The Devil May Dance

The Devil May Dance transports readers to 1960s Los Angeles during the Kennedy administration. Congressman Charlie Marder and his wife Margaret navigate the glittering world of Hollywood while conducting a secret investigation for Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. The mission centers on Frank Sinatra and his potential mob connections, with RFK concerned about the President's safety during an upcoming stay at Sinatra's home. Charlie and Margaret infiltrate the legendary Rat Pack's inner circle, crossing paths with Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and notorious mafia figures. The story blends political intrigue with Hollywood glamour, moving between Washington power circles and the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry. The investigation leads the Marders through exclusive clubs, film sets, and dangerous territory where loyalty and betrayal intermingle. This political thriller explores themes of power, corruption, and the complex relationship between entertainment, organized crime, and American politics in the early 1960s. The novel examines how ambition and morality clash in both the political and entertainment spheres.

Readers found The Devil May Dance to be a slower-paced novel compared to Tapper's previous work. Many appreciated the detailed 1960s Hollywood setting and the blend of real historical figures with fictional characters. Several reviewers noted the extensive research that went into capturing Rat Pack culture and politics of the era. Liked: - Authentic period details and atmosphere - Frank Sinatra portrayal - Integration of historical events - Complex political intrigue Disliked: - Slow pacing in first half - Too many side characters and subplots - Some found the dialogue stilted - Several readers wanted more action scenes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (90+ ratings) "The historical elements carry the story more than the mystery plot," noted one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads reviews mentioned getting bogged down in the political details but finishing for the atmospheric Hollywood scenes.

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🌟 The novel is a sequel to Tapper's debut fiction work "The Hellfire Club" (2018), continuing the adventures of Charlie and Margaret Marder 🎬 Frank Sinatra, a central figure in the book, was actually investigated by the FBI for his alleged mob connections during this era 🎭 The Rat Pack, featured prominently in the story, originally included different members in the 1950s before evolving into the famous Sinatra-led group of the 1960s 📚 Jake Tapper wrote this book while simultaneously working his day job as CNN's chief Washington correspondent and anchor 🎵 The book's title "The Devil May Dance" references the 1960 song "Ain't That a Kick in the Head," popularized by Dean Martin, one of the story's key characters