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True Blue
A mysterious high-profile homicide in the nation's capital collides with the dark side of national security in David Baldacci's new, heart-stopping thriller.
Mason "Mace" Perry was a firebrand cop on the D.C. police force until she was kidnapped and framed for a crime. She lost everything-her badge, her career, her freedom-and spent two years in prison. Now she's back on the outside and focused on one mission: to be a cop once more. Her only shot to be a true blue again is to solve a major case on her own, and prove she has the right to wear the uniform. But even with her police chief sister on her side, she has to work in the shadows: A vindictive U.S. attorney is looking for any reason to send Mace back behind bars. Then Roy Kingman enters her life.
Roy is a young lawyer who aided the poor until he took a high-paying job at a law firm in Washington. Mace and Roy meet after he discovers the dead body of a female partner at the firm. As they investigate the death, they start uncovering surprising secrets from both the private and public world of the nation's capital.
Soon, what began as a fairly routine homicide takes a terrifying and unexpected turn-into something complex, diabolical, and possibly lethal.
Mason "Mace" Perry was a firebrand cop on the D.C. police force until she was kidnapped and framed for a crime. She lost everything-her badge, her career, her freedom-and spent two years in prison. Now she's back on the outside and focused on one mission: to be a cop once more. Her only shot to be a true blue again is to solve a major case on her own, and prove she has the right to wear the uniform. But even with her police chief sister on her side, she has to work in the shadows: A vindictive U.S. attorney is looking for any reason to send Mace back behind bars. Then Roy Kingman enters her life.
Roy is a young lawyer who aided the poor until he took a high-paying job at a law firm in Washington. Mace and Roy meet after he discovers the dead body of a female partner at the firm. As they investigate the death, they start uncovering surprising secrets from both the private and public world of the nation's capital.
Soon, what began as a fairly routine homicide takes a terrifying and unexpected turn-into something complex, diabolical, and possibly lethal.
456 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
3624 people are currently reading
7908 people want to read
About the author
David Baldacci
245 books123k followersDavid Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.”)
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. David has also published seven novels for younger readers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. David has also published seven novels for younger readers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,989 reviews
December 24, 2013
I didn't finish this one. It was pretty lousy. Baldacci needs to learn that you can write a strong female character without her being so overtly sexual (nearly everyone she meets has to check out her butt. Seriously. That's how tough she is!) (Oh, and she nails every shot if you hand her a basketball, and she can ride a motorcycle better than anyone ever has. Because she's so tough SHE CANNOT FAIL.) The protagonist has just gotten out of jail (for murder), yet her D.C. Police Chief sister takes her to the scene of a murder the same day. For help. What? And then she goes to her mom's house and is cold, because she's so tough SHE DOESN'T HAVE FEELINGS. And that's when I stopped reading.
I read another by Baldacci after this (because he came recommended and I thought I should give him a second shot.) It was The Innocent. The protagonist (this time a man) wasn't much more nuanced, but it wasn't nearly as bad. Baldacci was out of his element in True Blue, clearly trying to prove how kick-butt he could make this woman. It came off as cheap.
I read another by Baldacci after this (because he came recommended and I thought I should give him a second shot.) It was The Innocent. The protagonist (this time a man) wasn't much more nuanced, but it wasn't nearly as bad. Baldacci was out of his element in True Blue, clearly trying to prove how kick-butt he could make this woman. It came off as cheap.
March 29, 2021
Mace Perry is a former Washington DC cop who was just released from prison after a two-year stint. She was set up while undercover and is now looking to restore her reputation and find a way to return to a force she loved serving. Oh, and her older sister, Beth, is the police chief whose reputation she needs to protect in the meantime. When Mace accompanies her to the crime scene of a high powered attorney who was found murdered on the law firm’s premises by colleague Roy Kingman, she begins looking into things on her own in a desperate attempt to solve a big case that will put her on the path back to her old job.
Mace is an interesting character who decides to question Roy on her own but ends up teaming with him when they begin to uncover odd clues related to the murdered attorney. Things are often dangerous as they soon become targets of a conspiracy being perpetrated within the highest levels of the government. She doesn’t want to use Beth’s resources as her determination to solve the case on her own clouded her sensibilities and judgment throughout. She and Roy are almost polar opposites in temperament and he often provides some balance. But most of the time, she’s unrestrained in her recklessness.
