emma_leoni's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
disneydamsel1's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
djdorsey's review against another edition
4.0
Great Southern murder mystery novel. Just when you think you got it; there’s more underlying suspense. This book is well written. Even the slow start up had me excited and as I got deeper into it, boy it got deep.
carmelreads19's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really enjoying Baldacci more with each book. This was a page turner that kept me up late into the night. Just when I thought I knew who was a "bad guy" or a good guy he threw me another twist.
jake_leicht's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bshinavier's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
2.0
Not surprisingly, David Baldacci's books become predictable and formulaic after a while. This book was an enjoyable, easy read, and I got through it quickly. Sometimes it's nice to just be able to read a book without using a ton of brain power.
Probably the most annoying part of the book was not the predictability, but the chapter where the investigators sit down and review the data...the chapter is designed to look like they're all reviewing the information together, to make sure they haven't missed anything, but the real purpose is to summarize for the readers everything that has happened. Except I don't need the summary because I'VE BEEN READING THE BOOK. And this chapter would not be at all necessary if Baldacci didn't try to incorporate a whole lot of plot lines that don't really add value, and simply create a superficial complexity to the story.
Whatever. It's a totally fine book if you want to read something that doesn't make you think (I'm not judging here--I do it all the time myself!)
Probably the most annoying part of the book was not the predictability, but the chapter where the investigators sit down and review the data...the chapter is designed to look like they're all reviewing the information together, to make sure they haven't missed anything, but the real purpose is to summarize for the readers everything that has happened. Except I don't need the summary because I'VE BEEN READING THE BOOK. And this chapter would not be at all necessary if Baldacci didn't try to incorporate a whole lot of plot lines that don't really add value, and simply create a superficial complexity to the story.
Whatever. It's a totally fine book if you want to read something that doesn't make you think (I'm not judging here--I do it all the time myself!)
travlnbard's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this series because of the King and Maxwell TV show which I really enjoyed, however I am finding what I liked about the show is lacking in the books.
First the good. Baldacci has me guessing and questioning throughout the entire novel. The twistedness of the villain is realistic and scary. The bad guys are smart and well thought out. It is easy to forget that you are reading a book. Until...
The bad. King's insistence on keeping the good theories to himself is driving me nuts! He has no problem speculating on motives or suspects but as soon as he hits on actual possibilities he shuts down and keeps it to himself.
More bad. The cops and FBI are all prideful idiots who couldn't catch a criminal if they witnessed the murders themselves.
The worse. When it comes to the action of the book Baldacci strains credulity. Even he says that something happened that was a one in a billion shot.
While I enjoy the John Puller series, I am giving this series one more shot before giving it up entirely.
First the good. Baldacci has me guessing and questioning throughout the entire novel. The twistedness of the villain is realistic and scary. The bad guys are smart and well thought out. It is easy to forget that you are reading a book. Until...
The bad. King's insistence on keeping the good theories to himself is driving me nuts! He has no problem speculating on motives or suspects but as soon as he hits on actual possibilities he shuts down and keeps it to himself.
More bad. The cops and FBI are all prideful idiots who couldn't catch a criminal if they witnessed the murders themselves.
The worse. When it comes to the action of the book Baldacci strains credulity. Even he says that something happened that was a one in a billion shot.
While I enjoy the John Puller series, I am giving this series one more shot before giving it up entirely.