Brad Meltzer's THE JFK CONSPIRACY is a collaborative story with Josh Mensch that centers around the failed plot to assassinate JFK, the thirty-fifth and first Catholic president of the United States, before his inauguration.

The book is a captivating journey, bringing JFK to life as it details his military service, early life with his wife, Jackie Kennedy, his presidential run, and his memory for names and genuine interest in people. We also learn about Jackie, her integral role in her husband's campaign for the American presidency, and her preparation for the life of First Lady right after giving birth to their new son. The suspense peaks when, shortly after JFK's election, Richard Pavlick, a retired postal worker, planned to assassinate JFK on December 11th, 1960. He wanted to kill Kennedy, himself, and anyone else around him using dynamite, but changed his mind at the last second when he saw Jackie and the kids nearby.

The JFK Conspiracy is a standout among historical novels due to its meticulous attention to historical accuracy and its engaging narrative style. With a clear and concise voice that skillfully relates the drama and suspense, it reads like a historical thriller rather than a history book. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone interested in US politics.

Scott Brick is one of my favorite audiobook narrators. He used his voice masterfully, again delivering a stellar performance, bringing the story to life and transporting listeners to the heart of the action.

My sincere thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I also extend my gratitude to authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch for their dedication in writing another highly interesting book!

Did you know that a man from New Hampshire almost killed President-elect John F. Kennedy in 1960? Neither did I. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch tall the story of how Kennedy was almost assassinated before he even took the oath of office. This book was narrated by Scott Brick, who is a master. And he does such a wonderful job narrating this taut, real-life thriller.

Meltzer and Mensch follow Richard Pavlik, a man from New Hampshire who does not want a Catholic to be president. He decides that he's going to prevent Kennedy from taking office. Meltzer and Mensch follow Pavlik as he makes his car into a bomb, and travels to Florida to try to kill Kennedy as he is leaving for mass.

I found this book fascinating. I have read more than 90 books about JFK's actual assassination and I did not know about this attempt on his life. Meltzer and Mensch make this story a thrill ride as you begin to wonder whether Pavlik will be successful, all the while knowing the plot failed. If you are interested in the parts of history that get overlooked, JFK, and his term in office, read this book. It is very much worth your time.

I really enjoyed the Nazi Conspiracy by these authors, so requesting an arc for this was a no brainer for me .

Although this isn’t the book I expected, I really enjoyed listening to it . Although the assassination attempt on JFKs life prior to his taking office was interesting - and something I don’t recall ever hearing about before - what I appreciated more was the details behind the election, the secret service and the Kennedy’s themselves .

My rating 4.5 ⭐️

Good recounting of a story that isn’t well-known, the attempted assassination of JFK when he was the president-elect. I found it interesting to learn how bigoted religious leaders like Norman Vincent Peale and Billy Graham were and the steps they took to try to prevent a Catholic from being elected president.

Scott Brick is one of my all-time favorite narrators and it was a real joy listening to him weave this barely known story about an assassination attempt on JFK's life BEFORE he was even sworn in as President [if this story interests you, there are several books about this happening to Lincoln, including one by the authors of this book that are worth looking into].

Filled with interesting history [some I knew, some I did not and it was really interesting learning about JFK and his military service and other things he accomplished], a detailed look at Jackie Kennedy and how she struggled [the personal input from her former secret service man was VERY interesting] with the idea of being First Lady, with the public [and in private; who knew Mamie Eisenhower would be so...not nice] and within her own marriage, and a brief glimpse into that awful day in 1963 [again, some of this comes from Jackie's secret service man], this was a pretty good listen [I DID dislike the jumping around they did and was ready to throw my phone at one point when we'd just get fully into the story and then they'd toss us back in time and break up the flow - VERY frustrating] and found this to be an excellent jumping off point for any research or deep dive into JFK and his legacy. This part of his history is important and should not be ignored or missed

Thank you to NetGalley, Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch, and Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Camelot era as well as the Kennedy family have held my fascination inspiring me to read and watch many books and documentaries about them. As President Kennedy's assassination was a pivotal point of our nation's history, a great deal of information is available on the subject. However, I personally had never heard of the assassination attempt prior to him taking office. Brad Meltzer has meticulously researched the event as well as the history of the Kennedy family and paints a fascinating picture. I was riveted to the story as I listened to the audio version's great narrator. This book serves as a history lesson but unfolds more like an enjoyable novel rather than textbook. My thanks to MacMillan Audio for providing a review copy of the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

An interesting piece of history from the Kennedy years fashioned into a James Patterson-esque chapter book for adults--brisk chapters, propulsive narrative, light on minutia--but this is a magazine feature stretched into a book.

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.

This is a story that will make you gasp, cry and want to hit someone. I love how the authors create such emotion in a nonfiction book. This is what I love about Brad Meltzer. His nonfiction books read like novels. There is true life to the characters. Yes, they were real people, but a lot of times, authors miss this part of the story. Not Meltzer and Mensch.

This is well researched and to be honest, I want to know more. And he briefly touches on something in the assignation, I wonder if anybody else picks up on it. Not going to say a word here…you need to read this to find out.

Scott Brick is my favorite narrator of all time. And he is perfect for this book..HECK…he is perfect for any book!

Need a unique story about JFK…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today

I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch return to deliver a great piece of non-fiction about a true, yet little-known, event surrounding the first assassination attempt on John F. Kennedy, in the days before his inauguration. The authors depict the events well and provide page-turning excitement to their storytelling as they reveal truths buried in history books and only now coming out for all to read with ease. Another stellar piece of history has life breathed into it with this book!