I’m a big fan of the author, particularly of his Amos Decker & Atlee Pine series. This is an older story that I read with one of my Goodreads groups. We all liked the story but it wasn’t on the same level as those books. Mace was an interesting character but for someone trying to get back on the police force, she broke a lot of laws in the pursuit. The conspiracy was pretty obvious though there was a surprise or two at the end. I listened to the story and Ron McLarty made everything better. Baldacci also uses sound effects to elevate the action and, in my opinion, it enhances the listening experience. Even though this won’t be a favorite, it is still a good, exciting story I enjoyed. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Mace is an interesting character who decides to question Roy on her own but ends up teaming with him when they begin to uncover odd clues related to the murdered attorney. Things are often dangerous as they soon become targets of a conspiracy being perpetrated within the highest levels of the government. She doesn’t want to use Beth’s resources as her determination to solve the case on her own clouded her sensibilities and judgment throughout. She and Roy are almost polar opposites in temperament and he often provides some balance. But most of the time, she’s unrestrained in her recklessness.
I’m a big fan of the author, particularly of his Amos Decker & Atlee Pine series. This is an older story that I read with one of my Goodreads groups. We all liked the story but it wasn’t on the same level as those books. Mace was an interesting character but for someone trying to get back on the police force, she broke a lot of laws in the pursuit. The conspiracy was pretty obvious though there was a surprise or two at the end. I listened to the story and Ron McLarty made everything better. Baldacci also uses sound effects to elevate the action and, in my opinion, it enhances the listening experience. Even though this won’t be a favorite, it is still a good, exciting story I enjoyed. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
November 30, 2015
This is an other great fast paced novle by David Baldacci. This book explains how a lady cop, Mason Peary, gets two years of her life taken away from her and attempts to get her job back after her incarseration by bringing down the people who framed her and caused the death of over seven Americans including a vet. Enjoy and Be Blessed.
April 3, 2019
Baldacci is normally a very good writer, but this thing just lies there, stinking up the book shelf. The plot is sophomoric and cliched, the dialogue is unreal and cliched, the characters are cardboard and cliched. This really feels like someone other than Baldacci wrote it. Bad book, Bad book!
March 21, 2012
I picked this up because I wanted a male voice to contrast my diet of ChickLit.
Oy.
Baldacci tries too hard to sound like he knows this world. He writes eye-glazing passages about guns and “bandits” (I prefer perps…) and seedy neighborhoods in DC. He adds unnecessary details, puts his people in unreasonable situations where their characters aren’t consistent and the sequence of events is all too convenient.
For instance:
Mace escapes bad guys on her motorcycle while they’re trying to shoot her dead from their car. In this car chase she manages to:
A. drive 90 at night through a residential neighborhood while
B. evading the killers and swerving down side streets. She
C. Removes illegal weapons from her pockets and shoots them after which she
D. Opens a hidden zippered pocket beneath her seat and
E. stashes said illegal weapons in the zippered pocket and rezips it before
F. sliding into home base in front of a huddle of cop cars and getting arrested to save her own life.
Clearly she’s a superhero.
There are dozens of people introduced and hints of bad goings on in the upper echelons and I can’t keep people straight so when they show up again, I can’t tell who’s bad and pretending to be good and who’s just bad.
Ergh.
Oy.
Baldacci tries too hard to sound like he knows this world. He writes eye-glazing passages about guns and “bandits” (I prefer perps…) and seedy neighborhoods in DC. He adds unnecessary details, puts his people in unreasonable situations where their characters aren’t consistent and the sequence of events is all too convenient.
For instance:
Mace escapes bad guys on her motorcycle while they’re trying to shoot her dead from their car. In this car chase she manages to:
A. drive 90 at night through a residential neighborhood while
B. evading the killers and swerving down side streets. She
C. Removes illegal weapons from her pockets and shoots them after which she
D. Opens a hidden zippered pocket beneath her seat and
E. stashes said illegal weapons in the zippered pocket and rezips it before
F. sliding into home base in front of a huddle of cop cars and getting arrested to save her own life.
Clearly she’s a superhero.
There are dozens of people introduced and hints of bad goings on in the upper echelons and I can’t keep people straight so when they show up again, I can’t tell who’s bad and pretending to be good and who’s just bad.
