The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer

While in the airport, after a long weekend away, I just wanted a thriller to read on the airplane so...I quickly downloaded The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer.  It looked like my type of book, filled with assassination plots, tidbits of American history, and of course, a mystery.  I was pleasantly surprised that it was a bit more than just a "Number One Best-Seller" (geez, so was Shades of Grey and I am SO never going there with a self-published book!)  Meltzer, though,  has created an intriguing character, Beecher White, who is an archivist in Washington, D.C.  He is also a member of a special lil group of people called the Culper Ring who are supposed to protect the president.  However, what if the president is rather unlikeable, unethical, and all-around unpleasant?  Aah, there's the rub.  The story throws in all kinds of historical trivia that I admittedly get a kick out of, along with background into Beecher's childhood (the typical nerdy kid with the other square pegs that don't fit).  At times, I wished I had read his first book, The Inner Circle, as they repeatedly referred to the story prior to this one which was a bit frustrating.  I will also admit, Meltzer isn't an exceptionally pretty writer - he obviously writes to have a #1 best-seller (in other words...quickly).  However, it's a decent story and if you're a fan of American history, you'll like the trivia.  Good vacation book, but poor book club choice - not enough 'meat' on the bone.