David Baldacci
Author of The Camel Club
About the Author
David Baldacci was born in Richmond, Virginia on August 5, 1960. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia. He practiced law in Washington D.C. as a trial and corporate lawyer. His first novel, show more Absolute Power, was published in 1996. It won Britain's prestigious W.H. Smith's Thumping Good Read award for fiction in 1997 and was adapted as a movie starring Clint Eastwood. His other works include Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth, Saving Faith, True Blue, One Summer and End Game. He writes numerous series including King and Maxwell, Freddy and the French Fries, the Camel Club, Will Robie, Shaw and Katie James, John Puller, Vega Jane, and Amos Decker. He also published a novella entitled Office Hours and has authored five original screenplays. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by David Baldacci
De terugkeer (Nash, 2) 4 copies
Memory Man / The Target / Hell's Corner / The Whole Truth / Split Second / Hour Game (2015) 3 copies
[unidentified works] 2 copies
Innocent The 2 copies
Guilty The 2 copies
Evil 2 copies
About the Author 2 copies
David Baldacci Amos Decker Series 4 Books Collection Set (Memory Man, The Last Mile, The Fix, The Fallen) (2020) 2 copies
King & Maxwell (Season 1) 2 copies
2007 1 copy
2002 1 copy
2001 1 copy
1997 1 copy
Voodoo Ridge 1 copy
The Three-Nine Line 1 copy
A szökés 1 copy
Zero Day (John Puller, #1) 1 copy
MOTIUS PER MORIR 1 copy
Legend: Event Group Thriller 1 copy
Agents of Innocence 1 copy
The Origins of Wish You Well 1 copy
Memory Man [abridged] 1 copy
the Gift 1 copy
One God Deed 1 copy
24 Rouge: Live Another Day 1 copy
A Knife Edge 1 copy
Kirjavaliot - Aavikon hiekkaa, Elämä yllättää Julia-rouva, Karu totuus, Jotta toiset saisivat elää (2000) 1 copy
Death Trust 1 copy
First Degree 1 copy
Hard Rain 1 copy
All In (6:20 Man Book 4) 1 copy
The 6.20 Man 1 copy
No Man_s Land 1 copy
Hell_s Corner 1 copy
The Trial 1 copy
David Baldacci Atlee Pine Series 4 Books Collection Set (Long Road to Mercy, A Minute to Midnight, Daylight, Mercy) (2022) 1 copy
Mörkläggningen 1 copy
Split Second / Hour Game / Simple Genius / First Family / The Sixth Man / King and Maxwell (2013) 1 copy
Suspense Magazine June 2014 1 copy
The Innocent Have Fallen 1 copy
Shall We Tell the President 1 copy
Balance of Power 1 copy
The Camel Club series 1 copy
King & Maxwell 1 copy
As You Were 1 copy
The Places in Between 1 copy
Lovely Lies 1 copy
The Lion 1 copy
Associated Works
Why We Write: 20 Acclaimed Authors on How and Why They Do What They Do (2013) — Contributor — 206 copies, 10 reviews
Reader's Digest Select Editions 1998 v03 #237: The Winner / Homeport / Then Came Heaven / Flight of Eagles (1998) — Contributor — 46 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions 1999 v02 #242: The Simple Truth / Rainbow Six / Cloud Nine / The Cat Who Saw Stars (1999) — Contributor; Author — 46 copies
Libros selectos. El tatuado de la danza macabra. Vuelo funesto. El halconero. La última jugada (2000) 6 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions 2012 v01 #319: One Summer / Cast Into Doubt / Casting About / The Lion (2012) 4 copies
Livros Condensados: O Último Detective | Annus Mirabilis | A Menina do Papá | O Comboio do Natal (2003) 4 copies
Livros Condensados: O voo das águias | Primeiro prémio | Assassino a soldo | Sétimo céu (1999) 3 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions: The Vanished Man • Street Boys • The Christmas Train • The Summer That Never Was (2003) 2 copies
The Enforcer / Firefox / Absolute Power / Sudden Impact (4 Film Favorites) — Author — 2 copies
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher 223 - Die Versuchung / Only Love - die Liebe allein / Das Medusaprojekt / Ashana (1999) 2 copies
Het Beste Boek 192: Duister lot / Drie wensen / Het kartel / De roep van de wolf (1998) 2 copies, 1 review
Het Beste Boek 222: Horen, zien, zwijgen / Zwarte vrouw van de Nijl / Sarin / Nachtreizigers 2 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Select Editions: Rain Fall • The Shadow Catcher • The Summer That Never Was • The Christmas Train (2003) 2 copies
Válogatott könyvek 2014/2 David Baldacci - Az ártatlan; Dorothy Koomson - Barátnőm kislánya; Anthony Horowitz - A Selyemház titka; Eowyn Ivey - A hóleány (2014) — Contributor — 1 copy
O Inocente; A Quinta; A Menina de Neve; Dezembro Perdido — Contributor — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Ford, David
Ford, David B.