Ergh.
November 8, 2009
Note to David Baldacci: you are not George Pelecanos, nor could you ever come to his level, this book makes that painfully clear. The forced and completely unnatural dialogue was really difficult to look past in this book. Honestly I'm surprised his editors even agreed to put it out. One of the things I do love about Baldacci is that he tends to keep locations, events, places in DC very accurate and real. It was clear that he went out of his way to not write about DC even though this book was about policing in DC (yes there are 6d & 7D, but there is no Ward 9). Why be accurate about one component and not another? And the language, I can't even express how much he came across sounding like a privileged white male. I love Baldacci and I also love Pelecanos and Richard Price, etc, why is why I was excited about the arrival of this book: I thought he could bring in this other aspect to his thriller genre and in doing do expose another side of DC to his readers. Unfortunately I was sadly mistaken and I honestly wish he hadn't attempted this book.
April 11, 2011
This is about a high-profile homicide in the nation's capital, a heart-stopping thriller.Mason Perry was a cop on the D.C. police force, until she was kidnapped and framed for a crime. She lost everything, including her career, her badge ans spent two years in prison. Now is is back on the outside, and want her old job back.Her only chance to be a "true blue" is to solve a major case on her own.This is a fast action book, that you will not want to put down. A must read.
July 14, 2025
I’m a huge fan of Baldacci’s. Perfectly readable, entertaining plot, well-developed characters – it’s definitely one of the better ones.
In True Blue, Baldacci has moved away from his familiar FBI/CIA/NSA/acronym material to tackle Washington, its politics, law firms and police force. The change of setting is a refreshing one, and it gives him the chance to construct some new characters. The two lead females are the fascinating ones in this (unusually for Baldacci, normally the heroines are tall, willowy, multilingual sharp-shooting beauties with Olympic medals… or something similarly exaggerated), and the relationship between the two sisters is well-crafted.
To say anything at all about the plot would be to spoil it because it is best at its most unexpected, but while the story trundles along pleasantly, it’s not terribly gripping and the grand denouement is very easy to see coming.
Entertaining enough for a long trip or for a real Baldacci fan. It is definitely a long one, but good. Recommend.
In True Blue, Baldacci has moved away from his familiar FBI/CIA/NSA/acronym material to tackle Washington, its politics, law firms and police force. The change of setting is a refreshing one, and it gives him the chance to construct some new characters. The two lead females are the fascinating ones in this (unusually for Baldacci, normally the heroines are tall, willowy, multilingual sharp-shooting beauties with Olympic medals… or something similarly exaggerated), and the relationship between the two sisters is well-crafted.
To say anything at all about the plot would be to spoil it because it is best at its most unexpected, but while the story trundles along pleasantly, it’s not terribly gripping and the grand denouement is very easy to see coming.
Entertaining enough for a long trip or for a real Baldacci fan. It is definitely a long one, but good. Recommend.
January 8, 2011
Dear David Balducci,
If you feel the need to write about Mace Perry or her one dimensional friends, family and enemies. Please kill her off in the first chapter. That would make me very happy. Throughout this book I found myself rooting for Psycho, the Russian Assain, Mona, the rogue intellence agency and possible brake tampering on her pretentious motorcyle. Thank you, a Fan.
I think there is some potential in the concept, but all of the plot lines were cliche, from the wrongly imprisoned ex cop looking to clear her name, to the plucky teenager from the 'hood with a baby with developmental disabilities pulling herself up by the bootstraps, to rogue intellegence community who will have their grandmothers killed in the name of National Security.
None of the characters were fully developed, and all one dimensional. Mace, the framed ex cop, who breaks the rules because rules are for suckers. Roy, the average nice guy who is drawn to the bad girl, but isn't really all that smart or really bring anything to table. Mona, the ambitious US Attorney, who uses the law for her own advancement. Then there are Donnelly and Jarvis who will do anything to save the nation, including kill civillians. Beth, the DC Police Cheif has the most potential as a character and for possible new stories. There is interesting potential in the Cheif of Police in Washington DC fighting crime in the back drop of the Nation's Capital, and the crimes overlad various federal jurisdictions. However, even Beth was not fully fleshed out. She is smart, but her love for her sister overrides her judgement.
Balducci can be a good story teller, but when he writes to pay the bills it shows. One of kids must have needed braces when wrote this one.
If you feel the need to write about Mace Perry or her one dimensional friends, family and enemies. Please kill her off in the first chapter. That would make me very happy. Throughout this book I found myself rooting for Psycho, the Russian Assain, Mona, the rogue intellence agency and possible brake tampering on her pretentious motorcyle. Thank you, a Fan.
I think there is some potential in the concept, but all of the plot lines were cliche, from the wrongly imprisoned ex cop looking to clear her name, to the plucky teenager from the 'hood with a baby with developmental disabilities pulling herself up by the bootstraps, to rogue intellegence community who will have their grandmothers killed in the name of National Security.
None of the characters were fully developed, and all one dimensional. Mace, the framed ex cop, who breaks the rules because rules are for suckers. Roy, the average nice guy who is drawn to the bad girl, but isn't really all that smart or really bring anything to table. Mona, the ambitious US Attorney, who uses the law for her own advancement. Then there are Donnelly and Jarvis who will do anything to save the nation, including kill civillians. Beth, the DC Police Cheif has the most potential as a character and for possible new stories. There is interesting potential in the Cheif of Police in Washington DC fighting crime in the back drop of the Nation's Capital, and the crimes overlad various federal jurisdictions. However, even Beth was not fully fleshed out. She is smart, but her love for her sister overrides her judgement.
Balducci can be a good story teller, but when he writes to pay the bills it shows. One of kids must have needed braces when wrote this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2015
Terrible. Could not even finish this book which is unusual for me. The main character, Mace, was not likable at all and very over the top masculine, rude, inconsiderate, and self centered.
July 26, 2018
Not a bad read not a great one... I actually liked the characters and the plot had potential to be great but found the story lacked that devour me factor you want in a crime/thriller. Solid 3 Stars!
April 27, 2020
Another in the long line of gripping thrillers by Baldacci. This book introduces the female character of Mace Perry (a nod to Perry Mason), now an ex-cop, that has spent the last two years in prison, after being harshly framed and convicted of crimes that she was forced to commit under huge duress. On release from prison, despite her sister being the Chief of Washington DC Police, she knows there's absolutely zero chance of her ever being a 'true blue' cop again unless she can discover the truth behind how she was set up and/or break a major case. 6 out of 12
January 26, 2010
OK, a lot of people love David Baldacci but not me, at least not any more. You cannot write a book that wastes so many pages on how tough someone is (Mace Perry) and not develop any other characters or plot. You can't introduce an Islamic terrorist at page 375 of a 450 page book and then drop him after 2 pages at which point you introduce a Russian assassin and expect people to actually keep reading this drivel. I also don't think there is such a word as "inputted".
March 14, 2011
I hated, hated, hated this book. I'm a Baldacci fan as a rule, but this book feels like sombody else wrote it. It has a lot of lawyers in it, and he gets lawyers completely wrong. The former defender who doesn't know enough to keep his mouth shut when he finds a corpse and the cops are asking questions. Wait a minute here, officer, do you mean to say I'm a suspect? I HATED this book.
February 9, 2013
After rereading this story I found it interesting and a worthwhile read. There turns out to be a bit to enjoy in this novel. 8 of 10 stars.
July 18, 2013
True Blue is a phenomenal stand alone thriller from David Baldacci. The action begins on page 1 and never stops until the very last word. Baldacci utilizes the short chapter style now adopted by many thriller authors to quickly move the story line and ratchet the thrill factor. I would have given True Blue 5 stars if the ending was different. I'm hoping to see the two Perry sisters featured again. But of course that is Baldacci's decision. I liked the two women as strong protagonists. They are tough as nails with some vulnerability to them. One is the D.C. Metro Police Chief, while the other sister is a disgraced "blue," spending time in prison for a crime that she was framed for. But the U.S. Attorney, Mona Danforth, wants Mace Perry back in jail, and will do anything to make that a reality. Mace knows that the only way she will ever become true blue again is to solve a big case.
