I like the series, I like the characters. This plot was just sort of…..blah. Not bad, but not good.

Really good. I love this series. Great characters, and interesting plot.

The Hangman's Companion is the second book in Jospeh Flynn's political thriller series. In The Presidents henchamn, Flynn introduces Jack Mcgill, an ex cop turned investigator who happens to be married to the President of the United States. McGill, who solved the murder of the President's first husband, drives his security detail crazy by becoming involved in finding out who is is stalking a member of the White House press corps. I didn't have the opportunity to read the President's Henchman in advance of reading The Hangmans Companion and while I would have liked the additional insight into the established characters (and simply because I enjoyed the book so much) I thought the book was successful as a stand alone.
Despite the description as a political thriller, the Hangman's Companion is much more. It combines intrigue, action and humour with dynamic characters to create an engaging story. Leaving his investigative partners tracking down the culprits responsible for the shooting of a presidential guard, McGill agrees to travel to England with his wife who is attending the G8 summit. But McGill is sidetracked by a request to help an old aquaintance who has been arrested for murder after a fight on the banks of the river Seine results in the death of a French soccer star. While the President is negotiating politics amongst the world leaders, McGill is trying to avoid an international incident. With the help of a state liason and a justice magistrate, McGill tries to determine the truth.
Despite the complexity of multiple plots, Flynn effortlessly creates a cohesive story with smooth transitions and attention to detail. The different threads cross seamlessly without obvious ploys or forced situations. At just over 500 pages (print edition) the plotlines have plenty of room to play out, so it doesn't feel rushed or crowded. I did think there was a short period of drag in the first quarter but it was quickly overcome.
There is plenty of action, the story begins with a vicious fight and McGill is an expert in his own brand of martial arts, however its is well balanced with other elements. One of the most appealing aspects of The Hangman's Companion for me is the sense of humor and the subtley mocking tone Flynn adopts towards authority. Most political thrillers tend to take themselves very seriously but Flynn has managed to strike an engaging balance of entertainment and intrigue.
I enjoyed the story of The Hangman's Companion but it is the characters that really captured my imagination. McGill is the right blend between tough action hero, loving family man and shrewd investigator to interest me in his character. I like his sense of humour and his no nonsense approach to his unconventional life as the US Presidents 'first husband'. His relationship with his wife is genuine and I like Patricia as well, though we don't spend much time with her. McGills Parisian compatriots, are interesting and well developed but its 'Sweetie' who is holding down the fort at the office who is a favourite of mine. Flynns cast of characters complement each other and have a distinct presence in the novel.
It's always a gamble to accept an indie book for review based on a quick read of an excerpt, so its a delight to discover a story that I find so enjoyable. This book is a great read, The Hangman's Companion came very close to a five star read for me and I recommend it without reservation.

90% of the time while reading this series, I am enjoying myself. The President and her husband end up in interesting situations and are (most of the time) good people.

There are times, though, that these books make me very uncomfortable. Some of it is the politics: occasionally, there is a political rant (maybe one per book) which doesn't feel to me as though it fits the character giving it, making me wonder whether this is a chance for the author to air his personal political views. And there was a very weird discussion in this book where it sounded as though the author had not bothered to research how the line of succession for the British Crown works, even though it was a major point in one subplot.

But, absent those record-scratch moments, the vast majority of the time I am reading this series, I am enjoying myself and captivated by the First Couple and their friends and families as well as the characters that pass through Jim McGill's office. So, the books always fall short of my hopes for them, but they remain entertaining enough for me to continue to read.