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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
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.
This book just didn’t do it for me. I stuck with it to the end hoping it would reach out and grab me but it just did not do it. I’ll admit it was a novel plot, but I felt that a lot of the tight spots in the book were predictable, especially the ending where they nailed the US Marshal. I expected better from Baldacchi.
Mickey is a former detective now single mother working from home hunting down hidden assets. Most of her assignments are via phone so she doesn't question when a colleague named Arlene requests inventory of a vacant home. What she finds is a murder victim, a man with mob ties who used to be in Witness Protection. What's worse is there is no employee named Arlene who gave the tip. Now Mickey has to prove she was set up.
Cat and Mouse game at its finest! Although most of the interaction is via phone conversations, there are still tense moments and lots of details including alias names that were somewhat hard to keep up with. This is a novel you have to pay attention to keep it flowing. It makes the story all the more intriguing.
David Baldacci has a bestseller with this one. It is evident the author started writing stories as a child and better with time. Simply Lies kept me thinking ahead. And just when I thought it was obvious, there was way more to the story. Such a well paced novel that you can read in a few sittings. This is my kind of thriller!
Happy Pub Day, David Baldacci! Simply Lies is now available.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie
Cat and Mouse game at its finest! Although most of the interaction is via phone conversations, there are still tense moments and lots of details including alias names that were somewhat hard to keep up with. This is a novel you have to pay attention to keep it flowing. It makes the story all the more intriguing.
David Baldacci has a bestseller with this one. It is evident the author started writing stories as a child and better with time. Simply Lies kept me thinking ahead. And just when I thought it was obvious, there was way more to the story. Such a well paced novel that you can read in a few sittings. This is my kind of thriller!
Happy Pub Day, David Baldacci! Simply Lies is now available.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie