What do you think?
Rate this book
John Puller #1
Zero Day
Combat veteran and U. S. Army investigator John Puller is on the hunt for justice with the help of a homicide detective--but as they face deceptions and dead ends, a powerful force threatens to stop them forever in this #1 New York Times bestselling thriller.John Puller is a combat veteran and the best military investigator in the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigative Division. His father was an Army fighting legend, and his brother is serving a life sentence for treason in a federal military prison. Puller has an indomitable spirit and an unstoppable drive to find the truth.Now, Puller is called out on a case in a remote, rural area in West Virginia coal country far from any military outpost. Someone has stumbled onto a brutal crime scene, a family slaughtered. The local homicide detective, a headstrong woman with personal demons of her own, joins forces with Puller in the investigation. As Puller digs through deception after deception, he realizes that absolutely nothing he's seen in this small town, and no one in it, are what they seem. Facing a potential conspiracy that reaches far beyond the hills of West Virginia, he is one man on the hunt for justice against an overwhelming force.
553 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2011
8032 people are currently reading
26550 people want to read
About the author
David Baldacci
237 books122k 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,441 reviews
December 12, 2013
And just when I thought I had finished the Jack Reacher series, Lee Child er...David Baldacci writes another Reacher the first Puller novel.
Jack Reacher John Puller is a crackerjack military investigator, who heads out of the DC area to the south, to check out the death of a senior officer in unsavory conditions. Reacher sorries, Puller is a big dude, and he likes to punch people. Also he travels light. And punchy.
Jack Reacher John Puller comes from a military family. His father died now has Alzheimer's. His brother was a top officer who worked in top secret investigaions and eventually died was a top officer who worked in top secret nuclear stuff and was convicted of treason.
The first half of thisReacher Puller novel rolls around quite nicely, with Reacher damn, sorry, Puller punching bad dudes, making out with the lady cops, and generally being the badass that he has been in all the other Reacher novels never has been before, because this is the first Puller novel.
Then shit getsterrible wierd.
SPOILER IN PARAGRAPH BELOW
Remember that time whenReacher, man I gotta stop doing that,
Puller
had all that nuclear training which would qualify him to disarm a mysterious nuke acquired by an industrialist and set to blow up a whole damn industrial town? Yeah, me either.
This book is like store-brand slightly stale, not-quite-correctly flavored and/or textured corn chips instead of Fritos. Only read it if you like Reacher so much that you would still find a cheap, worse-for-you knock off delicious.
The first half of this
Then shit gets
SPOILER IN PARAGRAPH BELOW
Remember that time when
This book is like store-brand slightly stale, not-quite-correctly flavored and/or textured corn chips instead of Fritos. Only read it if you like Reacher so much that you would still find a cheap, worse-for-you knock off delicious.
September 7, 2016
Red.
Poorly written.
Cliche-filled.
This is a book. It is a book with a red cover. It is written in short sentences. Like this. That is supposed to make the reader feel like things are happening. I guess.
This book is about a man, Puller. Puller is in the Army. He's just a man. In the army. Where he belongs. He investigates things. Like a badass. Sometimes, he saves people's lives. Except when he fails. He remembers combat. Sleeps. Lightly. M11 in his hand. Three seconds to wake and shoot. He has many medals. Medals are not important but they impress people who are impressed by things like that. Superficial things.
In West Virginia, things are polluted. Water. It's black. There are rich men. They get rich from mining things. They own things. The people are poor. Sometimes they are desperate. They make drugs. In the basement.
Puller goes places. He goes there for one purpose. That purpose is not making friends. He gets there early for one purpose. To find people first. Before they find him. He doesn't like being found.
Seven dead bodies. They stink of death. Puller showers. He wants to wash away the stink of death. The stink of death sticks to him. Like glue.
Puller is tough. He is the toughest guy of all the tough guys. This is his book. Fuck this book.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It is cliched, the writing is wooden, the plot is silly, John Puller is a Gary Stu, and the entire thing is a giant wish-fulfillment for men who think that if they only had a gun and some military training, they too would be invincible. If this is a serious representation of David Baldacci's writing, I have no idea how he ever got a Big 5 contract.
Poorly written.
Cliche-filled.
This is a book. It is a book with a red cover. It is written in short sentences. Like this. That is supposed to make the reader feel like things are happening. I guess.
This book is about a man, Puller. Puller is in the Army. He's just a man. In the army. Where he belongs. He investigates things. Like a badass. Sometimes, he saves people's lives. Except when he fails. He remembers combat. Sleeps. Lightly. M11 in his hand. Three seconds to wake and shoot. He has many medals. Medals are not important but they impress people who are impressed by things like that. Superficial things.
In West Virginia, things are polluted. Water. It's black. There are rich men. They get rich from mining things. They own things. The people are poor. Sometimes they are desperate. They make drugs. In the basement.
Puller goes places. He goes there for one purpose. That purpose is not making friends. He gets there early for one purpose. To find people first. Before they find him. He doesn't like being found.
Seven dead bodies. They stink of death. Puller showers. He wants to wash away the stink of death. The stink of death sticks to him. Like glue.
Puller is tough. He is the toughest guy of all the tough guys. This is his book. Fuck this book.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It is cliched, the writing is wooden, the plot is silly, John Puller is a Gary Stu, and the entire thing is a giant wish-fulfillment for men who think that if they only had a gun and some military training, they too would be invincible. If this is a serious representation of David Baldacci's writing, I have no idea how he ever got a Big 5 contract.
June 18, 2024
John Puller book 1: John Puller is an army investigator of Jack Reacher-like size and effectiveness, but with a brother in military prison and a former many starred general father beginning to show signs of Dementia; known to most as just 'Puller', he is sent to the West Virginian small coal-mining town Drake to investigate the brutal murder of an army man with access to US secrets, and the associated murder of all his family! Alongside the local female sheriff, the situation quickly escalates as another two corpses are found nearby! A competent and well constructed series opener, although with a Jack Reacher-like protagonist it's hard to ever feel a sense of jeopardy as these A-type male characters are essentially written as supermen. A 7 out of 12, Three Star jam.
2024 read
2024 read
December 30, 2021
Probably not one of Baldacci’s best books but still a very good read. As many people have commented, Puller is a Jack Reacher clone but there is nothing really wrong with that. And there is an excellent and quite tense story line in there too.
