There are a few things that carry as much intrigue and mystery than the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. What if I told you there was another plot against JFK that almost succeeded before he even took office? Enter, The JFK Conspiracy, a compelling book by New York Times bestselling authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch.

Kennedy, the thirty-fifth president of the United States, is often ranked among Americans’ most well-liked presidents. Yet what most Americans don’t know is that JFK’s historic presidency almost ended before it began―at the hands of a disgruntled sociopathic loner armed with dynamite.

On December 11, 1960, shortly after Kennedy’s election and before his inauguration, a retired postal worker named Richard Pavlick waited in his car―a parked Buick―on a quiet street in Palm Beach, Florida. Pavlick knew the president-elect’s schedule. He knew when Kennedy would leave his house. He knew where Kennedy was going. From there, Pavlick had a simple plan―one that could’ve changed the course of history.

Together, Brad Metzler and Josh Mensch weave an intricate tale exploring the often-overlooked assassination attempt on Kennedy's life by a disgruntled postal worker named Richard Pavlick. The authors examine how this fascinating narrative reshapes our understanding of one of America's most beloved presidents.

Metzler and Mensch have truly carved out a niche for themselves with their ability to transform historical events into gripping stories filled with both suspense and drama. The JFK Conspiracy is just one story, as it took me back to JFK's early military years, his election and the December 11, 1960–a time when America was on the brink of significant change with Kennedy's upcoming inauguration. The author craft vivid descriptions of these times where history could've gone an entirely different direction. Through meticulous research and insightful writing, Meltzer and Mensch allowed me to ponder what might have happened had Pavlick succeeded in altering American history

The balance of factual accuracy and narrative flair is what makes The JFK Conspiracy standout in a crowd of historical novels. The authors are diligent in presenting the well-researched facts while also maintaining a captivating pace that kept me on edge and turning each page with gusto. This blend ensures that history buffs and casual readers looking for an entertaining story find much to appreciate with the book.

While most tales about JFK surround the conspiracies surrounding his actual assassination on November 22, 1963, The JFK Conspiracy brings more to the history of such a well-liked President. The authors bring to life the voices of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, secret service members and so many more in such a way that makes you forget what is going on around while intrenched in the story.

The JFK Conspiracy by authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch is not only an engaging novel, but also a historically accurate tale about an attempt on the President-elect, John F. Kennedy. The authors invaluable insight into lesser-known threats faced during turbulent times preceding JFK's presidency just adds to the mystery surrounding the man. Those deep into the conspiracies surrounding the death of JFK and those looking to learn more about our American history will enjoy this outstanding book.

While available in physical book, the audiobook is something special. Narrated by Scott Brick, the audiobook adds a bit of depth to the tale that keeps you wanting to push further and further along in the story.

This was an amazing book! I learned a lot about JFK in this one, as well as the secret service and their lives regarding how they work with the presidents… and their families!
I also learned a lot about JFK…some that I would’ve been happier being in the dark about… (eg…his philandering, which I knew a little about, but it seems, at least in the book, that he was a hound…)

It was nice to read about Jackie and the children, and the sweet and unique aspect of the secret service guy assigned to her… as well as one for each child…

I had no idea that JFK was basically taunted and criticized for being a Catholic. That was eye opening! 👀

I also loved the scene in the hospital after Junior was born…and the amazing flowers…and, the donkey!🫏

Great read. Made me laugh 😂 , and made me cry😢.

And, amazingly, they noted that a poll was recently done and he is STILL the Favorite as far as presidents go… 60+ years after his death!
That’s a commendable statistic!!

#TheJFKConspiracy by #BradMeltzer and #JoshMensch. Narrated beautifully by #ScottBrick (No wonder I loved it!?!)

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook!
**** RELEASE DATE IS SET FOR. 1.14.25!! SO LOOK FOR IT THEN! ****

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 5!

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Jacqueline Kennedy played an integral role in her husband’s campaign for the American presidency and his legacy. But most readers would be surprised to discover that she played an even more important role in his safety before taking office. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch deliver a stunning and detailed account of the little-known events leading up to John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, including a plot against his life. With an inside look at the strength of Jacqueline and the drama that surrounded the Kennedy family, The JFK Conspiracy pulls on the expertise of the duo behind other acclaimed works such as The First Conspiracy to reveal new information once hidden from the public view.

