Cover Image: Walk the Wire

Walk the Wire

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Member Reviews

The book was archived before our group could download it. We are sure that we would have enjoyed the book judging from the reviews it has received.

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Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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I have read all of David Baldacci's books, and once again I was not disappointed. The book was a thrilling read and I can't wait to read the next offering he brings. Recommended.
TB

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I hate to admit this, but this is the first book I have read in this series and I think I must be disadvantaged. I thought this was an OK read, but I am going to go back to read the books from the beginning. Recommended.

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Amos Decker an FBI agent with a perfect memory and his partner Alex Jamison are sent to solve a murder in London, North Dakota. This town has been through many changes but presently is a thriving fracking town. The agents are called to help the local detective solve the murder of Irene Cramer. Irene had not long loved in London and appeared to be a prostitute by night but a beloved teacher for a local religious sect by day. Most unusually her body seems to have been autopsied before being dumped in an alley. This is the beginning of some very odd happenings in this close knit town. With the town almost completely owned by two quite ruthless business men.
Although this is the 6th Decker novel, I read this as a stand alone. David Baldacci is a fabulous writer who keeps you hooked from start to finish and every time you think you have a handle on the story, you turn the page and realise you’re completely wrong. I will definitely be going back to read all the previous novels.

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#WalktheWire #NetGalley Another brilliant read from David Baldacci, he just keeps getting better and better. I love the Amos Decker series and really like the characters of Decker and Jamieson. There is so much action and plot twists and turns that you won't want to put the book down. The addition of some characters from one of David Baldacci's other thriller series was a superb addition. Cant wait for the next installment (of either !). A page turning 5 stars

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Great book as always, was great to meet old friends again, plenty of twists in the plot that kept me guessing until the very end. As I got closer to the end, I did get a bad feeling about one character, but nothing I could put my finger on. Glad that the feeling turned out to be correct. David Baldacci is one of my favourite authors - he never lets you down.

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Another great read from David Baldacci - this is a perfect escapism. Loved all the twists and turns, overlapping characters and story lines.

Didn't see the ending coming either which was an added bonus.

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Walk the wire is the next excellent book in the Amos Decker series. Having only read the Decker books by David Baldacci this book has made me want to read other series, especially the Robie series who made an appearance in this book.
Based in London, North Dakota, Irene Cramer was murdered and Decker and Jamieson where called in to investigate as her death raised a red flag to the FBI. But nothing is straight forward when more and more information comes to light appearing completely unconnected until Decker does what he does best and connects the dots but not before an even higher death count and protecting millions in the surrounding area.

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A hunter stumbles upon an already-autopsied body. A former FBI detective is on the case with his partner and goes to a town called London (not the English London). It's an unsophisticated, rough town, seeming to exist and survive because of fracking. 'It's like the Gold Rush of 1849, only on steroids.' Our hero further adds '...the ordinary rules of civilisation don't necessarily apply up here.' And so begins an investigation into the sordid goings on inside a town that attracts a whole host of unsavoury sorts. Plus a secret military base. Must not forget that.

Baldacci creates a complex case with plenty of potential suspects as the investigation takes on many issues, fracking being one of them. The victim has a mysterious past, which no doubt explains why an out-of-town detective team is called in as opposed to the local police force. Her identity, where and why why she died are far-reaching questions that make it virtually impossible for the reader to guess the outcome.

The plot is made clearer by the uncluttered and adjective-free narrative, so it is easy to follow. There are a few outdated tropes such as the strong, cold, lantern-jawed men and every woman being measured by her level of attractiveness, but generally the characters are quite well drawn. A clever technique is that he includes a couple of characters from his other books (and series) so adding that extra depth and hook. The dialogue is direct and plentiful; action and pace just right.

A great addition to the series of detective books. This story is much more than a simple whodunnit demonstrating the skill of the author, which in turn is reflected in David Baldacci's successful career.

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I love David Baldacci's Amos Decker character. Such a unique slant on characterisation and now that we're onto the sixth book in the series it pleases me to see that Baldacci has been able to evolve Decker's character in new and exciting ways. In Walk The Wire, Decker and Alex Jamieson are sent on a mission but given no guidelines to follow or told exactly what their mission is ...

