afox98's review
3.0
The plot was a bit over-the-top, but still fun to follow. Probably my biggest issue was knowing this book was written after the TV show, King and Maxwell, was on (then off), and it felt like it. It felt like a text version of a TV show, rather than a good solid book. The writing seemed more for entertainment value than to tell a story. However, the banter between Sean and Michelle was top-notch and Edgar was a nice addition.
phunter22's review
4.0
Pretty fun read. I really like the two characters and will most likely read the other books in the series at some point.
kilcannon's review
2.0
I can see why people like this sort of thing. Reads very fast, regardless of how actually interesting it is. Like watching a prime time cop drama. Just picture some of your favorite actors as the characters and you can be reasonably entertained.
zipperhead's review
5.0
A very good book that got better and better as it went along. I have always enjoyed King and Maxwell characters and relationship. Hopefully in the book they can tell each other what they are feeling that they have been trying to say for several books now!!!
aprilmay11's review
2.0
Had some typical police situations and jokes. Not very interesting. One plot twist but kinda boring.
weaselweader's review
2.0
“ … we were trying to do something positive, something that would help another country become free.”
RANT ON
Former Secret Service agent and now detective Michelle Maxwell hit the nail on the head with her response to the president’s musings, “The best of intentions, the worst of outcomes”. I’m inclined to agree, although as a Canadian reader with Canadian sensibilities – sick to death of Donald Trump and now attempting to survive the USA’s grossly mishandled response to the Covid-19 pandemic – I often have my doubts that the USA’s intentions could even be characterized as good, let alone the best. But she sure got the bit about the outcomes right!
KING AND MAXWELL is a formulaic geo-political potboiler thriller – and it has to be admitted that Baldacci has them down to a fine art – that involves national anti-terrorism policy, FBI, CIA, military, Islamic governments, assassination, black ops, computer hacking, double crosses, triple crosses … the whole nine yards. And, goodness knows, it certainly reads easily enough and quickly enough. Sean King’s and Michelle Maxwell’s character development as devoted business partners hanging on the edge of the cliff of romantic involvement is masterfully done. But, ultimately, the entire plot rests on American jingoism – the belief that the USA can do no wrong – and this Canadian reader is sick to death of it all. If a decision made by Congress isn’t seen by those in the secretive, dark halls of moneyed power as being sufficiently in the interests of the USA (notwithstanding the fact that Congress is supposed to represent its citizens), then that decision will be ignored by the money and the power and the black ops will take over.
If you’re a fan of David Baldacci, I can recommend KING AND MAXWELL as an easy reading addition to his work and to the King and Maxwell series in particular. If you’re an American reader, you’ll probably love it and wonder just what the hell I’m railing on about.
RANT OFF
Paul Weiss
RANT ON
Former Secret Service agent and now detective Michelle Maxwell hit the nail on the head with her response to the president’s musings, “The best of intentions, the worst of outcomes”. I’m inclined to agree, although as a Canadian reader with Canadian sensibilities – sick to death of Donald Trump and now attempting to survive the USA’s grossly mishandled response to the Covid-19 pandemic – I often have my doubts that the USA’s intentions could even be characterized as good, let alone the best. But she sure got the bit about the outcomes right!
KING AND MAXWELL is a formulaic geo-political potboiler thriller – and it has to be admitted that Baldacci has them down to a fine art – that involves national anti-terrorism policy, FBI, CIA, military, Islamic governments, assassination, black ops, computer hacking, double crosses, triple crosses … the whole nine yards. And, goodness knows, it certainly reads easily enough and quickly enough. Sean King’s and Michelle Maxwell’s character development as devoted business partners hanging on the edge of the cliff of romantic involvement is masterfully done. But, ultimately, the entire plot rests on American jingoism – the belief that the USA can do no wrong – and this Canadian reader is sick to death of it all. If a decision made by Congress isn’t seen by those in the secretive, dark halls of moneyed power as being sufficiently in the interests of the USA (notwithstanding the fact that Congress is supposed to represent its citizens), then that decision will be ignored by the money and the power and the black ops will take over.
If you’re a fan of David Baldacci, I can recommend KING AND MAXWELL as an easy reading addition to his work and to the King and Maxwell series in particular. If you’re an American reader, you’ll probably love it and wonder just what the hell I’m railing on about.
RANT OFF
Paul Weiss
felinity's review
4.0
Another fast-paced offering, with conspiracies, changing political leanings, danger and suspense.
Sean and Michelle bicker like an old married couple, and at least one character notices; Sean is ragged on for his lack of computer skills, and sometimes I wonder how Michelle managed to rise so high in the Secret Service, despite her physical ability - and then I figure she just used up her entire store of tact and diplomacy - but all these little flaws make the characters seem real. They have real limitations, real fears, face real risks, and still decide to help a scared 16-year old boy... because it's right, and because they can.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sean and Michelle bicker like an old married couple, and at least one character notices; Sean is ragged on for his lack of computer skills, and sometimes I wonder how Michelle managed to rise so high in the Secret Service, despite her physical ability - and then I figure she just used up her entire store of tact and diplomacy - but all these little flaws make the characters seem real. They have real limitations, real fears, face real risks, and still decide to help a scared 16-year old boy... because it's right, and because they can.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
cnorbury's review against another edition
4.0
Chugged along nicely until the end, when Baldacci threw in another inspired plot twist that makes him one of the best political thriller writers today. As usual, later books by bestselling authors I have read suffer from lack of strict editing, so many passages could have been drastically trimmed or cut altogether with no great loss to the overall story.
But Maxwell continues to grow on me, and the King/Maxwell relationship is unique. And now that Baldacci threw another twist in at the end, this one character-related, gives me great incentive to read the next book in the King & Maxwell series.
But Maxwell continues to grow on me, and the King/Maxwell relationship is unique. And now that Baldacci threw another twist in at the end, this one character-related, gives me great incentive to read the next book in the King & Maxwell series.