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A. Shaw #2
Deliver Us from Evil
Evan Waller is a monster. He has built a fortune from his willingness to buy and sell anything… and anyone. In search of new opportunities, Waller has just begun a new business venture: one that could lead to millions of deaths all over the globe.
On Waller’s trail is Shaw, the mysterious operative from The Whole Truth, who must prevent Waller from closing his latest deal. Shaw’s one chance to bring him down will come in the most unlikely of places: a serene, bucolic village in Provence.
But Waller’s depravity and ruthlessness go deeper than Shaw knows. And now, there is someone else pursuing Waller in Provence—Reggie Campion, an agent for a secret vigilante group headquartered in a musty old English estate—and she has an agenda of her own.
Hunting the same man, unaware of each other’s mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits. Hitchcockian in its intimate buildup of suspense, and filled with the kind of breathtaking plot turns and remarkable characters that are David Baldacci’s hallmark, Deliver Us from Evil is the most gripping thriller of the year.
On Waller’s trail is Shaw, the mysterious operative from The Whole Truth, who must prevent Waller from closing his latest deal. Shaw’s one chance to bring him down will come in the most unlikely of places: a serene, bucolic village in Provence.
But Waller’s depravity and ruthlessness go deeper than Shaw knows. And now, there is someone else pursuing Waller in Provence—Reggie Campion, an agent for a secret vigilante group headquartered in a musty old English estate—and she has an agenda of her own.
Hunting the same man, unaware of each other’s mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits. Hitchcockian in its intimate buildup of suspense, and filled with the kind of breathtaking plot turns and remarkable characters that are David Baldacci’s hallmark, Deliver Us from Evil is the most gripping thriller of the year.
406 pages, Hardcover
First published April 20, 2010
3457 people are currently reading
8735 people want to read
About the author
David Baldacci
244 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 1,736 reviews
May 27, 2015
I am disappointed with Baldacci. The reason I enjoyed his books in the past was that he weaves a great story without the typical sex, language, violence, etc. I knew this book would be darker from his others from the title, but Baldacci included sex and gratuitous violence that added nothing to the story. I would only recommend this book to die-hard Baldacci fans but skip chapters 1, 2 & 37!!!! These chapters are so far past the line of decency that you can no longer see the line. Chapters 1 & 2 have too much explicit sex and chapter 37 is a gross, disturbing, detailed description of graphic torture & violence. I skipped the majority of these chapters and suggest that you do to if you insist on reading this disturbing book.
October 18, 2025
Extradition? We don't need no steenking extradition!
I doubt if anyone ever accused David Baldacci of writing literary masterpieces replete with symbolism, satire, social commentary, foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, allegory, alliteration, pathetic fallacy, subliminal moral messages or any of those things that our English teachers were wont to torture their students with. But if you're looking for a solid, entertaining thriller, a compelling plot line that is not only always innovative but can be counted on for an unexpected twist or three, and a series of educational, informative and always fascinating "info-dump" side bar essays that are used to further the plot without ever threatening to derail it or slow it down - then Baldacci's books are what you're looking for and DELIVER US FROM EVIL is no exception.
A. Shaw (Shaw contends that the A doesn't stand for anything at all!), a globetrotting undercover operative for a shadowy black ops quasi-government organization, delivers slippery bad guys to well-deserved justice anywhere in the world (Extradition? We don't need no steenking extradition!). This time around his target is Evan Waller, a wealthy Canadian businessman who has earned his pile human trafficking - selling Asian women into prostitution and sex slavery. When Waller stepped into the arena of international politics and terrorism by deciding to sell smuggled highly enriched uranium to a middle eastern terrorist cell, Shaw's controllers knew enough was enough and Waller became a takedown target. What Shaw doesn't know is that Waller is actually an alias for Fedir Kuchin, a savage, blood-thirsty, post WW II ex-KBG officer responsible for the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians in the period following WW II and Stalin's iron-fisted rule over Russia. As such, Kuchin aka Waller is the current target of a second undercover group whose mission is the termination of war criminals who have evaded justice and slipped through the world's cracks.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL tells a remarkable, hair-raising story of two undercover groups working unbeknownst to one another toward a similar end. And what they don't know about one another might be enough to allow a vicious, sadistic soldier who has obviously learned to survive against all odds to evade capture once again.