I rather liked John Puller and felt a little sad for him and his Dad and brother. Puller’s character was developed well throughout the book as was that of his ‘partner’ Sam. There was a little bit of stereotyping and occasional over the top moments but mostly our two main characters got on with the business of catching the baddies and trying not to get blown up.
I would classify Zero Day as light entertainment, forgive it it’s faults and just go along for the ride. Three stars from me.
I rather liked John Puller and felt a little sad for him and his Dad and brother. Puller’s character was developed well throughout the book as was that of his ‘partner’ Sam. There was a little bit of stereotyping and occasional over the top moments but mostly our two main characters got on with the business of catching the baddies and trying not to get blown up.
I would classify Zero Day as light entertainment, forgive it it’s faults and just go along for the ride. Three stars from me.
March 26, 2023
Cuando leo un libro malo (ejem, ejem, Over, los ultramarines rondan por mi mente) luego procuro ir a tiro hecho…y vuelvo a Baldacci.
Este me ha gustado un poco menos que otros de sus personajes. El prota en John Puller, del ejército de tierra de USA, ex-ranger… y tb una máquina de dar leña. O sea, como el resto de sus personajes.
Lo malo es que aquí el lenguaje es tan ultrapatriótico yanqui que a cachos da grima leerlo. Digamos que a pesar de las cuatro estrellas es, para mi gusto, el más flojo de sus protagonistas. Igualmente engancha y entretiene, conste, pero yo no lo recomiendo para empezar con el autor.
Este me ha gustado un poco menos que otros de sus personajes. El prota en John Puller, del ejército de tierra de USA, ex-ranger… y tb una máquina de dar leña. O sea, como el resto de sus personajes.
Lo malo es que aquí el lenguaje es tan ultrapatriótico yanqui que a cachos da grima leerlo. Digamos que a pesar de las cuatro estrellas es, para mi gusto, el más flojo de sus protagonistas. Igualmente engancha y entretiene, conste, pero yo no lo recomiendo para empezar con el autor.
April 30, 2020
Whoa! Wonderful! The first book with the John Puller character. Absolutely loved the story.
Also the first introduction to his family and the mysteries involved with that triangle. Father, brother and himself strongly patriotic with US Army as the demanding mistress.
Unputdownable
Also the first introduction to his family and the mysteries involved with that triangle. Father, brother and himself strongly patriotic with US Army as the demanding mistress.
Unputdownable
November 22, 2011
The good guy is perfect and the bad guys are really, really evil. Sometimes David Baldacci gets it just right and sometimes he just falls flat. I am putting Zero Day in the latter category.
John Puller is in the Army's Criminal Investigation Division and is called upon to investigate a murder in a small West Virginia coal mining town. While there, he learns these deaths may have very large implications.
The story really falls short in a number of ways. First, the sheer size and scope of the investigation and how the government treated it was just out there.. way out there. John Puller's character was interesting and unique but he had this magic rucksack that contained everything from bio-hazard gear to explosives and night vision gear (and everything in between). It just seemed completely implausible this character could be so perfect in so many ways and be able to carry all that equipment in the rucksack. As you can tell, the rucksack issue really bothered me.
I did listen to this book from Audible.com and the characters were really well played by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy. This is not the first time these two have done characters for David Baldacci and I must say they are the ones that kept me going, not the story.
Being a fan of David Baldacci, I read it and will likely read the next one(s) to but he really needs to bring things back down to earth.
-Bill
John Puller is in the Army's Criminal Investigation Division and is called upon to investigate a murder in a small West Virginia coal mining town. While there, he learns these deaths may have very large implications.
The story really falls short in a number of ways. First, the sheer size and scope of the investigation and how the government treated it was just out there.. way out there. John Puller's character was interesting and unique but he had this magic rucksack that contained everything from bio-hazard gear to explosives and night vision gear (and everything in between). It just seemed completely implausible this character could be so perfect in so many ways and be able to carry all that equipment in the rucksack. As you can tell, the rucksack issue really bothered me.
I did listen to this book from Audible.com and the characters were really well played by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy. This is not the first time these two have done characters for David Baldacci and I must say they are the ones that kept me going, not the story.
Being a fan of David Baldacci, I read it and will likely read the next one(s) to but he really needs to bring things back down to earth.
-Bill
July 6, 2016
I enjoyed my last book by Baldacci, but this one hit too many of my hot buttons. The hero was too heroic, a super hero who could solve a murder, beat up the toughest, be a CSI tech, & figure out the crime from a mark in the dust. Think NCIS with Puller in all the roles from Gibbs down to that cute, weird girl in the lab. Seriously, he was doing better than Ducky at one point. But he can't figure out the difference between the sound of a fan & a possible opponent. Ugh.
Possibly worse, Baldacci kept describing everything in gory detail. I really don't care about every move the action on his blah-blah-blah pistol makes when he cocks it. Seriously, I had to listen to a play by play description & he didn't even shoot the damn thing. I don't particularly care about the 7 dozen items he has in his CSI bag with 100 pockets in it, either.
Then there are the yokel locals, the girl, the young kid who will worship him & the evil coal company... just reads like a formula for a Superman comic & the above issues just drive it into the ground.
Not for me, although the reader was pretty good.
Possibly worse, Baldacci kept describing everything in gory detail. I really don't care about every move the action on his blah-blah-blah pistol makes when he cocks it. Seriously, I had to listen to a play by play description & he didn't even shoot the damn thing. I don't particularly care about the 7 dozen items he has in his CSI bag with 100 pockets in it, either.
Then there are the yokel locals, the girl, the young kid who will worship him & the evil coal company... just reads like a formula for a Superman comic & the above issues just drive it into the ground.
Not for me, although the reader was pretty good.
December 15, 2021
John Puller, a decorated army war hero of Iraq and Afghanistan, is now an investigator with the army CID (Criminal Investigation Division). When he is sent to the small town of Drake in rural West Virginia to investigate the murders of an Army colonel and his family, he wonders what is so special about this case that he is the sole investigator, supported only by the local DS, Samantha "Sam" Cole. What he eventually uncovers is a conspiracy which could have disastrous consequences.
