Simple Genius
by David Baldacci
Published by Warner Books (May release)
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Reviewed by Lawrence Mc Micking
David Baldacci is a frequent best-selling author who has written 13 books and at least two have made into major motion pictures: Last Man Standing, and Absolute Power. A very talented portrayer of characters, the author tends to stick with the success of two of his characters as he does in this novel. That is: Ex-Secret Service Agents Michelle Maxwell and Sean King, who have gone private with their own investigative agency.
The story begins with Michelle, seemingly suffering from a mental disorder, goes on a rampage in a barroom brawl, intending to kill someone or herself.
She is arrested and placed in jail. Sean, using all of the resources of their successful firm, attempts to get her out of this bind and get her some help from an old friend, psychologist Horatio Barnes.
Sean, in the meantime, with his resources dwindling, seeks work from his old girlfriend, Joan Dillinger, who also runs a successful investigative agency.
Joan agrees to give him some freelance work in Virginia near Camp Perry, the CIA training center for spies. There has been a suspicious shooting death on the training camp's border. The deceased is an employee of another top-secret facility near Camp Perry. Joan's company represents a client who wants to know more about this case and wants it investigated by non-government investigators.
As Sean begins his work, more bodies begin to appear, apparent suicides, accidents, etc. The story evolves into a first-class mystery leading into U.S. secrets and strange events at the CIA training camp.
Author Baldacci, is as usual, innovative--providing us with a masterpiece in suspenseful story telling. The outcome is far less than obvious.
Armchair Interviews says: Baldacci does it again--as expected.
Author's Web site: http://www.DavidBalducci.com