As you are relentlessly pulled through the story, take note of those side-bar essays - a brief history of a relatively unknown genocidal event, the Holodomor, the relentless "death by hunger" of thousands of Ukrainian dissidents and civilians; the technical details of the use of HEU (highly enriched uranium) versus plutonium in tactical nuclear weapons; the evolution of the bizarre artistry of the Spanish painter, Francisco Goy; a remarkable, vivid description of the bleak, semi-polar landscape of the coastal tundra of Labrador; and more.
It's worth observing that at the close of the novel, every last plot thread is tied up and closed out superbly. But there are a couple of open-ended ideas concerning the development of Baldacci's characters that would lead one to believe that Baldacci has a third novel in the series in mind. I'll look forward to that.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
I doubt if anyone ever accused David Baldacci of writing literary masterpieces replete with symbolism, satire, social commentary, foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, allegory, alliteration, pathetic fallacy, subliminal moral messages or any of those things that our English teachers were wont to torture their students with. But if you're looking for a solid, entertaining thriller, a compelling plot line that is not only always innovative but can be counted on for an unexpected twist or three, and a series of educational, informative and always fascinating "info-dump" side bar essays that are used to further the plot without ever threatening to derail it or slow it down - then Baldacci's books are what you're looking for and DELIVER US FROM EVIL is no exception.
A. Shaw (Shaw contends that the A doesn't stand for anything at all!), a globetrotting undercover operative for a shadowy black ops quasi-government organization, delivers slippery bad guys to well-deserved justice anywhere in the world (Extradition? We don't need no steenking extradition!). This time around his target is Evan Waller, a wealthy Canadian businessman who has earned his pile human trafficking - selling Asian women into prostitution and sex slavery. When Waller stepped into the arena of international politics and terrorism by deciding to sell smuggled highly enriched uranium to a middle eastern terrorist cell, Shaw's controllers knew enough was enough and Waller became a takedown target. What Shaw doesn't know is that Waller is actually an alias for Fedir Kuchin, a savage, blood-thirsty, post WW II ex-KBG officer responsible for the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians in the period following WW II and Stalin's iron-fisted rule over Russia. As such, Kuchin aka Waller is the current target of a second undercover group whose mission is the termination of war criminals who have evaded justice and slipped through the world's cracks.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL tells a remarkable, hair-raising story of two undercover groups working unbeknownst to one another toward a similar end. And what they don't know about one another might be enough to allow a vicious, sadistic soldier who has obviously learned to survive against all odds to evade capture once again.
As you are relentlessly pulled through the story, take note of those side-bar essays - a brief history of a relatively unknown genocidal event, the Holodomor, the relentless "death by hunger" of thousands of Ukrainian dissidents and civilians; the technical details of the use of HEU (highly enriched uranium) versus plutonium in tactical nuclear weapons; the evolution of the bizarre artistry of the Spanish painter, Francisco Goy; a remarkable, vivid description of the bleak, semi-polar landscape of the coastal tundra of Labrador; and more.
It's worth observing that at the close of the novel, every last plot thread is tied up and closed out superbly. But there are a couple of open-ended ideas concerning the development of Baldacci's characters that would lead one to believe that Baldacci has a third novel in the series in mind. I'll look forward to that.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
April 11, 2023
Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci.
I am really surprised at the 4-star rating for this book by other readers. They must have gotten something from DUFE that I completely missed.
What didn't I like? The characters for the most part. Overall they seemed whiny and unlikeable and I'm talking the "good guys" not the monster, Evan Waller. He at least was true to his character.
Katie James, reporter: A renowned journalist in her 40's and single. Let's not forget single because "we all know" that successful women in their 40's can't have or have had a successful relationship along the way too.
In the first book she forces her way into a situation/operation Shaw is working, as journalists do. They spend a few weeks "together" working around the terrorist operation. I put together in "" because they weren't even in the same country a good part of the time. So in DUFE Katie decides that even though Shaw's fiancé (the only woman/person he ever let get close to him.blah.blah.) died in the last book, that there is something "between" them and she must have him. She calls him so often that like most men he just stops answering the phone. So she calls his boss (of a super-secret international spy organization!) and bugs him. She flies from San Francisco to Paris "just to see him and make sure he is alive and well". Really? James acts like a 16-yr-old in 'luuuuuv'. She is annoying and pathetic. I was SO disappointed when DB did not kill her off. I would have actually helped the monster shoot straighter just to get rid of her. And seriously Baldacci? You went to great lengths to describe the big caliber that would have no trouble bringing down a caribou or polar bear, yet Katie lives through a chest shot? How stupid do you think readers of this genre are? You even described the "huge exit wound in her back" and still the bitch did not die. Ugh.
