Split Second (King & Maxwell Series, 1)

I'm a Baldacci fan. He's a go-to author when I'm in the mood for a thriller. His writing is lean and taut, and he commands a wealth of detail about law enforcement and local geography. But in the case of the King and Maxwell series, I recommend that you skip to Book #2. I won't provide any spoilers, but the way Baldacci set up this story, the identity of the main perpetrator was obvious around a third of the way through. He was dropping neon arrows, not bread crumbs. One minor complaint. Like unfortunately too many writers, Baldacci is guilty of (possibly subconscious) sexism by referring to his two main characters repeatedly as "King" and "Michelle." Not once does he say "Sean" and "Maxwell." Just saying.

Having completed (and enjoyed) Baldacci's later series (Will Robie, Amos Decker, Atlee Pine), I decided to go back to his early work to see his development as a writer. Many of the elements that mark his style are already present - the labyrinthian plot, the smart, rugged male and female agents who keep getting outsmarted and beaten to a pulp by their quarry, the tentative, awkward romancing, and lots of well-written violence and gore. But also present are the marks of a writer just beginning his journey: stilted dialogue, cardboard - even comical - villains, and an unnecessary plethora of red herrings. So far, there is no chemistry between King and Maxwell, nor is there any rationale for their lack of communication which puts them in the hospital on the brink of death several times, and leads to the deaths of other characters. But knowing that he was embarking in a new direction makes these lapses forgivable, even enjoyable.

This story has so many plots, twists and turns, it's hard to figure out. King and Maxwell are/were both Secret Service agents. King was kicked out after a botched assignment to protect a Presidential candidate. Maxwell had a near fatal assignment and is in precarious standing with the Secret Service. Then weird things start happening, a dead body here and there, cryptic notes, strange occurrences, all of which have a vague connection to that Presidential candidate from years ago. But there isn't a clear tie-in to that shooting from years ago. It will take their best efforts to solve this one! I recommend this book!

There is an irrepressible genius at work in this guy’s writing. Small clues, happenstance, odd stuff at the edges that turn out to be critical to plot development: all lead to nearly impossible outcomes that occur by the squeakiest of margins without contrivance or implausible leaps. Each of DBs books is a roller coaster of events interlaced with moments of plot-refining reflection. While from a distance, his novels might seem formulaic and ultimately predictable, they are nearly always saved by the genius of particulars. I suppose that’s why I keep reading his work. Ineluctably drawn into his next adventure.....

As a retired police officer I could relate to the circumstances that brought these two characters together. A very real thing, where a momentarily lapse in attention can turn very bad, very quickly. Seemed like an easy premise and theme to understand as the story unfolds. By the time we get to act three, quite a tangled web of problems developed along the journey. I found it amazing how the author tied up all the loose ends as he brought the story to a close. All questions were answered in a real thoughtful way. Now I'm in to these two and just bought book 2. Bravo David Baldacci, you have inspired me, and hooked me as a reader of your work.