Apr/ May 2016 Group Read - The Guilty by David Baldacci

[Bill]

This is the thread for the group read for David Baldacci's The Guilty. Dan will be the moderator. I hope you all enjoy the book.

[M.L.]

I haven't read Baldacci yet so excited to read this one! Should have my copy shortly. :-)

[Dan]

Hello All,

I am pleased to moderate The Guilty. I am about 60 percent through it.
This is my first moderating assignment, so any suggestions are welcome.
Happy reading! Dan

[M.L.]

I'm about the same place, 63%, and really enjoying it. The plot thickens (view spoiler)[ he's adding layer on layer, and with some nice detail, the types of things I haven't come across before. Colorful characters and all distinct. (hide spoiler)] I can see why he's a best-selling author!

[Dan]

M.L. wrote: "I'm about the same place, 63%, and really enjoying it. The plot thickens, he's adding layer on layer, and with some nice detail, the types of things I haven't come across before. Colorful character..."
He is an accomplished writer for sure I am a bit chagrined over some of the cliche plot points (bad relationship w dad, can't perform his duties, killed a child, etc)

[M.L.]

I finished! It was a good fun, summer-type read. I liked the characters and the setting. Some nice details there. (view spoiler)[ Mississippi near the coast; alligators and snakes complicating the investigation and outcome. (hide spoiler)] Also a number of details that added to the regional color and the type of job the main character has (view spoiler)[ such as trajectory, the time it takes for a bullet to travel a certain distance - 5 seconds is a long time. A regional comment "sweet tea." Not being familiar with the south it's not a term I've come across. (hide spoiler)] Baldacci is from Virginia and that innate familiarity lends authenticity.

The perspective was especially nice. (view spoiler)[ Roby has not been home in 20 years and views everything in a new yet unchanged type of perspective. This is good. It let me see things through his eyes as opposed to the way someone who has never left and takes it all for granted might view things: how much has not changed - and how much he has. (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I read it and would read another Baldacci. Thanks for nominating it!

[Dan]

M.L. wrote: "I finished! It was a good fun, summer-type read. I liked the characters and the setting. Some nice details there. [spoilers removed] Also a number of details that added to the regional color and th..."
I am glad you enjoyed the read! I have read quite a few of his. I am not yet finished but real close so I didn't view your 'spoilers' yet. I have comments/opinions which i will share later.

[M.L.]

Before I forget! From The Telegraph!

The Guilty is Baldacci’s fourth book chronicling the life of Will Robie, an official US government assassin . . .

Baldacci is known for the depth of research that goes into his books. He researches and writes each story in parallel, going into the background of his stories the way an investigative journalist would do, spending hours with FBI and Secret Service agents to ensure he gets the details right. Indeed, agents seek him out to share their experiences because they know he will not blow their cover in public. He prefers to do interviews face to face, cross-examining sources as befits his background as a lawyer.

Baldacci says: “I did the same thing when I was a lawyer and about to depose a witness. I knew everything about what witnesses did before I met them. It’s the same approach with off-the-record sources. It’s all about doing your background research.”

FBI and CIA agents have an urge to share how they perform their duties, says Baldacci, who will sometimes conduct multiple interviews with the same person until he gets what he needs.

[Dan]

M.L. wrote: "Before I forget! From The Telegraph!

The Guilty is Baldacci’s fourth book chronicling the life of Will Robie, an official US government assassin . . .

Baldacci is known for the depth of research..."
Interesting, thanks for sharing. I have no doubt he researches in depth, i did not see any evidence though in The Guilty, of anything special with the FBI/CIA interactions.

[Harriet]

I've read fifteen of Baldacci's books but who's counting. Well, I must. I have to keep a list and check them off so I don't buy the same book a second time, some from used book sales, some checked out from my library, and some brand new PBs. I read this last year after reading another Will Robie, The Hit. I had mixed feelings about this one. Baldacci's books are what I consider a quick read, something to take along on a camping weekend, a story that will hold my attention. Everything was going fine until I got close to the end and by process of elimination, I figured out or guessed who was the murderer. I prefer the author to fool me. I never want to guess and be right. I agree with M.L. about the interesting details included in almost all of Baldacci's books. I enjoyed the main character as well as his boss, Blue Man. Robie's job is a little unnerving. Makes me wonder if there really are people out there in that profession.

[Dan]

Harriet wrote: "I've read fifteen of Baldacci's books but who's counting. Well, I must. I have to keep a list and check them off so I don't buy the same book a second time, some from used book sales, some checked ..."

Hi Harriet, agree not a favorite.

[Kelly]

I have checked a copy out from the library and hope to get started this weekend!

[Laurie]

I just finished the Guilty this weekend and was disappointed with the ending as well. Seemed like a hodge podge of crimes and suspects to be wrapped up like it was.

[Dan]

Laurie wrote: "I just finished the Guilty this weekend and was disappointed with the ending as well. Seemed like a hodge podge of crimes and suspects to be wrapped up like it was."

Agree it did not hang together and was rushed to resolve everything

[Kelly]

I just finished this one, and while it was different than the other Baldacci novels that I have read, it was also the same. It had all of the exciting action and plot twists that I have come to expect from Baldacci, and yet I also enjoyed the character study of the father-son relationship. It was a nice personal and sentimental touch in my opinion. I did not feel that the end was rushed. I enjoyed it and will now have to go back and read the other Will Robie books! Thanks for the pick.

[Georgia]

Kelly, I'm reading , a will robie and reel novel. It is not what I usually expect from Baldacchi. Is it the continuity?