And that big case is happening now. Dianne Tolliver has been found dead in her law firm. Her body falling out from the fridge into her partner, Roy Kingman's arms. Very soon another body is found, but MPD is prevented from investigating the Assistant U.S. Attorney's death. National Security reasons are given, effectively keeping Chief Perry and the Fibbies at arms length. Mace and Roy quickly deduce a connection between the two deaths. National Security may involve killing Americans to keep a dirty little secret from everyone, including 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
And that big case is happening now. Dianne Tolliver has been found dead in her law firm. Her body falling out from the fridge into her partner, Roy Kingman's arms. Very soon another body is found, but MPD is prevented from investigating the Assistant U.S. Attorney's death. National Security reasons are given, effectively keeping Chief Perry and the Fibbies at arms length. Mace and Roy quickly deduce a connection between the two deaths. National Security may involve killing Americans to keep a dirty little secret from everyone, including 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
March 17, 2021
After being set up for a crime and spending two years in prison, Mace Perry is determined to prove herself and get her badge back. Her sister, Police Chief Beth Perry, believes in Mace, but also knows that it will be nearly impossible to get back on the force. When Mace accompanies Beth to the scene of a murder, Mace decides she will solve this case. Lawyer Roy Kingman found Diane Tolliver stuffed into a refrigerator at the law firm where they both worked. Mace and Kingman decide to work together to find out who killed Diane Tolliver.
This standalone David Baldacci title was just "ok" for me. I wasn't a big fan of Mace who doesn't know what she will do if she isn't a cop. Meanwhile she breaks all sorts of laws to solve a murder. I thought the whole "I'm going to solve a big case so I can get my badge back" was just absurd. Maybe if Mace had worked to clear her name, it would have worked better.
I did enjoy other characters in the book, especially Roy Kingman. He wants to solve the murder also. He also decides to take a Pro-Bono case of the homeless man accused of Diane's murder. His bosses are not happy about it, but he continues with his defense.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story. Ron McLarty did a good job with the narration. And, I loved the addition of revving engines and squealing tires during the car chase. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This standalone David Baldacci title was just "ok" for me. I wasn't a big fan of Mace who doesn't know what she will do if she isn't a cop. Meanwhile she breaks all sorts of laws to solve a murder. I thought the whole "I'm going to solve a big case so I can get my badge back" was just absurd. Maybe if Mace had worked to clear her name, it would have worked better.
I did enjoy other characters in the book, especially Roy Kingman. He wants to solve the murder also. He also decides to take a Pro-Bono case of the homeless man accused of Diane's murder. His bosses are not happy about it, but he continues with his defense.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story. Ron McLarty did a good job with the narration. And, I loved the addition of revving engines and squealing tires during the car chase. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
February 11, 2010
This was my first Baldacci novel and there were things that I liked and things that I disliked about it.
This is the story of "Mace" Perry, a cop convicted wrongly and sent to prison for 2 years. Her older sister, Beth Perry, is the Chief of Police in D.C. When Mace is released from prison she gets involved in the latest case being tackled by her sister.
The book was easy to read and kept moving at a fast pace. Like most modern thrillers there's a neat package ending and everything is revealed in strategic bites through the novel allowing you to feel as if the mystery is slowing getting unwound in front of you.
What I didn't like about the book was how how hard and cliche the main characters were portrayed to be. Every super good girl and bad girl had to be chiseled, toned and completely badass. I rolled my eyes more than a few times because, while I can appreciate female empowerment in a book, this went totally to the extreme and made the book a bit ridiculous to me. And... If I never read the name "Ducati" again it'll be too soon.
This is the story of "Mace" Perry, a cop convicted wrongly and sent to prison for 2 years. Her older sister, Beth Perry, is the Chief of Police in D.C. When Mace is released from prison she gets involved in the latest case being tackled by her sister.
The book was easy to read and kept moving at a fast pace. Like most modern thrillers there's a neat package ending and everything is revealed in strategic bites through the novel allowing you to feel as if the mystery is slowing getting unwound in front of you.
What I didn't like about the book was how how hard and cliche the main characters were portrayed to be. Every super good girl and bad girl had to be chiseled, toned and completely badass. I rolled my eyes more than a few times because, while I can appreciate female empowerment in a book, this went totally to the extreme and made the book a bit ridiculous to me. And... If I never read the name "Ducati" again it'll be too soon.
October 25, 2009
Do I smell a sequel coming on?
April 9, 2018
Another full-throttle thriller by one of my top favorite writers of all time!!
