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Following the instant #1 New York Times bestseller Stone Cold,
Oliver Stone and the Camel Club return in David Baldacci's most astonishing thriller yet.
DIVINE JUSTICE
Known by his alias, "Oliver Stone," John Carr is the most wanted man in America. With two pulls of the trigger, the men who destroyed Stone's life and kept him in the shadows were finally silenced.
But his freedom comes at a steep price: The assassinations he carried out prompt the highest levels of the U. S. government to unleash a massive manhunt. Yet behind the scenes, master spy Macklin Hayes is playing a very personal game of cat and mouse. He, more than anyone else, wants John Carr dead. With their friend and unofficial leader in hiding, the members of the Camel Club risk everything to save him. Now as the hunters close in, Stone's flight from the demons of his past will take him from the power corridors of Washington, D.C., to the coal-mining town of Divine, Virginia-and into a world every bit as bloody and lethal as the one he left behind.
Near the start of bestseller Baldacci's less than compelling fourth Camel Club thriller (after Stone Cold), former CIA assassin Oliver Stone (aka John Carr) boards a New Orleans-bound train at Washington's Union Station after shooting to death "a well-known U.S. senator and the nation's intelligence chief," the two men responsible for his wife's murder. Ever the Good Samaritan, Stone intervenes in a fight on the train, but when the Amtrak conductor asks to see his ID, he gets off at the next station, knowing his fake ID won't withstand scrutiny. So much for Stone's vaunted ability as a resourceful planner. This sudden detour takes Stone to Divine, Va., a mining town where he becomes enmeshed in corruption and intrigue-and falls, in just one of several clichéd situations, for an attractive if beleaguered widow. Series fans should be satisfied, but this effort lacks the imagination that distinguished Baldacci's debut, Absolute Power(1996). (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Justice is in the eye of the beholder. In Baldacci's fourth novel (after Stone Cold) in his "Camel Club" series, Oliver Stone (aka John Carr, ex-CIA assassin) is wanted dead by his enemies and alive by his friends. Stone is on the run after assassinating the two men responsible for the death of his family and his friend Milton. Now Stone's former superior, Gen. Macklin Hayes, enlists tracker Joe Knox to locate Stone so Hayes can silence Stone forever. During Stone's flight from the law, a random act of kindness by Stone forces him on an unwanted detour to Divine, VA. There, Stone's continued good deeds might end up costing him his life as he quickly gets tangled in the hidden web of deceit to which the town owes its prosperity. Meanwhile, both Stone's friends and enemies are furtively searching for him. Who will reach Stone first? Baldacci fans will welcome this latest tale about the charismatic Stone and his exceedingly loyal friends with its fast-paced action and intriguing plot twists. Highly recommended for all thriller collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ7/08.]
—Susan O. Moritz
David Baldacci lives with his family in Virginia. He and his wife have founded the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. He invites you to visit him at www.david-baldacci.com and his foundation at www.wishyouwellfoundation.org, and to look into its program to spread books across America at www.FeedingBodyandMind.com.
While his stories hinge on the complex machinations behind the presidency, the FBI, the Supreme Court and other spheres of influence, Baldacci (a former Washington, D.C.-based attorney) finds his way into a mystery through the eyes of the innocents. Semi-innocents, at least: small players who often don't realize they're players at all end up hunting down answers, and their hunt becomes the reader's.
According to Baldacci, reading John Irving's The World According to Garp convinced him that he wanted to be a novelist. Absolute Power -- in which a thief finds himself accidentally connected to a murder involving the president and the ensuing coverup -- was hardly Irvingesque; but it did begin Baldacci's friendly relationship with the bestseller lists, which has continued over his writing career.
Baldacci's style is brief and plot-driven, but he's not afraid to linger on macabre and vivid details, such as a rosary clenched in a plane crash victim's hand, or hard-learned lessons from a sniper's life (pack your food so you can find it at night, by touch). These small but memorable -- indeed, almost cinematic -- details give his books another layer that distinguishes them from the average potboiler.
