Hope Rises

It was just four months ago that I read Nash Falls, the first installment in the Walter Nash series, which left me unsatisfied. That book took me by surprise as it was a left turn from most of the books I had read by David Baldacci. This installment followed along the same lines with increased violence, situational drama and the feeling that nothing is going to end well or even close to satisfying. Surrounded by liars, narcissists, and power-lords with only one objective - make as much money as possible while killing as many people as possible with opioids.

Tasked with completing tasks that no normal mortal would ever contemplate much less take on, Walter Nash, operating as Dillon Hope, is doing just that and not as a singular event. show more His life has become a mission of exacting revenge and he is going to lie with the devil to make it happen.

The manipulation and ability to see the next chess move asked a lot of the reader. Baldacci set and maintained a complicated and sometimes convoluted path which was as disturbing as it was brilliant. The character’s ability to profile each other was as essential as it was confusing, constantly casting a shade of did they get it right or completely wrong. Drawn so it was easy to dislike one and question your empathy for another ratcheted up the psychological burden of who to believe, who to trust.

While this is not going to be my favorite series, I applaud the cunning and intelligence necessary to create this compelling story. Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advance review copy. All opinions expressed are mine. show less

This is the second installment in the new Walter Nash series, which concludes the cliffhanger ending of the first book.

Walter has completed his transformation into a new identity, Dillon Hope, and is collaborating with the FBI to take down Victoria Steers, the head of a crime syndicate and the woman responsible for the murder of his daughter. Posing as her bodyguard to glean information for her ultimate destruction, he develops an unexpected attachment to her.

Intricately plotted, there are twists, turns, and deceit in this thriller.
Baldacci has mastered the hero’s quest for retribution and justice, crafting well-developed characters whose motivations are easily comprehendible. While the story strains credulity at times, it remains a show more suspenseful, action-packed, gripping, and entertaining read.

While this could work as a standalone, I recommend reading the first in the series, Nash Falls, for a deeper understanding of unfolding events.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @GrandcentralPub for the DRC. show less

Gripping sequel brings the thrills.

After a brutal syndicate destroys his life, Walter Nash reinvents himself as Dillon Hope to hunt down the woman he holds responsible, Victoria Steers. He puts himself into her inner circle in a series of manipulations where he becomes a loyal body guard to the woman he intends to kill. Once embedded, he finds that things are not exactly as they first seemed. He must decide how far to go and whom to trust as he navigates the lethal tightrope he must walk to stay alive and get his revenge for all that was taken from him.

This was a gritty and fast-paced story that was full of action and double cross. Nash, as Dillon Hope, has become a cold and calculated operative who must be alert to every changing and show more challenging situation as he penetrates Victoria’s world. There is a nonstop action and lots of tension as he tries to stay one step ahead of the nefarious plotting of all of the different factions and people involved in the crime world. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters that might be good or bad at any moment. There was psychological tension as Walter grapples with the morality of what he’s doing and the choices he’s making. It’s definitely engaging and kept my interest. I’m hoping there will be another in this series as I don’t feel that his story has ended with all the tumult and changes.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The full cast of six narrators were simply amazing and brought the book to life. The dramatic flair, the accents, the performances all contributed to make this one of the best audio books I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. I’d highly recommend everyone enjoy this as I did as it was a truly immersive experience that enhanced my pleasure in the story. show less

I am absolutely loving this series from David Baldacci!

Walter Nash, working under the alias of Dillon Hope, is on the road to revenge after becoming an informant for the FBI against a global criminal operation headed up by Victoria Steers. Steers has ripped everything Nash held dear away from him. He has nothing left to lose.

Talk about twisty in more ways than one! This is going to be hard to review without giving something away.

Through a previous employer Nash becomes a body guard for Victoria Steers. And it is not like he has been given a choice about it. But let me tell you, Steers is an enigma! One minute you are terrified of her, and the next you are feeling sorry for her. Trust me! You need to read this to find out!

The story moves show more quickly with lots of action, misconceptions, fabulous characters and twists that keep you guessing. You do not want to miss this one!

I received this novel for a honest review. show less

Hope Rises by David Baldacci is a highly recommended thriller and the follow up to Nash Falls (2025), which ended on a cliff hanger. In the case of this series, you need to read Nash Falls before starting Hope Rises in order to understand everything that is going on, as well as the backstory.

Walter Nash, an informant for the FBI, has transformed himself and is now using the alias of Dillon Hope. He is working as a body guard for the despicable Rhett Temple but his ultimate goal is to take down Victoria Steers and her global criminal operation. As Temple's body guard he accompanies him to Hong Kong at the bidding of Steers. She informs the two that plans are in place for them to free her mother, Masuyo, from a prison in Myanmar. While show more Nash seeks vengeance, Temple believes following her orders, of which there is no choice, will result in him being able to disassociate from her. Nash knows she will never release her power over anyone, yet being on the inside will potentially give him access to destroy her.

That's all I'm going to say in order to avoid major spoilers. Let me reiterate, to appreciate Hope Rises you must read Nash Falls first. It's a wild ride to get there, but the loose ends are all tied up here.

This is another well-written novel that is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of twists, however, I'll be the first to proclaim that you need to set aside a healthy heaping amount of disbelief while reading. The chapters are short, helping keep the action and plot moving along quickly. There were certain developments which, admittedly, required the acceptance of more turn of events than I was willing to acquiesce to and this did lessen my interest somewhat as it changed some of Nash's original goals.

Hope Rises is a great, twisty thriller to read for everyone who was left hanging after reading Nash Falls. 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/2026/03/hope-rises.html show less

Hope Falls Flat.

The antagonist was so evil and so blatant about it that all I could think of was the character DR.Evil from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. I kept giggling every time I saw Victoria Steers name. The plan for them to break her Mother out of 'jail' was so convoluted that it also had me giggling.

I just don't think I'm the right audience for this novel. What is really too bad is that David Baldacci used to be one of the authors that I would automatically buy. No more.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author and NetGalley.

Hope Rises by David Baldacci
Walter Nass series #2. Thriller. Best read in series order.
When Walter Nass’s daughter is kidnapped, he turns to an ex military friend of his late father’s to remake himself into a lethal killing machine. His goal is to take down the woman responsible for destroying his life, Victoria Steers. Her criminal empire is closely guarded, but Walter is determined to find away in. He will have to rethink his motives and choices when he gets closer than expected.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by a full cast of MacLeod Andrews, Will Collyer, Shiromi Arserio, Christine Lakin, Larry Herron, and Tim Lounibos. The performances with the varying voices makes this feel like a dark twister on Broadway, watching show more the characters weave and dodge the danger around the corner.
I listen at 1.5 to 1.7 to be able to read along with a print version.

Riveting and tense.
An absolute must if you read the first book. Listen and find out how Nash survives the ruthless steel of Victoria Steers.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio. show less