Shaw, 6'6" international man of mystery: A cross between Edward Munch's 'The Scream' and Eeyore (woe is me...). Shaw buried his fiancé in the last book and feels guilty about her death maybe being related to his anti-terrorist operation. I get that. But then he extends his realm of guilt "Katie wouldn't have been shot at if not for me..." Excuse me, we see enough of this in the real world of people not taking responsibility for their actions. Katie forced her way into that situation and put herself in harm's way. This is just more of Shaw's 'poor me, everything is my fault, I don't deserve anyone good...' BS. And even when Reggie, Witt and Dominic go to Canada with him, he's guilty "this is all because of me.." Um, no, it's because they also tried to kill Evan Waller. Shaw is a martyr so there must be another book coming that will bring him together with another love. Unfortunately it will probably be Katie James instead of Reggie or someone else, and in that case I probably won't bother to read it.
Smart and capable but not especially likable. And for me, these characteristics do not translate into "sensitive, caring, a man I want to spend my life with, dream about or sigh over."
Frank, Shaw's boss: Really a supporting character but since he's Shaw's boss he gets to throw out lines like "You didn't deserve Anna and you don't deserve Katie." Talk about kicking a guy! A terrorist shot your fiancé so you didn't deserve her? Katie forced her way into the situation and got shot at and you don't want a stalking psychopath so "you don't deserve her"? Really? Sounds like Frank is mad that Katie wants Shaw and not him. Shaw doesn't want some stupid woman throwing herself at him, practically stalking him, just a few months after his fiancé's death, and this is cause for ridicule? Shaw slept with Reggie once after they escaped from the cave shootout with Waller's gang, so what? We've all heard of that post-stress adrenaline stuff. Big deal. And Shaw actually likes Reggie, he thinks he "cares deeply" about Katie but quite frankly I think it's just more guilt because it's all tied up in Anna's death.
Evan Waller, monster: At least Waller's character acted like he was supposed to, evil to the core and proud of it. Former KGB and "the real butcher of Kiev" did not change his stripes, ever.
p.s. Way to go,
Hey authors, here's a tip from readers. Just because you live with characters every day for months/years before the next book comes out and feel like it's been soooo long since the loved one died does not mean it is the same for readers. For us, the 'loved one' died ... IN THE LAST BOOK. So if you are going to move Character X onward, provide some time-framing context in the next book. i.e. "For months X was barely able to ....", "Y still thinks about D even though it's been ...", etc. Give us some context to move on, otherwise to us it's "Sheesh, your loved one just died and now you're madly in love, hopping into bed..." And by some I mean more than one time. If you want readers to identify with a character's guilt then give us good reason to. Throwing out a few self-serving lines like "because of my work, everyone close to me dies" is old and worn out and not believable anymore.
And I can't blame the audio reader for the poor showing of this book. Ron McLarty has read many of Baldacci's books and done a wonderful job on each. The fault with "Deliver Us From Evil" lies solely with the author, David Baldacci.
As always, I'd love to hear feedback or rebuttal!
I am really surprised at the 4-star rating for this book by other readers. They must have gotten something from DUFE that I completely missed.
What didn't I like? The characters for the most part. Overall they seemed whiny and unlikeable and I'm talking the "good guys" not the monster, Evan Waller. He at least was true to his character.
Katie James, reporter: A renowned journalist in her 40's and single. Let's not forget single because "we all know" that successful women in their 40's can't have or have had a successful relationship along the way too.
In the first book she forces her way into a situation/operation Shaw is working, as journalists do. They spend a few weeks "together" working around the terrorist operation. I put together in "" because they weren't even in the same country a good part of the time. So in DUFE Katie decides that even though Shaw's fiancé (the only woman/person he ever let get close to him.blah.blah.) died in the last book, that there is something "between" them and she must have him. She calls him so often that like most men he just stops answering the phone. So she calls his boss (of a super-secret international spy organization!) and bugs him. She flies from San Francisco to Paris "just to see him and make sure he is alive and well". Really? James acts like a 16-yr-old in 'luuuuuv'. She is annoying and pathetic. I was SO disappointed when DB did not kill her off. I would have actually helped the monster shoot straighter just to get rid of her. And seriously Baldacci? You went to great lengths to describe the big caliber that would have no trouble bringing down a caribou or polar bear, yet Katie lives through a chest shot? How stupid do you think readers of this genre are? You even described the "huge exit wound in her back" and still the bitch did not die. Ugh.