I give The JFK Conspiracy 5 out of 5 stars. I was blown away by some of the details of Jacqueline Kennedy’s life prior to the White House and the information available to the writers when crafting this book. In her most fragile time around the premature and difficult birth of her son, it was interesting to see the limited roll her husband played in their homelife. I was astonished at the conversations and details available from the point of view of the Secret Service detail. Without giving away the assassination plot and what foiled it, more than anything else, I took away how strong Jacqueline Kennedy was in the face of the weaker public persona she displayed and the importance of her journalistic background in shaping the legacy of JFK.

This book is a great addition to the Conspiracy series from Meltzer and Mensch and would be the same for any history lover’s shelves. I would recommend this read for anyone interested in the JFK legacy or the Secret Service, but especially readers interested in Jacqueline Kennedy’s life. I began reading this book interested in John F. Kennedy’s life and attempts made to end it, but walked away wanting to learn more about Jacqueline’s life and her unique skillsets that helped her handle the immense public scrutiny she lived under until her death.

I was excited to see The JFK Conspiracy available through NetGalley earlier this month. I was first introduced to this writing duo while researching George Washington and when I stumbled on The First Conspiracy. Meltzer and Mensch have a unique style that draws in readers while educating them with new information and bringing alive historical events that feel so far in the past.

The JFK Conspiracy will release on January 14th – you can preorder your copy in our Bookshop.org store today!

This review of The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch is for the audiobook edition, read by Scott Brick. I want to thank the authors, the publisher (Macmillan Audio) and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this new book. I attest the review is my own unbiased opinion of the work.

The JFK Conspiracy is a fast-moving true story of a potential assassination attempt on President-elect John Kennedy's life in December 1960. It is a story most people have probably never heard of--I certainly am among that group. But it is a true story, well written and conceived and wrapped around an abbreviated biography of our 35th President.

I avoid spoilers in reviews, but need to offer a bit of detail about the potential assassination plot. Retired postal worker named Richard Pavlick is the man who wants to kill JFK. The reasons are brought out in the book. His plan is to get his car with loaded dynamite close enough to JFK and his bodyguards to take all of them out in a suicidal explosion. Fortunately Pavlick talked too much to former co-workers and others and led to authorities investigating him and foiling the plot before it could transpire. The assassination plot by Pavlick is actually very short; the authors supplement the plot around a limited biography of Kennedy and his family that is choppy and only hits highlights. I realize the authors needed to fill some space, but JFK's life has been thoroughly researched and written about for decades, so the biopic material is what we've heard or read before.

Nevertheless, the book is engaging and if you like history about Presidents you should consider this for your reading list. Scott Brick does a great job with the narration, and his reading adds to the suspense and the drama of the story.

I give it 4.25 stars, rounded down to 4.

The JFK Conspiracy is not what you think it's about. This is not a look at the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but a very compelling telling of a thwarted assassination attempt towards President-Elect Kennedy by Richard Pavlick. In the wake of two assassination attempts on President-Elect Donald J. Trump, this book is very timely. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch present a perfect living book - no dry facts - detailing JFK's perils in the Pacific during WWII (I had no idea!), his rise to be a prominent (and womanizing) congressman and senator, and the intricate details of his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy's, life.

I was most interested to hear about the relationship between Mrs. Kennedy and her Secret Service Agent, Clint Hill. You can really get a sense of how lonely a political life can be and how challenging this was to the future First Lady. Most entertaining was hearing about Mrs. Kennedy's trip to the White House where Mamie Eisenhower was supposed to show her around prior to JFK's inauguration. WOW, was I surprised to hear how absolutely horrendous that woman was (!!!). Mrs. Kennedy was newly postpartum with major complications and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower showed no compassion (hiding a wheelchair that was requested, as Mrs. Kennedy was barely able to walk at the time!). The juicy details of this book are so interesting and most of it was information I had never heard before.

The narration by Scott Brick was superb. Brick has an almost presidential sounding voice, which felt very appropriate for the subject matter of The JFK Conspiracy. Overall, this is a fantastic read if you are at all interested in history, compelling story lines, and of course the Kennedy family.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, the authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, and the narrator Scott Brick for an ALC of The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy—and Why It Failed.