Although the author has occasionally departed from his usual fare (examples include the tenderhearted coming-of-age tale Wish You Well and the holiday-themed adventure The Christmas Train), it is high-octane thrillers that are his true stock in trade. Whether it's a taut stand-alone or a new installment in his Camel Club series, readers know when they crack the spine of a new Baldacci book, they're in for an action-packed page-turner.
.He worked his way through college as a Pinkerton security guard and by washing and detailing 18-wheel trucks.
Baldacci writes under his own name except when published in Italy, where he uses a pseudonym because it is the homeland of his ancestors.
Bill Clinton selected The Simple Truth as his favorite novel of 1998, according to Baldacci's web site.
Anonymous
Posted September 27, 2010
If you are going to sell the paperback version of Devine Justice for $4.99 then you really shouldn't be selling the e-book version for $14.99 It dosn't make sense. Why wouldn't people just buy the paperback version. Or better yet get it out of the library. This is something you really have to think about.
29 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 14, 2008
If you haven't read the other "Camel Club" series, the book might not be as good as if you had. Camel Club continues to shine in this book. Good story plenty of action. Interesting ending. Well worth reading
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 29, 2009
I eagerly await each book about the Camel Club. I hope that Divine Justice is not the last in the series. With each one, I fear that the Camel Club story will come to an end. With the rich characters of the Camel CLub already a part of my literary family, I am hopeful that John Knox will be become a part of the Camel Club in the same way that Alex Ford and Annabelle have. I think what I enjoy most is that such diverse personalities have joined together and formed such strong bonds of friendship. The fact that the stories surround Washington, DC either directly or indirectly parallel our own fascination with politics and politicians and the people who often suffer because of what they have sacrificed for their country. Please continue this series. In much the same way as the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell stories, I never hesitate to pick up the latest book involving the Camel Club.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 15, 2008
I usually like Balducci, but if there was one more way they could have tortured Oliver Stone while torturing the readers I don't know what it would have been. It's not plausible for a human being to live through all of that. I felt like I was watching Jack Bauer on 24. <BR/><BR/>Painful to read. I hope the Camel Club has been put to bed.
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have read many of David Baldacci's earlier novels, but haven't read him in awhile. Big mistake - I forgot how good he is!<BR/><BR/>Divine Justice picks up the story of Oliver Stone, aka John Carr - one of the most deadly assasins the U.S. government ever produced. But when Carr wanted out and they killed his family, they made a terrible mistake. Stone retaliates and Macklin Hayes, a high ranking spy, is determined to find him and make him disappear for good. Stone ends up in the small mining town of Divine, Virgina hoping to lie low for awhile. But trouble seems to go hand in hand with Oliver Stone. All is not fine in Divine. Stone's sense of justice will not let him walk away. At the same time his friends from the Camel Club are trying to find him to help him.<BR/><BR/>As I had not read the Camel Club, The Collectors or Stone Cold, the other novels featuring these characters, I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't understand the plot in Divine Justice. But it wasn't a problem. A few pages in I was up to speed. Most of the action takes place in the Divine setting.<BR/><BR/>If you're looking for a fast paced, thrilling novel - this is it! The characters are larger than life and the action never stops. Good and evil are clearly defined and you'll find yourself rooting for John Carr.<BR/><BR/>If you have enjoyed the Jack Reacher character by Lee Child, then this is a series you would enjoy.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book ended well, but sure took a long time to get there,
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Character and plot development are among Baldacci's many strengths as a writer and he doesn't disappoint in his latest addition to the Camel Club Series. Similar to most of his novels, the action/thrill factor is high, while still developing relationships among the characters and introducing new characters to the group. Another 5 star effort!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 4, 2008
I've loved every single book that David Baldacci has written. He keeps me riveted with what the characters goes through and keeps me guessing as to if the bad guys truly get it in the end. And I am definitely glad he decided to bring back "Oliver/John" because he is a very memorable character. It takes me, in all honesty, about 3-4 days to finish his books. I am buying this book and a copy for my mom because she loves him too.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 1, 2008
I Also Recommend:
It seems that lately That David Baldacci has ran out of steam. His last novel The Whole Truth bombed and is returning to the Camel Club series out of desperation or worse money. It seems that David Baldacci is becoming another writer who cares more about money than his fans.
