The 500, Matthew Quirk
The 500, Matthew Quirk
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The 500
A Novel

Author: Matthew Quirk

Narrator: Jay Snyder

Unabridged: 9 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/05/2012


Synopsis

A gripping thriller debut, set deep in the heart of the world's most powerful political arena.

A year ago, fresh out of Harvard Law School, Mike Ford landed his dream job at the Davies Group, Washington's most powerful consulting firm. Now, he's staring down the barrel of a gun, pursued by two of the world's most dangerous men. To get out, he'll have to do all the things he thought he'd never do again: lie, cheat, steal -- and this time, maybe even kill.

Mike grew up in a world of small-stakes con men, learning lessons at his father's knee. His hard-won success in college and law school was his ticket out. As the Davies Group's rising star, he rubs shoulders with "The 500," the elite men and women who really run Washington -- and the world. But peddling influence, he soon learns, is familiar work: even with a pedigree, a con is still a con.

Combining the best elements of political intrigue and heart-stopping action, The 500 is an explosive debut, one that calls to mind classic thrillers like The Firm and Presumed Innocent. In Mike Ford, readers will discover a new hero who learns that the higher the climb, the harder -- and deadlier -- the fall.

About Matthew Quirk

Matthew Quirk is the New York Times bestselling author of Red Warning, Hour of the Assassin, The Night Agent, The 500, The Directive, Cold Barrel Zero, and Dead Man Switch. He spent five years at The Atlantic reporting on crime, private military contractors, terrorism prosecutions, and international gangs. He lives in San Diego, California.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Matt on July 21, 2012

The 500 has frequently been compared to The Firm. I get it. The villains in both books are shadowy organizations whose all-seeing, all-reaching power require a taffy pull of your disbelief. Where they differ (as best as I recall...it's been 20 years since I read The Firm) is that Michael Ford (the p......more

Goodreads review by Kelly on June 16, 2012

Michael Ford is not doing well. His dad is in prison, his mom has died from cancer and he doesn't speak to his brother. Due to his mom's medical bills, he is also almost $900,000 in debt (well, between the medical bills and the college tuition fees). He'd be willing to do just about anything to make......more

Goodreads review by Michelle on May 25, 2018

This would have been a much better read if the “why” made more sense. It’s like the main character had nothing better to do and just decided to get to involved in life threatening situations. Pretty decently paced and the plot moved along but after awhile I was just over him and the story. This is t......more

Goodreads review by Maddy on June 11, 2018

PROTAGONIST: Mike Ford SETTING: Washington, DC RATING: 4.25 WHY: Mike Ford grew up in a family of grifters and was arrested when he was a teenager for a burglary gone wrong. His father is in prison accused of murder. Mike has done well at Harvard Law School but is drowning in debt from student loans an......more

Goodreads review by Joseph on March 12, 2025

I will state, at the beginning of this review, that I read this series out of order. For a fuller experience, I would recommend starting with this novel, and going in order. We are introduced to the epic level of corruption surrounding the swamp also known as Washington DC. The basic plot involves d......more