End Game: David Baldacci (Will Robie series, 5)

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As some of the characters are supposed to make an appearance in his other series on Amos Decker ( Memory Man), I wanted to wrap this one up and not run the risk of missing anything. As soon as the teen in the first instalment left the series the characters lose their suspension of disbelief around how they speak to one another. Together, the sexual tension seems almost unbearable, but it does not detract from the plot and cutthroat nature of the mission. The climactic reveal was not much interesting as well, a bit so so, at least compared to the previous books, especially coming right after the jawdropping chilling final reveal and overall mystery of the A-plus greatness that was The Guilty. I almost never do, preferring to remain silent rather than dinging another person's work, but when an author who I know has talent and ability puts out something this bad I felt compelled to speak up.

Many of the main characters are ultimately irrelevant, the villains are too cookie-cutter and lack depth, and the setting isn't particularly exciting. The story moves along at break-neck speed, moving from one action packed scene to another in staccato fashion. I plan to go back and read the third and fourth books in the series, The Target and The Guilty but am not necessarily in a hurry. Interestingly he worries briefly about his lack of humanity – having had a glimpse at the alternative the last time we met him… on a more personal mission.Will's unaided and quick 'disposal' of 17 bad guys in just a few minutes at the beginning of the book (not a spoiler) was so unbelievable that it was surely facetious. They retrace him to his hometown where they discover he grew up before leaving for an Ivy League school and bigger and better things. From a writing standpoint, the execution rather quickly dives into - and stays in - the realm of "you've got to be kidding. All things considered, if you're looking for serious kick-assction (I made that one up to avoid getting censored, so hopefully you get my drift), it would be tough to beat this book. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable journey for the reader to follow their journey and try to solve the mystery before they do.

David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. Learning of a troubled childhood, Robie and Reel discover new respect for the man who has been leading them on numerous missions. As Will and Jessica work the clues, suspects and background information is revealed piece by piece, and the two argue and bicker over Jessica being distant from Will without explanation.

The Agency Director sends Will and Jessica to investigate and find their handler before any state secrets are lost, but Grand is not just any other small town.

With over 130 million copies in print, his books are published in over 80 territories and 45 languages, and have been adapted for both feature-film and television. The local sheriff and her deputy and even the state troopers tend to take a ‘hands-off’ approach when dealing with the groups, knowing they’re is significantly outnumbered. She has a weak side, but does not reveal it easily, though when she does, it almost seems a let-down. I'm hooked on this series, but this installment wasn't as gripping or fast paced as the previous stories. When Reel and Robie arrive, they find a town with a stagnant economy, an understaffed police force, and camps recruiting people with dangerous ideologies.

I could see things playing out and was impressed with the pace and forward movement, but cannot say that I was kept up late into the night reading or wondering. Then over the years they had ground into him a whole other being, still possessing the basics plus a spectrum of skills that most people could never imagine, much less achieve. Will even mentions (early on) the reason he’s such a deadly weapon is that he’s not afraid of death.