The Sixth Man [Hardcover]

David Baldacci (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 19, 2011

Edgar Roy--an alleged serial killer held in a secure, fortress-like Federal Supermax facility--is awaiting trial. He faces almost certain conviction. Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are called in by Roy's attorney, Sean's old friend and mentor Ted Bergin, to help work the case. But their investigation is derailed before it begins--en route to their first meeting with Bergin, Sean and Michelle find him murdered.

It is now up to them to ask the questions no one seems to want answered: Is Roy a killer? Who murdered Bergin? With help from some surprising allies, they continue to pursue the case. But the more they dig into Roy's past, the more they encounter obstacles, half-truths, dead-ends, false friends, and escalating threats from every direction. Their persistence puts them on a collision course with the highest levels of the government and the darkest corners of power. In a terrifying confrontation that will push Sean and Michelle to their limits, the duo may be permanently parted.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Equal parts Hitchcock and James Bond, it's the perfect literary cocktail...One of Baldacci's best." (Richmond Times-Dispatch on Deliver Us from Evil)

"It's his eager, expansive imagination that drives his books . . . Like other thriller writers, Baldacci depends on a mixture of inventive plotting, appealing characters, luck, and consistency. Unlike others, his books rely more on characters' relationships than whiz-bang technology or procedural twists . . . What he offers is in some ways more unusual." (Newsweek on First Family)

"A rousing success . . . Baldacci shows once again that he is a sort of thriller Renaissance man: a master of plot, dialogue, and character." (Booklist (starred review) for Divine Justice)

"High-stakes action, shadowy government agencies, and [a] neo-Cold War backdrop . . . Baldacci pushes his plot ahead at such a blistering pace." (Washington Post on The Whole Truth)

"Gripping, chilling, and full of surprises." (Publishers Weekly on Stone Cold)

About the Author

David Baldacci is a worldwide bestselling novelist. With his books published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, and with over 110 million copies in print, he is one of the world's favorite storytellers. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at www.DavidBaldacci.com, and his foundation at www.WishYouWellFoundation.org, and to look into its program to spread books across America at www.FeedingBodyandMind.com.

.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 417 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1st edition (April 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446573108
• ISBN-13: 978-0446573108
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (327 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Baldacci made a big splash on the literary scene with the publication of his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. A major motion picture adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 26 novels, all of which have been national and international bestsellers. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries; over 110 million copies are in print worldwide. David has also published three children's books. He has received numerous accolades for his writing; most recently, he was inducted into the 2011 International Crime Writing Hall of Fame and received the 2012 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award.

A lifelong Virginian, David was born in Richmond in 1960. He received his Bachelor's degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1982 and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1986, after which he practiced law for nine years in Washington, D.C.

While David is involved with several philanthropic organizations, his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family's Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, nearly 1 million new and used books have been collected and distributed through area food banks. David explains, "With this program, people go home with food, which they need to live, as well as with books, which they need to change their lives."

David and his family live in Northern Virginia.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#6 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#4 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#4 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#6 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction

#6 in Books > Literature & Fiction

#14 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#4 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#4 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#6 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction

#6 in Books > Literature & Fiction

#14 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 179 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars David Baldacci enters "Chuck" territory April 19, 2011

By Susan Tunis TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Okay, not to be overly simplistic, but David Baldacci's latest thriller featuring former Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell does have a plot highly reminiscent of the television show "Chuck," though certainly not a similar tone. No, there's no "Intersect" computer imbedded in anyone's brain, but there is a defense contractor running what's called the E-Program. As the novel opens, the contractor, Peter Bunting, is seeking the individual who can become the next "Analyst."

The Analyst is the person tasked with watching the "Wall," a six- by eight-foot screen on which flows "information on suspicious activities being carried out by either Americans or foreigners operating domestically." It's a "compilation of top secret communications, all of colossal importance. And on it poured, from all corners of the globe, delivered en masse in high definition. If it were an Xbox or a PS3 game it would be the most exciting difficult one ever created. But there was nothing made up about it. Here real people lived and real people died, every second of every day."

The idea is that our intelligence network is too spread out and diversified, and that in order to truly get the Big Picture, one individual needs to be able to process every scrap of data we collect. It's a staggering job that literally brings brilliant men to their knees. Obviously it's not a job for the average Joe, but a few extraordinary individuals can utilize 90-some percent of their brain, rather than the paltry ten percent most of us access. And all of this is exposited in a brief prologue.

Next, we're with series protagonists King and Maxwell as they touch down in Maine. They've been called up for an investigative job. Ted Bergin, an old friend and law professor of Sean's is defending the serial killer Edgar Roy, and he seems to believe there's more to this open-and-shut case than meets the eye. So, he's brought in reinforcements. Alas, they arrive too late. En route to their first meeting with Bergin, they come across a stalled vehicle. Inside they find Bergin's body with a bullet to the skull. The question is: What do these two storylines have to do with each other?

So begins a novel more packed with action than with plot. There is plot, but it's not terribly complex or sophisticated. Some stuff happens, more stuff happens, and there's a lot of traveling up and down the eastern seaboard. Many people are not what they seem. Baldacci gets some stuff right. He's good at gracefully expositing what's come before, and he can write a tight, tense scene. However, after four previous novels with these protagonists, I was really shocked at how one-dimensional the characters felt. King and Maxwell are at a pivotal point in their personal and professional lives. I was astounded by just how uninvested I was.

It's not that this is a terrible novel, but there isn't a whole lot of substance to it. If you've been following the series you're going to want to read this one. Otherwise, I simply wouldn't bother.

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read but slightly predictable July 23, 2011

By Andy

Format:Kindle Edition

All the elements of a good Baldacci novel are present in THE SIXTH MAN but somehow they just don't come together quite as well as in some of his previous books. There is the usual secret service goings on and their questionable actions which leave you wondering who is in the right and who's on who's side. The two main characters Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are both ex-secret service who share a common link that draws them together and sparks romance. Working as PIs they are hired to help in the defence case of a serial killer. When his attorney is murdered they uncover some alarming facts and find themselves against mysterious and far superior forces. The writing is sharp, the action gritty and the story interesting as we follow the couple on their journey which makes this an enjoyable read. It just lacked a little bit of suspense in the way that it was revealed. Still one I would recommend as un-complicated and fun read.

39 of 50 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book : not the best April 20, 2011

By shaggy

Format:Hardcover

David Baldacci's The Sixth Man with Sean King and Michelle Maxwell in the lead is a relatively good book. It is not at par with their last outing FIRST FAMILY, which i thought was their best adventure till date. I wont go into the synopsys of the book, you can read that in other reviews. Something about the Kindle price will follow but thats noet the most important. As i siad earlier, the book is good, quite good, if you dont compare it to the previous one. But a David baldacci book is always better then some other books that come out. Even better than Dan Brown and his overhyped Lost symbol. The story does move forward. And ofcourse this is not Baldacci's best as he is comming out with 3 books this year (wont hear me complain!! along with Stebe Berry i think hes the best).
Now if you have a Kindle, like me, and you want to buy the book to read on the Kindle but you think the price is too high (which it is), you can get it elsewhere to and just use the leagal programme CALIBRE to put it in Kindle format and read. But buying it on Amazon is still the best way to have it as soon as released (i want to have it the day of release).
All in all a good read. Recommended!