House of Cards

When Francis Urquhart decides to fight for the ultimate political job - Prime Minister - he issues no challenge to the present incumbent. Instead, using the ammunition of political secrets he's acquired over the years as Chief Whip, he begins a silent, deadly campaign to eliminate every other candidate in any way he can - including murder. Mattie Storin, a young woman journalist, is the only one to sense Urquhart's terrifying self-interest and intent - but to take him on she must range herself against the most powerful men in the country.

A superb political thriller by Michael Dobbs, once advisor to such Conservative luminaries as Margaret Thatcher, Cecil Parkinson and Norman Tebbit, told with all the authority and excitement of inside knowledge.