In True Blue, David Baldacci introduces us to heroine Mace Perry, (Mace short for Mason), a maverick DC Cop who was framed for murder, kicked off the force, and sent to prison for 2 years. Now 2 years later, Perry is released from prison, trying to rebuild her life, and trying to find the person that set her up, ruined her Cop Career and sent her to prison. But she has to trend carefully, even with her Police Chief/Sister on her side, she has a corrupt US Attorney watching her, just aching to throw her back in prison for the slightest mistake.
Roy Kingman, the secondary protagonist, is a young DC Lawyer working for a small Washington law firm. One day he finds the dead body of a female partner at the firm, and reports it to the Police, who don't have much to go on. Mace, even though she is no longer a Cop, never lost the passion of being one, and decides to go behind the authorities backs and team up with Roy. Soon they realize what at first seems to be just a typical routine murder/homicide, suddenly turns into a deadly conspiracy involving the nation's capital, and are drawn into deadly secrets.
I loved Mace Perry's characterization, she's like a Jodie Foster kickass type heroine who takes no shit from anybody, and always gets the job done. I was hoping this was going to turn into a series instead of a stand-alone book because the ending felt like it was left open for a sequel, I'm hoping one day!
In True Blue, David Baldacci introduces us to heroine Mace Perry, (Mace short for Mason), a maverick DC Cop who was framed for murder, kicked off the force, and sent to prison for 2 years. Now 2 years later, Perry is released from prison, trying to rebuild her life, and trying to find the person that set her up, ruined her Cop Career and sent her to prison. But she has to trend carefully, even with her Police Chief/Sister on her side, she has a corrupt US Attorney watching her, just aching to throw her back in prison for the slightest mistake.
Roy Kingman, the secondary protagonist, is a young DC Lawyer working for a small Washington law firm. One day he finds the dead body of a female partner at the firm, and reports it to the Police, who don't have much to go on. Mace, even though she is no longer a Cop, never lost the passion of being one, and decides to go behind the authorities backs and team up with Roy. Soon they realize what at first seems to be just a typical routine murder/homicide, suddenly turns into a deadly conspiracy involving the nation's capital, and are drawn into deadly secrets.
I loved Mace Perry's characterization, she's like a Jodie Foster kickass type heroine who takes no shit from anybody, and always gets the job done. I was hoping this was going to turn into a series instead of a stand-alone book because the ending felt like it was left open for a sequel, I'm hoping one day!
July 21, 2010
I like David Baldacci. We just listened to two of his books on our trip. So I went with True Blue. It is aboubt two sisters in the Washington DC police force. Beth is the Chief of Police and Mace Perry was a police officer but has just served two years in prison because she was set up. She is one tough cookie. Too tough for me. She is bitter, angry and wants to know the truth and get revenge. I like police officer novels. But the two women are just too tough and the story has several things happen that are too far fetched for me. Mace gets out early from prison and the next day is invited by Beth to check out a murder scene. really? Mace meets an attorney there, Roy, the one who found the body and they become friends, deciding to solve the murder before the cops in order to get Mace reinstated. Mace makes some ilegal choices in her pursuit of the truth and Beth let's her do it. There is another murder, another lawyer, but Beth, the DC police and FBI are taken off the case from higher ups. Mace gets a job with a professor to work with people from the projects. Another "ya right;" Roy challenges the head of a gang on one on one basketball in stead of getting shot. The story is okay. Not a good one for Baldacci.
July 18, 2025
David Baldacci is really great at writing thrillers! The beginning of this book didn't grab me right away like I like books to do. But once it got going, I was at the edge of my seat excited to see what was going to happen next! There was a lot of action in this thriller, and that's what drew me in the most! There are so many various intense scenes where I couldn't predict the outcome. There are a lot of bad guys, but it balanced out with a lot of good guys. I enjoyed the ending and how everything with Mace and Captain played out.
February 28, 2018
Fast-paced with an okay but partially predictable plot. The conclusion felt hurried and somewhat disconnected from the previous writing style and story development. Overall, entertaining on a shallow level but it lives up to it's expectations.
