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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 May 5, 2011
Disappointed in B&N that when this was out for preorder that it never mentioned it was a 21 page short story! After waiting months for it to finally be released, I wish I had never bothered with the 99 cents!
200 out of 204 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 2, 2011
I've waited two months for this "bargain"... and all that downloaded today was 21 pages--about one chapter of the book and a bunch of ads to buy his next book. I want a refund... the free previews for Nook give you more to read than this!!
146 out of 150 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LCHH
Posted May 5, 2011
This book was MONTHS late and then a very short short story.
It is a total rip off and personally I'm disgusted with the author and more the publisher. Talk about "cashing out" at the expense of e-book readers.
112 out of 117 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 3, 2011
Thought this was a book not just 21 pages. Would also like my money back. You. should be more up front on whether it is a very, very short story or a regular book.
102 out of 107 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 7, 2011
You would think that b/n would respond with an explanation as to what is the delay concerning this book
58 out of 63 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 May 2, 2011
Barnes & Noble did market this as a book. I thought the $.99 price tag was too good to be true for Baldacci... and it was. The website should have been clear that this was a short story, NOT a book. I want my money back. There is definitely a truth in advertising problem here.
51 out of 54 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 2, 2011
I wish I hadn't even bothered! I waited 2 months for 15 pages, what a joke!!!
40 out of 41 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 2, 2011
This author and publisher should be ashamed of themselves to put this out as BOOK!!!...
No more purchases of David Baldacci books for me EVER...
39 out of 42 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 1, 2011
I have been anxiously waiting since this was put on the list and twice now the date for release has been changed. Now it is again changed and is May! What is the deal. WHY????????? I wait for this author's books. I think those who preordered need to be refunded their money and a free offer be extended.
29 out of 33 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LakeLady436
Posted May 5, 2011
Glad i read the reviews before i purchased this book!
28 out of 33 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 May 6, 2011
Even though I love David Baldacci's other books, I was less than impressed with this short story. First I was disappointed regarding the short story part, guess I didn't read the description thoroughly. The story started off well with, but IMHO had a very lame ending. The prolonged wait for such a short story was unacceptable. This something an author could have written in less than a day. To me, this is just an attempt to trade Mr. Baldacci's name for a bunch of money.
27 out of 28 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Caryite
Posted May 17, 2011
I was totally surprised that this was only a short story! What a disappoinment. It would have been nice if B&N would have specified it was not a full length book. Only 21 pages, what a rip-off.
21 out of 21 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 March 3, 2011
Checked at Amazon. Their ebook release is for April not March.
21 out of 25 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 2, 2011
When I pre-ordered this, the BN website said NOTHING about it being a short story. The publisher delayed the release date twice. I waited 2 months to spend 2 minutes reading a predictable, boring, poorly written short story. If I could, I'd give it zero stars. Don't waste your time or money.
17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 6, 2011
After waiting weeks for this book, today I got 21 pages. B&N should be more upfront on this type of thing and tell people it is only a sample that you pay for. At 5 cents a page, it is the most expensive ebook I own !!
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 9, 2011
i would like to know when i can download this book. was supposed to be ready march 1st.
9 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 2, 2011
I preordered this book a while back. It was supposed to be available on March first. Still don't have it and B & N apparently doesn't have any books by David Baldacci available at all now. Strange as the had a number of them on nook a few days ago. Wish I knew what is going on. I'll never preorder another book from Barnes and Noble again. It was just 99 cents but I looked forward to reading it as he's one of my favorites.
9 out of 11 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 went back thru my account and noticed this book had not been delivered yet and the release date had been changed. B & N has nothing to do with the release date, that is the publisher. I'm not going to throw a major fit over $1.07 but I will keep an eye on it. I couldn't figure out why a Baldacci book was only .99 in the first place....
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Can't review what I can't get so single star is for overall experience.
8 out of 9 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 March 21, 2011
I think this is not BN fault. The publisher is the one who backed out in publishing this book.
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Frank Becker is a highly sought after, expert assassin. When Becker takes a mysterious job, he has no idea that it will force him to delve deeply into his own past. Undeterred by obstacles he is determined to complete his assignment. But he may realize too late that his success will permanently alter his future.