Shaw, 6'6" international man of mystery: A cross between Edward Munch's 'The Scream' and Eeyore (woe is me...). Shaw buried his fiancé in the last book and feels guilty about her death maybe being related to his anti-terrorist operation. I get that. But then he extends his realm of guilt "Katie wouldn't have been shot at if not for me..." Excuse me, we see enough of this in the real world of people not taking responsibility for their actions. Katie forced her way into that situation and put herself in harm's way. This is just more of Shaw's 'poor me, everything is my fault, I don't deserve anyone good...' BS. And even when Reggie, Witt and Dominic go to Canada with him, he's guilty "this is all because of me.." Um, no, it's because they also tried to kill Evan Waller. Shaw is a martyr so there must be another book coming that will bring him together with another love. Unfortunately it will probably be Katie James instead of Reggie or someone else, and in that case I probably won't bother to read it.
Smart and capable but not especially likable. And for me, these characteristics do not translate into "sensitive, caring, a man I want to spend my life with, dream about or sigh over."
Frank, Shaw's boss: Really a supporting character but since he's Shaw's boss he gets to throw out lines like "You didn't deserve Anna and you don't deserve Katie." Talk about kicking a guy! A terrorist shot your fiancé so you didn't deserve her? Katie forced her way into the situation and got shot at and you don't want a stalking psychopath so "you don't deserve her"? Really? Sounds like Frank is mad that Katie wants Shaw and not him. Shaw doesn't want some stupid woman throwing herself at him, practically stalking him, just a few months after his fiancé's death, and this is cause for ridicule? Shaw slept with Reggie once after they escaped from the cave shootout with Waller's gang, so what? We've all heard of that post-stress adrenaline stuff. Big deal. And Shaw actually likes Reggie, he thinks he "cares deeply" about Katie but quite frankly I think it's just more guilt because it's all tied up in Anna's death.
Evan Waller, monster: At least Waller's character acted like he was supposed to, evil to the core and proud of it. Former KGB and "the real butcher of Kiev" did not change his stripes, ever.
p.s. Way to go,
Hey authors, here's a tip from readers. Just because you live with characters every day for months/years before the next book comes out and feel like it's been soooo long since the loved one died does not mean it is the same for readers. For us, the 'loved one' died ... IN THE LAST BOOK. So if you are going to move Character X onward, provide some time-framing context in the next book. i.e. "For months X was barely able to ....", "Y still thinks about D even though it's been ...", etc. Give us some context to move on, otherwise to us it's "Sheesh, your loved one just died and now you're madly in love, hopping into bed..." And by some I mean more than one time. If you want readers to identify with a character's guilt then give us good reason to. Throwing out a few self-serving lines like "because of my work, everyone close to me dies" is old and worn out and not believable anymore.
And I can't blame the audio reader for the poor showing of this book. Ron McLarty has read many of Baldacci's books and done a wonderful job on each. The fault with "Deliver Us From Evil" lies solely with the author, David Baldacci.
As always, I'd love to hear feedback or rebuttal!
May 24, 2020
5 stars.
Some things do seem far fetched. However, I feel that the reason for those things that are far fetched is because of grief. I think grief journey is different for everyone and that applies with Shaw. With his grief journey, he has a lot of guilt. Reggie is also dealing with grief journey and hers is horrific(her past is explain at the end). Guilt can make the grief journey even harder. There is no time expiration with grief. Again, everyone reacts differently with grief.
Yes, this book has evil. History has evil and good. Without evil, we cannot cherish our Blessings. It can be hard to see Blessings with darkness in word. “We just have to Faith.”
Slight Spoilers here:
-Reggie’s dad killed her brother and mom when she was a child. Her brother died because he told police the truth about his dad. Their dad felt it was act of betrayal. Their dad was a serial killer. Not a surprise with the career she choose. Those who feel that grief has no time expiration would not understand the character Reggie. With all due respect.
-Shaw has guilt on his grief for things could have been done different. That is one of things that makes the grief journey seem like you are drowning. When faced with the possibility of that happening again, a person might do things that seem far fetched. With all due respect.
