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cathiedalziel's review against another edition
2.0
Over the top contrived hype. It's like Baldacci thought let me throw everything in, so he did. I slogged through this mess reading it, I'm not going to waste more time on it by detail reviewing it.
twh's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
David Baldacci’s (http://davidbaldacci.com/) twenty-fourth novel introduces agent Will Robie into his best-selling world of crime and suspense. Will Robie, an assassin for the US government, finds himself fleeing from his own agency after a seemingly routine mission goes badly. While on the run he forms an unlikely alliance with a fourteen year old girl whose parents have been brutally murdered. Together they try to stay one step ahead of the people trying to kill them and attempt to put together the pieces of the nasty entanglement they find themselves in. The action is fast and non-stop and the narration by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy is crisp and realistic. They switch between characters with ease and keep perfect pace with the ever quickening plot. Of interest to Connelly and Grisham fans.
naiu_cs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, War, and Terminal illness
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books of David Baldacci thus far! Very intense- Loved the addition of the 14 yr. old girl, Julie with her attitude, tenacity, and survival skills! I listened to book on iPod via audio and loved the sound effects as well as the narrators did an exceptional job (Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy)!
Baldacci was definitely at the top of his game as his plot and characters were outstanding in this conspiracy with Will Robie (main character) who at first seemed very hard and cold until he met the teenager which softened him a bit. (loved this dynamic duo). His job was to eliminate however his sharp instincts tell him his handler is not part of the plan and the killings are stacking against him one by one. He did not plan on taking care of a teen; however, she becomes a part of the responsibility he is willing to take on. Mixed with a FBI Agent and another woman who entices him along with people dropping dead around him, it appears no safe house is really safe!
Baldacci was definitely at the top of his game as his plot and characters were outstanding in this conspiracy with Will Robie (main character) who at first seemed very hard and cold until he met the teenager which softened him a bit. (loved this dynamic duo). His job was to eliminate however his sharp instincts tell him his handler is not part of the plan and the killings are stacking against him one by one. He did not plan on taking care of a teen; however, she becomes a part of the responsibility he is willing to take on. Mixed with a FBI Agent and another woman who entices him along with people dropping dead around him, it appears no safe house is really safe!
jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
I find David Baldacci's books very erratic in terms of quality. For example, I enjoyed Zero Day but I thought that True Blue was appallingly bad. The Innocent has a lot of his trademark characteristics and if you're a fan of his, you will no doubt enjoy it. I thought it started really well, but it falls apart due to an absence of credibility that becomes laughable by the end of the book.
The main character is a Government assassin called Will Robie. The early chapters establish that he's a very efficient and clinical killer. Then he gets an assignment which differs from his usual fare - a US citizen on US soil. When he gets to the target's house, he realizes that it's a Government employee who's a solo mother with two young children. He hesitates - and someone else shoots the target. Realizing that he will also be targeted, he bolts for his pre-planned escape route. Almost immediately, he crosses paths with a teenage girl who is also on the run after witnessing the death of her parents.
Up to this point the story is gripping but almost immediately it takes an unlikely turn. Instead of proceeding with his escape plans, Robie decides to go home, hide Julie the teenager and try to solve the mystery of her parents' deaths for her. At the same time he is obliged to start working with the FBI to solve the murder of the very woman that he was hired to kill. Meanwhile there appears to be somebody on the inside who is setting him up at every turn.
The main character - an assassin called Robie - is an intriguing character, but he veers between being extremely smart and extremely slow on the uptake in a way that doesn't make sense unless it's purely to serve the plot. Julie, the 14 year old girl who's just seen her parents murdered, also doesn't feel even remotely credible. More concerned about keeping up her grades than grieving for her parents and able to make deductions that the grown ups miss.
I'd give the first half of the book 4 stars, but it descends to 2 stars - averaging out at 3. A generous 3.
The main character is a Government assassin called Will Robie. The early chapters establish that he's a very efficient and clinical killer. Then he gets an assignment which differs from his usual fare - a US citizen on US soil. When he gets to the target's house, he realizes that it's a Government employee who's a solo mother with two young children. He hesitates - and someone else shoots the target. Realizing that he will also be targeted, he bolts for his pre-planned escape route. Almost immediately, he crosses paths with a teenage girl who is also on the run after witnessing the death of her parents.
Up to this point the story is gripping but almost immediately it takes an unlikely turn. Instead of proceeding with his escape plans, Robie decides to go home, hide Julie the teenager and try to solve the mystery of her parents' deaths for her. At the same time he is obliged to start working with the FBI to solve the murder of the very woman that he was hired to kill. Meanwhile there appears to be somebody on the inside who is setting him up at every turn.
The main character - an assassin called Robie - is an intriguing character, but he veers between being extremely smart and extremely slow on the uptake in a way that doesn't make sense unless it's purely to serve the plot. Julie, the 14 year old girl who's just seen her parents murdered, also doesn't feel even remotely credible. More concerned about keeping up her grades than grieving for her parents and able to make deductions that the grown ups miss.
I'd give the first half of the book 4 stars, but it descends to 2 stars - averaging out at 3. A generous 3.
zare_i's review against another edition
3.0
In all honesty this book is 3.5 stars but cannot star it as such on GR. Reason is the following - it has such a improbable plot that it would make James Bond blush :)
Story is OK, characters are OK but the AHA! moment of the novel .... don't get me wrong, this is action thriller and pretty good at it but in order to accept the resolution of the story - I will not go into details here for fear of spoilers .... but whoever has the capacity to do what the main antagonists are doing would make Bloefeld envious. It was extremely anti-climactic ending for me (on level with Windu beheading Jango Fett in a second).
Nevertheless for the fans of D. Baldacci's work and action/thriller in general this one is recommended read.
Story is OK, characters are OK but the AHA! moment of the novel .... don't get me wrong, this is action thriller and pretty good at it but in order to accept the resolution of the story - I will not go into details here for fear of spoilers .... but whoever has the capacity to do what the main antagonists are doing would make Bloefeld envious. It was extremely anti-climactic ending for me (on level with Windu beheading Jango Fett in a second).
Nevertheless for the fans of D. Baldacci's work and action/thriller in general this one is recommended read.
tnangle196063's review against another edition
5.0
This book kept me guessing throughout the novel. I have a wonderful time reading this ! I highly recommend it.