Audible Book Review: Memory Man by David Baldacci

I like this detective with a mental edge.
Memory Man
By: David Baldacci
Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

Series: Amos Decker, Book 1
Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-21-15
Language: English
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Crime Action, Detective, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
With over 110 million copies of his novels in print, David Baldacci is one of the most widely read storytellers in the world. Now he introduces a startling, original new character: a man with perfect memory who must solve his own family's murder.
MEMORY MAN
Amos Decker's life changed forever - twice.
The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to go pro. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field for good and left him with an improbable side effect - he can never forget anything.
The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare - his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered.
His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can.
But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Memory Man will stay with you long after the turn of the final tick.
©2015 David Baldacci (P)2015 Hachette Audio.

Review:
Amos Decker is a man who can’t forget – literally. A major hit in college ruined his football career and resulted in a photographic memory. Then he became a cop, working up to detective. Two decades later Amos returns home one night to find his brother, wife and ten-year-old daughter have been murdered. He won’t ever be able to forget the sight and he isn’t sure he wants to live with the memory. He falls into a bottle and ends up on the street as a sometimes private investigator.

A year later his life takes another twist. A man confesses to the murder of his family and Amos sneaks into the jail to interrogate him. He is able to slip in because a large portion of the police force has been pulled out to a horrific school shooting. Amos is pulled in to help with the investigation particularly because his partner and Captain also know that his keen eye and remarkable memory will pick up on details that others might miss. In addition to his partner, Amos gets help from the FBI and a civilian. An eager reporter, Alex Jamison, tries to get Amos to talk but when he refuses she writes a rather brutal report. After she realizes her error Alex becomes Amos’ biggest support.

As Amos uncovers clues, suddenly there is a clear indication that the events all tie into him and someone from his past. The killer seems to always be one step ahead. Will Amos be able to discover the identity and location of the killer before more of his friends are killed?

Amos is an interesting character and I liked the relationship that developed with Alex. The villain is diabolical and provides a trail of evil. I like Baldacci’s crisp writing that keeps the reader following the clues through Amos’ past. I liked the team that developed, and I liked Amos’ particular skills. I recommend this to readers who enjoy detective mysteries.

Audio Notes: Ron McLarty portrays the male characters while Orlagh Cassidy provides narration for the females. I wasn’t enthralled or distracted by the narration. It worked fine for me, especially since listening moves books faster for me than visual reading.

Source: December 2018 Audible Daily Deal $4.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Book Review: Zero Day by David Baldacci

Another solid Baldacci thriller.

Zero Day

by David Baldacci

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1St Edition edition (October 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446573019
• ISBN-13: 978-0446573016

Genre:  Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 31, 2011
From David Baldacci-the modern master of the thriller and #1 worldwide bestselling novelist-comes a new hero: a lone Army Special Agent taking on the toughest crimes facing the nation.

And Zero Day is where it all begins....

John Puller is a combat veteran and the best military investigator in the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigative Division. His father was an Army fighting legend, and his brother is serving a life sentence for treason in a federal military prison. Puller has an indomitable spirit and an unstoppable drive to find the truth.

Now, Puller is called out on a case in a remote, rural area in West Virginia coal country far from any military outpost. Someone has stumbled onto a brutal crime scene, a family slaughtered. The local homicide detective, a headstrong woman with personal demons of her own, joins forces with Puller in the investigation. As Puller digs through deception after deception, he realizes that absolutely nothing he's seen in this small town, and no one in it, are what they seem. Facing a potential conspiracy that reaches far beyond the hills of West Virginia, he is one man on the hunt for justice against an overwhelming force.

David Baldacci is one of the world's favorite storytellers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 110 million copies in print. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at www.DavidBaldacci.com and his foundation at www.WishYouWellFoundation.org, and to look into its program to spread books across America at www.FeedingBodyandMind.com. 

Review:
John Puller is an army man from a family of famous and infamous military men. Puller could have advanced in rank but instead served as a combat soldier and now serves as a dedicated Army investigator. He is sent to a small coal town in West Virginia to investigate the brutal slaying of a visiting family. The father of the family was a military officer with high clearance and possible sensitive information.

Puller teams up with the local sheriff, “Sam”, a strong minded woman who is making her way in a man’s field of work and authority. Sam knows the community but the investigation is clearly beyond her small town deputies and resources. Puller is able to bring expert skills and access to government resources.

