To Die For

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, 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 show more 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

You have to know that there is going to be violence and mayhem when the book opens with the protagonist wondering “how many more minutes he may have to live.” Travis Devine is in the sniper’s scope, he is a minute and heartbeat from losing again to “The Girl on the Train”. Remember her? Yup, she’s back and keeps popping up at the most in opportune times for Devine. I loved the continuity and the reintroduction of characters as well as many of the newcomers.

This third installment in the 6:20 Man series is equally twisted, inhabited with power hunger and evil villains, begging the real question of “how do you prove the truth…..what is it even?” If I had one complaint or negative comment about the story it would be just show more that - “There’s so much crap flying around, disinformation, people screaming fake news….” Sound just like all day, every day and that is the shame. Who to believe? Who to trust? Who is friend, foe and don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. Loved the ending.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a copy. show less

To Die For, the third installment in David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series follows former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine, who is now employed by the Office of Special Projects (a stealth operation under the DHS), on his new mission, which takes him to the US West Coast. Danny Glass, a decorated former military man presently under investigation for RICO charges, is applying for guardianship of his recently; orphaned twelve-year-old niece Betsy Odom, and Travis is tasked with Betsy’s safety in collaboration with the FBI and supervising her visits with her uncle. Travis soon realizes that there is more to Betsy’s parents’ death than meets the eye and Danny’s enemies might be targeting her next. What follows is a complex web of show more murder, cover-ups, corruption, government secrets and much more! Complicating matters further is “The Girl on the Train,” who, after two failed attempts, is only more determined to complete her mission to kill Travis.

Complex plotting, compelling characters, action-packed drama ( I don’t mind suspension of disbelief!) and intrigue that keeps the reader frantically turning pages – David Baldacci thrillers seldom disappoint and the author’s latest offering is no exception. A lot is going on in this novel and initially, I was a bit confused with how the different threads of the story were related, but the author deftly ties it all together as the mystery is unraveled. Travis Devine is an interesting protagonist – a former military man with a heart of gold who would do everything in his power to see that justice is served. As in the author’s other series, facets of the protagonist’s backstory are woven into the present timeline, making for strong character development throughout the series. Betsy, the precocious twelve-year-old, was a handful (I could sympathize with her plight), and I enjoyed seeing her opening up as the plot progressed. I should mention that the direction of the “The Girl on the Train” track did surprise me and I do feel that some aspects of her story remain a mystery and I would have liked to get to know more about her. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of this genre.

Needless to say, I’ll eagerly await the next book in this series (and/or the next book in any of the author’s series).

Please note that though this installment would work well as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of past events mentioned in the course of this novel.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. show less

Wow, did I ever get lucky with this book! It was the most excitement I've had in ages. This was a fun read, and it may be the last in this series of books. I'm not sure, but the reason I say so is becuase things may be finished with the storyline of Travis Devine and The Girl On The Train! I hope Mr. Baldacci will give us a book with Travis and Pru working together throughout the entire book. Or even make it a tiny little romance.

The only issue I had with this book, which may only be an issue with the ARC, is that we didn't have 50 states in the 1920s. That happened in the '50s. What can I say? I'm a stickler for details!

Other than that little thing-this was an excellent action-packed novel with a fabulous and intricate mystery, show more wonderful characters, and excellent dialogue.

If this is not a trilogy but a series, you can better believe that I will be the first in line eagerly awaiting its release!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Grand Central Publishing, the author, and NetGalley show less

To Die For by David Baldacci is a very highly recommended action thriller and the third book in the Travis Devine series. Don't miss this one!

Ex-Army Ranger Travis Devine, the 6:20 Man, is sent to the Pacific Northwest to aid the FBI in protecting/escorting twelve-year-old orphan Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, wealthy businessman Danny Glass. Right now the FBI has temporary guardianship of Betsy, but Glass has applied to become the girl’s legal guardian after the death of her parents. Currently Glass is under investigation for RICO charges. Devine just happened to know Glass from years ago when they were both serving in the military.

