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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This was an entertaining read. The plot sucked me in and the book kept moving at a fairly steady pace and I would definitely recommend it to all mystery readers.
That being said, my only complaint about this book is that it seems that the good guy had everything that he would ever need. He needed a certain type of body armour, he had it. He needed night vision goggles, he had them, etc. After the first couple of times, it started to get a little unbelievable. Other than that minor complaint, it was a good book.
That being said, my only complaint about this book is that it seems that the good guy had everything that he would ever need. He needed a certain type of body armour, he had it. He needed night vision goggles, he had them, etc. After the first couple of times, it started to get a little unbelievable. Other than that minor complaint, it was a good book.
Not as captivating as most of his books, but still a good storyline. Ending somewhat weaker than expected.
One of those middle of the road, neither really great or really awful stories but most likely one I won't remember much about in a couple of months. Suspense/thriller tends to be my go to genre and this book sits firmly in that category. Puller is cut from the same cloth as Jack Reacher - both are some form of military law enforcement (one current, one former), both have/had older brothers, both had military fathers, etc. If Puller were a gangly 6'6", I'd probably wonder if they were twins separated at birth. That's not a bad thing. I like Reacher and I liked Puller. It's just something to be aware of. One main difference: whereas Reacher regularly only carries his toothbrush and wallet, apparently Puller and Mary Poppins shop at the same luggage/bag store. For the amount of stuff Puller pulled out of his rucksack, it has to be manufactured by the same magicians who created Mary's carpet bag.
As for the plot, there wasn't anything that stood out or any big twist that completely blindsided me. Again it was pretty much typical, middle of the road story telling. There were some taut, suspenseful moments that helped move the end along. Though honestly, knowing this is book 1 in a series meant I never worried about Puller's continued existence. Everyone else I was pretty much 50/50 on whether they'd survive.
I'm not against reading another in the Puller series, but it's not at the top of my list either. This book wouldn't be one I'd recommend to someone looking at reading their first Baldacci story. (I much prefer Robie or King and Maxwell). But it's decent enough if you're looking for something you don't mind if you forget.
As for the plot, there wasn't anything that stood out or any big twist that completely blindsided me. Again it was pretty much typical, middle of the road story telling. There were some taut, suspenseful moments that helped move the end along. Though honestly, knowing this is book 1 in a series meant I never worried about Puller's continued existence. Everyone else I was pretty much 50/50 on whether they'd survive
Spoiler
though I was a little sad about Sam Cole. I liked herI'm not against reading another in the Puller series, but it's not at the top of my list either. This book wouldn't be one I'd recommend to someone looking at reading their first Baldacci story. (I much prefer Robie or King and Maxwell). But it's decent enough if you're looking for something you don't mind if you forget.
Great book! All the David Baldacci books I have been read have been well written and had a good story line! I would totally marry Puller too :)
I was along for the ride with this book until about an hour from the end of the audio. Yes Puller is very similar to another character written by another author, but I was willing to overlook that and enjoy both characters for mostly the same reasons. Then an hour from the end, in the climax of the book, the author zigged when I expected him to zag, killed a secondary character I actually liked, and made me scream out loud. I was dissapointed by this twist, but ok with it. Then we start wrapping everything up like its the end of the book, but hey, um, the audiance still doesn't know who was behind it all. The resolution to the main villan qustion was presented like an afterthought. After I finished this book I thought more about the similarity between not just Puller and that other character, but this plot and the plot of a book that other character appeared in. I dropped my rating by an additonal star and I suggest anyone who has read 61 Hours, just skip this one for their own sake.
John Puller is a former Army Ranger and war hero. He is now working for the Army's Criminal Investigations Division and is one of their top investigators. When a Colonel, his wife, and two children are found murdered in a small town in West Virginia, Puller is sent to investigate. He finds the situation extremely unusual because he would usually be accompanied by a team of investigators. In this case, the Army insists he must work alone. The Colonel had access to high level classified information and Puller is convinced the Army is trying to keep something under wraps. He begins collaborating with Samantha Cole, who is a local police officer. She was born and raised in Drake and her brother-in-law is by far the wealthiest man in town. He owns and operates a coal mining business and has a number of other businesses in town. Teaming up with Cole gives him access to just about everyone and everything in town.
