Romance Book Annotations: Dangerous Games by Danielle Steel

 

“They had pieced it together in the past several hours, and he didn’t tell her that the President was livid. What Tony Clark had done was outrageous” (Steel, 2017, p. 237).

Author: Danielle Steel

Title: Dangerous Games

Genre: Romance / Mystery / Fiction

Publication Date: 2017

Number of Pages: 307

Geographic Setting: International  

Time Period: Present

Plot Summary: 

Alix Phillips, a daring TV correspondent, frequently hears her college-aged daughter, Faye, expressing concerns about the inherent dangers of her job. Amidst navigating treacherous situations to deliver award-winning news coverage, Alix, accompanied by her cameraman Ben Chapman, tackles civil unrest on the international stage and investigates political crimes locally. Ben, an ex-Navy SEAL, sleeps with a gun under his pillow. Despite Faye's apprehensions about her mother’s job, she ironically encounters more personal violence.

Alix and Ben’s journey to the Middle East proves to be fruitful when a confidential informant discloses unexpected details about a specific American politician. Alix, impressed by a book authored by Olympia Foster, a polished yet secluded widow of the once-presidential hopeful Bill Foster, decides to collaborate with her. Drawing upon information from various sources, including Alix's editor Felix, they launch an investigation into allegations against Vice President Tony Clark. The CIA, involved in the operation, even goes so far as to have Olympia wear a wire.

As Alix delves deeper into her latest assignment, the TV reporter finds herself facing unprecedented danger. The stakes escalate, revealing a riveting narrative that intertwines personal and political intrigue. The TV reporter’s latest assignment turns out to be very dangerous.

Subject Headings:

Assassination – Fiction

Corruption Investigation – Fiction

Former Navy SEALs - Fiction

Investigative Journalism – Fiction

Politicians' Spouses – Fiction

Political Corruption – Fiction

School Shootings – Fiction

Television Journalists – Fiction

Widows – Fiction

 Appeal:

Characterization: Evocative

“An evocative, emotional tone draws readers in to these novels. Readers participate in the love story and read reward the emotionally satisfying, happy ending” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 216).

Tone: Suspenseful, Romantic

“These stories are about the creation of tightly connected groups, and the readers feel the power of love on all levels” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 217).

Story Line: Plot-driven

“The story line in a Romance traces the unfolding of courtship of the heroine and hero” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 218).

Pacing: Fast-paced

“The speed of reading is important to many fans, who can read a novel in just a few days, or even in one, allowing them to immerse themselves into the story with an abandon that adds to the pleasure of the genre” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 220).

3 Terms that best describe the book: Investigative Journalism, Political Intrigue, Danger and Deception

 

3 Relevant Fiction Works:

(Click on the book covers to search WorldCat for holdings near you)

The President’s Daughter by Mariah Stewart

Stewart, M. (2002). The president’s daughter. Ivy.

Common appeals: Journalists, American Politics, Romance Thrillers

The Incumbent by Brian McGrory

McGregory, B. (2000). The incumbent. Pocket Books.

Common appeals: Journalists, American politics, Romance thrillers, Assassinations

American Subversive by David Goodwillie

Goodwillie, D. (2010). American subversive: A novel. Scribner.

Common appeals: Romance thrillers, New York, Journalists

3 Relevant Nonfiction Works:

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story by Barbara Leaming

Leaming, B. (2014). Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story. Macmillan.

Common appeals: Windows, American politics, Journalists

Tell Them I Didn't Cry: A Young Journalist's Story of Joy, Loss, and Survival in Iraq by Jackie Spinner

Spinner, J. (2007). Tell Them I Didn't Cry: A Young Journalist's Story of Joy, Loss, and Survival in Iraq. Scribner.

Common appeals: International Journalists, Middle Eastern Affairs, American Politics

Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney

Cheney, L. (2023). Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning. Hachette Book Group.

Common appeals: Political Corruption, American Politics, Legislators

 

References

Steel, D. (2017). Dangerous Games. New York: Delacorte Press.

Wyatt, N. & Saricks, J. G. (2019). The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction: Third edition. American Library Association.