Puller thinks it is odd when his superiors indicate that there are a lot of eyes on the investigation but they won’t allocate more assistance. Then he is told of some terrorist threats to the area that were picked up on air waves. As Puller pushes he discovers the threat and secrets are much larger than anyone expected.

There are several suspects to consider as you try to puzzle all the known clues and the hidden secrets. Sheriff Sam brings along her tenacious character but she is burdened with family issues including a brother-in-law who is the main wealth and employer in the community and a brother who drinks to drown his depression. I really liked Puller’s strong, intense, character and his interaction with Sam. I wasn’t thrilled with Baldacci’s handling of all of the characters but you have to remember that he is a mystery writer, not a romance author so don’t be looking for a HEA. The mystery is a good twister with layers to dig through. I would like to read more stories with Puller as the main protagonist.

I listened to part of this on Audible, narrated by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy.  They did a very good job portraying the intensity of the characters. The background sounds added to the suspense of the story. I would recommend this as a good audio listen if you enjoy audio books.

~~~~~~~

I received this book from Hachette Grand Central Publishing for an unbiased review.

Book Review: Audiobook The Collectors by David Baldacci

The Camel Club team solves a series of seemingly unconnected killings.
The Collectors  by David Baldacci

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Unabridged edition (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1428115595
• ISBN-13: 978-1428115606
• ASIN: 1594835845

Genre: Thriller
Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

People are dropping dead in Washington, D.C. First the Speaker of the House falls victim to a hit man in a carefully orchestrated murder in front of dozens of the city's power elite. Next, the director of the Library of Congress's Rare Books Room dies in a book vault, but no one knows how. Caleb Shaw, Camel Club member, nearly falls victim, too. Across the country, a gifted con woman assembles an A-list team to pull off one of the most audacious scams ever, against one of the most dangerous men in the world. When the worlds of Washington and the elite con collide head-on, the Camel Club finds itself teamed with a person they don't really trust but whose skill helps them unravel a secret that threatens to bring America to its knees.

Review: This was an enjoyable listen if not completely crisp.

I have read this series out of order since I started with the most recent book, Hell’s Corner. I enjoyed getting to know Oliver Stone in Hell’s Corner and I enjoyed that narrator.  Although I liked the mystery in The Collectors I did not really enjoy the narration as much. Also I felt the story was a bit disjointed. That was probably because the connection between the killings is not clear until closer to the end of the book.

The Collector keeps a token from each kill.  Considering who the assassin is it is surprising that he only plays games with Oliver when he gets the chance to take him out. Allowing the continuing investigation and hindrance of the Camel Club doesn't really ring true.

I felt that I got to know the other members of the Camel Club a little better in this story.  I liked how each Club personality contributed their individual talents: photographic memory, surveillance and military skills, and research details. It appears that Annabelle is introduced in this book who adds a few disguises and cons to the team efforts.

Annabelle has her own plotline of revenge and a multimillion con against the man who killed her mother. This extra plotline added interest to the story but her merger into the team seems a bit forced since she should be running to hide and lay low. This book ends with Annabelle's story up in the air so I will be interested in the next book in the series which should address how she escapes the Casino magnate who has found her.

Audio Book Review and Giveaway - Two Copies: Hell's Corner by David Baldacci

There's lots of detail, many twists and fast paced action in this gripping mystery thriller.
Hell's Corner (The Camel Club) by David Baldacci
Read by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Com/MP3 Un edition (November 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160788657X
• ISBN-13: 978-1607886570

Price: Audio $26.99; Mass Market $9.99; Kindle $12.99
Genre: Mystery Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher’s Summary

John Carr, aka Oliver Stone—once the most skilled assassin his country ever had—stands in Lafayette Park in front of the White House, perhaps for the last time. The President has personally requested that Stone serve his country again on a high-risk covert mission. Though he’s fought for decades to leave his past career behind, Stone has no choice but to say yes.

But Stone’s mission changes drastically before it even begins. It’s the night of a State Dinner honoring the British Prime Minister. As he watches the Prime Minister’s motorcade leave the White House that evening, a bomb is detonated in Lafayette Park, an apparent terrorist attack against both the President and the Prime Minister. It’s in this chaotic aftermath that Stone takes on a new, more urgent assignment: find those responsible for the bombing.

