Deliver Us From Evil

Enjoyable Read! ( )

This book makes you think of good and evil. Are some people basically evil? ( )

This was an awesome book to listen to and it had me hooked from the opening scene. McClarty does a great job of narrating this action packed story that takes us through another of Shaw's assignments. Little does Shaw know that another organization is tracking the same villain, but for a totally different purpose.

I enjoyed this audio so much that I went to see if I missed any other books that are part of the series. At this time, the only other book with Shaw is The Whole Truth, which I also listened too, but enjoyed Deliver Us From Evil much more. You can also read my review of The Whole Truth here if you are interested.

Shaw and his men are tracking down Waller, hoping to put an end to his part in a human trafficking ring. During his assignment he crosses paths with Reggie and her crew who are tracking a man named Kuchen, for war crimes he was never convicted for. Reggie has made a career of this, and cannot anticipate the monster that Kuchen really is.

I feel I should warn you that Kuchen truly is a monster. There are torture scenes in this novel unlike any I have read previously. And maybe that is because I don't usually read this genre, but they were very graphic, leaving me gripping my steering wheel and screaming down the highway like a nutjob.

Without giving too much away I will tell you Shaw and Reggie join forces to get their villain. This book not only contains plenty of action, but even a little bit of romance. And I think I also have to admit I developed quite a crush on Shaw. I mean who wouldn't, with a 6'6" package of muscled man that also has a soft side? I don't hesitate in recommending the audioversion of this novel. ( )

I was nervous to try this book since I didn't care for the first in the Shaw series, but I this one completely changed my mind. I really liked the characters, much more depth and believable. The storyline was engaging, and the thrills kept coming. Oh and a completely heinous villian, all made for a good entertaining story. ( )

“Why do you need that?”
“Because I want to make sure I stop the pain before I kill you, of course.”
Abdul-Majeed tensed and began to chant under his breath.
“So your god is great, Abdul-Majeed?” said Waller, translating the words. “We will see how great he is to you.”

The mysterious super-operative known as Shaw is back to face an even more deadly foe in Deliver Us From Evil. Fresh off of Baldacci’s The Whole Truth (4.0 stars, Recommended) he finds himself tasked with bringing in monstrous Evan Waller, a businessman who’s dealing in sexual slavery and nuclear material has him in the crosshairs of Shaw’s organization. But there is far more to Evan Waller than Shaw knows. Shaw also doesn’t realize that he is not the only one targeting Waller and not everyone has the same agenda that he does. They all come together in the quiet French town of Provence, as everything quickly falls apart.

As always, Baldacci sets his scenes beautifully and provides his trademark sharp dialog. The action is intense at times, but the story lacks the punch of a great thriller relying on dramatic scenes instead of building the tension continuously. There is a feel of inevitability to the first half of the book, with a culmination that is quite predictable. The second half of the book is disjointed and at times feels likes some of the story that should have been there had been cut out of the book. And while the characters are interesting, they often feel too one-dimensional and I didn’t really feel any emotional tie to them.

The ending had some interesting twists, but it really didn’t engage me in the way The Whole Truth did. The characters seemed more clichéd on the second trip around and I’m not nearly as courteous about what happens to them next as I feel I should. That said, the book is very readable and I never felt bored. It’s a good story, but not a great one. I’m hoping for much better from Baldacci with this series the next time. ( )