I can see why many reviewers have suggested that John Puller is a clone of Jack Reacher, and although they do have a lot in common, I think there is room for another hero in crime fiction and I do like him. He seems to (at least for now) have more solid roots than Jack with his interesting family backstory, a job in CID and a home with a cat. I also liked plucky career cop Sam Cole, who's had to battle both sexism in the force and her family to become a fine detective. Although this is quite long (and could have been a little shorter), there is plenty of drama and action leading up to the somewhat explosive climax.
I can see why many reviewers have suggested that John Puller is a clone of Jack Reacher, and although they do have a lot in common, I think there is room for another hero in crime fiction and I do like him. He seems to (at least for now) have more solid roots than Jack with his interesting family backstory, a job in CID and a home with a cat. I also liked plucky career cop Sam Cole, who's had to battle both sexism in the force and her family to become a fine detective. Although this is quite long (and could have been a little shorter), there is plenty of drama and action leading up to the somewhat explosive climax.
March 26, 2025
He went home, packed up some things and his cat, loaded the Malibu, and set out. He had no map, no plan, no destination. It was just a CID special agent on the loose with his trusty comrade, AWOL. The cat rode in the backseat like he was being chauffeured. Puller was glad to play the role.
A new start for John Puller, as I categorized him sort of Jack Reacher, not as good as Lee Child, but good enough, hell he has a cat!
You couldn’t kill what you couldn’t see coming.
Finished my alphabet challenge
A new start for John Puller, as I categorized him sort of Jack Reacher, not as good as Lee Child, but good enough, hell he has a cat!
You couldn’t kill what you couldn’t see coming.
Finished my alphabet challenge
January 17, 2025
Romanul a aparut in 2011 si il are ca erou pe agentul special CID, Divizia Quantico, care mai apare si in alte romane ale autorului, cel de fata fiind primul din serie. Eroul, John Puller lucreaza pentru armata SUA si este ofiter la divizia de investigatii criminale.
In ceea ce priveste actiunea, atunci cand colonelul Matthew Reynolds de la Pentagon si familia sa sunt ucisi, John Puller este trimis in West Virginia sa investigheze cazul. La fata locului o intalneste pe politista Samantha Cole cu care va trebui sa colaboreze. Vor urma si alte cadavre, o serie de probleme ce tin de securitatea nationala si cateva tentative de asasinare a sa, ceea ce-i dau de inteles lui Puller ca ucigasul este profesionist, feroce si capabil de orice.
Va recomand acest roman pentru actiunea alerta, pentru eroul bine construit si de cursa lunga si pentru toate informatiile din sfera militara pe care autorul le presara cu generozitate de-a lungul romanului. Se citeste usor, este plin de actiune, ancheta fiind interesanta si bine condusa de catre Puller, tinand in priza cititorul si captandu-i interesul pe tot parcursul romanului.
Trebuie sa recunosc ca John Puller este un tip atragator, genul de barbat care stie sa spuna si sa faca ce trebuie la momentul potrivit, este curajos si stie sa protejeze o doamna. Pe scurt, este genul de barbat pe care l-ai lua cu tine daca te-ai duce pe o insula pustie.
Am observat faptul ca lumea tinde sa acorde putine stele pentru ca eroul si actiunea seamana foarte mult cu Jack Reacher si romanele lui Lee Child si intr-adevar asa este, insa mie imi place atat de mult seria Reacher incat nu m-a deranjat acest aspect si astept cu nerabdare sa citesc si urmatoarele romane din serie.
M-a amuzat foarte mult ca John are un motan gras portocaliu pe nume AWOL (termen folosit de militarii americani pentru dezertori) pe care l-a numit asa pentru ca iese mereu pe furis din casa si lipseste zile intregi fara sa mai stie nimic de el.
Ce nu mi-a placut insa este faptul ca romanul este plin de prescurtari pe care nu ai cum sa le retii si pana la urma nici nu-ti pasa sa le stii. De asemenea, finalul nu a fost pe placul meu, insa inteleg ca un asemenea erou nu poate sa se ataseze de o femeie si la fiecare carte trebuie sa aiba o alta cucerire. Oricum, e genul care nu poate fi pus la schimbat scutece, batut covoare si imbatranit impreuna. Damn him! :)
Nu prea am inteles nici deznodamantul actiunii, sunt multe pagini cu tot felul de explicatii din sfera fizicii nucleare, cu plutoniu si uraniu, ce nu cred ca sunt accesibile oricarui cititor. Asadar motivul criminalilor ramane pentru mine oarecum in ceata, doar suspectez ca e ceva grav. :)
In incheiere, daca doriti sa cititi un thriller bun atunci cartile lui Baldacci trebuiesc neaparat avute in vedere. Iata si cateva citate interesante:
"Puller nu spuse nimic. Pe parcursul carierei sale militare, avusese de-a face cu fel de fel de ofiteri care-i incredintau misiuni. Unii erau buni, altii de-a dreptul idioti. Puller nu era inca decis din ce categorie facea parte cel din fata lui."
"Nu puteai ucide un soldat pe care nu-l vedeai apropiindu-se de tine."
In ceea ce priveste actiunea, atunci cand colonelul Matthew Reynolds de la Pentagon si familia sa sunt ucisi, John Puller este trimis in West Virginia sa investigheze cazul. La fata locului o intalneste pe politista Samantha Cole cu care va trebui sa colaboreze. Vor urma si alte cadavre, o serie de probleme ce tin de securitatea nationala si cateva tentative de asasinare a sa, ceea ce-i dau de inteles lui Puller ca ucigasul este profesionist, feroce si capabil de orice.
Va recomand acest roman pentru actiunea alerta, pentru eroul bine construit si de cursa lunga si pentru toate informatiile din sfera militara pe care autorul le presara cu generozitate de-a lungul romanului. Se citeste usor, este plin de actiune, ancheta fiind interesanta si bine condusa de catre Puller, tinand in priza cititorul si captandu-i interesul pe tot parcursul romanului.
Trebuie sa recunosc ca John Puller este un tip atragator, genul de barbat care stie sa spuna si sa faca ce trebuie la momentul potrivit, este curajos si stie sa protejeze o doamna. Pe scurt, este genul de barbat pe care l-ai lua cu tine daca te-ai duce pe o insula pustie.
