The Fourth K

A terrorist group murders the Pope in the Vatican. On the same day, the daughter of Francis Xavier Kennedy, the President of the United States, is abducted in Rome by members of the same terrorist group. Kennedy's daughter is brought the oil-country of Sherhaben where she is held hostage. When President Kennedy learns of the abduction he is willing to do everything in his power to get his daughter back. The terrorist Yabril, however, has different plans and kills Kennedy's daughter in front of TV cameras in order to make a statement. From there on the story unfolds. How will the US act? How will Kennedy act personally? What will happen to the terrorists? What will happen to the Sultanate of Sherhaben which backed the terrorists?

Puzo's show more The Fourth K follows president Francis Xavier Kennedy, a cousin of JFK, through the final part of his first term in office and the bid to his re-election for a second term. At the same time it explores the different forces of influence on power in America. There is the so-called Socrates Club of the one-hundred most influential and wealthy men in the US, there is Olliver Ollifant, called the Oracle, who has just turned one-hundred years old and wields more power than any man in the Socrates Club, there are the foreign terrorists, and eventually there is President Kennedy and the other politicians who want to set the course of the American future as they see fit. The different factions all have their own agendas, some hidden and some very open.

What I like about the novel are the different perspectives and the interplay between the different groups who want to get a grasp on or maintain their grasp on power. The novel was a very entertaining read and a real page-turner towards the end. What bugged me, though, was the many spelling mistakes. It might just have been my edition, but this edition could have benefited from more serious editing. As this was only a minor distraction in an otherwise enjoyable novel: 3.5 stars. show less

Centering around the US Politics, the intelligent FBI, and the luxurious Middle East who aids international criminal activities, this plausible fiction rather delivers nothing concrete. A seemingly simple plot about the usual terrorist teams and numerous futile attempts of assassinating the most important man in the world, fails to be thrilling, exciting or at least captivating.

Puzo puts out a childish duet between the protagonist and the antagonist in a manner found common in low budget soap operas. When the president declares his godly ruthless vengeance upon the terrorist right after his daughter is murdered, the idea portrays successfully that one's solid character can be easily corrupted when exposed to unbelievable torture. show more Therefore every man, be it a scholarly mind or a barbaric brute, is nothing but a fierce animal and his raw animalism is released when his patience is tested. The story carefully explains that even the most responsible men can't be in control of their emotions. Now that being the silly point of this book, the readers too are supposed to sympathize the president over his tearful misfortunes and not judge his rash revenge.

The story turned out quite stretched and did not scurry emotions within the readers; it was the characters which were a slight relief due to their believable intents but that too spurred mediocrity to a certain degree.

What was an endeavor was the invincible friendship and duality between the President and his right hand man, therefore signifying unshakable trust and thriving loyalty which Puzo never fails to deliver in his books. While some characters had apt depth, others received too much unwanted attention throughout the chapters.

The book's title gives away its conceivable ending and therefore the conclusion not being dramatic, shocking or intriguing, left a remark of contemptuous dissatisfaction among the readers. show less

Centering around the US Politics, the intelligent FBI, and the luxurious Middle East who aids international criminal activities, this plausible fiction rather delivers nothing concrete. A seemingly simple plot about the usual terrorist teams and numerous futile attempts of assassinating the most important man in the world, fails to be thrilling, exciting or at least captivating.

Puzo puts out a childish duet between the protagonist and the antagonist in a manner found common in low budget soap operas. When the president declares his godly ruthless vengeance upon the terrorist right after his daughter is murdered, the idea portrays successfully that one's solid character can be easily corrupted when exposed to unbelievable torture. show more Therefore every man, be it a scholarly mind or a barbaric brute, is nothing but a fierce animal and his raw animalism is released when his patience is tested. The story carefully explains that even the most responsible men can't be in control of their emotions. Now that being the silly point of this book, the readers too are supposed to sympathize the president over his tearful misfortunes and not judge his rash revenge.

The story turned out quite stretched and did not scurry emotions within the readers; it was the characters which were a slight relief due to their believable intents but that too spurred mediocrity to a certain degree.

What was an endeavor was the invincible friendship and duality between the President and his right hand man, therefore signifying unshakable trust and thriving loyalty which Puzo never fails to deliver in his books. While some characters had apt depth, others received too much unwanted attention throughout the chapters.

The book's title gives away its conceivable ending and therefore the conclusion not being dramatic, shocking or intriguing, left a remark of contemptuous dissatisfaction among the readers. show less

Very in depth, very good, but definitely could have “chopped out some of the fat”. Definitely an interesting read, especially in light of the times.

I didn't expect to like this, I'm not really interested in American politics and don't usually read thrillers, but I was lent it to help with a translation. Despite this, I enjoyed it. It's a fast read, shows believable aspects of American politics and it was interesting to see how difficult it would be to deal with a President who has lost the plot in a dangerous way.

Like the previous reviewer (Agade), I found the Socrates club very believable.

Robert Kennedy is the President of the United States and the nephew of Jack Kennedy. He is near the end of his term and not a successful president as most of his policies have been shot down by the congress. A terrorist group assassinates the Pope and abducts his daughter and ultimately kill her, which changes his fortunes. He takes affirmative action and wins over people and the elections. But this entire process alters him and makes him a tyrant.

The author's sensational plot hasn't worked. The story drags on and is unconvincing. I'm surprised that the author of [The Godfather] could produce such garbage.

Interesting departure from Mafia to a different kind of powerful American family, the Kennedys. About a next generation Kennedy who is kidnapped while her father is President. Enjoyable.