Political Page-Turner

Leave it to best-selling author Brad Meltzer to unearth a real-life secret plot that leaves us on the edge of our seats.

His latest tome, "The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington," is a nail-biter for sure, but it's also a departure of sorts for the South Florida writer. After 20 years of penning thrillers, this is Meltzer's first nonfiction book.

It's a perfect read this month as we celebrate President's Day and Washington's birthday - the plot revolves around a clandestine conspiracy to assassinate Washington during the American Revolution. In a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction twist, the traitors were part of an elite group of soldiers handpicked to serve as the general's bodyguards. Add the governor of New York into the treasonous mix, and you've got a bonafide page-turner.

"This is a story of soldiers, spies, traitors, redcoats, turncoats, criminals, prostitutes, politicians, great men, terrible men, and before it's over, the largest public execution at the time ever to take place on North American shores," Meltzer writes in the first chapter. "It all happens, amazingly, within days of the signing of the Declaration of Independence."

His website adds: "Taking place during the most critical period of our nation's birth, 'The First Conspiracy' tells a remarkable and previously untold piece of American history that not only reveals George Washington's character, but also illuminates the origins of America's counterintelligence movement that led to the modern day CIA."

Visit bradmeltzer.com.