Book Review: One Summer by David Baldacci

This novel, published in 2011, is a bit of a departure for David Baldacci. He has moved away from the thriller towards a romance with some thrills within it.

The novel focuses on a man who is dying but recovers and has to take care of his three young children alone as his wife tragically dies. He inherits an old seaside house where his wife spent her childhood summers. He takes his family there and all sorts of adventures ensue.

We learn how he copes with the loss of his wife, how he gets to know his children, how he deals with his in-laws and new friends and enemies in his life. As you can imagine it is a bit of a bumpy track during the book as he deals with conflicts but everyone seems to move on nicely by the end.

Not as good as the thrillers but a reasonably good read.

7/10 for me.

Book Review: Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci

Another in the Shaw/Katie James series (although Katie James does not really feature in this novel too much). I enjoyed the first part of the novel that had some suspense, romance and was set in Provence so it fired my imagination. It also was quite amusing as the story unfolded that there were two special agencies trying to take out a Russian criminal.

There was a truly horrifying chapter in the book where David Baldacci described a torture scene. It was extremely well written and I am glad that I did not read this late at night.

The climax of the novel was quite good too, however as ever we have to suspend our imaginations a bit. When someone catches the good guy, why don't they just kill them there and then? As ever, they let them go and a game of chase ensues. I suppose if this did not happen most thrillers would end on page 5. J

Enjoyed the book however 8/10 from me.

Book Review: True Blue by David Baldacci

I really enjoyed reading this stand alone book by David Baldacci. The novel before of his that I read I found difficult to get through, but this one was easy to read. It has only taken me about four days to read this time.

The book moves along at a pace and concerns the relationship between two sisters, one a police chief and the other an ex-cop who has just served two years in prison. The romantic relationship is less convincing with the lawyer Roy.

The ex-cop/ex-prisoner sister called Mace tries to clear her name by investigating a crime that proves to be the start of a sinister secret service plot. I found the character of the old vetran really good, and I liked the bits where he was in the novel.

This book is one of the better David Baldacci novels.

I would give this 8/10

Book Review: The Collectors by David Baldacci

This is another novel in the Camel Club series and the background is set in the world of cons and it was fascinating for me as it was not a world I had read about before in fiction. David Baldacci skilfully tied this in to the Camel Club and a murder at the Library of Congress.

It was great to be back again in the land of the Camel Club, characters that I have become familiar with. There was more sharing of the limelight in this novel that I enjoyed, rather than it being focused on the John Carr/Oliver Stone character.

Two sets of hoods come after the members of the Camel Club and it is a good read.

I would give this Camel Club novel an 8/10.

Book Review: Last Man Standing by David Baldacci

I had put off reading this novel by David Baldacci for quite some time as for me the book looked too long. Unfortunately so it proved, it has taken me weeks to get through it.

I enjoyed parts of it but the plots seemed over complicated and the whole effect of the book was like overcooked food. It was good in parts though and I do like David Baldacci's books generally.

There is one particular scene when the hero Web London gets hypnotised that I thought was very good writing. On the other end of the scale, why was the hero called Web? I don't remember discovering that.

A suitable book for a very long plane journey. 7/10 for me.

Book Review: First Family by David Baldacci

A follow on from the Simple Genius novel by David Baldacci, featuring Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, this novel reaches to the top of US society with kidnapping at a children's birthday party at Camp David. King and Maxwell help the first lady to try and recover the child.

As ever there are twists and turns along the way, with plenty of action too. There is also the question in the background with Sean and Michelle get it together as well?

A pretty good read for me, as enjoyable as ever and a 7/10.

Book Review: Hell's Corner by David Baldacci

Another in the Camel Club series, that sees Oliver Stone/John Carr a bit closer to home in Washington DC. A book that starts off a bit slow at the beginning then at the end it all seems a bit rushed. A bomb plot at the centre of things, with drug dealers and the secret service (both the US and UK versions) heavily involved.

The red herrings and sub plots are pretty good, and I am used to the different characters now. However, after the years have passed, the characters are becoming less believable with seemingly old men performing supernatural feats. Maybe the formula is becoming a little tired for this set of characters.

However, I did enjoy the read nonetheless and I managed to suspend my belief in parts.

Would give this a 6/10.

Book Review: The Whole Truth by David Baldacci

The world's largest defence supply contractor manipulates world events to engender a sense of foreboding forcing world powers to start an new arms race.

Shaw and Katie James set about trying to thwart him. The novel moves along at a great pace, Shaw is a sort of man with no name Clint Eastwood sort of a character and Katie James makes a good foil for him. The novel never stops moving and the path is never straight. A good novel.

My rating 7/10

Book Review: Wish You Well by David Baldacci

One of the earlier David Baldacci novels published in 2000 and it is still a cracking read. A nice thick paperback to read on the plane or train journey or soaking up some rays next to the pool. It is based on David Baldacci's family history of life from a different era in Virginia in the sticks. A family tragedy means two children have to relocate from New York and adjust to country ways. The book tells of their adjustment to a new type of life.