3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am a fan of David Baldacci's writing. I enjoyed the Maxwell and King series so much that I also got hooked on The Camel Club series. The characters are wonderfully developed in the first book of the series, and this carries through in each of the following books. The story here was interesting and entertaining. Many have complained that it's too '24' or 'too unbelievable'. Well, it is a WORK OF FICTION. Mr Baldacci is a wonderful storyteller, and his talent does not stop with this novel.
The entire series is suspenseful and full of twists and turns.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 18, 2009
I Also Recommend:
As is the case for each one of the books in the Oliver Stone Series this was a fun and entertaining read that I couldn't put down. They just keep getting better and better. I can't decide if I like this one or the last one better.
There are some pretty corny stuff in the book, but overall I enjoyed it. If you're a Baldacci fan, and a fan of the Oliver Stone series I'd recommend giving this book a look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 17, 2009
I have ever been a fan of David Baldacci's work--from "Absolute Power" on. I am especially enamored of the stories and characters in The Camel Club series--including this fourth, "Divine Justice," so I am HOPEful that, somehow Mr. B. will grace us with even more of them! As always, my curiosity and brain wheel-turning kept me turning the pages at a rapid rate--both anxious to get to the denouement AND sorry that it would end: The signs of the BEST.
The story line for "First Family" (book immediately after "Divine Justice" had me fooled, comfortably, for awhile. I should have known better. There is ALWAYS more to his characters than when you first "meet" them. Also, the continuous use of people and characters attached to the presidency and The Mansion gives only joy to this lover of details of all things political.
THANK YOU, MR. BALDACCI...Your gifts to us readers are MUCH appreciated!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 6, 2009
I am a big fan of this writer and I really did love this story. It covered the bases and clearly set-up the story. I love the setting, the topic and yes it is like 24 but anyone who loves espionage and action...this could definitely be a great series. Camel Club and all!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.David Baldacci insists on keeping the Camel Club going. It would be divine justice if he didn't. His latest effort is a disaster of a story, with little to recommend it. Having started the series off well, it would be better to let these characters rest than to take them to the country to investigate a weird prison scheme. But he takes them, and their credibility has never been so strained. The story just gets harder and harder to believe as any resemblance to reality gets left behind in the need to come up with something new.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 14, 2008
Glad the Camel Club is back! As always...a page turner. After the first page, felt like I was home again. Splendid.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.David is a master storyteller and he never disappoints. This was my first read in the Camel Club Series so looking forward to reading the other in series order. I enjoyed the audio while jogging and working, as Ron McLarty has a very soothing voice and very relaxing --combined with the sound effects – makes this an incredible novel.
“Oliver Stone” (John Carr) is the most wanted man in America; however, loved his personality in this book as he is the savior of many in this small cold mining town of Devine, VA. Little did he know when escaping to this town, what was in store for him. The members of the Camel Club are off to protect him! A good read and well written with lots of twists and turns along the way!
Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2012
As usual, David Baldacci is at his best in Divine Justice. I have read almost all of the Camecl Club series and they all have met my standards as really, really good action/mystery novels.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.CindyG2
Posted May 3, 2012
Enjoyed this installment
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Grammy1NH
Posted April 19, 2012
I loved all the Camel Club Series, and give each a 5 star rating. Number 4 I gave a 4 star rating because it seemed a little off the beaten path in the beginning, but then zoomed back to what I expected. I will definately be re-reading all 4 of them again. Great story!
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Posted October 24, 2011
That's about all there is to say about this one. Except....they get more preposterous with each installment.
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Overview
Following the instant #1 New York Times bestseller Stone Cold,
Oliver Stone and the Camel Club return in David Baldacci's most astonishing thriller yet.
DIVINE JUSTICE
Known by his alias, "Oliver Stone," John Carr is the most wanted man in America. With two pulls of the trigger, the men who destroyed Stone's life and kept him in the shadows were finally silenced.
But his ...