🇺🇸🦋
Some things do seem far fetched. However, I feel that the reason for those things that are far fetched is because of grief. I think grief journey is different for everyone and that applies with Shaw. With his grief journey, he has a lot of guilt. Reggie is also dealing with grief journey and hers is horrific(her past is explain at the end). Guilt can make the grief journey even harder. There is no time expiration with grief. Again, everyone reacts differently with grief.
Yes, this book has evil. History has evil and good. Without evil, we cannot cherish our Blessings. It can be hard to see Blessings with darkness in word. “We just have to Faith.”
Slight Spoilers here:
-Reggie’s dad killed her brother and mom when she was a child. Her brother died because he told police the truth about his dad. Their dad felt it was act of betrayal. Their dad was a serial killer. Not a surprise with the career she choose. Those who feel that grief has no time expiration would not understand the character Reggie. With all due respect.
-Shaw has guilt on his grief for things could have been done different. That is one of things that makes the grief journey seem like you are drowning. When faced with the possibility of that happening again, a person might do things that seem far fetched. With all due respect.
🇺🇸🦋
October 8, 2025
Catching up…
With the Little Free Library Shed donations.
And…Books I have read before, but are revisiting now so that I can get my review to Goodreads.
We first meet Shaw in “The Whole Truth.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And…With this one, we recognize that in this world, there exists unspeakable evil. In human form.
Which…Makes the title of this book perfect.
And…Gives purpose to what the characters must do when faced with it.
As…A sequel to “The Whole Truth” it is recommended that readers start there. Even if this one can be read as a stand-alone…
With…Reoccurring characters, it is best to get to know them in the first book…
So…You can understand the characters motivations in this one.
There are two factions after one person with a disturbing past history that needs to be stopped.
And…When these two factions inevitably meet, sparks fly and the mission is put in jeopardy.
Will they get their man?
And…Deliver the world from evil?
Engrossing but slightly flawed. (Some areas where readers may need to suspend disbelief.) Atmospheric with thriller pace and action. Some areas difficult to read (see TW below).
Trigger warning: Graphic violence.
3.5 stars. Rounded down.
With the Little Free Library Shed donations.
And…Books I have read before, but are revisiting now so that I can get my review to Goodreads.
We first meet Shaw in “The Whole Truth.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And…With this one, we recognize that in this world, there exists unspeakable evil. In human form.
Which…Makes the title of this book perfect.
And…Gives purpose to what the characters must do when faced with it.
As…A sequel to “The Whole Truth” it is recommended that readers start there. Even if this one can be read as a stand-alone…
With…Reoccurring characters, it is best to get to know them in the first book…
So…You can understand the characters motivations in this one.
There are two factions after one person with a disturbing past history that needs to be stopped.
And…When these two factions inevitably meet, sparks fly and the mission is put in jeopardy.
Will they get their man?
And…Deliver the world from evil?
Engrossing but slightly flawed. (Some areas where readers may need to suspend disbelief.) Atmospheric with thriller pace and action. Some areas difficult to read (see TW below).
Trigger warning: Graphic violence.
3.5 stars. Rounded down.
May 17, 2018
Another underwhelming book by Baldacci. This series has been shit and none of Baldacci's trademarks are evident. The plot is moronic and the characters behave as though they were in a YA novel with their whingeing and relationship angst.
WTF did I read. Stay away from the Shaw series.
WTF did I read. Stay away from the Shaw series.
May 5, 2010
One word: awful. I don't know what's wrong with Baldacci, but this is the second of his last two books that have been truly bad. I always admired Baldacci for knowing how to expertly walk the line between having a compelling, suspenseful story, and having lots of graphic violence. With this novel he has crossed the line into gratuitous violence without a real purpose, and that really adds nothing to the story. The guy was a bad guy, a serious torturer, we get it...move on! Unnecessary. And the ending? Are you serious? Guy "causes" harm to girl because of his work, guy cuts off girl...I feel like we've been here before, yes?
April 27, 2020
Special Agent Shaw is in Provence hoping to arrest organised gang leader, Kurchin, who is reportedly trying to sell nuclear materials to Islamic fundamentalists. Reggie and her crew are also in Provence, seeking to kill a Ukrainian Soviet-era war criminal... Kurchin! Two sets of people after the same man, but for different crimes... and the man himself... pure evil, but extremely rich, professional and powerful. Another typical pulp fiction thriller roller coaster by Baldacci. 5 out of 12.
May 22, 2016
A escrita de Baldacci é fluída e simples.
Este foi outro livro dele que me manteve sempre interessada, apesar de ser um livro grande não cansou.
