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An online marketing consultant, an avid reader of 400 + books a year. Professional reader, reviewer, and blogger. Enjoy ARCs and new releases.
The Last Mile
By: David Baldacci
Series: Amos Decker #2
ISBN: 1455566020
Publisher: Grand Central
Publisher: Grand Central
Publication Date: 4/19/2016
Format: Other
Audio Format
ASIN: B01ATTRBUI
Hachette Audio
Narrated by: Kyf Brewer, Orlagh Cassidy
My Rating: 5 Stars
David Baldacci returns following (2015) Memory Man, landing on my Top 10 Books of 2015 where we met an unforgettable man, Amos Decker. A former pro football player, turned police detective in Burlington, Vermont- <i>Now with the FBI in Virginia. </i>
In THE LAST MILE (#2 Amos Decker) the hero/FBI detective, meets a man on death row- with more in common with his own past than he could ever imagine.
Amos Decker suffers from Hyperthymesia, (perfect recall) -a condition in which an individual possesses a superior autobiographical memory, the ability to recall the vast majority of personal experiences and events in his life. Hence, The Memory Man, from a former brain injury. He has solved the mystery of the murders of his family in Ohio, and still struggles with his past.
Presently, he is on his way east to Texas, as part of a new FBI task force to look at cold cases. He learns of a black man, a legendary college football player, an NFL draft pick, he knew in his past football years---until, his career came to an end, when he was convicted of a violent crime. The double murder of his parents in the small Texas town. This man’s past is shockingly close to Decker's own--he is intrigued.
Melvin Mars was a rising football star in the small Texas southern town. A black mother and white father was murdered. He has been sitting in prison with all his appeals denied.
Now twenty years later, he is on death row, close to The Last Mile. The walk from prison cell to the death chamber. Was this man wrongly convicted? Down to the wire, Mars receives the news—someone else has stepped up and confessed to the crime.
Why now? Is this man the real killer? If not, and the one sitting in jail is innocent—who is the real killer? Why free someone now after twenty years? Mars is afraid they will think he paid this man.
Decker’s boss, Special Agent Ross Bogart and the new team consists of, a journalist, Alexandria Jamison; a clinical psychologist, Lisa Davenport; and Todd Milligan, FBI agent. Mars, also hangs out with Decker to delve deeper into the past. Someone has something to hide. Deadly secrets.
A man on Alabama death row, Charles Montgomery has confessed. If he was going to die anyway, is there a payoff, a motive? This man is an estranged father to a high school son, also a football star, being raised by a single mom in Alabama.
Who wanted Mars out of prison and why?
Decker suspects someone else is controlling this scenario. A bigger picture, more evil and sinister. Parallels with the two stories, surrounded by intense suspense and intrigue. Amos takes risks and will not allow anyone to stand in his way to find truth and justice. Other events occur, adding more layers and danger. What if Mars has to go back to prison?
When a member of Decker’s team goes missing, Decker has to put his powers to the test, to solve this mystery before someone else dies. Where nothing is as it appears.
Baldacci comes back strong after his bestselling Amos Decker #1 with an entertaining and highly emotional whodunit old fashioned mystery!
Plenty of shockers and well-developed characters, an offbeat hero, desperately seeking redemption for Mars, (sharing the limelight) with a past very similar to his own. Mars wants to follow in Decker’s footsteps, with his own agenda of paying it forward.
Multi-layered, compelling, and infused with Southern football, racial injustice, an age-old complex conspiracy, involving the evil masterminds of the three musketeers—with some innovative detective work and wit. Fans will love the Decker/ Mars relationship (hope we see more of these two in the future).
First, if you have not read Memory Man. Stop here, and jump over and meet one of the author’s most creative and amazing characters. You will appreciate #2 after learning the background, even though the author fills in the blanks.
Second, if you prefer audio versus the book, or a combo of both—you are going to love Kyf Brewer (sexy—could listen to him all day) with Orlagh Cassidy (awesome as always, for the female voices). I always pre-order the audio, for the enhanced experience!
As always, when you are dealing with Southern states, settings, and characters, (Alabama, Mississippi, Texas) mixed with dirty politics, greed, wealth, corruption,racism, and injustice—combined with football obsession---there is a multi-layered story of dark secrets and scandal to be uncovered.
