Undertow

Image is everything—for better or worse—in this gripping political thriller and first novel from the bestselling author of The War of the Roses.

Handsome, smart, and charismatic, Senator Donald Benjamin James is the perfect presidential candidate. As a human, he has his flaws. He's not the first politician to be unfaithful to his wife, but so far, he's been able to hide his dalliances from the public eye. That skill is about to be tested . . .

A weekend trip to Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, with his two aides and his latest indiscretion, African American staff assistant Marlena Jackson, turns to tragedy. While they're cavorting in the waves, Marlena accidentally drowns, and Don nearly dies trying to save her. 

To prevent his political assassination, Don and his team of ruthlessly ambitious operatives must navigate a police investigation, the onslaught of news media, and the threat of losing his humiliated wife's support. They have no choice but to keep playing the game, and hope it doesn't pull them under . . .