Conta histórias brutais, de forma crua, que me deixou arrepiada por vezes.
Adorei Reggie, é uma personagem forte e de convicções. E Shaw, apesar de abrutalhado, também me conquistou.
Muito bom!!
Este foi outro livro dele que me manteve sempre interessada, apesar de ser um livro grande não cansou.
Conta histórias brutais, de forma crua, que me deixou arrepiada por vezes.
Adorei Reggie, é uma personagem forte e de convicções. E Shaw, apesar de abrutalhado, também me conquistou.
Muito bom!!
December 10, 2010
Back to form for Baldacci after True Blue. I thoroughly enjoyed this follow up to The Whole Truth and hearing more about Shaw's exploits. Jack Reacher he may not be, but nevertheless Shaw is a pretty decent hero. The book fairly rollicked along and I could barely put it down.
Some of the reviews have mentioned gratuitous violence... I have to be honest this was fairly infrequent and mostly necessary, not gratuitous. Fedir Kuchin was one of the most evil people on the planet and capable of horrendous acts against fellow human beings - how are you supposed to get that across properly without explaining some of the terrible things that he did or was doing? Just say he's really bad? What's the flip-side... that Shaw is a nice person and good at his job? The two of them have a bit of a set-to and the good guy wins? It would be different I think if he was a nazi like the opening mission. The horrors of the holocaust are well known and little explanation is required to describe somebody who played an active role in it. I had never heard of the Holodomor and the atrocities in the Ukraine under Stalin's leadership and description was necessary to understand the scale of the genocide.
Baldacci's characterisation was better in this one than the Whole Truth and you do come away knowing more about Shaw and wanting to know what happens to him, Katie, Reggie etc next. I look forward to the next one!
Some of the reviews have mentioned gratuitous violence... I have to be honest this was fairly infrequent and mostly necessary, not gratuitous. Fedir Kuchin was one of the most evil people on the planet and capable of horrendous acts against fellow human beings - how are you supposed to get that across properly without explaining some of the terrible things that he did or was doing? Just say he's really bad? What's the flip-side... that Shaw is a nice person and good at his job? The two of them have a bit of a set-to and the good guy wins? It would be different I think if he was a nazi like the opening mission. The horrors of the holocaust are well known and little explanation is required to describe somebody who played an active role in it. I had never heard of the Holodomor and the atrocities in the Ukraine under Stalin's leadership and description was necessary to understand the scale of the genocide.
Baldacci's characterisation was better in this one than the Whole Truth and you do come away knowing more about Shaw and wanting to know what happens to him, Katie, Reggie etc next. I look forward to the next one!
September 21, 2010
Ok, so I didn't enjoy this book as much as other Baldacci books. I knew it would be darker - it is called "Deliver Us From Evil" and is about an x-KGB guy who killed and tortured 100,000's of people during the cold war, and then escaped before he was captured, and became a business man dealing in human trafficking. I still read it because I was excited for the return of Shaw from The Whole Truth.
I still enjoyed Shaw as the main character, and most of the story was typical Baldacci - exciting and full of twists. But this is the first time I ever read a Baldacci book and thought "why did he have to put that in? He could have left that out and still told the story." One of my favorite things about Baldacci is that he tells a great story without throwing in unnecessary sex, language, violence, etc. But in this book, he had one chapter (chapter 37) that really went too far. It was talking about Evan Waller torturing a Muslim that had double crossed him, and got very explicit and detailed. And frankly, just gross and disturbing. I read the chapter, because Baldacci books have so many twist and turns, that I didn't want to miss something, but there isn't anything there that you need to know for the rest of the story other than Waller tortured the muslim and that he is beyond cruel (which you have pretty much already figured out in the previous 36 chapters). The only other information that comes into play later is in the last 2 paragraphs of the chapter, and it isn't even an intragal part of the story.
So, I'd only recommend this book to die-hard Baldacci fans who want to know the contiuation of Shaw's story - but skip chapter 37!!!!
I still enjoyed Shaw as the main character, and most of the story was typical Baldacci - exciting and full of twists. But this is the first time I ever read a Baldacci book and thought "why did he have to put that in? He could have left that out and still told the story." One of my favorite things about Baldacci is that he tells a great story without throwing in unnecessary sex, language, violence, etc. But in this book, he had one chapter (chapter 37) that really went too far. It was talking about Evan Waller torturing a Muslim that had double crossed him, and got very explicit and detailed. And frankly, just gross and disturbing. I read the chapter, because Baldacci books have so many twist and turns, that I didn't want to miss something, but there isn't anything there that you need to know for the rest of the story other than Waller tortured the muslim and that he is beyond cruel (which you have pretty much already figured out in the previous 36 chapters). The only other information that comes into play later is in the last 2 paragraphs of the chapter, and it isn't even an intragal part of the story.