Rich in Southern atmosphere, a taste of John Grisham, John Hart, and Greg Iles with the interweaving of dark crimes, lies, and secrets both past and present—mixed with Baldacci’s own trademark style—making for a highly recommended read--an action packed "31st" thriller!
In THE LAST MILE (#2 Amos Decker) the hero/FBI detective, meets a man on death row- with more in common with his own past than he could ever imagine.
Amos Decker suffers from Hyperthymesia, (perfect recall) -a condition in which an individual possesses a superior autobiographical memory, the ability to recall the vast majority of personal experiences and events in his life. Hence, The Memory Man, from a former brain injury. He has solved the mystery of the murders of his family in Ohio, and still struggles with his past.
Presently, he is on his way east to Texas, as part of a new FBI task force to look at cold cases. He learns of a black man, a legendary college football player, an NFL draft pick, he knew in his past football years---until, his career came to an end, when he was convicted of a violent crime. The double murder of his parents in the small Texas town. This man’s past is shockingly close to Decker's own--he is intrigued.
Melvin Mars was a rising football star in the small Texas southern town. A black mother and white father was murdered. He has been sitting in prison with all his appeals denied.
Now twenty years later, he is on death row, close to The Last Mile. The walk from prison cell to the death chamber. Was this man wrongly convicted? Down to the wire, Mars receives the news—someone else has stepped up and confessed to the crime.
Why now? Is this man the real killer? If not, and the one sitting in jail is innocent—who is the real killer? Why free someone now after twenty years? Mars is afraid they will think he paid this man.
Decker’s boss, Special Agent Ross Bogart and the new team consists of, a journalist, Alexandria Jamison; a clinical psychologist, Lisa Davenport; and Todd Milligan, FBI agent. Mars, also hangs out with Decker to delve deeper into the past. Someone has something to hide. Deadly secrets.
A man on Alabama death row, Charles Montgomery has confessed. If he was going to die anyway, is there a payoff, a motive? This man is an estranged father to a high school son, also a football star, being raised by a single mom in Alabama.
Who wanted Mars out of prison and why?
Decker suspects someone else is controlling this scenario. A bigger picture, more evil and sinister. Parallels with the two stories, surrounded by intense suspense and intrigue. Amos takes risks and will not allow anyone to stand in his way to find truth and justice. Other events occur, adding more layers and danger. What if Mars has to go back to prison?
When a member of Decker’s team goes missing, Decker has to put his powers to the test, to solve this mystery before someone else dies. Where nothing is as it appears.
Baldacci comes back strong after his bestselling Amos Decker #1 with an entertaining and highly emotional whodunit old fashioned mystery!
Plenty of shockers and well-developed characters, an offbeat hero, desperately seeking redemption for Mars, (sharing the limelight) with a past very similar to his own. Mars wants to follow in Decker’s footsteps, with his own agenda of paying it forward.
Multi-layered, compelling, and infused with Southern football, racial injustice, an age-old complex conspiracy, involving the evil masterminds of the three musketeers—with some innovative detective work and wit. Fans will love the Decker/ Mars relationship (hope we see more of these two in the future).
First, if you have not read Memory Man. Stop here, and jump over and meet one of the author’s most creative and amazing characters. You will appreciate #2 after learning the background, even though the author fills in the blanks.
Second, if you prefer audio versus the book, or a combo of both—you are going to love Kyf Brewer (sexy—could listen to him all day) with Orlagh Cassidy (awesome as always, for the female voices). I always pre-order the audio, for the enhanced experience!
As always, when you are dealing with Southern states, settings, and characters, (Alabama, Mississippi, Texas) mixed with dirty politics, greed, wealth, corruption,racism, and injustice—combined with football obsession---there is a multi-layered story of dark secrets and scandal to be uncovered.
Rich in Southern atmosphere, a taste of John Grisham, John Hart, and Greg Iles with the interweaving of dark crimes, lies, and secrets both past and present—mixed with Baldacci’s own trademark style—making for a highly recommended read--an action packed "31st" thriller!
Amos Decker #1
1
