Walk the Wire
Book - 2020
When Amos Decker and his FBI colleague Alex Jamison are called to London, North Dakota, they instantly sense that the thriving fracking town is ripe for trouble. The promise of a second gold rush has attracted an onslaught of newcomers all hoping for a windfall, and the community is growing faster than houses can be built. The sudden boom has also brought a slew of problems with it, including drugs, property crimes, prostitution - and now murder.
Publisher:
New York : Grand Central Publishing, â™2020.
ISBN:
9781538761465
Characteristics:
422 pages ;,24 cm.


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Add a CommentAlthough the first part of the book seemed a slower pace than most Baldacci works, I loved how Baldacci brought two of his series together with Will Robbie's appearance, followed by Jessica and Blue Man. I enjoyed it and am now waiting on the next Baldacci novel.
As I'm a bit of a Baldacci fan, this was a big disappointment. I couldn't wait to finish plowing through it.
Whomever wrote this book should've done some research on "frackers", It's hard to get into a book with such crazy statements. No wonder so many people have misguided opinions about the oil industry
I had just read "Yellow Earth" by John Sayles when I picked up this novel. Both are about the fracking industry in North Dakota, the booms and busts that make a maelstrom of individual lives. Of the two, I prefer Sayles' novel, and by a good bit.
As with most prolific writers, Baldacci has his ups and downs in terms of quality. This one is down. The most glaring wrong note was the inclusion of Robie and Ryals, two characters from another of his series. They serve as Deus Ex Machina as they do their thing in an overlapping story. Other readers point out that this book could have been two different books, and it detracts from Memory Man. Since I'm not a fan of high body count Robie, this is not the book for me- and maybe not you, either.
Disappointed in the 'muddiness' of characters and plots in parallel throughout the book. Not the usual Baldacci I have read and enjoyed. It would have been better in 2 books.
Another great Memory Man novel but you need to pay close attention to this one! I agree with some critics thaqt this could have been two separate novels!
I have read all of Baldacci's books and loved most...This one is a far cry from any of his previous books. Is he asleep at the wheel or is someone else writing for him now, i.e., like Patterson.
CL_kcls (below) expresses my opinion totally!
I too was excited to see Will and Jessica and Blue Man, but this is almost two books in one. A LOT of killings, multiple plots and perpetrators.
I had to re-read the ending just to sort out who did what.
Think this book got overloaded. Acceptable, but not over 3 stars.
A bit slow and convoluted. It drags on , through the middle part. Too many unnecessary characters and plot twists which seem to be there only as filler. Jamison seems a bit weak. Definitely not one of Baldacci's best. Three stars is maybe too generous.
I was excited to read the newest Amos Decker and Alex Jamison book, 'Walk the Wire'. Then, Baldacci added Robie, Reel and Blue Man to what appeared to be an interesting case made more interesting by their appearance!
But, Decker himself inadvertently summed up the truth about 'Walk the Wire very well: "Every time he felt he was gaining traction, another event would force them into an entirely new direction. Part of that was happenstance, he was sure. And he was also certain that part of it was intentional."
No kidding.
There are more wayward plots in this book than mole tunnels in my yard. Most of them are irrelevant to the initial case, yet they all come to near immediate resolution, some before you know it happened. At one point, I thought I put my bookmark in the wrong place and missed something big. I didn't. And frankly, you don't need a flow chart to keep track of my moles, but you will with all the characters, plots and moving parts in Walk the Wire.
Amos Decker seems to be missing a step or two. He is more bumbling than we know him to be. Baldacci subtly hints his condition is changing. If that's so, it makes Decker less interesting, at least in this book.
My other disappointment with 'Walk the Wire' is the utterly banal and sophomoric writing that's so unlike David Baldacci, especially the dialogue between characters. "I loved you," shouted Southern, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Like I have never loved anyone ever. I was looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you."
"Liz, You were very special to me. So kind and supportive. But. . . killing people and saying you did it for me? That's . . . you can't do that. It's wrong. You know that."
Southern tightened her grip on Dawson's throat. "I loved you. That's why I did it. It was all for you! You!"
Gag. Especially in the particular circumstances in which that conversation takes place.
Despite characters I enjoy immensely, I am sad to say 'Walk the Wire' is not up to par.
A gracious 3 stars. Do better, Baldacci.