British MI-6 agent Mary Chapman becomes Stone’s partner in the search for the unknown attackers. But their shadowy opponents are elusive, capable, increasingly lethal, and worst of all, it seems that the park bombing may just have been the opening salvo to their plan. With nowhere else to turn, Stone enlists the help of the only people he knows he can trust: the Camel Club. But that may be a big mistake.

In the shadowy worlds of politics and intelligence, there is no one you can really trust. Nothing is what it seems to be. And Hell’s Corner truly lives up to its name. This may be Oliver Stone and the Camel Club’s last stand.

Review:   I hadn’t read any of the prior Camel Club books but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this audio.

Former assassin, Oliver Stone, and MI-6 agent Mary Chapman are dissecting clues to try to find out why a bomb was detonated in Lafayette Park, also known as Hell’s Corner.  They begin to work with the FBI as they investigate the four people who were in the park at the same time as Oliver, when the bomb exploded.  The second and third discs are full of minutia on the bomb evidence, bomb sniffing dogs, and conjecture of why, what and how.  Those details are interesting even if it seems the story is going very slow. It is worth getting past those discs because the puzzle picks up with twists and action.

They follow lead after lead that run to dead ends or worse result in more deaths, but no answers.  As the search goes on they learn that evidence is being withheld by other security arms of the government. So they don’t know whom they can trust and they don’t know which evidence is real or has been set up as a red herring. It all shows a lot of detailed planning so they are sure they must figure out what is at stake before more deaths.  Initially Oliver rejects the help of his Camel Club friends but, when they persist, he realizes he can use their individual skills.

They finally figure out why the bomb occurred and who set it up.  Then the chase begins with the traitor using Stone’s own history and techniques to lead him on a merry chase.  Members of the Camel club are kidnapped and the whole crew is trapped with plans to entomb them and frame them as the terrorists. But the surprises aren’t finished until the very end! 

I like the added sound effects.  If you like Baldacci, you won't want to miss this twisting thriller. My DH listened to the whole book too.

THANK YOU TO HACHETTE FOR PROVIDING TWO AUDIO CD BOOKS FOR GIVEAWAY.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Tell me if you like detailed evidence explanations (worth one entry) and/or let me know if you have a favorite Baldacci book (worth an additional entry).
Please leave your email!

2.  Two extra entries: Visit the Author Website and tell me something you found there of interest.

3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For three entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Eight total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 4, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Giveaway - Three Copies Audio CD ABSOLUTE POWER by David Baldacci

I am now listening to this one - on Disc 3. The preface and disc 1 were awesome! I am not going to watch the movie again until after I listen to the whole book! I have a feeling it is much better than the movie which I haven't seen for a number of years.

ABSOLUTE POWER by David Baldacci
Publisher's Summary
In a heavily guarded mansion in a posh Virginia suburb, a man and a woman start to make love, trapping Luther Whitney, a career break-in artist, behind a secret wall. Then the passion turns deadly, and Luther is running into the night. Because what he has just seen is a brutal murder involving Alan Richmond, the president of the United States.
How far will the government go to protect the president?
Set in Washington, D.C., this fascinating thriller of unparalleled suspense dares to explore an unthinkable abuse of power and criminal conspiracy: a vicious murder involving the President and a cover-up orchestrated by his most trusted aides. One unlikely witness saw everything, but will America ever learn the truth?
This riveting debut novel of murder, honor, loyalty and betrayal reaches into the highest echelon of power... and the lowest depth of deception.
• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Unabridged edition (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570423571
• ISBN-13: 978-1570423574

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the AUDIO CD:

1. Comment here telling me - would you read the book or audio book before you see the movie Absolute Power for the first time or again if you have seen it before? Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Three total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO HACHETTE AND ANNA!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on February 23, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Review of TRUE BLUE by David Baldacci

Title:  True Blue
Author:  David Baldacci
Publisher:   Hachette Audio
Publisher Link
Category: FICTION
Format: AUDIO BOOK
Subformat: CD (AUDIO)
Edition: Unabridged
Publish Date: 10/27/2009
Price: $44.98/$54.00
ISBN: 9781600247613
Pages: 0

Rating:  4.5

Author Website

Product Description
