The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci (2 Stars)

[Charlie]

A 400+ page mystery thriller with a likeable veteran hero set in the world of high finance that barely sustains a simmer and feels almost as monotonous as a Metro NY commute.

Travis Devine trades in his camo for a shot at big money when he joins the herd on the 6:20 train to Manhattan to work at his job as a first-year associate at a shadowy, cut-throat financial house. No sooner than a couple of chapters in is a co-worker and one night stand to Travis found dead at work, an apparent suicide. A meandering story with a steady parade of cut-out characters ensues with more melodrama than mystery or suspense. Devine, feeling the walls closing in with the potential of being framed, starts playing detective with most of the book having the reader follow him walking the beat trying to break the case and finding himself spiraling deeper into a body count that matches serial killer proportions. I’d like to say it was all the twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, but the truth is that I was often tempted to get out of my chair to throw the book away. But I finished it and even though there is both a 6:20 Man #2 and #3, I’m not renewing my monthly ticket for this commute.

[Joanne]

LoL Charlie-great review

[KateNZ]

Too funny, Charlie! Shame about the book though. Baldacci is usually pretty good.

[Holly R W]

I enjoyed your review it seems more than you enjoyed the book. ;0)