Ford, David Baldacci - Birthdate
- 1960-08-05
- Gender
- male
- Education
- University of Virginia (JD)
Virginia Commonwealth University (BA)
Henrico High School - Occupations
- lawyer
author - Organizations
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society (National Ambassador)
Wish You Well Foundation - Awards and honors
- People Magazine's Fifty Most Beautiful People (1997)
- Agent
- Aaron Priest (Aaron Priest Literary Agency)
- Short biography
- David Baldacci (b. 1960 in Richmond, Virginia) is a bestselling American novelist. Baldacci received a B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. As a student, Baldacci wrote short stories in his spare time, and later practiced law for nine years near Washington, D.C.. While living in Alexandria, Virginia, Baldacci wrote short stories and screenplays without much success. In despair, he turned to novel writing, taking three years to write Absolute Power. It took Baldacci two years to get the book published, but when it finally did hit the shelves in 1996 it was an international best seller.
David Baldacci serves as a national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and participates in numerous charities as well as founding his own foundation for literacy, Wish You Well Foundation. Baldacci was raised in Virginia and still resides there (in Vienna, Virginia) with his wife, Michelle A. Collin-Baldacci (Mikki), and two children. His cousin is the Democratic Governor of Maine John Baldacci, first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.
In 1997, People magazine named him one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Places of residence
- Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Vienna, Virginia, USA
Washington, D.C., USA - Associated Place (for map)
- Virginia, USA
Members
Discussions
Let’s Meet.. in Book Discussion : Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci (June 2020)
Chat in Book Discussion : Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci (June 2020)
Chat in Book Discussion : Divine Justice by David Baldacci (May 2020)
Chat in Book Discussion : Stone Cold by David Baldacci (April 2020)
Let’s remind ourselves about the Author. in Book Discussion : Stone Cold by David Baldacci (April 2020)
Chat in Book Discussion: The Collectors by David Baldacci (March 2020)
Meet the Author... in Book Discussion : The Camel Club by David Baldacci (August 2019)
Chat in Book Discussion : The Camel Club by David Baldacci (July 2019)
Meet the Author in Book Discussion : End Game by David Baldacci (December 2018)
Chat in Book Discussion : End Game by David Baldacci (December 2018)
Chat in Book Discussion: The Guilty by David Baldacci (August 2018)
Chat in Book Discussion : The Target by David Baldacci (May 2018)
Chat in Book Discussion : The Hit by David Baldacci (January 2018)
Chat in Book Discussion : King and Maxwell by David Baldacci (September 2017)
Chat in Book Discussion : The Innocent by David Baldacci (August 2017)
Chat in Book Discussion : The Sixth Man by David Baldacci (May 2017)
Chat in Book Discussion - First Family by David Baldacci (January 2017)
Pre Book Discusssion Chat in Book Discussion : Simple Genius by David Baldacci (October 2016)
Crime fiction/Thriller series similar to Jack Reacher in Name that Book (August 2016)
Pre Group Read Discussion in Book Discussion : Hour Game by David Baldacci (July 2016)
YA -Girl in small mountain (mine?) town in Name that Book (July 2016)
Reviews
Long Shadows Run Deep
Review of the Grand Central Publishing audiobook edition (October 11, 2022) released simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover.
[4.5 rounded up]
After a shocking personal incident at its start, Long Shadows introduces a new partner for FBI consultant Amos Decker. He is of course resentful and is his usual crotchety self to start with, show more but there is a gradual growing respect between himself and FBI Special Agent Frederica White. They definitely will need it and have to watch each other's backs throughout this case which takes many bizarre turns from what at first seems like a straightforward hit-job.
Federal Judge Julia Cummins and her apparent bodyguard Alan Draymont are found murdered inside her house. Complications quickly arise and Decker's suspicions are aroused by the two different murder methods. Can there really be two different killers at the same crime scene within minutes of each other? Draymont's employer, the Gamma Protection Agency is suspiciously unhelpful about his status. Then witnesses start to disappear. Then it begins to look like the FBI has set Decker and White up to fail in order to find an excuse to either sideline or fire them. The cast of characters is not overly large and by Ebert's Law of the Economy of Characters it shouldn't be that hard to figure out the prime suspects. But everyone seems less and less likely to be the villain or villains. Can Decker's vaunted memory solve the case or will he fail at last?
I've always thought that Decker's hyperthymesia (total memory recall) and colour synesthesia (his 'feeling' in colours) is under-utilized in this series, but his gruff manner is endearing nevertheless. I've even come to appreciate the now regular 'in-joke' where he forgets something. That wasn't quite so evident in this outing, but he does have a time struggling to remember a key clue at one point. New partner Frederica White is a great addition to the cast.
