What do You think about Hour Game (2005)?
What a difference a year makes! Baldacci's debut novel featuring disgraced Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, Split Second, earned just 3 stars from me; it's worth reading, sort of, if only to see how the book series that spawned a TV series got started - but it's just too simplistic and, in some spots, just plain silly, to be worthy of a higher rating. Since I consider Baldacci to be an accomplished (and favorite) author, though, I figured - make that hoped - that this series would improve with time.And I'm happy to report that improve it did. Yes, there's still a bit of a "camp" feel to it, and there are still a few barely plausible plot twists and superhuman efforts by the dynamic duo. But the quality of writing itself is almost like this one was written by a different author - and in this case, that's a good thing.Now official partners in a private investigation firm in a small Virginia town, the two have been hired to investigate a burglary at the home of an uber-wealthy family (or more to the point, to make sure the prime suspect actually did the deed). But almost immediately, a couple of bizarre murders fashioned after well-publicized serial killers happen, pulling in King and Maxwell to help local police and FBI agents try to catch the culprit before the next murder (and yes, there is a next murder.It ain't easy. One after another, a major suspect is unearthed, only to be shoved lower in the pile as another possibility rises to the top. I had two in mind by halfway through the book, but it wasn't until the very end that I learned I was both wrong and right. Even more intriguing are the family dynamics and the reasons behind the gruesome murders, which almost include King and Maxwell themselves (ah, c'mon, that's no spoiler - do you really think Baldacci would kill off either of the characters that drive the series)?Now, of course, I'm looking forward to the next one, which I believe is Simple Genius - in part because it was written at least two years after this one and, if the current trend is any example, should be better still. In fact, it's already on my Kindle waiting for me to call it up.
—Monnie
Audiobook review - 4 stars story ♫ 4 stars audio. I enjoyed the story.... I was shocked how far the killer was able to go before caught. Also... all those murders and no FBI or major man-hunt went on... that didn't seem plausible. I'm happy that Ron McLarty has "Re" narrated to books. It's a great narrator. I'm really looking forward to book 5 where he teams up with Orlagh Cassidy! Together, they are spectacular.
—❆ Crystal ❆
I guess doing a recurring thing as a hobby can seem pointless. Not reading, but reviewing. The Hour Game, though a book I enjoyed amply, cannot give rise to an insightful review. Also I'm trying to make it the last book read this year, instead of the penultimate one. The book bears the signature of its author. Only I can't decide if that's beneficial all the way through. Make no mistake, The Hour Game is, by high standards, a paint by numbers book. From the way I see it, it has a great heart. It's a guilty pleasure. Not because of sappy romance, but its cliched style, not because of its willful body count, but because of the innocent prose, not because of its sexual murders (there aren't any here), but because I'm confident that Baldacci tried to write in a different hand and couldn't quite pull it off. The most distinctive trait of this book is that the chapter endings are so lame. I may have missed some double entendre, but I won't bet on it. The book is very pious considering the subject matter. It seems like an old book from the 70's or so. What removes this illusion is the characterization of its main villain. Some of his motives seem nonsensical, but he as a person rings true. Having said that, I luckily did see through the mystery in a flash of lucidity. As for the second murderer, I can take no credit for that as it was very plainly obvious. This was the exceptional book where a cruel murder hasn't taken place in fine Baldacci style. This is why I think the author was experimenting to stay fresh. As a fan, I think he did accomplish much of his intent. PS - You know, it's frustrating to write a book review after outputting more than 300 of them. Especially if you look like you're going downhill quality-wise. Choosing which book to read is almost as perilously cerebral. Nothing can be guaranteed. I thank my readers(all two of them!) of their interest in my reviews. I await next year with languorous trepidation.
—Luffy Monkey D.
