by Ward Just
First published 1997
The Behl men have ruled Washington for decades, passing influence from father to son like a family heirloom. Each generation builds the dynasty higher while burying secrets deeper. The patriarch established their foothold in the capital's corridors of power. His son expanded their reach, trading favors and accumulating debts that bind senators and cabinet members. Now the third generation faces a choice between preserving the family legacy and confronting the moral cost of their ascent. Money flows through their hands, women orbit their ambition, and enemies circle closer with each passing year. The Behls understand that in Washington, survival depends on knowing which secrets to keep and which to weaponize. But some truths refuse to stay buried, and the very power that built their empire may ultimately destroy it. This is a story about the price of influence and the weight of inherited corruption.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, political-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-saga, moral-dilemma
Setting: Washington
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
328 pages · Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Harcourt