Rating: 
Summary: strangly poor
Review: Baldacci seemed to have found the perfect mix of character/plot and action in his novels but this book has none of the usual characteristics that one would associate with the author. If his name was not on the cover you would not have guessed that it was him!
Weak characters and a story that had potential and ends up being quite dull with an ending that is almost laughable.
Sorry, but is is a bad one from a normally reliable and top notch author.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy and Enjoyable!
Review: I have not read many books, but I totally enjoyed "Split Second". At first is started out with immediate action. Then the paced slowed a bit building up a plot of deception and mystery. I liked how the two separate stories joined keeping me on edge more and more as the story unfolded. I was hooked by the last third of the book. I would recommend it for new readers!
Rating: 
Summary: Just a crank job
Review: I am a great fan of Baldacci, but this book was just cranked out probably because the publishers wanted another book from him. He just didn't have it in him this time. What a bitter disappointment this book was. I do hope he doesn't write another book until he is ready.
Rating:
Summary: A Bitter Disappointment
Review: This was certainly not Baldacci's best work. Being a huge fan of his, I had high hopes for his newest thriller, but it was a let down from the first page. I had to force myself through the whole book, only to find out that the ending was supremely canned. The story line did not grab me despite this being my favorite genere. In fact, I read the whole book feeling as if I had read it before - there was nothing original or interesting about the plot or characters and it left me wishing I had picked up something else instead. I can only hope that this is his only low point in his writing, because ordinarily his books are real page turners.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a Winner
Review: I relied upon the reviews posted after I started the book. By the way the reviews on Amazon written by readers are better in my view than most one reads by professionals. I agree that the book is a great page turner in the beginning because the premise is terrific. The problem is that there is not a satisfying or believable resolution. The other disappointment is that Baldacci at his best develops memorable characters such as in Absolute Control or the Winner. In this book none of the characters grew or surprised.
If you have not read Baldacci before do not start with this one. If you have read his others prepare for having fun but the book will not measure up.
Rating:
Summary: Poor
Review: I read nearly the entire book, but just could not get myself to finish. I loved his previous books, but this one was a bust.
Rating:
Summary: A FUN READ, BUT LOSES SOME CREDIBILITY AT THE END
Review: Sean King let a presidential candidate get murdered right in front of him in 1996. Michelle Maxwell let a presidential candidate get abducted only a few feet away from her today. Coincidence? No way, this is a Baldacci novel, and there are plot twists and turns aplenty. The thing about a Baldacci novel is nothing is ever as it appears at first. If you wait a while and think you have it figured out, just read a few more pages because it will do a 180 on you.
The best thing about SPLIT SECOND is the ever changing dynamic between the characters. They go from adversaries to allies and back again. No one is what they appear as they all sort of team up to solve the abduction of the latest victim. A number of bodies pile up along the way, but it merely adds to the mystery.
Though the story loses some of its credibility at the end during an elaborate re-staging of a crime by the villain, SPLIT SECOND is still a lot of fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Must buy? NO!
Review: All I can say is this book left me scratching my head in wonder. What happened to the killer books Baldacci previously wrote? No plot and a lame group of characters.
Rating:
Summary: read it in 4 hours...
Review: okay I read this book in four hours (waiting to get my car serviced)...so it's a readble read. Unfortunately this doesn't quite reflect the quality of the book. I like david baldacci so this review is biased in his favor!In parts it is very good and a real page turner (particularly in first half!). Other parts (closer toward the end) are really dumb and ruin the story. Personally I don't know why author's use the lame twists they do other than to get themselves out of situations they got themselves into it and don't know how to unravel properly, rather than just taking shortcuts. Here: shortcuts! SO this is a reasonable but ultimately terribly flawed and weak effort. Some of the characters are quite strong: the two leads in particular- when they are not doing dumb things. I love the character device: okay I've worked out the mystery but rather than tell somebody I'll go do some REALLY dangerous so I might get killed and then nobody else knows the mystery- that gets a run here...it's like please! Give me a break...And I swear given the conclusions some of the people reach on the flimsiest of evidence...must have an IQ of 180...how many federal agents have an IQ of 180? But the next turn they do something that a kid with an IQ of 80 wouldn't do...where's the consistency? If you gonna use a genius, keep them a genius, likewise if they are a gumby...It's poor writing... Nevertheless...might be an idea to wait for the paperback or visit the library...Not his best effort by far.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks for Michelle Maxwell
Review: As an aspiring female Federal Agent myself, I appreciated the character of Michelle Maxwell. Most authors write about Joan's in federal law enforcement. Thank you for the breath of fresh air in Michelle's character.
This was my first Baldacci read. I enjoyed the speed, the suspense and the genre. I do have to agree with other posters - some of the twists or characters introduced were a bit confusing. Still don't know the purpose of Bob Scott? But I enjoyed it for a purely entertaining mystery!
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