Many will know a great deal about John F. Kennedy, one of the most popular US presidents ever and who died at the hands of an assassin’s bullet in 1963. While that mystery continues to play out in books and by historians that want to resurrect old reports, few talk about the original assassination attempt on the president-elect in 1960, at the hands of a deranged man who had a truck of dynamite. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch address this attempt, a little known even from just after the election and before Kennedy was sworn into office.

Using the first portion of the book to explore Kennedy as a war hero and son of an American businessman, the authors depict young Jack as a man who sought to help others before himself and wanted nothing more than to be a team player. While this might have changed when he gained notoriety as a US senator, Kennedy was always willing to see that others could prevail. His efforts to ensure equal rights for all and to fight for it on the Senate floor would earn him a reputation in many Democratic circles and help propel his way into winning the nomination for his party during the 1960 primaries.

As the authors explore, Kennedy used his youthful and ‘easy on the eyes’ nature to win the hearts of many, alongside his movie star appearance wife, Jackie. However, there was an underlying issue that Kennedy could not shake, that being that he was Catholic. Kennedy’s connection to the Church could not be dressed up or purchased out of being, though many would say it was a reason not to cast a vote for him. Facing sitting Vice-President Richard Nixon in the 1960 campaign, Kennedy somehow eked out a victory, much to the chagrin of the ‘establishment’. However, it ushered in a new and youthful appearance to the White House and ensured new views would be heard in the Oval Office.

Not everyone was prepared to let this happen, including a man who was set in his ways and knew that a Catholic was only a mouthpiece for the Vatican. Richard Pavlick had his sights on ending the Kennedy dynasty before it began, hoping to create an explosion outside a Palm Beach, Florida building where president-elect Kennedy would be on December 11th. He hoped to use dynamite to kill Kennedy and anyone else around him, thereby making a name for himself in the history books and ending an era sure to usher in needless change for a country that relied on tradition. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch tackle this and other issues around that time in this well-paced book sure to pique the interest of the Kennedy fan.

I have long enjoyed the work of Brad Meltzer, whose thrillers have never failed to impress. His collaborative work with Josh Mensch has also been highly entertaining, as they tackle lesser-known events in history that could have had a significant difference in how America progressed. The premise is pure genius and that it is told in short chapters propels the reader forward, hoping that they will delve deeply into all that is taking place and flip pages well into the night. Well-developed and paced in an easy to digest format, Meltzer and Mensch keep the reader on their toes as history unfolds before them. I enjoyed the piece and its nuggets of information throughout, told from the perspective of the layperson so as not to drown the reader with all the information on offer. I look forward to more collaborations between these two, as well a Meltzer’s own writing, which always packs a punch.

Kudos, Messrs. Meltzer and Mensch, for breathing life into this piece of history!

Scott Brick is forever the greatest narrator of our lifetimes. Meltzer and Mensch knocked it out of the park with this. I was new to the history of JFK beyond the bare facts, and they swept me right up into the world. By the end of it I cared so much for these historical people I will never actually meet. They gave an excellent history lesson on a lesser known moment in the JFK whirlwind, and I loved every second of it.

I learned a few things reading this one. #1- I had no idea there was an earlier plot to murder JFK. #2- This book had a great deal of life in the Kennedy household. #3- Clint Hill made more appearances in the pre assignation days than I have ever seen him make in a Kennedy book (and I loved that). #4- This book was much better than my expectations. 5 stars from me.

As someone who has read fairly extensively about the assassination of JFK and the (many) accompanying conspiracies that come with it, I went into this read half-expecting it to feel redundant of the many other works already out there. This couldn’t have been further from the truth for me!

The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy — and Why it Failed is an absolutely fascinating read for an abundance of reasons. First, though biographical, it almost reads like a “story” at times, managing to capture and hold your attention throughout. Second, in a lot of ways, this book can be seen more as an ode to Jackie Kennedy than a telling of JFK and I absolutely loved the unique perspectives and shifting focus in that regard. Third, the authors absolutely nailed the art of short chapters with this one. And, finally, through the powerful writing and storytelling, the reader is left not only knowing more about the Kennedy family and a failed assassination attempt that has largely been buried, but is also left feeling oddly inspired and hopeful for the future despite the tragedies discussed.

Thank you to Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch, Macmillan Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Everyone knows of JFK’s assassination in Dallas in November 1963. The JFK Conspiracy is a fascinating look into a lesser known assassination attempt on then President Elect Kennedy in Florida. The plot was thought up by a former postal worker who was going to use dynamite and his car to set off a bomb that would take the President Elect from us before he could have his inauguration.

The story mostly follows a couple different paths. The first being the President himself. The authors give you a brief history of JFK’s life from his harrowing time on a PT boat in World War II to his womanizing ways. They also spend a lot time on Jackie Kennedy and her secret agent. Finally they focus on Richard Pavlick, the would be assassin. The three story lines focus mostly on the end of the election and the days leading up to the attempt before the inauguration.

This is the fourth book from the authors that I have read. All surrounding assassination attempts on famous Presidents. Previous books covered FDR, Washington, and Lincoln. I have enjoyed all four book. Mr. Meltzer and Mr. Mensch know how to make these non-fiction books read like a novel. If you are a fan of conspiracies, Presidents, or history, you won’t regret picking up this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Mr. Meltzer Mr. Mensch, and MacMillion Audio for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.

Scott Brick is one of the best narrators and he took this book to the next level. I never knew about this assassination plot against Kennedy, so it was really interesting to hear about, along with listening to about some of the inner workings of the Secret Service.

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.