I listened to the audiobook edition and the narration performances by Baldacci regulars Kyf Brewer (all male voices) and Orlagh Cassidy (all female voices) was completely outstanding and earns an extra half star, bumping this into 5 star territory. show less
Review of the Grand Central Publishing audiobook edition (October 11, 2022) released simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover.
"This is the messiest case I've ever been involved in." - FBI Special Agent Frederica White to FBI Consultant Amos Decker.
[4.5 rounded up]
After a shocking personal incident at its start, Long Shadows introduces a new partner for FBI consultant Amos Decker. He is of course resentful and is his usual crotchety self to start with, show more but there is a gradual growing respect between himself and FBI Special Agent Frederica White. They definitely will need it and have to watch each other's backs throughout this case which takes many bizarre turns from what at first seems like a straightforward hit-job.
Federal Judge Julia Cummins and her apparent bodyguard Alan Draymont are found murdered inside her house. Complications quickly arise and Decker's suspicions are aroused by the two different murder methods. Can there really be two different killers at the same crime scene within minutes of each other? Draymont's employer, the Gamma Protection Agency is suspiciously unhelpful about his status. Then witnesses start to disappear. Then it begins to look like the FBI has set Decker and White up to fail in order to find an excuse to either sideline or fire them. The cast of characters is not overly large and by Ebert's Law of the Economy of Characters it shouldn't be that hard to figure out the prime suspects. But everyone seems less and less likely to be the villain or villains. Can Decker's vaunted memory solve the case or will he fail at last?
I've always thought that Decker's hyperthymesia (total memory recall) and colour synesthesia (his 'feeling' in colours) is under-utilized in this series, but his gruff manner is endearing nevertheless. I've even come to appreciate the now regular 'in-joke' where he forgets something. That wasn't quite so evident in this outing, but he does have a time struggling to remember a key clue at one point. New partner Frederica White is a great addition to the cast.
I listened to the audiobook edition and the narration performances by Baldacci regulars Kyf Brewer (all male voices) and Orlagh Cassidy (all female voices) was completely outstanding and earns an extra half star, bumping this into 5 star territory. show less
Walter Nash is a very, very smart man. He heads up a division in his investment firm, making money for his employer -- and for himself -- hand over fist. His necessary attention to his work over the years has had a price: while he loves his wife and daughter and they love him, their relationships with one another are almost professional, as if they're following scripts in a show called "Loving Family." And Nash lost his relationship with his father long ago, which he thinks is due to his show more decision to make tennis his sport of choice rather than football, so even though his father lives just across town, they never see one another. His dad's best friend, Shock, puts a period on this when he gives a sort of eulogy at Nash's father's funeral and lets loose on Nash, condemning him as spoiled and soft.
Still, all could have gone on nicely for pretty much the rest of Nash's life if it weren't that the FBI approaches him and asks him to become an informant about dirty business going on in his firm. They twist his arm really hard, basically telling him that his choice is between informing and then going into witness protection, giving up his cushy life and his financial comfort. Nash can't quite figure out what to do until all of his choices are taken away from him on a truly awful night.
Baldacci writes so well; I could feel Nash's frustration and his sense of having no options when the bad guys corner him. And what follows is breathtaking. But don't look for everything to get settled in this novel: the other half of it, Hope Rises, is due out this spring. I'm looking forward to it. (The book doesn't give you this information going in unless you notice on Amazon's product page that this is the first novel of (at least) two; and even then, knowing that Baldacci uses the same viewpoint character over and over in short series of books, you might not be able to tell that Nash Falls is not complete in itself.)
I was disappointed in one point: I really wanted a story where brains would win out over brawn, but this isn't that book. It put me off enough that this wasn't a five star read for me. But you better believe I'm going to be reading a lot more Baldacci going forward, and I'm not limiting that to Hope Rises. I like the way this guy writes! show less
Still, all could have gone on nicely for pretty much the rest of Nash's life if it weren't that the FBI approaches him and asks him to become an informant about dirty business going on in his firm. They twist his arm really hard, basically telling him that his choice is between informing and then going into witness protection, giving up his cushy life and his financial comfort. Nash can't quite figure out what to do until all of his choices are taken away from him on a truly awful night.
Baldacci writes so well; I could feel Nash's frustration and his sense of having no options when the bad guys corner him. And what follows is breathtaking. But don't look for everything to get settled in this novel: the other half of it, Hope Rises, is due out this spring. I'm looking forward to it. (The book doesn't give you this information going in unless you notice on Amazon's product page that this is the first novel of (at least) two; and even then, knowing that Baldacci uses the same viewpoint character over and over in short series of books, you might not be able to tell that Nash Falls is not complete in itself.)