When additional bodies start turning up and attempts are made on Puller and Cole's lives, they begin to realize this is more than just a military or personal family matter. The colonel wasn't the victim of a random act of violence and the killers are still after something. Puller and Cole must get to the bottom of things before the entire town falls victim.
This was a fast paced and highly entertaining start to the series. If you enjoy murder mysteries / thrillers, this was an excellent read. I wasn't able to unravel the mystery until everything was pretty much spelled out for me in the end, but it made perfect sense in retrospect. I will definitely continue the series to see what is in store for Puller in The Forgotten.
When additional bodies start turning up and attempts are made on Puller and Cole's lives, they begin to realize this is more than just a military or personal family matter. The colonel wasn't the victim of a random act of violence and the killers are still after something. Puller and Cole must get to the bottom of things before the entire town falls victim.
This was a fast paced and highly entertaining start to the series. If you enjoy murder mysteries / thrillers, this was an excellent read. I wasn't able to unravel the mystery until everything was pretty much spelled out for me in the end, but it made perfect sense in retrospect. I will definitely continue the series to see what is in store for Puller in The Forgotten.
3.5*
If I had read this before the Will Robie I may have enjoyed this more but as it is, this was a little sedate for a David Baldacci thriller, not to mention the obvious parallels with Lee Child's Jack Reacher.
If I had read this before the Will Robie I may have enjoyed this more but as it is, this was a little sedate for a David Baldacci thriller, not to mention the obvious parallels with Lee Child's Jack Reacher.
When a family is murdered in West Virginia, John Puller is sent to investigate it because of the military connection of the family. John arrives in the area and starts stirring up trouble along with the local homicide detective Samantha Cole. What was meant to be a simple murder investigation turns into something much more with different agencies watching. With the rising body counts, will John Puller be able to solve the case?
The plot was interesting. The author unveils the different layers of the plot in instalments in order to build up the tension in the story and the thrills for the reader. There are so many angles that the plot converges from that it is at times overwhelming. The other thing that I enjoyed about the book was the way that the author has described everything in details; from the characters to the setting to the plot elements. He discusses social issues with same fervor as he describes the military. This may be an issue for some readers, but I love details when delivered properly.
Now here’s my issue - I tried my best to get into the story with an open mind, but the parallels between the Jack Reacher and John Puller were uncanny. Physically big, good at throwing punches and travels light – these describe both Reacher and Puller! (If you didn’t catch the two names before, you should now!) Add to it the complicated father-son relationship and a brother who had an influential and important job that was cut short. Only thing that differentiates the two characters is that John Puller has PTSD and Jack Reacher doesn’t. Having read 23 Jack Reacher novels before picking this book up, it was really difficult for me to reign in my disappointment in John Puller because the author failed to develop the character’s individuality even with the different styles of narration.
People who have not read Jack Reacher Series may be able to enjoy this book. But being a Jack Reacher fan, I do not think I can recommend this book to others.
The plot was interesting. The author unveils the different layers of the plot in instalments in order to build up the tension in the story and the thrills for the reader. There are so many angles that the plot converges from that it is at times overwhelming. The other thing that I enjoyed about the book was the way that the author has described everything in details; from the characters to the setting to the plot elements. He discusses social issues with same fervor as he describes the military. This may be an issue for some readers, but I love details when delivered properly.
Now here’s my issue - I tried my best to get into the story with an open mind, but the parallels between the Jack Reacher and John Puller were uncanny. Physically big, good at throwing punches and travels light – these describe both Reacher and Puller! (If you didn’t catch the two names before, you should now!) Add to it the complicated father-son relationship and a brother who had an influential and important job that was cut short. Only thing that differentiates the two characters is that John Puller has PTSD and Jack Reacher doesn’t. Having read 23 Jack Reacher novels before picking this book up, it was really difficult for me to reign in my disappointment in John Puller because the author failed to develop the character’s individuality even with the different styles of narration.
People who have not read Jack Reacher Series may be able to enjoy this book. But being a Jack Reacher fan, I do not think I can recommend this book to others.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No