November 13, 2009
True Blue by David Baldacci is a kick back to the old Last Man Standing days where the beat walking cop grinds down the details and solves the case using gut and grit. However, true to Baldacci’s character style, this story does not involve the typical hairy detective. Instead, it’s focused on a strong, independent woman that plays the role of the sticky gumshoe.
True Blue finally shows strength in its characters, where other Baldacci novels have been weak. While the independent women character is not new to the Baldacci universe (The Winner) this installment doesn’t feel as rigid as previous novels. Baldacci’s characters are loose, natural and sometimes unpredictable which really keeps the story moving and interesting.
This is not a police procedural novel. Very little of the story takes place within the halls of the police station. In fact, the action spans from the crime scene, to the morgue, to the courtroom, and in the slums of DC. True Blue makes use of some great characters and an exciting environment to build into a multilayered crime thriller.
True Blue is yet another exciting action novel to add to the growing Baldacci library. As the holidays approach and you’re facing hours of traveling to see loved ones, True Blue is a great suitcase thriller. Though you may have trouble putting it down between rest stops.
True Blue finally shows strength in its characters, where other Baldacci novels have been weak. While the independent women character is not new to the Baldacci universe (The Winner) this installment doesn’t feel as rigid as previous novels. Baldacci’s characters are loose, natural and sometimes unpredictable which really keeps the story moving and interesting.
This is not a police procedural novel. Very little of the story takes place within the halls of the police station. In fact, the action spans from the crime scene, to the morgue, to the courtroom, and in the slums of DC. True Blue makes use of some great characters and an exciting environment to build into a multilayered crime thriller.
True Blue is yet another exciting action novel to add to the growing Baldacci library. As the holidays approach and you’re facing hours of traveling to see loved ones, True Blue is a great suitcase thriller. Though you may have trouble putting it down between rest stops.
January 21, 2011
I really like David Baldacci’s work, but I think his publisher must have been pushing him for a new novel, so Baldacci hired a ghost writer to write this. This book is just bad, really bad. Mace Perry is a former DC police officer who was in prison (or something not her fault, of course) and is now released. She gets involved in trying to solve a crime that has nothing to do with her or the reason she was arrested. Her sister, Beth Perry, is the chief of the Washington DC police runs around responding to police calls that involve homicide. She also spends a lot of time trying to solve the crime her sister is working on. Now, really, is that what the CEO of a very large metropolitan police force does? If Chief Cathy Lanier reads this book she will probably have Baldacci arrested for impersonating an author.
February 7, 2017
The younger sister is released from prison after two years served for a crime she did not commit. She, formerly one of D.C.'s finest is desperately trying to clear her name and be reinstated to the force. A difficult task at the very least, she has one thing going for her---her older sister is the Chief of Police. However, her primary adversary is the D.C. Attorney General who has a major hard-on with the former cop, and her sister.
She has a long and difficult journey ahead of her, seemingly impossible yet with her persistence she may get there......a good read and ride and as usual, masterfully crafted by this gifted author.
She has a long and difficult journey ahead of her, seemingly impossible yet with her persistence she may get there......a good read and ride and as usual, masterfully crafted by this gifted author.
October 5, 2015
A great read - been a long time since I've read a David Baldacci book, must read more!
A fairly face-paced, police procedural - lots of action, suspense, and espionage. The story is based in Washington, DC - how more corrupt can you get :) A female cop framed/set up and did her time in a penitentiary, gets released a couple of days early and can't be what she loves to be and that is a cop - unless she can find out who set her up/framed her. An up and coming prosecutor with her eyes set on becoming Attorney General, then possibly President of the U.S., and not always using proper protocol - not someone you mess with or like!
2 thumbs up and 5 solid stars
A fairly face-paced, police procedural - lots of action, suspense, and espionage. The story is based in Washington, DC - how more corrupt can you get :) A female cop framed/set up and did her time in a penitentiary, gets released a couple of days early and can't be what she loves to be and that is a cop - unless she can find out who set her up/framed her. An up and coming prosecutor with her eyes set on becoming Attorney General, then possibly President of the U.S., and not always using proper protocol - not someone you mess with or like!