Am observat faptul ca lumea tinde sa acorde putine stele pentru ca eroul si actiunea seamana foarte mult cu Jack Reacher si romanele lui Lee Child si intr-adevar asa este, insa mie imi place atat de mult seria Reacher incat nu m-a deranjat acest aspect si astept cu nerabdare sa citesc si urmatoarele romane din serie.
M-a amuzat foarte mult ca John are un motan gras portocaliu pe nume AWOL (termen folosit de militarii americani pentru dezertori) pe care l-a numit asa pentru ca iese mereu pe furis din casa si lipseste zile intregi fara sa mai stie nimic de el.
Ce nu mi-a placut insa este faptul ca romanul este plin de prescurtari pe care nu ai cum sa le retii si pana la urma nici nu-ti pasa sa le stii. De asemenea, finalul nu a fost pe placul meu, insa inteleg ca un asemenea erou nu poate sa se ataseze de o femeie si la fiecare carte trebuie sa aiba o alta cucerire. Oricum, e genul care nu poate fi pus la schimbat scutece, batut covoare si imbatranit impreuna. Damn him! :)
Nu prea am inteles nici deznodamantul actiunii, sunt multe pagini cu tot felul de explicatii din sfera fizicii nucleare, cu plutoniu si uraniu, ce nu cred ca sunt accesibile oricarui cititor. Asadar motivul criminalilor ramane pentru mine oarecum in ceata, doar suspectez ca e ceva grav. :)
In incheiere, daca doriti sa cititi un thriller bun atunci cartile lui Baldacci trebuiesc neaparat avute in vedere. Iata si cateva citate interesante:
"Puller nu spuse nimic. Pe parcursul carierei sale militare, avusese de-a face cu fel de fel de ofiteri care-i incredintau misiuni. Unii erau buni, altii de-a dreptul idioti. Puller nu era inca decis din ce categorie facea parte cel din fata lui."
"Nu puteai ucide un soldat pe care nu-l vedeai apropiindu-se de tine."
July 26, 2012
It's not often I'm compelled to drop a book out of sheer despair, but this is one of them. Well, not literally, since it was in audio format on my phone, and dropping it would have had serious consequences. But at the 54 minute mark of the 57 minute second cd, enough was enough. At a crime scene, Baldacci's shameless clone of Jack Reacher, here called Puller, started explaining in relentless, unpitying and irrelevant detail how to take a flash photograph. This took several chapters, or seemed that way, and as far as I can guess--since I don't intend to read on--served no point whatever. (More stalwart readers can tell me if I'm wrong.)
This passage came not long after Puller abstractedly mused--as the local sheriff leveled a gun at him--that she had adopted the classic shooters stance pioneered by...who was it...Sgt So and So... in the 1950's...characterized by the legs this way...and the arms that way... and hands...one way or the other...and much more fascinating detail for ten or twenty pages. Since this was a completely gratuitous scene--not to mention that the sheriff was only about three feet away at the time,and unlikely to miss--this passage also seemed a trifle superfluous.
And let's not even get started on the shotgun pellets.
The whole book--sorry, the whole twenty percent I could bare--is like that. Relentless, senseless re-iteration of pointless trivia about anything and everything--for the sake of showing off, like a kid in school jamming as much cribbed information into his report as he can. Like Reacher's impressive physique and stone cold manner, Baldacci seems to have adopted his encyclopedic array of trivia as well for his own hero. But when Reacher riffs on a subject, it means something. With Baldacci's Puller, it's filler.
The other fine reviewers here have remarked with great detail and wit on the uncomfortable similarity of Puller to Reacher. For this reason alone the book has to be tossed into the 'what was he thinking!' pile. Surely Baldacci was not intending to write a 400 page tribute? Or parody?
Most books I read come to me in audio, and how the narrators interpret the characters do shape my impressions. Unfortunately Hachette audio chose to bring in a second reader to voice the female dialogue. Why some audiobook producers do that is a mystery. If it were a radio play, that would be one thing, but in the context of an audiobook the random intrusion of a completely different voice, obviously not recorded at the same time or place, is jarring and breaks up the flow, and here makes a bad situation worse.
It's very rare when I have to toss a book aside. I can get through the most amazing, convoluted, impossible-beyond-belief nonsense just to see how things turn out. But there's good nonsense, and bad. This, I'm afraid, is one of those.
This passage came not long after Puller abstractedly mused--as the local sheriff leveled a gun at him--that she had adopted the classic shooters stance pioneered by...who was it...Sgt So and So... in the 1950's...characterized by the legs this way...and the arms that way... and hands...one way or the other...and much more fascinating detail for ten or twenty pages. Since this was a completely gratuitous scene--not to mention that the sheriff was only about three feet away at the time,and unlikely to miss--this passage also seemed a trifle superfluous.
And let's not even get started on the shotgun pellets.
The whole book--sorry, the whole twenty percent I could bare--is like that. Relentless, senseless re-iteration of pointless trivia about anything and everything--for the sake of showing off, like a kid in school jamming as much cribbed information into his report as he can. Like Reacher's impressive physique and stone cold manner, Baldacci seems to have adopted his encyclopedic array of trivia as well for his own hero. But when Reacher riffs on a subject, it means something. With Baldacci's Puller, it's filler.
The other fine reviewers here have remarked with great detail and wit on the uncomfortable similarity of Puller to Reacher. For this reason alone the book has to be tossed into the 'what was he thinking!' pile. Surely Baldacci was not intending to write a 400 page tribute? Or parody?
Most books I read come to me in audio, and how the narrators interpret the characters do shape my impressions. Unfortunately Hachette audio chose to bring in a second reader to voice the female dialogue. Why some audiobook producers do that is a mystery. If it were a radio play, that would be one thing, but in the context of an audiobook the random intrusion of a completely different voice, obviously not recorded at the same time or place, is jarring and breaks up the flow, and here makes a bad situation worse.
It's very rare when I have to toss a book aside. I can get through the most amazing, convoluted, impossible-beyond-belief nonsense just to see how things turn out. But there's good nonsense, and bad. This, I'm afraid, is one of those.
