The Sixth Man (King & Maxwell Series, 5) Mass Market Paperback – March 1, 2012

Edgar Roy is an enigmatic individual. With his total recall of the past and ability to process multiple streams of real time data simultaneously, he has become the nation’s foremost guard against terrorism: he sees the possibilities of future events like no one else. He should be a national treasure. But lesser individuals, departments, and private security companies don’t see it that way. He supplanted them to some extent and has hurt their reputations and earning power. Needless to say, those entities are hardly disappointed when Roy is arrested for killing and burying six bodies on his farm.Fortunately, Roy’s lawyer hires Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to assist him in proving Roy’s innocence. But immediately the case takes a bizarre turn when the lawyer is found murdered by King and Maxwell. They quickly realize that powerful forces are arrayed against them finding Roy innocent or even surviving prison, even to the point that their lives are in danger. It is a veritable minefield that they must negotiate to stay alive and identify who are behind the downfall of Roy.It is a fast moving, interesting story. It is the first book after King and Maxwell have become something more than work partners.

I loved this book. The intrigue, suspense and electrifying nature of the story kept my rapt interest throughout the story. It begins with a new way of analyzing intelligence data from all over the world by discovering those rare savants who are able to absorb enormous amount of data and process them akin to a modern computer, but with human intelligence. This person that is capable of performing these analyses becomes an invaluable asset to the country that he serves. The person who discovered this technique began selling consultancy to the American government for enormous amounts of money. Peter Bunting was the discoverer of this method, and indeed, he became exceedingly rich and his asset, Edgar Roy became a desirable asset to have control over for those who had less than the country’s interest at heart. So an elaborate plan was devised by persons way high in the government food chain to frame Edgar Roy for serial murders, have him incarcerated and eventually spring him for use on their own nefarious intents. Enter Maxwell and King, private investigators, hired by the attorney who will represent Roy to perform investigations relative to the case. Immediately into the story, the attorney is murdered, their lives become in danger, and everyone who touches the Edgar Roy case is a target. Unraveling this unusual set of circumstances becomes a page turning thriller that is difficult to put down. So many turns of events take place that it is dizzying, but exceptionally interesting. For pure intrigue, this book delivers.

I'll admit King & Maxwell are not a favorite of mine and I'm not sure why I keep reading them, but I have downloaded all of Baldacci's books so I feel I must. It was slow going at first and I must agree with others about the "strange" writing style, it was very off putting; especially during dialogue when it was difficult to keep track who was speaking what lines---it seemed more like written dialogue for a movie than a novel. That being said, the last quarter of the book made it a worthwhile read but I could have done without the sappy ending.

I think the interplay between King & Maxwell has been one of the best things that has continued through the King & Maxwell series, and in this book it was no different. Without saying much about what happens, the continued building of the relationship between the two protagonists is the reason this book is one of the better ones in the series. The main mystery was built like an onion, filled with many layers, and I was surprised at Baldacci's ability to ensure the mystery itself stayed a mystery, but didn't weave too many uncomprehendable strings that weren't tied up. It seemed at all times he knew the end game, and it worked very well. The biggest difficulty at times I had was he called a main female character by her last name, which happened to be a man's name and at times I forgot that was her last name and thought it was a man who I didn't know; probably bad on my part, but it was the one confusing thing in the narrative.

The Sixth ManThis is the fifth book in David Baldacci’s series featuring retired Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Now working as private investigators they have to draw extensively on the skills they developed as Federal Agents.There is intense competition within the intelligence community between the for-profit private companies and the different federal agencies. There are billions of dollars at stake. Suddenly there is a relatively new kid on the block and they are putting together excellent analysis that is benefiting the United States. Despite this positive outcome not everyone is happy with the situation and want to change things back to how they were.King and Maxwell are asked to assist a lawyer friend who is defending someone accused of six murders. The accused is a strange individual who refuses to speak to anyone about the charges against them. Despite this setback King and Maxwell soon realise that there is a lot more to this case than they initially realised. Then the bodies start to build up.In a fast-moving drama that ranges across the United States King and Maxwell endeavour to establish the truth whilst seeking to avoid becoming casualties of the forces that range against them. The quest for truth whilst ideal seems to come second against the desire for power and the attraction of cash. Will King and Maxwell become victims of these dynamics.Excellent book.