So, I'd only recommend this book to die-hard Baldacci fans who want to know the contiuation of Shaw's story - but skip chapter 37!!!!
June 1, 2018
I loved the book except for the ending
March 14, 2015
As an audio book, it's difficult to skip sections; and that was a problem in this book because of the graphic violence. Not a pleasant book to keep me company on the rush hour drive. I enjoyed the Reggie / Shaw relationship, but at the end I thought Reggie lost her edge and was not as strong a heroine or leader as she started out to be. Evan Waller was a good and convincing villain. Other characters like Witt rang true; the others like Professor Mallory and Allen Rice seemed more formulaic than real.
I stopped listening about 3/4 through because I could sense what was coming (one of our heroes was sure to be captured by Evan and torture would ensue). I may have been wrong but I wasn't that invested in Reggie and Shaw's relationship to endure the rest of the book.
Hearing it aloud also emphasized the lengthy background story - there were a couple chapters on Evan (his safe room in his home in Canada and at his house in the 'polar tundra') where there wasn't a single line of dialog. The narrative was overbearing, and at times, unnecessary.
I enjoy Baldacci's books and love to listen to Ron McLarty's voice (he's superb with the accents and differentiating characters, and seems to slip out of character or water down an accent only a few times making it difficult to know who's speaking). I recommend all Baldacci's books and these audio books except this one, which is not for the squeamish.
I stopped listening about 3/4 through because I could sense what was coming (one of our heroes was sure to be captured by Evan and torture would ensue). I may have been wrong but I wasn't that invested in Reggie and Shaw's relationship to endure the rest of the book.
Hearing it aloud also emphasized the lengthy background story - there were a couple chapters on Evan (his safe room in his home in Canada and at his house in the 'polar tundra') where there wasn't a single line of dialog. The narrative was overbearing, and at times, unnecessary.
I enjoy Baldacci's books and love to listen to Ron McLarty's voice (he's superb with the accents and differentiating characters, and seems to slip out of character or water down an accent only a few times making it difficult to know who's speaking). I recommend all Baldacci's books and these audio books except this one, which is not for the squeamish.
January 17, 2016
David Baldacci has written lots of books. Some of them I like, some of them I'm okay with, some of them I don't like (at all). This one falls in the "okay" area.
The first A. Shaw book I liked much better. There is also a sort of irony here as I just read another thriller that went down the same somewhat overused road. In the first book A's (yes A is his name not an initial) "love of his life" was killed and he went deeply into depression. However he did still manage to function...
Well to be fair he functions here to, but with a lot of angsty illogical actions. I had several "oh come on moments" in this one.
In some ways you could almost call this Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets The Most Dangerous Game...well except there's no odd strange double triangle in either of those.
And that's all I'll say about any of that as I don't want to give anything spoilery. Let us just say that A fails again as a "professional" and the book moves somewhat farther from the internal reality of the story. Still it (finally as I just said about another angsty thriller) pulls itself together and gets on with the story (in about the last third of the book).
Look, you may not be as annoyed (and occasionally bored) as I was with the story. Try it yourself and see.
The first A. Shaw book I liked much better. There is also a sort of irony here as I just read another thriller that went down the same somewhat overused road. In the first book A's (yes A is his name not an initial) "love of his life" was killed and he went deeply into depression. However he did still manage to function...
Well to be fair he functions here to, but with a lot of angsty illogical actions. I had several "oh come on moments" in this one.
In some ways you could almost call this Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets The Most Dangerous Game...well except there's no odd strange double triangle in either of those.
And that's all I'll say about any of that as I don't want to give anything spoilery. Let us just say that A fails again as a "professional" and the book moves somewhat farther from the internal reality of the story. Still it (finally as I just said about another angsty thriller) pulls itself together and gets on with the story (in about the last third of the book).
Look, you may not be as annoyed (and occasionally bored) as I was with the story. Try it yourself and see.
September 5, 2018
Shaw is a dangerous man to know, but he meets some intriguing characters and some real monsters.
August 17, 2019
Baldacci books are never works of art, but this one was more like spilled paint.