January 17, 2018
I am a huge fan of the Will Robie series, so I thought I'd try the John Puller books. Plus action/adventure and suspense fans really recommend this series. John Puller is more like Jack Reacher than Will Robie. He's enlisted army and he's an investigator of crime scenes with military ties. His father is a three star general and his brother is in max security prison for treason. John is a by the books guy who follows the evidence. He is a decorated combat veteran with PTSD, but he manages to work past the flashback and triggers and uses the lessons he learned in Iraq to stay alive.
What seems like it should be a routine investigation into the murder of an Air Force officer and his family in one in a dying mining town in West Virginia leads to a conspiracy that goes much further and wider, and much deadlier.
Baldacci can write. John Puller is man of great self-control but he is no pushover. He can handle himself and is no fool. Highly intelligent and methodical in his work, he thinks on his feet and uses his logic and intuition expertly. I listened to the audiobook and the male narrator nails Puller. His diction is precise in speaking John's dialogue, making him feel distinct from other characters. The female narrator also does a good job, especially with the regional dialects. I liked having both a male and female narrator, because it gives the audiobook flow a vibrant energy.
The descriptions of the forgotten mining town and its citizens in comparison to the luxury enjoyed by the rich man who owns most of the town has a realism that grounds the story. The theme of broken promises and environmental rape and pillage, taking advantage of the workers and the townspeople for that extra dime in the pocket.
The suspense is expertly written. What starts as a grisly murder of a family that seems completely random leads to a climax that puts the lives of John, Samantha, the town sheriff, and the whole town and perhaps the region in jeopardy. The clock is ticking while Puller works to solve the puzzle of who, what, where and why.
The action is very good and it's balanced by a plot that is free of holes. I play a game when I read mysteries, trying to guess whodunit. I didn't guess this one, but fortunately John figures it out.
At first glance, John seems to be a very rigid guy, but glimpses of a sense of humor, empathy, pathos and vulnerability shine through his tough facade. His principles are rock solid, and it's clear that he doesn't like bullies or those who harm innocents. He's not moved by people who try to use their power and influence as bargaining chips. To him, bad is bad, no matter how big their bank accounts are. His relationship with his father is nuanced. His father is suffering from dementia and it's clear that interacting with his father through his fog of memory loss is very painful for John. But he's a man of duty and loyalty and honors his father, even when it's hard for him. I like John a lot. I'll be adding him to list of Kickbutt heroes.
I prefer Will Robie over John Puller, but I definitely enjoyed this book and plan on continuing to read it. It's just me, I like the Black Ops Asssassin trope a lot. But Puller is great for a procedural with a hero who is intellectual but also very capable of kicking butt. I think the mystery of Puller's brother Robert's treason a mystery worth delving into, and eventually I know that John will put his skills to work on it. John is a good 21st Century hero, a man of honor, integrity, intellect but also physical skills and capabilities that carry him through and make him an interesting and admirable lead character.
I'd recommend this to action/adventure suspense fans, especially for those look for an NCIS-style book.
What seems like it should be a routine investigation into the murder of an Air Force officer and his family in one in a dying mining town in West Virginia leads to a conspiracy that goes much further and wider, and much deadlier.
Baldacci can write. John Puller is man of great self-control but he is no pushover. He can handle himself and is no fool. Highly intelligent and methodical in his work, he thinks on his feet and uses his logic and intuition expertly. I listened to the audiobook and the male narrator nails Puller. His diction is precise in speaking John's dialogue, making him feel distinct from other characters. The female narrator also does a good job, especially with the regional dialects. I liked having both a male and female narrator, because it gives the audiobook flow a vibrant energy.
The descriptions of the forgotten mining town and its citizens in comparison to the luxury enjoyed by the rich man who owns most of the town has a realism that grounds the story. The theme of broken promises and environmental rape and pillage, taking advantage of the workers and the townspeople for that extra dime in the pocket.
The suspense is expertly written. What starts as a grisly murder of a family that seems completely random leads to a climax that puts the lives of John, Samantha, the town sheriff, and the whole town and perhaps the region in jeopardy. The clock is ticking while Puller works to solve the puzzle of who, what, where and why.
The action is very good and it's balanced by a plot that is free of holes. I play a game when I read mysteries, trying to guess whodunit. I didn't guess this one, but fortunately John figures it out.
At first glance, John seems to be a very rigid guy, but glimpses of a sense of humor, empathy, pathos and vulnerability shine through his tough facade. His principles are rock solid, and it's clear that he doesn't like bullies or those who harm innocents. He's not moved by people who try to use their power and influence as bargaining chips. To him, bad is bad, no matter how big their bank accounts are. His relationship with his father is nuanced. His father is suffering from dementia and it's clear that interacting with his father through his fog of memory loss is very painful for John. But he's a man of duty and loyalty and honors his father, even when it's hard for him. I like John a lot. I'll be adding him to list of Kickbutt heroes.
I prefer Will Robie over John Puller, but I definitely enjoyed this book and plan on continuing to read it. It's just me, I like the Black Ops Asssassin trope a lot. But Puller is great for a procedural with a hero who is intellectual but also very capable of kicking butt. I think the mystery of Puller's brother Robert's treason a mystery worth delving into, and eventually I know that John will put his skills to work on it. John is a good 21st Century hero, a man of honor, integrity, intellect but also physical skills and capabilities that carry him through and make him an interesting and admirable lead character.
I'd recommend this to action/adventure suspense fans, especially for those look for an NCIS-style book.
May 14, 2012
I've read several of David Baldacci's books, and enjoyed them. "Zero Day," however, isn't one of them. Baldacci's main character -- Army investigator John Puller -- is a dull twin of Lee Child's popular protagonist Jack Reacher. It was surprising to see so many similarities to such a well-known character like Reacher. The first time Puller craved coffee, I thought "Reacher." Aside from a strange (I hope coincidental) similarity to a well-known contemporary character, this book is filled with unnecessary details, unbelievable coincidences and too-obvious messages about topics as far-ranging as protecting the environment to bad behavior caused by health issues. The story begins when Puller is sent to a small West Virginia town to investigate the grisly murder of a military intelligence agent and his family. Puller is forced to work with a hard-nosed female police sergeant Sam Cole who has to deal with sexist officers and a messy personal life. How Puller and Cole discover why the initial murders were committed involves so many twists and unnecessary minor characters, the biggest mystery is how I managed to finish this book. Even if you're a Baldacci fan, I'd stick this mess at the bottom of your "to read" pile.
