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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Everything just worked out too perfectly at the end for my taste.
Mickey Gibson, single mom, former detective, currently working from home for a global investigation company. Mickey receives a call from a co-worker, a call Mickey does not verify with her supervisor, to inventory a nearby mansion. While there, Mickey stumbles on a murder. Who is the mysterious co-worker, Arlene - is she related to the victim or the murderer? After being cleared for the murder, Mickey teams up with the detective investigating the murder - and matching wits with Arlene.
Baldacci is a hit and miss author for me; Simply Lies was a miss. I finished about half the novel and couldn't read anymore. The plot line dragged, I didn't have any interest in the characters, neither liking nor disliking either of them. Novel just did not hold my interest, reaching the point I didn't care who Arlene is nor if Mickey decided to return to law enforcement.
Baldacci is a hit and miss author for me; Simply Lies was a miss. I finished about half the novel and couldn't read anymore. The plot line dragged, I didn't have any interest in the characters, neither liking nor disliking either of them. Novel just did not hold my interest, reaching the point I didn't care who Arlene is nor if Mickey decided to return to law enforcement.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am a fan of David Baldacci novels but Simply Lies seemed to drag on particularly with the teasing between the Mickey Gibson and "Arlene". Though I persevered to the end, the pace could have been a bit increased as great mystery/thrillers normally are.
With that said, I did enjoy the story line and it kept me guessing up until the end between the varied characters and their involvement in the mystery. Who was this guy Harry Lancaster? Who is this mystery woman "Arlene" or "Clarisse" and why is she playing this game with Mickey Gilbson? You will just have to read or listen to the simple lies - as the title indicates!
With that said, I did enjoy the story line and it kept me guessing up until the end between the varied characters and their involvement in the mystery. Who was this guy Harry Lancaster? Who is this mystery woman "Arlene" or "Clarisse" and why is she playing this game with Mickey Gilbson? You will just have to read or listen to the simple lies - as the title indicates!
The money hunt with today's technology, especially the digital aspects (dark web, bitcoin, blockchain), was educational. The exciting twists and turns had me speeding as I listened to the audiobook on a road trip. I enjoyed the relationship arc of the two women—from antagonistic to friendship and hope to see them in future books.
I found the pace of this book to be very slow with a lot of repeating themes (ex: Mick is a single mom). Trying to suspend belief to stick with the story didn't help make character choices or plot development easier. Skipped ahead to see how it ended and still didn't feel like I missed much.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another outstanding tale from Baldacci. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. Move over Amos Decker, John Puller, Sean King, Michelle Maxwell, Will Robie, Archer, Atlee Pine, Oliver Stone, and all the others, you have some new competition in Mickey Gibson.