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humatariq's review against another edition
4.0
Not up to the usual standard of a King and Maxwell mystery, but it did pick up quiet a bit in the end...
topdragon's review against another edition
3.0
This sixth book in the King and Maxwell series was a bit of a letdown for me. I realize its publication, timed for the launch of the now-failed TV show of the same name, required some compromises but the final result was less than ideal.
Former secret service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell have long since overcome their disgraced careers but they remain struggling private investigators with apparently few clients. The plot of this book comes about by pure chance when they happen to nearly run over a terrified teenager with a gun and a wild look in his eye. Michelle insists on trying to help the kid who decides on the spur of the moment to hire them as PIs to look into the death of his father in Afghanistan. To me it was a clumsy start to a clumsy plot that would ultimately reach into the Oval Office and uncover an Iran-Contra style controversial government action and an over-the-top villain who, somehow, never seemed all that threatening. Honestly, this reads like a TV episode, complete with product placement.
However, it’s not all bad. Both King and Maxwell remain true to their root characterization from previous novels (as aggravating as that can sometimes be given their personalities) and there are some nice action sequences but overall the introspective moments seemed like they were being directed by a network TV executive rather than an experienced author with the high skills that Baldacci has shown many times before. A lot of short choppy dialogue was also included…which made me think this was an adapted script. Finally, the mere idea that the President of the US, with all of the resources at his disposal, would turn to two PIs to stop a major international terrorist operation as well as his own explosive political scandal is simply ludicrous. And the shocker ending was, frankly, telegraphed from miles away.
Despite all of that, I still found myself enjoying much of this book. I credit Baldacci's base writing skills with that phenomenon. While I had hoped for more from this one, plot-wise, I expect I will get more and better with other Baldacci novels.
Former secret service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell have long since overcome their disgraced careers but they remain struggling private investigators with apparently few clients. The plot of this book comes about by pure chance when they happen to nearly run over a terrified teenager with a gun and a wild look in his eye. Michelle insists on trying to help the kid who decides on the spur of the moment to hire them as PIs to look into the death of his father in Afghanistan. To me it was a clumsy start to a clumsy plot that would ultimately reach into the Oval Office and uncover an Iran-Contra style controversial government action and an over-the-top villain who, somehow, never seemed all that threatening. Honestly, this reads like a TV episode, complete with product placement.
However, it’s not all bad. Both King and Maxwell remain true to their root characterization from previous novels (as aggravating as that can sometimes be given their personalities) and there are some nice action sequences but overall the introspective moments seemed like they were being directed by a network TV executive rather than an experienced author with the high skills that Baldacci has shown many times before. A lot of short choppy dialogue was also included…which made me think this was an adapted script. Finally, the mere idea that the President of the US, with all of the resources at his disposal, would turn to two PIs to stop a major international terrorist operation as well as his own explosive political scandal is simply ludicrous. And the shocker ending was, frankly, telegraphed from miles away.
Despite all of that, I still found myself enjoying much of this book. I credit Baldacci's base writing skills with that phenomenon. While I had hoped for more from this one, plot-wise, I expect I will get more and better with other Baldacci novels.
ninasbooks57's review against another edition
5.0
Baldacchino has done it again! Love all the twists and turns and especially the out of left field ending! Can’t help but love Sean and Michelle!! Hope this isn’t the end of the series!
dianereads54's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
momma794's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sparklelys's review against another edition
Edgar Roy got all the best lines in the entire book. No wonder they made him such an integral part of the tv series.
shadowling's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a huge fan of the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series. If you like one, you'll like the rest.
casadelibros's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell (ex-secret service agents) which are now PIs. They find themselves representing a young teenage boy to help find his father. (Tyler believes he is still alive even though the military says different). Maxwell is drawn to Tyler are approached by a teenage boy and King is not so sure. Of course, as usual this is a high profile case surrounded by danger and secrets and nothing is simple as always leads to a wider conspiracy. Full of twists and turns with much action, danger and suspense. The audio version was engrossing as Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy never disappoints.