Book Club

[Oznell]

When I'm in a reading rut, going back to Baldacci can be a good start.

It's hard to find mystery writers to stick with. Almost none come up to my all-time fave Sue Grafton, with her stellar Kinsey Millhone series, outstanding in every way.

Good Baldacci novels I read recently--

"Simply Lies"     Former detective, a suburban mom, who works for a global investigative firm, tangles with a con woman who leads her into a widening murder case that could result in her being framed and/or killed.

"Simply Lies" is a stand-alone book. 

The series of Baldacci that I like is the "Amos Decker" series.  He's a former Ohio police detective who sustains an injury that gives him a photographic memory-- for everything. He ends up working for the FBI, natch.

"The Fallen".   Amos and his partner Alex visit her family in a declining Pennsylvania town, where eerie murders take place right next door to their house-- an irresistable invitation for Amos to nose around.

Latest one I'm reading:

"Long Shadows".   Currently reading, and it's good so far.  Amos and new partner, special agent Fredericka White, are summoned to tony Florida enclave to investigate the murder of a Federal judge and her elite bodyguard in her own home...

Have also read a bit of Baldacci's "Atlee Pine" series, which to me was not especially compelling. 

If anyone has any other Baldacci thrillers to recommend (there are so many!) would love to hear. 

[peacepoet]

I love the Amos Decker series, too. I also would recommend the John Puller series by David Baldacci. They are excellent. I think you would like this series. Thank you so much for your post about one of my favorite authors of this genre. 

[D Kay]

I am also a Sue Grafton and Baldacci fan.

[jlkz]

@Oznell 

It's easier to list the 3 Baldacci  books I didn't enjoy from the 45 I have read: Calamity Souls, Long Road to Mercy, and No Man's Land.

Hope that helps !

[Scooby Doo]

How about the Billy Harney series by James Patterson/David Ellis.

[icezeus]

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@jlkz wrote:

@Oznell 

It's easier to list the 3 Baldacci  books I didn't enjoy from the 45 I have read: Calamity Souls, Long Road to Mercy, and No Man's Land.

Hope that helps !

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@Oznell 

Perhaps that was my problem. Readers rave about Baldacci, but I tried to read "The Mercy" series and gave up in the middle of book 3. The story dragged, and after the first book, it became boring IMO.

I have not tried to read any of his books since. 

[Oznell]

Noting your recommendations, @peacepoet  and @Scooby Doo ,  thank you!

@D Kay ,  cool.  While very different, I think they even share certain characteristics.

@jlkz  and @icezeus ,  it's interesting that the books you didn't care for included ones from the "Atlee Pine/ Mercy" series, which I wasn't crazy about either.  In which FBI agent Atlee Pine is on the search for her sister Mercy who was abducted as a child.

"Long Road to Mercy" was a slog for me too.

It's funny how authors may have more heart for certain series of theirs than others.  I get the feeling he's more invested in the Amos Decker saga..

[beckyb1012]

I love all his books but my favorite is The Mercy series.  

[Oznell]

Ha, ha, @beckyb1012 --  there you go-- there's something for all of us in David Baldacci!

[smoochy]

I've never read his books. Two of them are in my little free library-The Edge and Calamity of Souls. Should I try one?