"King and Maxwell" by David Baldacci

BOOK TITLE: King and Maxwell

AUTHOR: David Baldacci

YEAR: 2013

GENRE: Fiction

SUBGENRE: Crime Thriller

GRADE: Pass

Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are a pair of former Secret Service Agents turned Private Investigators who take on a teenage military brat named Tyler Wingo as their latest client. Tyler is told by the Army that his father, Sam, was killed in combat overseas, but he still receives text message and emails from Sam despite this. Sean and Michelle’s snooping around gets them into hot water with the government as well as a vengeful former soldier named Alan Grant. The two private detectives unlock a conspiracy theory that could get both of them killed, or worse, sent to Guantanamo Bay for violating national security. That’s a risk both are willing to take if it means giving Tyler Wingo the peace of mind he deserves.

David Baldacci’s decades of experience shine through in his writing to where even the most oblivious readers can see it. The fast pace, which is a hallmark of any thriller or mystery, is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book. The knowledge of rules and regulations when it comes to dealing with the government? Check. The frustration the detectives feel of putting together scattered pieces of a massive conspiracy puzzle? Double check. Villains and heroes who both know what the hell they’re doing? Triple check. This novel is foolproof when it comes to tying up loose ends and making sure nothing is based on the author doing guesswork. This is a well-crafted mystery that makes perfect sense when the reader gets closer to the end.

Another detail I’d like to applaud is how the clear villain in all of this, Alan Grant, has a sympathetic side to him, thus making him three-dimensional. Villains shouldn’t be evil just for evil’s sake. This poor bastard had parents who committed suicide because of their part in a corrupt military scandal in Iran. Fast forward to the events of the novel and that’s a lot of time Alan Grant had to think about how to plan his ultimate revenge. He served in the Army, so he has combat training down to a science. But fighting in a war that traumatic can only add fuel to his already volcanic fire. If Alan’s suppressed anger was a weapon, it could easily be a nuclear missile. He appears calm and collected in front of his wife, kids, and father-in-law. But inside, he’s hurting so badly that he’s borderline insane. Right or wrong in his actions, there’s no denying that Alan had a raw deal. I can’t hate the guy even though he’s a disgusting villain.

The final part of this novel that I enjoyed had more to do with personal satisfaction rather than overall impact on the story. As part of his revenge plot, Alan Grant buys a broken down radio station and has it completely remodeled. By the time the project is finished, the building has a strong internet signal, satellites and electricity everywhere, security traps that kill upon triggering, soundproof acoustics, and an overall clean feel. I’m a closeted home improvement junkie, so watching all of this take place gave me my fill. I never like to see abandoned buildings get left behind and not used ever again. I can imagine things like abandoned grocery stores becoming heavy metal arenas. I can picture a former Taco Bell building being transformed into a geek store. Hell, in my hometown of Port Orchard, the Blockbuster Video on Mile Hill became the new location for Taco Bell. That’s pretty damn cool in my book. So in addition to writing badass thrillers, David Baldacci might very well be a home improvement nut too. I like that!

King and Maxwell is a quick and satisfying read from cover to cover. It’s action-packed, intelligently-crafted, and character-driven. What more could you ask for in a mystery thriller from a legend in his field? I wouldn’t mind reading other books from the King and Maxwell canon if they’re anywhere near as good as this one. Hell, I might have to branch out into other canons Mr. Baldacci has delved into over the decades. The passing grade this book receives is well-earned!