Hour Game

I asked myself, a third of the way through "The Hour Game," what more could a reader want in a mystery, suspense thriller than what author David Baldacci has offered up in his latest novel? There are two fascinating protagonists with great mutual chemistry, interesting secondary characters, an intriguing plot and a bevy of subplots. Needless to say, I looked forward, with delight, to reading the rest of the book - only to be let down, cruelly. I just hate to be disappointed by a novel. I am an avid reader and pride myself on my ability to concentrate. However, Baldacci introduces so many characters of great import, and more of lesser standing, along with so many plots, subplots, potential plots and all sorts of motives, that I found it difficult to keep them all straight. And this book is far too long! I began to study the novel, actually taking notes, as if it were homework for a class in thermodynamics. Not fun! I just finished reading many positive reviews for "The Hour Game" and am beginning to wonder if I am the only one who was effected negatively. Although I am tempted to fudge a bit on the rating and go with the crowd, I have to call it as I see it. Reviewer's integrity and all that.

Mr. Baldacci introduced us to two disgraced secret service agents in "Split Second," Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Since we last saw them, these two have changed careers and joined forces by becoming partners in a private investigation firm, King and Maxwell, located in small-town Wrightsburg, Virginia. This odd couple, of sorts, is what makes the novel work. Their combined energy, skills, intelligence and humor cannot be beat. King is a "neatnick," everything-in-its-place type. He is a connoisseur of rich food and fine wine, and a steady rock when it comes to dependability. Michelle is a slob! Seriously. Her place is a mess and she is impulsive to boot. A super athlete and health food addict, there's nothing she likes more, (almost), than to row her boat many miles and return to a large spinach salad, multigrain bread and carrot juice. The two respect each other's differences because there's real affection between them. No romance yet...but there are possibilities. To add romantic tension, a former love of King's, the attractive medical examiner, Sylvia Diaz, is introduced - like we really needed another character.

While out jogging Michelle discovers a dead body. The woman's corpse had been posed and a Zodiac watch, which didn't belong to her, was affixed to her wrist. The time was set to one o'clock. Was the killer trying to mimic the infamous Zodiac Killer? Murders #2 and 3 are of a young couple parked and necking at a favorite make-out site. The weapon - a shotgun. A dog collar was left on the floorboard of their car. Is this a Son of Sam copycat? Are the murders related and what is the message and motive? How are the corpses connected? The bizarre killings continue, each scene evoking aspects of former famous serial killers, and each death marked by a precise time. Police Chief Todd Williams deputizes King and Maxwell. The PIs make little sense of it all. There are too many potential suspects, (what are their names, again?), and a dearth of clues. See, I'm not the only one! Maxwell asks, "Why commit murders in similar styles to past killers as a copycat would and then write letters making it clear you're not them?"

During this turmoil, attorney Harry Lee Carrick hires the two detectives to investigate a burglary, allegedly committed by his client, handyman Junior Deavor. The robbery took place on the estate of the town's wealthiest and most formidable family, the Battle clan - Southern gothic at its best. Is the entire family, and their history going back to the civil War, introduced to prop up the plot or to confuse the reader?

Then the puzzles begin. Again, who is/are the killer(s)? Who stole what from whom? Motive(s)? How to keep all the characters straight? Who gets killed next? Will Michelle and Sean ever get together? And so on. I did enjoy some of the novel, especially the interaction and banter between King and Maxwell. The plot concerning the serial killer is interesting, as are some of the characters. Bottom line, if you're a Baldacci fan, you'll probably like this, even the confusing parts. Fans of the mystery, suspense thriller genre, who are patient readers, will also enjoy. As I wrote earlier, maybe it's just me! The one thing I do know is that this novel has potential and could have used a better editor.
JANA

I've read all of David Baldacci's books, although in my opinion each new book is a little less good than the one preceding it. And, having read Hour Game, I may be ready to give up on Baldacci -- or, at leat no longer consider him to be one of my 'must read' authors. The Hour Game starts off with a lot of promise, interesting plot and lots of mystery and excitement. However, the book never lived up to its potential. The plot became too muddled and confusing, too many characters were involved and the interval between anything exciting happening was much too drawn out. While Baldacci's latest is just good enough to finish, it's not a book I'd recommend highly to you.

I dunno, maybe I was spoiled by his earlier books, but this one jams in a lot of murders, a lot of unlikable characters and a couple of action scenes.

THE GOOD NEWS: The action sequences second to none, but they are too few and too late.

THE BAD NEWS: I just gave up keeping all the relationships and motivations straight, not because it gets too complicated (it does) but because you just don't care.

COMPARED TO HIS OTHER WORK: Earlier work had individual plot threads build slowly, gradually coming together until the whole structure becomes clear and then topped off by an race-to-the-finish ending.

THIS TIME: In his attempt to cover TOO much, all the plot threads are short-changed I just didn't care who did what.
Attempts at witty banter between the two heroes falls pretty flat.

His last book (Split Second) was not bad, but this isn't even close to THAT one!

I enjoy a good thriller as much as the next man, and I liked the first couple of Baldacci novels. Hour Game, however, has got to be one of the worst novels I've ever read. It's nothing more than a formulaic, predictive heap of clichés, and even though clichés can sometimes be put to good and effective use by skilful thriller writers, that certainly isn't the case here. One piece of good advice for Baldacci: letting the bad guy kill off all other possible suspects before the halfway point of the novel doesn't exactly increase the suspense.
So, Reader, beware: stay far away from this one. It reads like a very poor B-movie transcribed by an especially unimaginative plagiarist.

I've read most of this author's stuff. This book was not very well done. Confusion predominate and once you figure it out, you no longer care.