Brad Meltzer is a very versatile author. In fiction, he writes wonderful thriller novels, like the Escape Artist and Culper Ring series, as well as many standalone novels. He also has contributed to graphic novels. He's also great at nonfiction with a few historical conspiracy books and over 40 biographies for younger readers in the Ordinary People Change the World series.

At first glance this title seems to refer to John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas in 1963, but then you see "and Why It Failed". It's not about Dallas except as a brief narrative in the end of the book. This is actually about the scheme hatched by retired postal worker Richard Pavlick that he wanted to enact between President Kennedy's election and before his inauguration. He had bought sticks of dynamite (when it was easy to do so) and planned to blow himself up and take the President-elect along with him. We also learn about how close Pavlick came to being successful and how investigators ultimately foiled his plan. Meltzer is a great storyteller and weaves various parts of Kennedy's life into a nice tale.

And since I listened to the audiobook, I have to mention one of my favorite narrators, Scott Brick. He uses his voice masterfully to create tension, drama, and humor and bring the people's voices to life.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The JFK Conspiracy
Brad Metzler, Josh Mensch
This was a great read that was full of interesting insight to the lives of the Kennedys with a good amount of time spent around the election. Also a not often spoke about assassination plot. I felt like this was well researched and written. I’d recommend to anyone who is looking to learn more about jfk as it goes beyond just the failed assassination plot.
I had the audio book and loved the narration. Was very easy listening.

Thank you to the Authors, Net Galley, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC

This is an account of a little known assassin and his attempt to kill the president elect. It is also a sweet story about Jackie Kennedy and her close personal relationship with her secret service detail. Amazing behind the scenes details of what it was like to be in the presence of a changing white house and the effects tv and the press changed the office forever.

The JFK Conspiracy
By Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is not my first look at JFK, nor my first Brad Meltzer book.

I enjoy Brad’s writing and his commitment to research. I enjoyed learning about JFK through the lens of Jackie O and Clint Hill, in various previous reads.

This was something altogether different but no less enjoyable. The book begins with Jack’s military service and a look at some lesser-known acts of heroism. I was instantly intrigued.

Then, as the campaign for the Presidency heats up with religion and civil rights being at the forefront, I was struck with some similar parallels between this past November 2024, and late 1959-early 1960. What poignant timing.

The second half of the book looks at the Kennedy ascension to the Presidency and a widely unknown foiled assassination attempt by ex-postal worker and anti-Catholic Pavlick. The storytelling through parallel timelines was really well done.

I had no idea that there was a near-miss assassination attempt prior to JFK's inauguration. This story is the main focus of this book and is very intriguing. Nicely done. Well-paced. Thoroughly researched. Added credit for bringing the hero (the informer) to the forefront. I would definitely recommend this read to others.
However, the beginning of the book was a bit distracting. The writer made it seem that if you didn't vote for Kennedy, you were somehow a racist. Also, if you are of a protestant religious denomination, you were also a racist and hated America. I wasn't around at that time, but I find that very difficult to believe. I like to read historical books without the political sway, as I lean neither left nor right. I understand that the book was written about a political figure, but alienating half of the population in the middle of a historical narrative doesn't sit quite right with me. And don't worry... I feel the same way about Bill O'Reilly books.
Barely missed the 5 star review for me.

Despite there being a number of great JFK books on the market, this one gives an untold perspective on JFK's story. I really enjoyed the book and the narrator!

This is a great read. The narration is outstanding. I learned so much from the story and there are parts if it that are eerily timely and relevant. Well done!

It’s not every day I learn a new conspiracy to kill Kennedy. I’m not surprised it was Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch that wrote about it! I love when these two team up. The audio book gets an added bonus of Scott Brick narrating (one of my favorite narrators) .
But did you know that there was a plot to kill Kennedy before he even took office? I didn’t either! This book follows the would-be assassin, and the Kennedy’s during the time between the election and JFK taking office, then it jumps to the fateful day in Dallas. Very well researched often seen through the eyes of former U.S. Secret Service agent Clint Hill.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley #NetGalley