November 26, 2014
I really like this author and have enjoyed reading most of his books.
This is the 1st book in the John Puller Series and introduces John Puller, the hero, who works in the military.
Good writing, good plot and some great characters.
Enjoyable read.
This is the 1st book in the John Puller Series and introduces John Puller, the hero, who works in the military.
Good writing, good plot and some great characters.
Enjoyable read.
November 14, 2011
Zero Day by David Baldacci
Baldacci has a new hero, a new ethos and another, never boring cliff hanging, throat grabbing thriller.
John Puller takes over for John Carr without a Camel Club or a gang of cronies. Although Puller is dedicated Army, he runs without a safety net throughout the book. The Army is his life and his passion is it’s Criminal Investigative Division. He is an elite Army cop and he is thrown into a situation involving mass mayhem. Every time he turns around there is another murder.
Puller ends up partnering with Sam Cole and the two of them bond through their mutual desire to find the perpetrators’ of mayhem in an impoverished coal mining community in West Virginia.
Once again Baldacci paints such a vivid picture. He sets his stage with clarity and depth. His characters are both larger than life and realistically human.
I worked in an impoverished Appalachian coal community years ago. Baldacci accurately captures the poverty and despair that often results from long term un or under employment.
One can only hope that we see more of John Puller. He was a complex, likeable character.
I highly recommend it.
Baldacci has a new hero, a new ethos and another, never boring cliff hanging, throat grabbing thriller.
John Puller takes over for John Carr without a Camel Club or a gang of cronies. Although Puller is dedicated Army, he runs without a safety net throughout the book. The Army is his life and his passion is it’s Criminal Investigative Division. He is an elite Army cop and he is thrown into a situation involving mass mayhem. Every time he turns around there is another murder.
Puller ends up partnering with Sam Cole and the two of them bond through their mutual desire to find the perpetrators’ of mayhem in an impoverished coal mining community in West Virginia.
Once again Baldacci paints such a vivid picture. He sets his stage with clarity and depth. His characters are both larger than life and realistically human.
I worked in an impoverished Appalachian coal community years ago. Baldacci accurately captures the poverty and despair that often results from long term un or under employment.
One can only hope that we see more of John Puller. He was a complex, likeable character.
I highly recommend it.
November 20, 2024
This is a re-fresh book. I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
This is the first book in Baldacci’s John Puller series. John Puller is a combat veteran, who is in the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigative Division.
The book begins when a postal carrier in a rundown West Virginia coal town is trying to deliver a package, and instead stumbles onto a bloody crime scene. Yikes!
The victims are an officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, his wife and their 2 children. John Puller is assigned the case, and is told there is much interest “at the top.”
This is the best book to start with Puller. You get all his background here, if you want to start the series.
We also meet Samantha Cole, the detective-in-charge, who has her own family challenges, who will be working with Puller on this case.
The investigation goes deep and wide, which keeps readers up way past their bedtime turning pages.
Trigger warnings: there is a healthy dose of violent images in the way people meet their demise, and sprinklings of rude words.
Any way you look at it, you can never go wrong with Baldacci. Another winning character and series to follow.
This is the first book in Baldacci’s John Puller series. John Puller is a combat veteran, who is in the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigative Division.
The book begins when a postal carrier in a rundown West Virginia coal town is trying to deliver a package, and instead stumbles onto a bloody crime scene. Yikes!
The victims are an officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, his wife and their 2 children. John Puller is assigned the case, and is told there is much interest “at the top.”
This is the best book to start with Puller. You get all his background here, if you want to start the series.
We also meet Samantha Cole, the detective-in-charge, who has her own family challenges, who will be working with Puller on this case.
The investigation goes deep and wide, which keeps readers up way past their bedtime turning pages.
Trigger warnings: there is a healthy dose of violent images in the way people meet their demise, and sprinklings of rude words.
Any way you look at it, you can never go wrong with Baldacci. Another winning character and series to follow.
August 8, 2017
I have read a few books by this author and have never been disappointed until now. I was really looking forward to it as well So I am doubly disappointed. Now I normally do not have any issue with this authors writing style until now. Since when has it been ok to talk in very short sentences. If this was an audio book I get the feeling the narrator would speak to me slowly.
Also, no offense but this has been done before. Too many times before. The main character is Puller who is a highly decorated and obviously has issues regarding PTSD. He saves a lot of people but remembers the one's he couldn't save.
Puller is a good guy. The bad guys in this book are evil. When Puller go's on an investigation the guy has this bottomless pit rucksack that seems to hold everything he needs. Think Reacher. I saw Tom Cruise everywhere.
The story isn't too bad. But I like Baldacci when he keeps you guessing. This was kind of obvious. It's a good action novel just kind off predictable. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
Also, no offense but this has been done before. Too many times before. The main character is Puller who is a highly decorated and obviously has issues regarding PTSD. He saves a lot of people but remembers the one's he couldn't save.
Puller is a good guy. The bad guys in this book are evil. When Puller go's on an investigation the guy has this bottomless pit rucksack that seems to hold everything he needs. Think Reacher. I saw Tom Cruise everywhere.
The story isn't too bad. But I like Baldacci when he keeps you guessing. This was kind of obvious. It's a good action novel just kind off predictable. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
August 24, 2021
My second Baldacci book, but my first thriller. I really enjoyed it!
John Puller is an Army Investigator sent deep into the hills and hollers of West Virginia, right in the heart of Coal Country, to investigate the odd death of a man that is…well, somehow tied to the military. The more Puller digs, the more shady stuff he begins to uncover, and pretty soon he’s looking at a deep, deep conspiracy that reaches far further than anyone dreamed.
Was this the most unique book in the world? Of course not, but thrillers of this sort rarely are. Baldacci’s writing was also fine-nothing special, but worked and didn’t take me out of the story at all. He writes relatively short chapters as well (though not James Patterson short), which while being a technique I’m undecided on how I feel about, in this case it didn’t feel gimmicky (like it does with Patterson) and definitely kept me saying “one more chapter” longer into the night than I had planned. The pacing was quick and the tension was actually built extremely well - Baldacci is good at adding the right layers to the plot at the right times. Before I knew it, the book had taken a turn that I admittedly did not see coming at all, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Let’s quickly touch on the character of John Puller—while I liked him, he did feel awfully familiar to me. Once again, this is common in the genre so it’s certainly not a huge deal, but worth mentioning. So far in the series, and this may very well change as this is only the first book, there’s really nothing about Puller that separates him from just-another-badass-military-dude. John Corey has his dry, snarky sense of humor in the face of mortal danger, and willingness to work way outside the box; Virgil Flowers has his long haired, surfer-like persona and using his mind far more than a gun. Puller? Don’t know, I’ve already largely forgot his personality details.