 

The novel also contains tension, mystery and thrills a plenty too. You get to love the characters and enjoy the way that they overcome their struggles. A different type of thriller with a definite human element and people overcoming adversity.

One of the better David Baldacci novels and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would give this a 9/10.

Book Review: The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

Had difficulty getting hold of a copy of this one, it is not readily available in Doha, Qatar and did not appear to be available on Kindle either? However, I got this delivered to England and picked it up there while on holiday. While the book is probably best read at Christmas as in many ways it is a cosy winter sort of a novel, I enjoyed reading this in April J

 

A journey, friendships, mystery, a snow bound train and overcoming adversity. Twists and turns with red herrings a plenty but also that old time Christmas feeling soaks through too. Worth hunting this novel out for a good cosy read.

 

My mark would be 8/10 for this one.

Book Review: Hour Game by David Baldacci

A killer starts to murder people in the style of previous serial killers. Then a copy cat killer starts to leave dead bodies too, it all becomes very mysterious very quickly.

This novel features Sean King and Michelle Maxwell and they are investigating another case but they are then deputised to assist with the serial killer(s). The two cases become cleverly interlinked. King and Maxwell are in a race to track down the killers before any more bodies turn up.

A page turner.

8/10 for me.

Book Review: Saving Faith by David Baldacci

A novel about bribery in the top echelons of the US government sets a fast pace right from the first few pages. Faith is the name of the main character and you stick with her throughout the novel and hope that she wins through. She certainly has big dark forces against her, will her loyalty to her boss sink her or will she win through?

You need to read this David Baldacci novel, I would give this an 8/10.

Book Review: The Sixth Man by David Baldacci

For some reason I was able to get this novel ahead of scheduled publishing date at Heathrow Airport in London. I wanted to read a copy as it was the next in the series for me in the Sean King/Michelle Maxwell that David Baldacci writes.

They are called upon to investigate the murder of a serial killer, but on the first meeting with the lawyer, they discover his dead body. It is up to King and Maxwell to discover whether the alleged serial killer is a killer or not?

7/10 for me with this book.

Book Review: The Simple Truth by David Baldacci

A thriller set in theme of a miscarriage of justice and righting that wrong. Thrilling both inside the prison and out. The action keeps you turning the pages and a wanting for the wrong to be put right. If you like David Baldacci then you will love this novel from 1998, if you have not read any David Baldacci before then you will love to read this as your taster of his novels.

Another sure fire hit for David Baldacci and my mark is a 7/10.

Book Review: Split Second by David Baldacci

I like the Sean King/Michelle Maxwell series, and probably this one best of all. King was assigned to be a security cover for a presidential candidate and he was distracted for a split second and a horrendous series of events unfolded in this novel.

This is all eight years in the past, but then a similar event happens again to Secret Service agent Michelle Maxwell.

They join forces to investigate the similar events that leads to a thriller ride. They are opposites in many ways and the chemistry between the two is part of the appeal of this book.

8/10 for me with this one.

Book Review: The Winner by David Baldacci

I really enjoyed reading this David Baldacci, novel. I could identify with the character winning the lottery and getting out of poverty. I was in her corner the entire way. Thought that the way she won the lottery (a fix) was a bit contrived but it did not spoil the enjoyment of the read.

As it was one of David Baldacci's first published novels I would give this a 7/10.

Book Review: Simple Genius by David Baldacci

One of the Sean King/Michelle Maxwell novels that thunders along at a good pace. Michelle is out of sorts at the beginning of the novel and seeking medical care for her demons. There are sinister going ons at the medical facility too that Michelle helps to sort out.

Sean is forced due to financial hardship to accept an assignment with an old flame and starts investigations in the sinister and shady government facility of Babbage Town. Scientific geniuses endeavour to solve some of the world's biggest problems for the good of America. However, a murder or two here and there soon embroil the characters in life or death situations.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and I would give this an 8/10.

Book Review: Total Control by David Baldacci

A mystery thriller set on both sides of the USA, there is a pretty high body count and the mystery unfolds nicely through the book. Up to the usual high standard by David Baldacci and worth picking up for your holiday read or on a flight too. Plenty to get your teeth into.

 

My mark for this one would be 7/10.

Book Review: Divine Justice by David Baldacci

This is another novel in the Camel Club series, with John Carr/Oliver Stone and the gang. He is on the run having killed a couple of notables in the secret service. Divine is the name of the place that he ends up. He gets embroiled in local issues and a crime ring there as well and as ever is lucky to survive.

 

The book goes on at a cracking pace and I enjoyed reading it. Up to the usual David Baldacci standard.

8/10

Book Review: Absolute Power by David Baldacci

A rather silly start to the book but it sets up a cracking read that involves the President and high stakes. A cover up and a few bodies stacked up as the book progresses.

An OK book but not one of David Baldacci's best. 6/10