I loved this thrilling read. Over the series I've grown very attached to Amos Decker and am pleased with the way Baldacci has adapted his character as the series progresses.

In Walk The Wire, Baldacci has delivered what he always does: a fast paced, multi layered, exciting novel. But what he's alos done is explore the very real human conditions that make these sorts of novels so believable.

This novel is completely unlike any of the other Decker novels in that, Alex and Decker are working on their own ... or are they? I don't want to drop a spoiler , so I'll say no more on that one, although I think Baldacci fans will be pleased!!!

Baldacci pulls off the top notch, super intrigue extremely well, with revelations and high adrenalin fuelled scenes that will leave your heart pounding.

This is a highly recommended read.

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My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Walk the Wire’ by David Baldacci in exchange for an honest review.

This is the sixth in Baldacci’s series of crime thrillers featuring FBI consultant Amos Decker, the Memory Man. While this was the first that I have read in this series, enough background was provided so that I didn’t feel lost.

A woman’s body is discovered by a hunter in the North Dakota Badlands. The hunter is shocked to see that someone has performed a post-mortem on her already. When her fingerprints are processed it triggers alarm bells at the FBI.

Decker and his colleague, Special Agent Alex Jamison, are despatched to London, North Dakota to find answers. London is a centre of the fracking industry and its inhabitants hold explosive secrets. Quite quickly there is an impressive body count.

Three characters from his Will Robbie series also made an appearance in North Dakota and assist Amos and Alex on this case. Another Baldacci series to add to my want to read list!

I have read a number of thrillers by Baldacci and have found all of them to be tightly plotted, full of action and the kind of novels that are almost impossible to put down. ‘Walk the Wire’ had plenty of interesting twists and certainly kept me guessing.

The only thing that surprised me was that there was no mention of the impact of fracking upon the environment or on the Native American communities of North Dakota. No protests, just boom town profits. Perhaps including such would have over complicated the plot or brought in thorny political issues.

I was fortunate on its publication day to be able to borrow the audiobook edition from our local e-library and so did a dual read/listen in less than 24 hours.

Baldacci’s novels always provide me with hours of fast paced escapism and I hope that I can catch up on the earlier books in this series over the coming months.

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Irene Cramer was a school teacher, albeit a very dead one, and her prints caused so much concern at the FBI that Amos Decker and Alex Jamison were sent post haste to London to find out what she had done to get herself killed.

London conjures up images of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament unless, of course you've been sent to London, North Dakota where it's fair to say things look a little different! It's either hot and humid or packed with ice and snow. Decker has to contend with the humidity as his case moves through so many different guises he isn't sure what he is actually looking for! When his life is saved by a stranger who introduces himself as Will Robie it seems, even by Decker's standards, life is about to get more than a little complicated.

This is a great read, it starts off deceptively slowly but as all the various threads are revealed it becomes clear just how clever the various plotlines are and how well they fit together. I have to admit to not having read the Will Robie series of books but it didn't matter, his place in the Baldacci universe was clearly explained. I thought Decker was the epitome of enigmatic but then Will Robie arrived in London and everything changed.

There are a great many threads to this story, the main one I worked out but it was definitely an exception to the rule because the rest of the solutions were satisfyingly surprising. Once again David Baldacci nails the characterisation. The main protagonists are joined by a cast of realistic London residents some of whom I wanted to succeed whilst others, not so much. As always Decker's past is an undercurrent throughout but this time from a different perspective which, again, I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the Amos Decker or Will Robie series of books or wants a multi-layered, involved, complex storyline to make you think.

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Amos Decker #6

Amos Decker is a former FBI Agent. Along with his partner Alex Jamison, theynare investigating the murder of Irene Cramer. Her body had been mutilated. Helping to assist the investigation is teo CIA assassins, Will Robe and Jessica Riel. The four of them together must try and defeat the perpetrators before anymore murders take place.

The plotline is complex, intriguing and relevant today. The pace is fast in this twist filled story. It's a tense and gripping page turner. With thendea5h toll rising, Deker and Jamison seem to be running round in circles. I like Amos Deker and his perfect recollection of everything. As always, even though it seemed impossible, the loose ends are all tied up. This book could be read as a standalone but it's always best to read a series in the order they were written in. I do recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author David Baldacci for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I dumped everything I was doing when I got this book to read, I’m a big Amos Decker fan and this book didn’t disappoint.

