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keithwelch10's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
library_ann's review against another edition
2.0
picked this up at a charity book sale, thinking ahead to the trip I just finished. I like having a paperback that I won't mourn if I happen to leave it in the plane. This book, the psychology was weak (and there was a lot of it), the the codes and secrets were weak (hardly present, actually), and the title character never got a chance to really show any propensity for genius. I mean, I suppose I would have been upset if she had just performed like a trained dog or something, but for everyone calling her a genius, there was very little evidence of it.
I did not like repeated uses of: "and then Sean remembered something, and said, 'let's go!.'" End chapter. I was most annoyed that "something" was never explained right away, but was delayed until after some bit of frantic action, when the characters had time to stop and converse about why they just had their frantic bit of action.
And in the first half of the book, anytime a person started to open up to Sean, just about the time they were about to say something good, they'd decide they couldn't trust him anymore and shut up. I suppose people might act like that in real life, and it probably is difficult being a private investigator, but it was completely unsatisfying.
I did not like repeated uses of: "and then Sean remembered something, and said, 'let's go!.'" End chapter. I was most annoyed that "something" was never explained right away, but was delayed until after some bit of frantic action, when the characters had time to stop and converse about why they just had their frantic bit of action.
And in the first half of the book, anytime a person started to open up to Sean, just about the time they were about to say something good, they'd decide they couldn't trust him anymore and shut up. I suppose people might act like that in real life, and it probably is difficult being a private investigator, but it was completely unsatisfying.
ddub99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jane_il57's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
3.0
This book is entertaining and a pretty easy/fast read. Here are two ongoing complaints of mine, though: Sean King is supposed to be ex-secret service, and therefore trained to "read" people, but he's always trusting these women who end up being the bad guys. I mean, if I can figure out that these people are the bad guys without trying, he should, too. It's ridiculous! And Michelle Maxwell is supposed to be this former Olympian, but the way she's described physically makes her sound like some sort of gigantic Amazon warrior. And yet men end up tripping over themselves for her. She just doesn't sound sexy to me, although maybe I'm not actually the target audience for these books.
travlnbard's review against another edition
1.0
Sorry Mr Baldacci. I read 2.8 of your books and I just couldn't stomach any more. I don't see what people see in you. The plots are good enough but you play fast and loose with your main characters and it got to the point that I just didn't care. I won't be picking up any more of your books.