I was disappointed in one point: I really wanted a story where brains would win out over brawn, but this isn't that book. It put me off enough that this wasn't a five star read for me. But you better believe I'm going to be reading a lot more Baldacci going forward, and I'm not limiting that to Hope Rises. I like the way this guy writes! show less
Okay. This is my "jump the shark" Memory Man book. Reading back over my previous reviews I can see that I was not all that impressed, but could get through them. This one is just plain awful. Decker is pretty much an empty suit, Will Robie and his partner swoop in from their separate series and essentially kick butt and take names, blow up everything in sight and kill bad guys by the dozens every time Decker gets himself in trouble. Robie is basically 007, MacGyver, and Rambo all in one. show more When they get captured by the last remaining bad guy and chained in the basement (who knows why), Robie has lock picks in his belt and plastic explosives and detonators in the heel of his shoe. Groan. And don't get me started on Decker's -- sidekick? Partner? Her only contribution to the story is to tag around after him like a 4-year-old tugging on his shirttail saying Why are we going here? Why are we talking to them? What are we doing this for? Oh you're so difficult, Amos! Gag me!!!!! This is the last Memory Man book I will ever read. I really had to force myself to grind through it--it was torture. I should have quit the first or second time I wanted to. show less
I'd enjoyed 'The 6:20 Man' and 'The Edge' so I had 'To Die For', the third Travis Devine novel, on pre-order. I dived in as soon as it appeared on in my Audible Library and was immediately glad that I'd bought the book. From the opening, I thought it was going to be the best in the series so far. I had no idea what was going on and I wasn't trying to figure it out. I was happy to just enjoy the read, confident that whatever the bad guys were up to, Devine, through a mix of determination, show more sacrifice, violence, empathy, analytical ability and fast reflexes, would find a way to stop them.
The storytelling was a nice mix of mystery and almost cute character-building, spiced with intermittent explosions of violence that Devine has to find a way to survive. It helped that I like Devine. He's a rule follower with empathy and a strong protective streak but without any of Reacher's weirdness. For the first half of the book, 'To Die For' was great entertainment.
BUT...
...reading isn't just about the text, it's about what you bring with you when you're reading the text. 'To Die For' was published on 9th November 2024, so one of the things I brought with me was the outcome of the US Presidential Election four days earlier. That changed my experience of the novel. When, in the second half of the novels, it became clear that a key element of the plot was the attempt by multiple US Federal agencies to frustrate the plans of well-funded and well connect white supremacist domestic terrorist groups to overthrow the government, I had difficulty sustaining my interest. This newly published book suddenly felt atavistic. White supremacists don't need to overthrow the government any more. After Trump's inaugeration, they will BE the government.
I think Baldacci did a great job but I think he built a beach house in the path of the tidal wave of history.
If you can read 'To Die For' as an entertaining thriller, free of the current political context, then I strongly recommend the audiobook version. All of the narrators are good and I really like the techniques of having some of the dialogue spoken by people other than the main narrator. show less
The storytelling was a nice mix of mystery and almost cute character-building, spiced with intermittent explosions of violence that Devine has to find a way to survive. It helped that I like Devine. He's a rule follower with empathy and a strong protective streak but without any of Reacher's weirdness. For the first half of the book, 'To Die For' was great entertainment.
BUT...
...reading isn't just about the text, it's about what you bring with you when you're reading the text. 'To Die For' was published on 9th November 2024, so one of the things I brought with me was the outcome of the US Presidential Election four days earlier. That changed my experience of the novel. When, in the second half of the novels, it became clear that a key element of the plot was the attempt by multiple US Federal agencies to frustrate the plans of well-funded and well connect white supremacist domestic terrorist groups to overthrow the government, I had difficulty sustaining my interest. This newly published book suddenly felt atavistic. White supremacists don't need to overthrow the government any more. After Trump's inaugeration, they will BE the government.
I think Baldacci did a great job but I think he built a beach house in the path of the tidal wave of history.
If you can read 'To Die For' as an entertaining thriller, free of the current political context, then I strongly recommend the audiobook version. All of the narrators are good and I really like the techniques of having some of the dialogue spoken by people other than the main narrator. show less
Lists
Books Read in 2021 (10)
StoryTel 2023 (1)
May Books (1)
StoryTel 2024 (1)
READ in 2023 (1)
Thieves (1)
READ in 2024 (1)
Fiction For Men (2)
Best Beach Reads (1)
Five star books (1)
Christmas Books (1)
Summer Books (1)
Christmas Movies (1)
Movies/Shows (1)
mom (1)
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 220
- Also by
- 29
- Members
- 142,897
- Popularity
- #45
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 3,549
- ISBNs
- 3,315
- Languages
- 28
- Favorited
- 209