2 thumbs up and 5 solid stars
December 10, 2009
True Blue
Synopsis:
Mason "Mace" Perry had been an outstanding cop in Washington D.C. - until her public arrest for armed robbery and drug use. Mace knows that she was kidnapped and framed for the crime, but she's lost her badge, her apartment, the life that she knew. Two years have passed and Mace has been released from prison. Now Mace's one goal is to clear her name and win back her badge. It helps that her sister, Police Chief Beth Perry, believes in her and will not be deterred from hunting down the truth of what had happened two years ago. Mace tries to recreate what had happened and to solve the mystery of who had set her up and why.
Mace accompanies Beth Perry at the her latest crime scene at a lucrative corporate law firm where a partner was discovered dead. Mace connects with Roy Kingman, the associate who discovered the body, and somehow Mace enlists Roy's aid in investigating the death and uncovering secrets. The routine homicide soon proves to be part of a complex crime. While Beth, Mace, and Roy must work together, Mace curb her reactions and instincts and learn to play by the rules.
The Perry sisters face an additional danger. U.S. attorney Mona Danforth is dead set against the Perry sisters. Danforth had sent Mace to jail the first time and is looking forward to sending Mace back to jail - and removing Beth from office.
Review:
Fast-paced, action packed, and full of plot twists, True Blue is a fun escape. Beth and Mace Perry are strong woman lead characters - which makes the book even more enjoyable. The relationship between the sisters gives True Blue an additional layer of complexity. True Blue was my first exposure to David Baldacci's writing and I am looking forward to the next Baldacci novel!
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition edition (October 27, 2009), 464 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
Synopsis:
Mason "Mace" Perry had been an outstanding cop in Washington D.C. - until her public arrest for armed robbery and drug use. Mace knows that she was kidnapped and framed for the crime, but she's lost her badge, her apartment, the life that she knew. Two years have passed and Mace has been released from prison. Now Mace's one goal is to clear her name and win back her badge. It helps that her sister, Police Chief Beth Perry, believes in her and will not be deterred from hunting down the truth of what had happened two years ago. Mace tries to recreate what had happened and to solve the mystery of who had set her up and why.
Mace accompanies Beth Perry at the her latest crime scene at a lucrative corporate law firm where a partner was discovered dead. Mace connects with Roy Kingman, the associate who discovered the body, and somehow Mace enlists Roy's aid in investigating the death and uncovering secrets. The routine homicide soon proves to be part of a complex crime. While Beth, Mace, and Roy must work together, Mace curb her reactions and instincts and learn to play by the rules.
The Perry sisters face an additional danger. U.S. attorney Mona Danforth is dead set against the Perry sisters. Danforth had sent Mace to jail the first time and is looking forward to sending Mace back to jail - and removing Beth from office.
Review:
Fast-paced, action packed, and full of plot twists, True Blue is a fun escape. Beth and Mace Perry are strong woman lead characters - which makes the book even more enjoyable. The relationship between the sisters gives True Blue an additional layer of complexity. True Blue was my first exposure to David Baldacci's writing and I am looking forward to the next Baldacci novel!
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition edition (October 27, 2009), 464 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
September 26, 2017
A personal note about this book: this is the only book that I packed into our gym bag before we were boat rescued from our house during Hurricane Harvey. While I still have my Kindle books, there is something satisfying about opening an actual book.
I found the main protagonist annoying at first, but I grew to love her, which is rare for me. I think this is one of Baldacci's older books, but it takes talent to redeem a potentially annoying main character.
So the story was interesting and kept moving, but I think the five stars are mainly for the main character Mace. I'll have to see if there are any other books in this series.
I found the main protagonist annoying at first, but I grew to love her, which is rare for me. I think this is one of Baldacci's older books, but it takes talent to redeem a potentially annoying main character.
So the story was interesting and kept moving, but I think the five stars are mainly for the main character Mace. I'll have to see if there are any other books in this series.
January 26, 2014
READ IN DUTCH
I had read a few books by David Baldacci, and thought they were OK, but this book disappointed me a bit.
The 'strong' female main character -who's only just released out of prison after being convicted for murder - is just so annoying!
The story itself, wasn't really anything special either. I must have read multiple books like this, and in the end it al become a bit of a blur.
I had read a few books by David Baldacci, and thought they were OK, but this book disappointed me a bit.
The 'strong' female main character -who's only just released out of prison after being convicted for murder - is just so annoying!
The story itself, wasn't really anything special either. I must have read multiple books like this, and in the end it al become a bit of a blur.
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