End Game: David Baldacci (Will Robie series, 5)

Product Information

Learning of a troubled childhood, Robie and Reel discover new respect for the man who has been leading them on numerous missions. It’s wildly melodramatic, the romantic interests act like, and have similar dialogue to, high schoolers. Together, they are informed that their handler, Roger ‘Blueman’ Walton, has gone missing during his annual vacation to Colorado. As usual, is Baldacci's writing on top and I love how the book from page one to the last is filled with action.

I classify this as an airport quick thrill read, one you can pick up anywhere in story sequence in the aiport and its still solid fun. The only part that I thought Baldacci may have actually written would have been the ending battle, which was the best part of the book.In fact, I was a latecomer to the series but that book took Will (and his erstwhile partner Jessica Reel) out of his usual spy / assassin / government agent role and had a more personal twist. There is an uncertainty to continue in series and books in this genre, and perhaps the books title lives up to its definition, as I finished this book wanting something different.

There are more questions than answers, leaving Robie and Reel to wonder if this mission might be beyond their capabilities. So, as much as I have enjoyed Will Robie, I will not be reading another one unless I know for sure that Baldacci actually wrote it, which means, if there is not a disclaimer saying he wrote it all, by himself, it won't be on my reading list. The various shades on the ever awesome characters of Will Robie-Jessica Reel and their relationship turmoil was the biggest highlight once again.I’m combining the two sections that are usually separate in my blog posts because there were a lot of things I liked, but that at the same time could be considered out of character and strange for a David Baldacci book. It was like they were a super-villain but not nearly smart, cool, and interesting enough to carry it off.

Also, if you like political mysteries and thrillers in general, the series is a good one (just probably not the best ever). She has a weak side, but does not reveal it easily, though when she does, it almost seems a let-down. The rugged man who beds the helpless woman is not missing from this book, though the reader is surely wondering if Robie and Reel will ever master the art of sharpshooting Cupid’s arrows, rather than dodging them.Understandably thrillers like this aren't meant to be compared to a classic like Ulysses but a level of intellectual prowess is often why I approach the books I do, and as I continue to read the Cussler/Child/Baldacci type of books I grow more frustrated with the lack of this important characteristic.