The Escape

What an exemplary novel! David Balducci writes a thriller filled with action, adventure, high tension and intrigue with heart. In his 3rd book with the main character John Puller the author pulls out all the tops in leading the readers down a road in search for the truth of Robert Puller’s innocence or guilt in regards to treason. I think to fully appreciate and relish the book one does need to start at the beginning of the series to fully appreciate the Puller family characters with their family issues, careers, health and experiences.All that goes into building each book with a story that won’t let up and leaves the reader wanting more! While each book can be a story unto itself it is the revelations about each of the Puller family men that enhance each tale. There is emotion in each book not in the forefront but definitely in background in regards to John Puller Sr. and his battle with Dementia.In The Rescue there is one section of the story that really pulled at my heart as the author paints with words a very touching scene between a father and son. Not only is it with the knowledge that slowly these two brothers are losing their parent to a disease that knows no bounds. Having personally gone through in my life I can say that the author does a great job giving his audience a peek at what some people deal with and its affect on a person.I do recommend reading and enjoying the series even with its rare use of foul language. Why? There are many people who love to read all types of books and want to read stories that have grit to them. Yes you can have that without the language, I am just glad he doesn’t liberally dose his stories with the words unlike other novelists. There is patriotism is the book, heart and soul in the characters and a rich plot fraught with a plethora of trails that keep readers like me up till the wee hours of a morning to get to the end!The next book in the series is titled No Man’s Land and I cannot wait to see where the author takes John Puller next!

David Baldacci returns again this year with an exciting thriller, the third of his series featuring John Puller, a former war hero who is one of the best military investigators in the US Army's Criminal Investigative Division. This time Puller is faced with one of the most dangerous and controversial cases of his career - to find a maximum security prisoner from the Leavenworth Military Prison who has made a miraculous escape and left an unknown dead body in his cell. The case is controversial because the escapee is Puller's elder brother Bobby who was convicted by a military court of serious national security crimes.The first couple of chapters about how the escape happened set the scene for an absorbing and exciting chase to work out how and why the escape happened and to find and arrest Bobby. What is surprising is that a trio of top military brass ask Puller to find his brother and bring him back for justice especially as Bobby has an almost eidetic memory of important military secrets. Puller soon finds that the whole thing reeks of conspiracy at the highest level with possible overseas influence within the security agencies of the US. Also he is soon not sure if Bobby was actually guilty of the crimes for which he was imprisoned.Puller is normally a loner but he is forced to work with enigmatic (and of course attractive) US intelligence officer, Captain Veronica Knox who he has problems trusting. Of course she has problems trusting Puller, especially about how he will react when they finally hunt down his brother. The plot has many twists and turns and is great reading. As with other recent Baldacci thrillers the plot sometimes verges on the unbelievable but this time it doesn't go over the believability barrier too much.After  The Forgotten (John Puller series Book 2)  Baldacci has brought John Puller back from looking like a Jack Reacher clone to his military CID roots. Baldacci has the talent to create a number of very different and compelling lead characters and Puller is now towards the top of the list. My main reservation is that Puller is not as charismatic as some of the other ones - especially Oliver Stone and the Camel Club. The finale certainly sets the scene for an interesting return sometime later on.

Baldacci is one of my favorite authors, but with this book he may have moved into first place. While my favorite book of his is not a thriller (Wish You Well) this one comes close to first place.The story will make you think. How small the world has become and what that means for all of us if there is ever a contagious bioterrorism attack is a clear theme. For the first time my thinking on Snowdens release of top secret material was put into question by this book. At what point does national security eliminate or reduce constitutional rights? How can you protect your country when the acts of one person could be catastrophic? Does the end justify the means?Yes this book will make you think and while it may keep you up all night to finish reading it, it may also keep you up all night when you finish because if it doesn't scare you abit you must not be breathing.At the book's heart it is a thriller and the best one I have read in years. The plot moves along quickly with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are so well developed that I can literally see and hear them in my mind.The book is also a story about family, loyalty and the often unfortunate dysfunctional relationship between parent and child. The Father of the main characters has Alzheimer's disease. The horrific effects are clear both to the afflicted and to their loved ones.I can't wait for the next Puller novel. The series just gets better with each book. Baldacci has created a character who is noble, loyal, intelligent and daring but who is most importantly incredibly likeable. Puller is the person one would aspire to emulate. He is not without flaws, but those flaws make him human.

Love this author and never fails when I read his books this was a very good read

This is my current breakfast book. 10 or 15 min of guaranteed pleasure. Always a moment off - "what a great writer". Outstanding research to make the scenes come alive. An ongoing, underlying mystery that has brilliant characters wrapped around it.

Baldacci at his usual best. Fast paced , multiple plots and a page turner.Exactly what you would expect.

Der dritte Beitrag in der John Puller-Serie. Wieder herausragend geschrieben, hochspannend und mit einer guten Portion Humor.

To good, could not keep the book down. 700 pages of rollercoaster. Very interesting. Would like to ready more such books

Para decir la verdad no lo he leido todavia pero lo estoy deseando, esta esperando a las vacaciones. Me encantan todos sus libros y me los he leido practicamente todos, he vivido muchos años en Washington y me trasporta ahi. Baldacchi sabe mucho de los servicios secretos de USA, no todo es fantasía y nos da una certera vision de como funcionan las cosas que normalmente no vemos. Baldacchi es mi escritor favorito para relajrme y evadirme. Es tanto para hombres como para mujeres que no quieren leer libros rosas.