After meeting Betsy, questions begin to arise about what really happened to her parents. Their show more death is being called an overdose but Betsy insists her parents never did drugs. She begs Devine to look into what really happened to her parents, which requires a trip to Ricketts. The small town exudes an suspicious, corrupt vibe right from the start and becomes a very dangerous place for Devine, who calls himself "a closer, snooper, fixer, investigator,” and, when necessary, a killer." Oh, and "the girl on the train" is still after Devine.

To Die For is a compelling, well-written, fast-paced, well-plotted, riveting, action packed thriller that will hold your complete attention throughout. Even though it is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone novel, at which point you will likely want to read the previous two books, The 6:20 Man and The Edge. There is so much going on in the novel but it is so well written that the complications are easy to follow as you race through the pages to see what happens next.

Betsy is hands down a wonderful, memorable character. She's twelve-years-old, but as Devine says, she's going on forty-two and mature beyond her years. The rest of the supporting cast is equally interesting. All the characters are portrayed as fully realized individuals.

Non-stop action, an engrossing, complicated plot, interesting characters, and a great ending equal a superb action thriller. I certainly hope there is a fourth book in the series. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/10/to-die-for.html show less

Travis Divine Is sent by the FBI to Seattle to help resolve a custody issue regarding 12 year-old Betsy Odom who was recently orphaned when her parents were killed in their car in which she was a passenger. Her only relative is an uncle, Danny Glass, who is being investigated for major RICO charges. She had never met him. He is extremely wealthy with a criminal background, but wants to become her guardian.
Travis also has little experience or 12 year-old girls, especially one who has gone through all the trauma Betsy has in a short life.
Several witnesses regarding the charges have been murdered.
Meanwhile, Divine Is still being sought by The Girl on the Train from a previous case.
According to the autopsy report, Betsy’s parents died show more of a drug overdose. Betsy claims her parents never used drugs. Her father did not hold jobs very long and they moved around a lot.
When they get to the small Washington town near Seattle where Betsy’s parents died, Travis discovers very dangerous situation. While the town has a small population, it has spent a lot of money on government buildings and equipment. Officials and many people have an unusually tight relationship.
As he gets deeper into the case, he finds he is in a more dangerous situation but his top priority is protecting Betsy.
The last half of the book is quite intense and time sounds like what’s happening in the United States now. TO DIE FOR has Baldacci’s usual dangerous situations. It also has a plot line that is quite a warning. It is well written and flows very smoothly. show less

To Die For: A Must-Read Thriller! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Baldacci has done it again! "To Die For" is a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The plot is intricate and fast-paced, with twists and turns that I never saw coming. Baldacci's writing is, as always, top-notch. He has a knack for creating complex and compelling characters that you can't help but root for.

Travis Devine is a fantastic protagonist. He's a former Army Captain haunted by his past but determined to do the right thing. He's smart, resourceful, and tough, but also vulnerable and compassionate. I found myself completely invested in his journey to uncover the truth.

The mystery surrounding Betsy Odom's parents' deaths is captivating. show more The police ruled it a drug overdose, but there are too many unanswered questions. Why were they cremated so quickly? What was in the duffel bag they received before their deaths? Devine's investigation takes him to the small town of Ricketts, a place full of secrets and lies. I loved the atmospheric setting and the sense of danger that permeated every page.

The supporting characters are equally well-developed. Danny Glass, Betsy's uncle, is a complex and enigmatic figure. He's wealthy and powerful, but there's a darkness to him that makes you question his motives. The Girl on the Train, a mysterious figure who helps Devine, adds another layer of intrigue to the story.

Baldacci masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, keeping you guessing until the very end. The action is intense, the suspense is palpable, and the ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking. "To Die For" is a must-read for fans of thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I highly recommend it!

The full Deep Dive review of this book can be watched from our YouTube channel…
https://youtu.be/hF40XatUZz0 show less