Sept/Oct Group Read : The Camel Club

[Jeanie]

Donna is very busy at work at this time, so I was drafted. (grinning) So... let's talk about Oliver and his fellow cast of cronies and enemies!

[Dawn]

some authors have a knack for making their characters come alive and have us fall in love with them. Balducci does just that. Until his novels did I ever feel that men in the later part of their lives could have such sex appeal

[Jeanie]

Oliver is a very attractive protagonist, isn't he? So much strength and compassion combined with the tragic circumstances of his past really does a number on the old heart strings.

[Jannene]

I am so excited to try this author.

[Carol]

I've had this on my TBR list for quite awhile. I'm looking forward to reading this with the group and trying this author for the first time.

[Jeanie]

I discovered Mr. Baldacci the year this book came out. I really enjoy this series as well as his King & Maxwell series. I think his Puller series shows great promise, as well. Another attorney-turned-writer...who'da thunked it? (smile)

[Jeanie]

I will ask, once you've completed this book, how possible you believe the scenario of the kidnapping to be. I found it to be way too frighteningly feasible. When you answer, please use the spoiler alert html so we won't ruin anyone's reading pleasure. Thanks.

[Erna]

I generally enjoy Baldacci's books and I loved all of the books featuring the Camel Club.

[Nicolette]

Really enjoyed The Camel Club when I read it a year or so ago. I've read a few in the series but somehow managed to miss number 2. Will hopefully rectify this soon.

[Jannene]

I am enjoying this book. I love how he develops the characters.

[Tay]

Love this series. I really love Stone Cold which is the third in the series. Hopefully he'll release a fifth (or is sixth?) one soon.

[Jeanie]

Baldacci's whole concept of writing about four aging misfits becoming involved in world changing events was a stroke of genius, in my opinion. I've loved every single one of these books, and I've recommended them to my friends and family and have even given them as Christmas gifts from time to time. They're extremely entertaining. The books in the series, for those of you who haven't read or researched them are, in order: The Camel Club, The Collectors, Stone Cold, Divine Justice, Hell's Corner.

[Anne]

I have read all of this series and really enjoyed it. His development of the charaters is excellent and the stories keep your interest.

[Maverick]

Starting 'The Camel Club' now. My first David Baldacci novel.

[Bill]

Based on the discussion I've read so far on The Camel Club, I may have to get the book and try it. I have to admit it was on my TBR shelf for quite awhile, but I returned it to my used book store during one of my annual culling of the shelves. Your positive discussion has rekindled my interest.

[Jeanie]

As far as quasi political thrillers go, these are not as close to the real thing, as, say, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp books, but they're still a fun read, in my opinion. I'm curious to know what all of you think of the character "Tom Hemingway". I've listened to this book three times, and read the book version once and i still don't know how I feel about him, which, I suppose, means he was well written. (grin)

[Jannene]

Lucky made me laugh so hard. I had to read that section to my husband.

[Jeanie]

Jannene wrote: "Lucky made me laugh so hard. I had to read that section to my husband."

She was a hoot, wasn't she? Poor Alex was so discombobulated...

[Marie]

Maverick wrote: "Starting 'The Camel Club' now. My first David Baldacci novel."

I Read All The Camel club Books and a lot by Baldacci
He's definitely one of my favorite authors...
Enjoy..

[Connie]

Jeanie wrote: "Donna is very busy at work at this time, so I was drafted. (grinning) So... let's talk about Oliver and his fellow cast of cronies and enemies!"

[Jeanie]

So... Tom Hemingway, any thoughts?

[Jannene]

I'm not fond of Hemingway. He was out of line with what he had done. I love the fact that we know more about Stone but am saddened as to what happened to Beth. I will definitely read the other books as I really, really enjoyed this one.

[Jeanie]

spoiler alert: (view spoiler)[I agree completely that what Tom did was wrong, but what I have never understood is what his complete agenda was in manipulating such an event in the first place. Did he honestly believe that kidnapping the president, and returning him unhurt a week later could somehow change the world other than making the Secret Service tighten up and do a more thorough job? Maybe I missed something? He revered his father, but his father would've rolled over in his grave had he known what Tom was up to, so, basically, I never understood what he thought he would accomplish other than the deaths of the group of Muslims who were willing to die for his cause, a stronger Secret Service, and a nation even more terrified and paranoid than they already were in the first place.

I was really saddened that Jackie/Beth had to die before finding out that Oliver was her biological father. I think, though, that until they reached Murder Mountain, she was an extremely irritating piece of work. Even after all the times I've read or listened to this book, when she betrays Alex I want to scratch her eyes out. She redeems herself in the end, though, by taking that bullet. (hide spoiler)]

[Denise]

Jeanie wrote: "Baldacci's whole concept of writing about four aging misfits becoming involved in world changing events was a stroke of genius, in my opinion. I've loved every single one of these books, and I've ..."

I agree. I was hesitant to read it initially, but have enjoyed other Baldacci books. The characters were well-developed and believeable.

[Tammy]

When a writer focuses on a main character as a theme for several books it's like hearing tales from an old friend.

[Christopher]

I have already read this book. The character Oliver Stone is a very interesting character.

[Carol]

This is my first Baldacci book, but it certainly won't be my last! I love the idea of the Camel Club, and the involvement of a working agent. Baldacci did a fine job of developing each character and making them likeable.
The question was asked earlier about the feasibility of the kidnapping plot. I felt it was quite possible, and realistic.
I appreciated the comic relief and interesting characters which made the book less dire in some parts. It reminded of a cozy mystery in that way, but I've never heard of a "cozy thriller"! ;-)
Thank you, Donna and Jeannie for suggesting and leading the discussion on this book.
I look forward to reading more Camel Club adventures and trying some of the other Baldacci novels.

[Suzanne]

I haven't read Baldacci in some time, and I really enjoyed this book. I liked the gang of misfits, and I liked that the motivations of the antagonists weren't, for the most part, completely evil. Thanks for suggesting it!

[Jeanie]

I'm so glad you liked this book! I wasn't the one who suggested it as a group read, but I loved blowing the dust off of this one and listening to it one more time. Thanks to everyone who took part in this discussion and helping me out. It was fun! (hugs)