This one is particularly twisty and the setting is great-it takes you to unfamiliar places but is also like a big warm thriller hug.

If you like Lee Child you’ll like David Baldacci!

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As always, a supremely satisfying read, featuring some of the authors best loved characters. As always there is enough detailed plotting to keep the most avid reader intrigued and desperate for answers. This book is topical, timely and relevant today. I have read numerous of this authors books and have never been disappointed, this time is not different. A definite 5 star read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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Thank you to Pan MacMillan and Netgalley for this ARC of the latest Amos Decker book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and another excellent addition to this fabulous series of books. There are lots of twists and turns in this story as well as being fast paced and totally gripping. Baldacci at his best.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book or any book of David Baldacci - he never lets you down.

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David Baldacci's latest addition to the terrific Amos Decker series is a particularly twisted and complex thriller, with the appearance of other series favourites, the assassins Will Robie and Jessica Riel. Decker and his partner, Alex Jamison of the FBI are sent to the North Dakota Badlands, to the fracking for oil boom and bust town of London, currently experiencing an extraordinary boom. The body of school teacher at the closed community of Anabaptists, Irene Cramer, has been discovered by a local hunting tracker, oddly the body shows all the signs of having undergone a post-mortem. Surprisingly, Decker and Jamison are not given given any reasons as to why Cramer's murder is of interest, but they soon learn that Cramer operated below the radar as a streetwalker, as they work with the local cop, Joe Kelly.

London has a military Air Force Station, conducting radar operations, that employs security contractors, Vector, and two of the town's wealthiest rival businessmen benefiting from the growth of incoming workers for the fracking industry, Hugh Dawson and Stuart McClellan. Having not kept in touch with his two sisters, Decker is shocked to find his brother in law, Stan Baker, in London, working in the fracking industry, in the throes of an amicable divorce from Renee. In a thrilling and fast paced narrative, there are several intricate threads that put Decker in severe danger, and when a attempt on his life almost succeeds, he finds he has been assigned high level protection and assistance that is to prove critically important. It takes Decker some time to unpick the several different plots that together have a sky high body count in London that involve corrupt politicians, mercenaries hired by global players, and a morass of local intrigue.

Baldacci is a skilled and expert thriller writer with well plotted explosive storylines that are packed with suspense and tension, as he illustrates here. He does his research too, I particularly appreciated the details he provided of how the fracking industry works. He continues to develop the character of his central protagonist, Amos, who inches closer to becoming closer to his family, something that has eluded him with the trauma of the loss of his wife and daughter. He begins to show an interest in the personal lives of others, such as that of Alex Jamison, until now his sole survival strategy to handle his haunting circumstances has been work, nothing else. This is a great, entertaining, intense and complicated thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

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I’ve read most of David Baldacci’s books and particularly enjoyed the Amos Decker series.
In this novel FBI agents Decker and Jameson are investigating murder and nefarious goings on in the wilds of North Dakota. The mutilated body of Irene Cramer is discovered by a tracker but who murdered her and how is her death linked to a local airforce base where there are many secrets to uncover?
This book has a fast moving plot and a plethora of Baldacci characters who regular readers will recognise. It has many twists and turns which kept me on my toes and it was only at the end that I truly learned “whodunnit” and why.
As well as the mysteries being investigated by Decker, the author also uses this book to reveals more about our hero’s family when he unexpectedly meets up with a relative who is working for a fracking company in this remote area: This leads Amos him to reconnect with others whom he has not seen for several years..
The plot is quite complicated so you need your wits about you to keep up with all that is going on.
If you like fast paced reads which are true escapism this is certainly the book for you.
Reading this during the dark times of a global pandemic this novel definitely transported and entertained me for which I am grateful.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Good exciting yarn with characters from previous stories allied together in a dark investigation into a murder that suddenly escalates into multiple murders. Secret weapons experiments hidden under a Air Force radar station, a typical American Amish type colony and fracking for oil and gas all contribute to a complex plot that races along with plenty of violent action to satisfy all. It all goes a bit over the top at the conclusion but a bit of sentimentality at the finish leaves the door open for more adventures!

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