David Baldacci - the hour game

review by showhost 27th Jan
This is the first book I have read by this author but I really am left with a feeling of uncertainty as to if I liked it or not. And I am not too sure why.
This book brings back Secret Service Agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Only this time they are former agents who have founded their own Private Investigation firm. They are hired to prove the innocence of a man that has been charged with burglarizing the wealthest family in town, the Battles. But rather quickly this investigation takes a back seat. For our two detectives are brought in as deputies to help solve a quickly growing number of murders by a serial killer.
It*s a crime thriller but not a fast paced roller coaster kind of thriller. Theres lots of murders, and a few red herrings, leaving you trying to work out who dunnit plus theres more than one murderer. But i felt disappointed when I discovered the why*s & wherefor*s the killer chooses the victims and for what reasons. I didn't really get to care much for the main characters Sean King and Michell Maxwell(Steed & Purdy?, Remmington & Steel?) and there were so many people involved that I lost track of who was who in the middle somewhere... I wouldn't rush to buy another - yet, having said that when I was in the local charity shop I ended up buying another for 50p just to see if it is any better........

Other reviewers comments:
The book's main weakness is that the trigger for the crimes lies in a history that is too bizarre to be credible in current times.

Tedious I enjoyed 'The Winner' by Baldacci -- and also 'Last Man Standing' was quite good. 'Hour Game' is too long, boring, loses direction numerous times, uninteresting characters, tedious plot.

Just ran out of ideas and steam Murder after murder, linked, not linked, sadistic, ritualistic and completely and totally unconvincing.

Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, have appeared together
previously in SPLIT SECOND, but one of the biggest flaws in the novel reviewed here is that they make a pretty uninteresting couple, certainly neither of them possesses the charisma or personality to carry a series.