July Government Assassin Group Read: The Innocent by David Baldacci *Spoilers*

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

He definitely needs to give us more Robie (and assorted cast), and after The Hit, there's another character I'd love to see more of.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Just two more days left in the month. Any final thoughts or questions on The Innocent?

What did you like the most about the book?

Did Will stand out for you amongst the A/A heroes?

What did Julie add to this story that you don't get to see in other male lead A/A novels?

[Mike (the Paladin)]

1. Hard to say. I liked Robie from the first. I think a lot of that has to do with Baldacci's writing ability. The plot drew me in and held me. There were some "seen that before" moments but that's not always a big deal if it's handled well.

2.Well, not really stand out, but he'll hold his own I think.

3. To me I was just glad we didn't fall into the young hero/heroine paradigm. She came off as fairly real and kind of original. I don't know that she added a lot specifically but she was a good part of the story.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I liked seeing Will's thought processes as he dealt with his situation. Baldacci did a good job of balancing action with character development. The characters' actions made sense and they aren't just reacting.

I am probably not as well-read as you in this genre, but what other books have you read with the hero/young heroine sidekick paradigm, Mike? I like that dynamic a lot. I would definitely read more books like that.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Nothing specific jumps to mind but the teen protagonist is one I've seen a lot. I think of a title I'll drop back.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Thanks!

[Rizwan]

1. To be honest, Brainwork. The book was billed as a Government Assassin-centric conspiracy thriller, and I thought there's going to be plenty of action one after another... Surprisingly, the book was quite low on big action sequences, and most of the time its real brainwork and guessing-game, and still the story never once slowed down, which is far more commendable.

2. The one thing that stood out rightaway was Will's strong morale compass. Even with not knowing almost anything about Will's past history and a questionable job-title (puting it mildly) we started to root for the guy from the beginning for that very reason.

3. We actually got a REAL person with some original touch. Thank God for avoiding cliched characterization!

[Hero]

I liked the look ahead aspect of the character. In the guy he replaced he had a real-time example of what his life could become and I think that is missing in a lot of these thrillers.

I real life, at some point, you start to look ahead and I think Baldacci brought that point home.

[Jim]

The Hit just came up in my library queue!!! That one's next.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I wish I'd found these when there were more of them already published.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I wish I'd found these when there were more of them already published."

I agree!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Jim wrote: "The Hit just came up in my library queue!!! That one's next."

I liked it even better than The Innocent. Enjoy!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Rizwan wrote: "1. To be honest, Brainwork. The book was billed as a Government Assassin-centric conspiracy thriller, and I thought there's going to be plenty of action one after another... Surprisingly, the book ..."

I agree with you on all points, but especially the brainwork comment!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Hero wrote: "I liked the look ahead aspect of the character. In the guy he replaced he had a real-time example of what his life could become and I think that is missing in a lot of these thrillers.

I real lif..."

Very true. While Will knows his life is in jeopardy on each mission he takes, he plans so that he can come back from each mission. I respected how methodical and analytical he was.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Where you surprised at the end? What did you think of the resolution?

How about Julie's situation? Did you guess before it was revealed who Julie's surviving family was?

What did you think of Nikki Vance and The Blue Man?

[Hero]

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: " Where you surprised at the end? What did you think of the resolution?

How about Julie's situation? Did you guess before it was revealed who Julie's surviving family was?

What did you think of ..."

Nikki Vance was believable, but I didn't care for the blue man. I couldn't get the image of Abe Vigoda out of my head. He seemed to be out of touch and I kept wondering "how did he even get that job"

I figured out that the woman in his apartment was a problem early on when she showed up in the gym and it was revealed that she worked at the white house. I remembered that the bad guys on the plane were talking about someone on the inside so that was pretty easy. My wife and I were on a trip so we were both listening to the audiobook. i told her that Robie was going to kill her before the book was over.

I thought the plan however was for them to get together and for her to take out the president and let Robie take the fall. That was the reason why they needed Robie.

As far as Julie's dad, I didn't see that coming.

[Eileen]

Rizwan wrote: "1. To be honest, Brainwork. The book was billed as a Government Assassin-centric conspiracy thriller, and I thought there's going to be plenty of action one after another... Surprisingly, the book ..."

Well said!

[Eileen]

Hero wrote: "Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: " Where you surprised at the end? What did you think of the resolution?

How about Julie's situation? Did you guess before it was revealed who Julie's su..."

LOL, Abe Vigoda! I too, listened the audio version and now that's all I'll picture in my head when I hear the Blue Man. The narrotor did a very good job with all the voices.

I did guess the ending pretty much from the beginning, but, I didn't see whose Julie's surviving family member would be. That was a nice surprise.

I liked Nikki, she's a no nonsense, good head on her shoulders agent. I think there might be more with her and Robie in upcoming books.

[Hero]

Eileen wrote: "Hero wrote: "Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: " Where you surprised at the end? What did you think of the resolution?

How about Julie's situation? Did you guess before it was revealed w..."

Yup Abe Vigoda either that or the government guy from the Incredibles.

Another thing that bothers me about this genre is where do they get all of their money. This guy had two apartments and a farm. The government doesn't pay that well.

I watched one of the Bourne movies today and the guy had $40,000 cash hidden in the door of a car.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Well, I figure since he's black bag ops, he probably isn't on the GS pay scale, and he probably gets hazard pay. But even GS 13s get paid 100,000 a year, so that's not to unbelievable to me.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I didn't guess the culprit until Will did, so that was an interesting twist, especially the whole situation revolving around it.

I liked Nikki a lot, but I didn't think she was as central as Julie was.

I like the Blue Man. At first, I thought he'd betray Robie, but he's solid.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Thanks to everyone who's participated in the discussion. Of course, it can continue, but we're moving onto Pacific Vortex for the month of August.

[Eileen]

Hero wrote: "Eileen wrote: "Hero wrote: "Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: " Where you surprised at the end? What did you think of the resolution?

How about Julie's situation? Did you guess before it..."

Hero, That's where I keep my extra cash.