But none of that takes anything away from the story. It hooked me right away, and never let up. Virtually no down time here. I will definitely be checking out The Forgotten to see what Puller and Baldacci have in store for me next!!
John Puller is an Army Investigator sent deep into the hills and hollers of West Virginia, right in the heart of Coal Country, to investigate the odd death of a man that is…well, somehow tied to the military. The more Puller digs, the more shady stuff he begins to uncover, and pretty soon he’s looking at a deep, deep conspiracy that reaches far further than anyone dreamed.
Was this the most unique book in the world? Of course not, but thrillers of this sort rarely are. Baldacci’s writing was also fine-nothing special, but worked and didn’t take me out of the story at all. He writes relatively short chapters as well (though not James Patterson short), which while being a technique I’m undecided on how I feel about, in this case it didn’t feel gimmicky (like it does with Patterson) and definitely kept me saying “one more chapter” longer into the night than I had planned. The pacing was quick and the tension was actually built extremely well - Baldacci is good at adding the right layers to the plot at the right times. Before I knew it, the book had taken a turn that I admittedly did not see coming at all, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Let’s quickly touch on the character of John Puller—while I liked him, he did feel awfully familiar to me. Once again, this is common in the genre so it’s certainly not a huge deal, but worth mentioning. So far in the series, and this may very well change as this is only the first book, there’s really nothing about Puller that separates him from just-another-badass-military-dude. John Corey has his dry, snarky sense of humor in the face of mortal danger, and willingness to work way outside the box; Virgil Flowers has his long haired, surfer-like persona and using his mind far more than a gun. Puller? Don’t know, I’ve already largely forgot his personality details.
But none of that takes anything away from the story. It hooked me right away, and never let up. Virtually no down time here. I will definitely be checking out The Forgotten to see what Puller and Baldacci have in store for me next!!
January 14, 2021
Excellent thriller! John Puller is my new favorite hero. I had read Baldacci's Daylight and was really intrigued by a military hero in that book that when a friend told me there was an entire John Puller series I couldn't wait to start it. I'm really glad I did. This book had everything I like in thrillers - a great hero, political intrigue, a scary situation, tension, an interesting investigation, and the pursuit of justice. Can't wait to read the next one - I'm behind!
February 9, 2013
Its as though Baldacci was being paid by the word as apposed to writing a tight cohesive novel that I've grown accustomed to reading. The rest of this story is unnecessarily long and only the crisp ending raises this novel to 5 of 10 stars
November 26, 2011
I really like David Baldacci's books. He is intelligent and provides a suspense filled story with clean dialogue and well written characters. This particular book just didn't grab me. The problem was the acronyms for me. The protagonist is military and a lot of acronyms are used that I don't know. They are defined but I didn't want to keep looking back in the book to be reminded. Like I said, Baldacci is brilliant and he understands a lot of things that I don't having to do with forensics which I find fascinating. Military lingo is different than what speak and understand.
I was also disappointed with the crime scene not adding up to the crime, itself. It was weird. I can do weird. I watched Medium for a couple of years until it got too weird. Weird as in sadistic and shocking. It reached that level for me. I know Baldacci does a lot of forensic information in his books. I know the criminals are sadistic at times. But this one just didn't add up.
It's still a good read. If you like Baldacci, read it. If you've not read his books before, I'd start with another one. They are quite heart stopping and keep you guessing.
I was also disappointed with the crime scene not adding up to the crime, itself. It was weird. I can do weird. I watched Medium for a couple of years until it got too weird. Weird as in sadistic and shocking. It reached that level for me. I know Baldacci does a lot of forensic information in his books. I know the criminals are sadistic at times. But this one just didn't add up.
It's still a good read. If you like Baldacci, read it. If you've not read his books before, I'd start with another one. They are quite heart stopping and keep you guessing.
December 25, 2015
A new series by David Baldacci that I've started. The main character is a CID (Criminal Investigation Division) agent named John Puller. He's a really interesting character, he's like a Clint Eastwood no nonsense kind of guy who gets the job done. In Zero Day Puller is called to a small rural community in West Virginia to investigate a murder.
The story keeps you guessing up until the very end who's behind it all, many twists and turns and awesome character development! Now I can't wait to read more Puller adventures!
The story keeps you guessing up until the very end who's behind it all, many twists and turns and awesome character development! Now I can't wait to read more Puller adventures!
June 19, 2024
4,5 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Dit eerste deel in een reeks die geschreven is omtrent John Puller en wat mij betreft zeker vervolgd mag worden.
John is mysterieus genoeg om interessant te zijn. In dit eerste boek wordt, heel knap, nét genoeg van hem neergezet om geïntrigeerd te raken, maar tegelijkertijd heel veel vragen oproept
Het verhaal zit goed in elkaar en verliep totaal anders dan ik verwachtte. Goed gedaan! Op naar deel twee met John in de hoofdrol.
Dit eerste deel in een reeks die geschreven is omtrent John Puller en wat mij betreft zeker vervolgd mag worden.
John is mysterieus genoeg om interessant te zijn. In dit eerste boek wordt, heel knap, nét genoeg van hem neergezet om geïntrigeerd te raken, maar tegelijkertijd heel veel vragen oproept
Het verhaal zit goed in elkaar en verliep totaal anders dan ik verwachtte. Goed gedaan! Op naar deel twee met John in de hoofdrol.
July 9, 2023
Great book. I picked up John Puller book 4 and it was a great read, so decided to get the first 3 in the series and book 1 didn't disappoint. Puller, an Army CID agent, was sent to investigate the murder of an Army Colonel and his family in West Virginia. What he discovers and how he goes about it is high drama that keeps moving right along.
April 3, 2014
I put this on my "Thriller" shelf as that's what this is supposed to be. Sadly it doesn't really move fast enough to actually give, "thrills".