A mysterious high-profile homicide in the nation's capital collides with the dark side of national security in David Baldacci's new, heart-stopping thriller.

TRUE BLUE

Mason "Mace" Perry was a firebrand cop on the D.C. police force until she was kidnapped and framed for a crime. She lost everything-her badge, her career, her freedom-and spent two years in prison. Now she's back on the outside and focused on one mission: to be a cop once more. Her only shot to be a true blue again is to solve a major case on her own, and prove she has the right to wear the uniform. But even with her police chief sister on her side, she has to work in the shadows: A vindictive U.S. attorney is looking for any reason to send Mace back behind bars. Then Roy Kingman enters her life.

Roy is a young lawyer who aided the poor until he took a high-paying job at a law firm in Washington. Mace and Roy meet after he discovers the dead body of a female partner at the firm. As they investigate the death, they start uncovering surprising secrets from both the private and public world of the nation's capital.

Soon, what began as a fairly routine homicide takes a terrifying and unexpected turn-into something complex, diabolical, and possibly lethal.

REVIEW:  This is a wonderful suspense story – the great quality that we are accustomed to from David Baldacci. I’m hoping for a follow-up on Mace’s story.

Mace is a good complex character -- intense -- a risk junkie.  She also is rogue and will NOT go by the books in spite of being very newly on parole.  She is lucky that she doesn’t get thrown back in jail.  Of course it helps that her sister is Chief of Police.

Roy Kingman may not be a “he-man” but he isn’t a wimp either!  He is smart and kind and normally a logical and down to earth lawyer -- until he meets Mace.  She pulls out the impulsive in him.  I’d like to say he calms her …but nope – seems nobody and nothing can really calm or control Mace! Not even her sister.

The plot is full of political corruption – the stuff you hate to think about.  Who wants to think that the “good guys” will kill to follow or cover up for their own agenda? Add to that some on the street toughs who look like they might get Mace and you have some real excitement going on.

The audio has some great sound effects during some car chases that really enhance the listening.  Initially I wasn’t overly impressed with the narrator – I didn’t really feel he got the change of voices that well or the excitement.  However after the first several discs I was engaged enough that I didn’t notice what I thought was a less than stellar reading.

This is a good solid suspense that will keep you on edge until the end.

News from the author’s website:
The hardcover edition of True Blue remains a best seller for the eleventh consecutive week.
True Blue remains on the USA Today list of This Week's Top 150 Best Sellers and on the the Nielsen BookScan bestseller list.
The USA Today ranks sales for the week ending January 10. You can view the full list on the USA Today Website. Nielsen BookScan makes its full list available to subscribers to its BookScan service.

Thank you to Anna at Hachette for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Giveaway - Three Audio CDs of True Blue by David Baldacci!

TRUE BLUE by David Baldacci

U.S. release: October 27, 2009
ISBN: 0446195510, 978-0446195515
Publisher: Grand Central, a division of Hachette Book Group USA
Format: Abridged and unabridged audiobook, e-book, large print

Publisher's Summary

A mysterious high-profile homicide in the nation's capital collides with the dark side of national security in David Baldacci's new, heart-stopping thriller, True Blue.

Mason "Mace" Perry was a firebrand cop on the D.C. police force until she was kidnapped and framed for a crime. She lost everything—her badge, her career, her freedom—and spent two years in prison. Now she's back on the outside and is focused on one mission: to be a cop once more.

Her only shot to be a true blue again is to solve a major case on her own, and prove she has the right to wear the uniform. But even with her police chief sister on her side, she has to work in the shadows: a vindictive U.S. attorney is looking for any reason to send her back behind bars.

Then Roy Kingman enters her life.

Roy Kingman is a young lawyer who aided the poor until he took a high-paying job at a law firm in Washington. Mace and Roy meet after he discovers the dead body of a female partner at the firm.
Their investigation into the lawyer's death reveals surprising secrets from both the private and public world of the nation's capital, and what began as a fairly routine homicide investigation takes a terrifying and unexpected turn into something complex, diabolical, and possibly lethal.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the AUDIO CD:

1. Comment here telling me what other David Baldacci book(s) you have read! If you haven't read his books, then visit his website and tell me another of his books you would like to read!!  Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once. (This method is used to make it easier to put the entries into the random generator!)

(Three total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO HACHETTE AND ANNA! YOU GUYS ROCK!!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on December 22, 2009. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.