Simple Genius (Sean King and Michelle Maxwell Series #3)

Simple Genius: Hard to Crack Cipher!!!

Baldacci's Simple Genius is a hard to crack thriller!!!
There may be a lot of reasons why people may like or dislike this book, However; you have to take into account the following facts: Simple Genius has a great plot. Featuring Sean King and Michelle Maxwell investigating a mysterious death at a scientific think tank called Babbage Town, located suspiciously close to the CIA's most infamous yet covert training camp--"The Farm". In Babbage Town, the security is tight as the world's great geniuses race to invent technologies powerful enough to conquer the most sophisticated microprocessor.
Baldacci is great developing the main characters throughout the book, I like the opening chapter that gives a background storyline for M Maxwell, he clearly states both characters reprising their roles and giving them enough credibility. The concept story in the book is amazing and original. I see a few writers these days write a book that is more than four hundred pages, and still have enough material to make it interesting. Baldaccis accomplishes that and more. Simple Genius is not a fast page turner; however; it keeps readers engaged as every chapter ends.
Uncovering the war against terror, the conspiracies among federal agencies, and the race of powerful nations to stop the world in its tracks, Baldacci combines the strength of its characters, and exploits cracking code scientists, along with a beautiful scenario where everything takes place.
Simple Genius is great read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good Read

I've read a number of DB's series.....Very enjoyable...he weaves a good story web...well developed characters. As soon as I'm done with one of the series, I hurriedly buy the next one....my only negative isn't with this book....it's with the author...I want more Camel Club series books....but Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are fine.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Unbelievably believable.

Another novel that puts you right in the middle, not knowing where to turn next. Can't put it down till you're there. Nonstop action, and suspense.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not Baldacci's best, but still pretty darn good

I've read almost all of the Baldacci works, including each of the Camel Club and Sean King/Michelle Maxwell series books. This was one was very very good, but of all the books in the two series? Probably at the bottom - and that is NOT a knock on the story. If you enjoy Baldacci and the other King/Maxwell adventures, grab this one too. Plenty of action, twists and turns and surprises throughout. My only complaint was that it bogged down SLIGHTLY where it was not necessary. Having said all that, this is a solid, if not spectacular story line, replete with disturbing realities, hard fought action, edge of your seat bumps in the ride.....well worth the money and the enjoyment of reading it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Am I insane?

Maxwell thinks she may be a little nuts; her actions certainly prove so. This third installment of the King and Maxwell series is possibly Baldacci's best effort with the characters.

While there is the ever present high explosive situations, these rate higher on the believability scale than in the previous editions.

It's fun to see the main characters development towards each other while experiencing some self revelations. As most of these plots go, it's a little farfetched but what if it were possible? Fun and intriguing to imagine.

If you've made it through #'s 1 & 2, you owe it to yourself to give this one a go. If you haven't read any of the prior installments, you can certainly pick up here without missing too much at all. If so, you'll find yourself back at B&N looking for the prior escapades!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Baldacci has definitely written better.

The language is too elementary and the conversation seems unrealistic. Baldacci seemed to be struggling with trying to get the story to make sense; an odd ending made it seem like he just needed to get the book to end. The characters seemed contrived and uncreative. If you pay for this book, you've spent too much.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

After reading The Camel Club I was excited to read another Balda

After reading The Camel Club I was excited to read another Baldacci book and I wasn't disappointed with this fun, fast-paced story with plenty of action and interesting plot. Baldacci includes an odd tangent toward the beginning but makes it at least entertaining even if placing it within this story was odd. It certainly helps in the development and understanding of Michelle Maxwell. If you know anything about the history of code breaking there is some fun references in this book but don't worry, you don't have to be a genius to understand some of the complex topics Baldacci tackles. Overall, a pretty good story and fun to read.

Pass on this one

I'm a big fan of this writer but I couldn't wait for this one to end. Weak, uneven story and unlikable characters. Nothing enjoyable about this book. I'm really stretching for one star.

Highly recommend this book.

If you have read other books of this series, you will gain insight into the background of Maxwell and understand more about her character.

Excellent

This is my first David Baldacci book since Absolute Power. I was on the edge of my seat for almost the whole book. Loved it and would highly recommend it.

Highly recommend

As always he does a great job of excitement and interest.

Baldacci is always a page turner!

Another great King/Maxwell saga. A real page turner to the end.

Interesting concept

Good research to come up with this subject matter. Nice staging.

This is the best thriller I've ever read. The fact that I'm a computer geek might have influenced this opinion.

Currently I'm reading my way through "Camel Club" series of books and I am enjoying them equally well.

Simple Genius

Wife says ahe liked the story line.

As usual, an exciting book by David Baldacci.

As soon as they come out, I buy and read all of the Baldacci books. There is never one that isn't exciting and hard to put down. This was another of those.

Good book

Good book, kept my interest right to the end.

Political Thriller with Topical Theme

Simple Genius is a fast-reading thriller. Ironically, the major plot theme is more topical and believable in 2009 than when the book was released in 2008.
Some aspects of the characters are perhaps too predictable.

Baldacci's done it again!

In my opinion...this book is a terrific read! Baldacci creates such delightfully complex characters...intricately weaving them through a plot laced with action packed twists and turns. It's easy to see why this book was the "#1 New York Times bestseller". Although fiction...the meat of this story easily could have jumped off the front pages of any national newspaper. It's filled with plausible intrigue. I love a good mystery...and in my opinion...this is just that. I couldn't put it down.

Excellent

I have 7 of his books. I love mystery and suspense, but I also loved
his book "Wish You Well", which was a departure from his normal, but
which I think is one of his best.