbent’s administration tries to use the secular humanist movement as scapegoats. Reading this during an election year is especially satisfying, as the novel stays tightly focused on the suspense of a far-reaching government conspiracy, without a preaching agenda.

“First Daughter” is a fascinating, complex and ambitious novel. Eric Van Lustbader does a terrific job of blending history, psychology, politics and suspense into a rich, textured story. Hopefully, we will see more of Jack McClure.