Our hero a warrant officer investigator for the Army CID (Criminal Investigation Division) gets called to WV when a flag officer and his entire family are murdered. The flag officer (Full bird colonel) was an intelligence type.
Things get odd rather quickly... The crime is important enough for a CID investigator but then he's sent in alone with no back up and almost all support cut from him. Working with a local sergeant from the sheriff's department a mystery is slowly uncovered. At first things get more and more convoluted...as they also become more and more deadly.
The book does a good job of laying out the investigation and it does a good job of building the characters. The weakness is the there many, many times that the "story" simply bogs down. First we get conversations that move away from topic. These are supposed to (I suppose) give us more insight into the people involved and also the local. Then we get (again) many, many diatribes about the author's views on coal mining.
Coal mining is a very controversial topic. Yes there are huge problems, but it's not a single sided argument. Ask the people who live amid the trouble...these are the only jobs going. I won't take a stand here, I'll just say that by the time you finish this book you'll have no doubt where David Baldacci stands. He'll tell you...in Spades.
So pretty good novel. The plot gets a little buried in book length and excess verbiage but it doesn't make the book unreadable. Decide for yourself.
Our hero a warrant officer investigator for the Army CID (Criminal Investigation Division) gets called to WV when a flag officer and his entire family are murdered. The flag officer (Full bird colonel) was an intelligence type.
Things get odd rather quickly... The crime is important enough for a CID investigator but then he's sent in alone with no back up and almost all support cut from him. Working with a local sergeant from the sheriff's department a mystery is slowly uncovered. At first things get more and more convoluted...as they also become more and more deadly.
The book does a good job of laying out the investigation and it does a good job of building the characters. The weakness is the there many, many times that the "story" simply bogs down. First we get conversations that move away from topic. These are supposed to (I suppose) give us more insight into the people involved and also the local. Then we get (again) many, many diatribes about the author's views on coal mining.
Coal mining is a very controversial topic. Yes there are huge problems, but it's not a single sided argument. Ask the people who live amid the trouble...these are the only jobs going. I won't take a stand here, I'll just say that by the time you finish this book you'll have no doubt where David Baldacci stands. He'll tell you...in Spades.
So pretty good novel. The plot gets a little buried in book length and excess verbiage but it doesn't make the book unreadable. Decide for yourself.
April 26, 2018
When I first noticed John Puller, the first thing that struck me were his obvious similarities to Jack Reacher. Both are MPs (of sorts), both are big men and both of them kick ass. Obviously, this resemblance combined with the fact that the series is authored by David Baldacci, meant that I had high expectations and wasted no time in reading it.
Now that I have finished it, I am a bit disappointed though. On the positive side, John Puller's character as well as those surrounding him are fleshed out well. But this attention to detail is let down by the weak and lack lustre plot. There is a lot of build up with gruesome murders and hints of conspiracies. But, at the end, I was essentially thinking 'is this it?". I was also a bit let down by the lack of action.
Overall, this book is only average. Now, to see how 'The Forgotten' turns out to be.
Now that I have finished it, I am a bit disappointed though. On the positive side, John Puller's character as well as those surrounding him are fleshed out well. But this attention to detail is let down by the weak and lack lustre plot. There is a lot of build up with gruesome murders and hints of conspiracies. But, at the end, I was essentially thinking 'is this it?". I was also a bit let down by the lack of action.
Overall, this book is only average. Now, to see how 'The Forgotten' turns out to be.
April 30, 2016
Review went missing. How does save not working?
New favorite. I love Puller! Sort of like Reacher in a way.
New favorite. I love Puller! Sort of like Reacher in a way.
March 1, 2018
Puller is quite the tough guy. And an effective CID.
I had trouble putting this down, but I didn’t like the end. Boo!
I had trouble putting this down, but I didn’t like the end. Boo!
August 4, 2023
I've read 8 or 10 Baldacci's, including #2 in this John Puller series, The Forgotten. Zero Day is the first. Puller is an investigator in CID (the Army's Criminal Investigation Division). He's sent alone to Drake, an imaginary small town in rural West Virginia, where a colonel with the Defense Intelligence Agency has been killed in a family murder scene, which also involved the deaths of his wife and two children. He decides to play nice with the local law folks, especially the town's police chief Samantha Cole. In addition to the ever escalating danger and ramifications of the murder investigation, Baldacci gradually builds up the possibility of a love interest for Puller. And if you relate to family drama, the town is essentially owned by a wealthy man who controls the coal mines and subsequently most everything else. His wife is the sister of one of the town lowlifes, and also a sister of the woman police chief.
Baldacci portrays the problem that many military men have with rote obedience to a superior woman officer. I found that particularly interesting, in that it could explain a mystery in my own work life. I had an assistant who'd spent a decade or more in the Army Reserves. He often didn't follow directives of the woman who became our new office manager, and it quickly led to his firing.
As usual, Badacci's story is riveting and the pace is frenetic. However, I don't find him to be the most stylistically skilled writer. There are even some unrealistic plot devices in this one. At the murder scene there was a "dog that couldn't bark". Really ? I know those dogs exist, but to force that in when it isn't even necessary is poor judgment. And witnesses withheld what they saw when they had no reason to do so. There are official military conversations in which not all of the important questions are asked.
While Baldacci writes great stories, of the five thriller writers that I read regularly, I find that in terms of polished writing he ranks below the others - DeMille, Clancy, Box and Jance.
Baldacci portrays the problem that many military men have with rote obedience to a superior woman officer. I found that particularly interesting, in that it could explain a mystery in my own work life. I had an assistant who'd spent a decade or more in the Army Reserves. He often didn't follow directives of the woman who became our new office manager, and it quickly led to his firing.
As usual, Badacci's story is riveting and the pace is frenetic. However, I don't find him to be the most stylistically skilled writer. There are even some unrealistic plot devices in this one. At the murder scene there was a "dog that couldn't bark". Really ? I know those dogs exist, but to force that in when it isn't even necessary is poor judgment. And witnesses withheld what they saw when they had no reason to do so. There are official military conversations in which not all of the important questions are asked.
While Baldacci writes great stories, of the five thriller writers that I read regularly, I find that in terms of polished writing he ranks below the others - DeMille, Clancy, Box and Jance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,441 reviews