Redemption by David Baldacci

 (Amos Decker #5)

417 pages / 12 hrs

"Amos Decker and his FBI partner Alex Jamison are visiting his hometown of Burlington, Ohio, when he's approached by an unfamiliar man. But he instantly recognizes the man's name: Meryl Hawkins. He's the first person Decker ever arrested for murder back when he was a young detective. Though a dozen years in prison have left Hawkins unrecognizably aged and terminally ill, one thing hasn't changed: He maintains he never committed the murders. Could it be possible that Decker made a mistake all those years ago? As he starts digging into the old case, Decker finds a startling connection to a new crime that he may be able to prevent, if only he can put the pieces together quickly enough..."  --from the publisher

I thoroughly enjoyed this story line mixing past and present cases, and the humanization of Amos Decker. I give it four out of five stars.

Walk the Wire by David Baldacci

Walk the Wire by David Baldacci
(Amos Decker aka Memory Man #6)
432 pages / 11 hrs, 57 mins

"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 also brought a slew of problems with it, including drugs, property crimes, prostitution - and now murder."  --from the publisher

This series has been a favorite for the last few years, but this one didn't seem up to the usual standard. For me, the writing didn't feel true to the established characters. There's one good surprise I enjoyed, but it's a spoiler so I'll keep it to myself. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Redemption by David Baldacci

Redemption by David Baldacci, 432 p.

"Detective Amos Decker discovers that a mistake he made as a rookie detective may have led to deadly consequences in the latest Memory Man thriller in David Baldacci's #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Amos Decker and his FBI partner Alex Jamison are visiting his hometown of Burlington, Ohio, when he's approached by an unfamiliar man. But he instantly recognizes the man's name: Meryl Hawkins. He's the first person Decker ever arrested for murder back when he was a young detective. Though a dozen years in prison have left Hawkins unrecognizably aged and terminally ill, one thing hasn't changed: He maintains he never committed the murders. Could it be possible that Decker made a mistake all those years ago? As he starts digging into the old case, Decker finds a startling connection to a new crime that he may be able to prevent, if only he can put the pieces together quickly enough..."

This latest Amos Decker book had a different vibe than previous ones. Amos' series is my favorite Baldacci series, and we got to see a more vulnerable Amos this story. Alex's usual role as "sidekick" is replaced by his old partner, and they make a great team, but I did miss Alex. I know she's not going anywhere, though! Great addition to the Amos Decker series.

The Fallen by David Baldacci

The Fallen by David Baldacci
(Amos Decker #4)
432 pages / 11 hrs, 56 mins

"Amos Decker and his journalist friend Alex Jamison are visiting the home of Alex's sister in Barronville, a small town in western Pennsylvania that has been hit hard economically.  When Decker is out on the rear deck of the house talking with Alex's niece, a precocious eight-year-old, he notices flickering lights and then a spark of flame in the window of the house across the way.  When he goes to investigate he finds two dead bodies inside and it's not clear how either man died.  But this is only the tip of the iceberg.  There's something going on in Barronville that might be the canary in the coal mine for the rest of the county.

"Faced with a stonewalling local police force, and roadblocks put up by unseen forces, Decker and Jamison must pull out all the stops to solve the case.  And even Decker's infallible memory may not be enough to save them."  --from the publisher

I love the stories in this series!  They are interesting and dramatic, and there is usually a new development late in the plot that gives a good twist.  The female character's dialogue has just about become unbearable for me, though.  She says almost nothing of value as she is used as a device for Decker's brilliance.  I really want a strong, intelligent female character, and there are none to be found.  Come on, Baldacci!