8.2 /10 1 Votes
Country United States Publication date November 1, 1996 Originally published 1 November 1996 Genre Crime Fiction Publisher Grand Central Publishing | 4.1/5 Goodreads Language English OCLC 35813980 ISBN 978-0-446-60358-4 Adaptations Absolute Power (1997) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Media type Print (Hardback and Paperback) Pages 505 pp (first edition, hardback) Similar David Baldacci books, Thriller books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Absolute Power is a 1996 book by David Baldacci, which was made into a 1997 film starring Clint Eastwood.
Contents
Plot summary
An experienced burglar, Luther Whitney, breaks into a billionaire's house with the intent of robbing it. While there, he witnesses the President of the United States and the billionaire's wife having sex. However, their lovemaking turns violent and Secret Service agents burst in and kill the woman, which Whitney also sees. The reason Whitney was able to witness the murder was because he was behind a large one-way mirror that was a secret door into a large closet where the billionaire would sit and watch when his wife had sex with another man. Whitney escapes, but not before the Secret Service learns of his presence; they blame the wife's murder on Whitney. Whitney goes on the run from the President's agents while a detective tries to piece together the crime.
Luther Whitney
Whitney is a professional burglar who got caught three times. He personally witnessed the incident mentioned in the Plot Summary and ran for his life but later came back and endeavored to bring the real criminal to justice.
Kate Whitney
Kate is Luther's only daughter. Luther had been in jail during Kate's childhood which led to Kate being harsh on criminals, especially thieves and burglars. The police later used Kate to get to Luther which changed her outlook on her father and her own life.