The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
yoteach87's review against another edition
3.0
Readable, fact paced, and interesting. Just a little too on the nose with some clues (and how obvious it was what it entailed) and a lot of hand holding for the reader.
thejoeyharris's review
5.0
'The #1 New York Times' bestselling author David Baldacci introduces an unforgettable new character: Archer, a straight-talking former World War II soldier fresh out of prison for a crime he didn't commit.
It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of do's and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job--and don't ever associate with loose women.
The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment--and a stiff drink--leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.
Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.
When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison . . . if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.
I liked this book. Archer is a good man to pull for. I didn't like some characters or their actions, but look forward to another book about Archer.
It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of do's and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job--and don't ever associate with loose women.
The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment--and a stiff drink--leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.
Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.
When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison . . . if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.
I liked this book. Archer is a good man to pull for. I didn't like some characters or their actions, but look forward to another book about Archer.
kadidiawc's review against another edition
2.0
It took me quite a while to get into it. Not bad in the end but didn’t enjoy the writing as much as I usually doÂ
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
Baldacci is one of my favorite authors, and I was curious to see how his foray into historical mystery went. Fortunately, this book was a fun read. It’s 1949 in Poca City, WV and Aloysius Archer has been freed from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. After fighting in WW II and then serving his prison term, he’s looking for a fresh start and is starting his parole. Just a few days after his arrival in town, he’s offered a job by the city’s kingpin to recover a car used for collateral in a loan. Archer quickly gets mixed up in a rivalry between two rich men while navigating his relationships with the kingpin’s girlfriend and his own parole officer. After someone ends up dead, Archer finds himself helping out the local police. Great intro to the Archer character and loved all the historical details of a different time.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smc15's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hollypollypocket's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chartsh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
3.0
I have always been fond of this author's work. But, this isn't one of my favorites. Basically, I liked the main character. However, he managed to get himself into fixes that I found to be sad for the times (post WW II). There is a murder mystery and he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The story is a few years after WW II, women are not treated well. "Women just don't have a head for business"; "Women like it when you do that"… So perhaps, I did not care for the reminder of how women (myself included) have been treated over the years as entertainment.
The story is a few years after WW II, women are not treated well. "Women just don't have a head for business"; "Women like it when you do that"… So perhaps, I did not care for the reminder of how women (myself included) have been treated over the years as entertainment.