I have been a fan of David Baldacci for years although it is a while since I last read one of his books. When I think of Baldacci I think of Absolute Power and the brilliant job Clint Eastwood made of the movie. So it was with a degree of excitement and anticipation that I finally got around to The Sixth Man. The opening sequence threw me...highly implausible. But I thought 'Okay. Futuristic stuff. Outside my ken. Soldier on." But then we meet the two protagonists, male and female detective partners. Again, I began to feel uneasy. Where was the chemistry between these two, the sparkling wit and repartee, the charisma that draws us to them? It wasn't there. Gosh! This is disappointing. I couldn't help thinking. "Any review will have to be headed: Not up to his usual standard." Baldacci is not a hopeless writer by any means and in the end the story gathers momentum, has its share of mystery and thrills, and gradually does grab hold of the reader. But this is Baldacci, not just any old writer. Am I raving about this story? Do I want to contact all my friends and say, as I did with Absolute Power, "You really need to get your hands on this book?" I'm afraid not. Had I not known who the author was, I would probably have rated it as a good story. But I do know who the writer is and it isn't Baldacci as I once knew him. Anyone reading this won't hate it, but I doubt if they will be raving about it either. Feel free to give it a go but temper your expectations.

I ordered this because I've been watching the TV series "King & Maxwell" which I am really enjoying. I thought I'd read the original novel and compare how different it is from the TV series. Well, yes, it is quite a bit different, but TV plots are always less layered than the original novels they're based on. If I'm perfectly honest, I'm intrigued that the TV character Edgar has autism as my son has a mild form - it's refreshing to see a show where the talents of an autistic person is showcased. It didn't come over so strongly that the character was an autistic savant in the novel, where it just focuses on his incredible memory, so I'm guessing the author's original intention was different, though perhaps based on an autistic savant. So the novel stands on its own as a piece of work.Did it keep me reading? Yes, it did. It only took me a day or so to read it, and as I'm dyslexic I have to read every word. What I found was that it was so pacey that it just swept me along with it. The only (and it was a very slight annoyance) is that would-be authors like myself get told, "You won't get published unless you edit your writing like this/that/whatever", yet David Baldacci does all the things we're told not to and still gets published! But seriously, a really enjoyable novel that bowls along furiously - I'll be checking out some more of his stuff when I have a bit more time.

I have enjoyed this series, as I have done other books from this author. He keeps you on your toes working out the twists and red herrings, together with plenty action and a little romance. I, personally, am grateful for not having to read every grunt and groan and explicit sexual details. If I wanted that I would buy bodice rippers not criminal books. Thank you for many entertaining stories that make my brain get some exercise too.

I really enjoyed this next PI King & Maxwell. Normally it takes me a day to read a book, but the detail in this that can't be skipped, is so intense. It ended up as a good two-day read - for me that was exceptional. The plot creeps up on you, you are really never sure who is on what side of who is watching whom. The ending was superb.I really recommend this to fans of Baldacci initially, but to all those who enjoy a good covert op/political intrigue/futurist novel. It has elements of them all.Bit disappointed by some of the other reviews as I felt it merited at least 4 stars. I withheld the last star as it was not as good as his "Camel Club" series standard, but I think the relationship between Michelle and Sean is really developing - looking forward to the next one in this series as well as the next Baldacci.As a point of irrelevant interest, I began reading David Baldacci with his novel "The Christmas Train", one I have used as a gift for many friends as an introduction to this wonderful author. He has been very undervalued in the UK which I find unusual for this genre. He is an overall excellent author and well worth reading some of his earlier novels to get into his style of writing.