August 2, 2015
fast unpredictable another stand out from one of our favorite Writers.
pleased to see Katie made it so there is potential for them getting back together
its going to be interesting to see which way David Baldacci will go if there will be a sequel
it goes into my favs this one not sure which one to start next i have three more waiting to read
"The Winner" "last man Standing" And The Finisher all on the kindle any suggestions which one to read next?
pleased to see Katie made it so there is potential for them getting back together
its going to be interesting to see which way David Baldacci will go if there will be a sequel
it goes into my favs this one not sure which one to start next i have three more waiting to read
"The Winner" "last man Standing" And The Finisher all on the kindle any suggestions which one to read next?
April 8, 2019
I can't think of a better author to take along on a road trip than David Baldacci. Listening to the harrowing nip-and-tuck twists-and-turns in the audiobook version of DELIVER US FROM EVIL kept us on the edge of our seats. Very much so! Be forewarned... you may be so absorbed in the storyline that you'll miss your turnoff. I highly recommend this book!
August 31, 2018
2018 - Five star read until about 70%... then it goes downhill. Still a decent read. Probably won’t read it again though
2015 - Good read
2015 - Good read
August 18, 2016
A good story ruined by illicit sex and excessive profanity.
April 2, 2025
This is the second book in Baldacci’s second attempt at a Reacher-like character. His first, John Puller - even the name was an obvious ripoff, and the character was eerily similar. A Shaw, an enormous loner with no first name who beautiful women can’t resist, is just original enough to be acceptable, at least by this reader. The characters are relatable, the good ones, and the villains are despicable, and the plot is coherent and made sense. This was an improvement over book one. I enjoyed the book, certainly enough to give the third Shaw book a try when it’s released, if only to find out if he resolves his woman problems.
March 18, 2024
Asıl Gerçek'i yazan David Ballacci'yle Bedeli Ödenen Günahlar'ı yazan David Baldacci aynı mı?
Akıllardaki soru bu. Bu kitabı sanki bir başkası yazmış gibi. Zaten iki kitaplık polisiye seri mi olur? Sanki ikinci sezondan sonra Netflix fişini çekmiş. Sevemedim ve Harlan Coben'i mumla aradım. Aşırı klişeydi. Hele o bölüm sonları? 3 sayfalık bölümde cliffhanger mı olur? Aman neyse kötüydü işte.
Akıllardaki soru bu. Bu kitabı sanki bir başkası yazmış gibi. Zaten iki kitaplık polisiye seri mi olur? Sanki ikinci sezondan sonra Netflix fişini çekmiş. Sevemedim ve Harlan Coben'i mumla aradım. Aşırı klişeydi. Hele o bölüm sonları? 3 sayfalık bölümde cliffhanger mı olur? Aman neyse kötüydü işte.
March 16, 2021
This book started out slow in the sense of being a little mixed up and seemingly disjointed action. It was during the last third of the book that I had a hard time putting it down. It seemed all the ikea pieces were coming together and the book was coming together. So many ties to the first book in the comments and Shaw's reactions that I found myself trying to remember the first book to get more into the story.
April 6, 2020
My first Baldacci. Entertaining, felt like James Bond or Jason Bourne. Looking forward to picking up more from Baldacci.
November 4, 2020
Great suspense til the last bit. The ending was somewhat disappointing.
September 15, 2010
I'm sad, because I'm a huge Baldacci fan, but this book was awful. It was very violent, so much so I skipped entire chapters and I really couldn't get into the characters. I read the end and found myself thinking "what? just happened?" I will definitely read the next Baldacci, because I've never been let down like this before, but this one just wasn't a winner. The Winner - now there's a great Baldacci novel.
June 9, 2016
This was an enjoyable book but not my favorite by David Baldacci, who is one of my all time favorite authors. I have probably read more books by him than any other one author. To me this story was a little tiring and drawn out, but it was really still good and left the ending with the idea that there would be a sequel. And I will read another book in this series as well as others by the author.
October 31, 2021
"A novel that truly shows just how evil some people are in this world. It makes you wonder how few have survived situations like this fighting against evil and barley living to tell of the experience. "
June 11, 2025
Interesting "spy" novel with many different characters - 2 special groups looking for an x KGB - many twist & turns - enjoyed to the end - travels from France to USA - many lost lives in-between!!! - little romance, good friendships....
December 6, 2022
Well written was visually able to imagine the horror the protagonist inflicted unbelievable how someone could be so evil
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