Rating:  Summary: Again, Baldacci scores; with strong characters, great story. Review: This abridged adaption of the novel, expertly read, as always, by Ron McClarty, is a well written story of assassination, intrigue, suspense, and strong characters. It begins with a political assassination and ends with a betrayal; beyond that, I don't want to give the plot away. Suffice it to say, that Mr. Baldacci's characters are strong, whether good or bad, and Sidney Morse is as about an evil so and so as one might find. Sean King, Michelle Maxwell, and Joan Dillinger (which made me chuckle a little, as I thought it was a play the name "John Dillinger", but it probably wasn't) were all strong, complex, characters. With a tight story and as mentioned an excellent reading by Mr. McClarty, I found the story quite suspenseful. It might make an excellent movie, if done right; which, unfortunately, many books are not. Even so, I think readers will enjoy the story. If one is a fan, as I am, of Mr. Baldacci's work, and I have everything, short of his new book; which hasn't been published, but rest assured, when it is I'll get it, you'll like this story. While Mr. Baldacci doesn't get the "automatic" movie and television deals of a John Grisham, his work (I think) is much better. I have written him, on his site, so. I will definitely be picking up the print version (as well as the audio version, if still in print, around the holidays, of "The Christmas Train").
Rating:  Summary: the writing is very very good and getting better n better Review: baldacci's writing is very very good and he's also transcended himself by writing better and better one after another. this is the cool and creative writing dude that i won't miss. forget about other peoples' critics or reviews that tried to bash and degrade baldacci, 'cause he's very talented and got guts to test any new territory that he and the readers are both trying to get a grip if possible. his writing technique is so good, the dialogues, the plots, the characters' 3-dimensional development never failed once not to impress me. i've prepared a whole box of the finest cigars for this cool dude and would like to give him one anytime he got a new book published. thanks, man, keep the health, the eyesight and the fantastic imagination to make my life more standable. thank you again, sir. an afterthought, sir, don't try to create a too complicated scenario and then tried very hard to assemble them together before the end so hastily, and as a male writer, don't try to write something from the angle of a female character, that's bad trying, unless you were another sidney sheldon who turned out out of the closet to be an opposite gender.
Rating:  Summary: Kept me reading all day long Review: This is the first novel of David Baldacci's that I have read. As such, it was surprising captivating.Usually, when a novel says "You won't put it down", I have little to no problem doing just that. "Split Second" kept me reading and reading, feeling a need to find just who was behind what I was reading about. It was also refreshing to have a book where the killer isn't revealed right away, and you know all of their motives, etc. I figured out who, maybe 2/3 of the way through, but still didn't know why, or how it would play out in the end. I will definitely be reading more by Baldacci.
Rating:  Summary: Don't mean to complain Review: I'm listening to the audio version of this book, and without going into great detail, I say it's worth a three-star rating. The one thing I wanted to get off my chest is that I wanted to strangle the narrator, Scott Brick, about a half-hour into the book. He could be a really fantastic book narrator (actor, really, as in a one-man-show) if it weren't for the irritating inflections he uses at the end of Every Darn Sentence. There are two. One being an incredulous note that, combined with the other, makes all the conversations sound like they are carried on between an old Jewish man and a Valley Girl. I really wanted to reach in there and grab him by the neck. Stop it!
Rating:  Summary: Barnburner... Review: David Baldacci has given his readers another barnburner with his latest book, Split Second. Secret Service agent Sean King is on the campaign trail with a presidential candidate, when this candidate is assassinated right under Sean's nose. Although King isn't the team leader, he takes the blame and ultimately leaves the service and tries to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. Fast forward eight years. Rising star Secret Service agent Michelle Maxwell has the presidential candidate she's guarding kidnapped under mysterious circumstances. Maxwell seeks out King to compare notes, and as they dig, they discover that not only are there many similarities between the two cases, but that they're actually connected. As with most Baldacci books, this one is filled with murder and mayhem, bugs and bombs, and a few kidnappings. You also suspect that one of the bad guys is working on the inside, but I couldn't figure it out until the person revealed him/herself. The ride has enough twists and turns to make you carsick, and the plot will keep you guessing until the end. One thing I have noticed about Baldacci as he becomes more prolific, and that is more of the good guys are still alive at the end of the book. This might make for happier endings and more satisfied readers, but it doesn't make a book more realistic. Still, this one will keep you at the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Rating:  Summary: Suspenseful and great plot! Surprise ending! Review: A quick and suspenseful read with quite a complex plot. Worth a good bedtime read!
Rating:  Summary: Excellent and compelling Review: I agree with another reviewer that the best aspect of this book is the love triangle--steamy! My only hesitation with this work was that a few of the twists and turns didn't need to be there--there were enough to keep your interest and a few less might have been less of a distraction. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a page turner. Would also recommend another book I read recently called "The Bark of the Dogwood."
Rating:  Summary: NOT BALDACCI'S BEST Review: The love triangle is the most interesting part of this book. The rest of the book has so many twists and turns that I wonder if trying to surprise the reader was the main purpose of the book instead of telling a great story. You will definitely read the entire book once you start, but may be disappointed when it is over. This is my least favorite book by David Baldacci, my favorite being The Simple Truth.
Rating:  Summary: Poorly written disappointment Review: I am a big fan of Baldacci's other books. Not this one. Split Second combines horrible dialogue, a ridiculously improbable story line, and an absurdly laughable ending. I would not recommend it to anyone. I finished it only because my wife said I had to read the ending because I would not believe it made it into a book. If you have to read a Baldacci right now, re-read Absolute Power.
Rating:  Summary: More a mystery Review: Having read all of his books I find this one to be more of a mystery. His plotting and growth of characters excell as always and there is some "Thriller" to it but I feel he is long on the mystery side in this novel. Saying all that I would highly recommend this book, all of his books are a pleasure and this one rates right up with the best.
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