From #1 bestseller David Baldacci comes a new thriller reminiscent of his phenomenal bestselling debut, Absolute Power.It was only a split second--but that's all it took for Secret Service agent Sean King's attention to wander and his "protectee," third-party presidential candidate Clyde Ritter, to die. King retired from the Service in disgrace, and now, eight years later, balances careers as a lawyer and a part-time deputy sheriff in a small Virginia town. Then he hears the news: Once again, a third-party candidate has been taken out of the presidential race--abducted right under the nose of Secret Service agent Michelle Maxwell. King and Maxwell form an uneasy alliance, and their search for answers becomes a bid for redemption as they delve into the government's Witness Protection Program and the mysterious past of Clyde Ritter's dead assassin. But the truth is never quite what it seems, and these two agents have learned that even one moment looking in the wrong direction can be deadly. Full of shocking twists and turns, and introducing a villian to rival Jackson in Baldacci's The Winner, SPLIT SECOND is pure, mind-numbing adrenaline to the last page.
One of the most enjoyable Baldacci books I have read. Baldacci captures your interest with the prolouge and holds it throughout the book. While the resolution of the plot is perhaps a little farfetched, that is easily forgiven from wanting to discover how it ends.
Gaylene G. (gigi) from LONGVIEW, TX wrote on 4/8/2006...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was my first experience with Baldacci's Secret Service agents Maxwell and King and I couldn't put it down! He definitely knows how to get and hold your attention.
Sharon C. (DustyShu) from BRAZIL, IN wrote on 1/14/2006...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great page-turner. Couldn't come close to guessing the ending.
Michael A. (malone99) from FITCHBURG, MA wrote on 5/4/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
The action is explosive. Readers will barely have time to catch their breath.
Shirley E. (luvantiques) from WAYNESVILLE, NC wrote on 5/2/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Baldacci is a master of suspense, great book! Michelle Maxwell has just wrecked her promising career at the Secret Service. Against her instincts, she let a presidential candidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety was her responsiblity vanished into thin air.
Joanna S. (jks) from CRP CHRISTI, TX wrote on 3/12/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
How a split second can change your life's path. Fast paced and enjoyable,with enjoyable characters.
Steven K. (sjk54) from ALPHARETTA, GA wrote on 2/23/2008...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Action packed, but complicated and farfetched. I found myself losing track of all the various plot lines and just hoping that some kind of sense would be made out of it all by the end. Very much like an average quality action movie - a guilty pleasure that doesn't hold up to any kind of scrutiny.
2.5 stars out of 5
Mary Ann C. (macreads) from BERWYN, IL wrote on 5/1/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Baldacci writes wonderful tales. This is yet another of them.
Marcia K. (marwan) from MIDWAY, UT wrote on 4/30/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Michelle Maxwell has just wrecked her promising career at the Secret Service. Against her instintcts, she let a presidential conidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety was her responsibility vanishes into thin air. Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. Eight years eariler, the hard-charging Secret Service agent allowed his attention to be diverted for a split second. And the canidate he was protecting was gunned down before his eyes. Now Michelle and Sean and about to see their destinies converge. Drawn into a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly conincidences, the two discredited agents uncover a shocking truth: that the separate acts of violence that shattered their lives were really a long time in the making and are a long way from over.
Lynn D. from MULHALL, OK wrote on 4/22/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Michelle Maxwell has just wrecked her promising career at the Secret service. She let a presidential candidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety she was responsible for vanished into thin air. Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. Eight years earlier, the hard-changing Secret Service agent allowed his attention to be diverted for a split second. The candidate he was protecting was gunned down before his eyes. Michelle and Sean are about to see their destinies converge.
Rate These Member Reviews
Marianne S. (sfc95) from DECATUR, IL wrote on 9/16/2008...
The fastest Baldacci I have ever read. It was wrapped up very quickly in a neat bow at the end (a little too neat) but besides that it was a good, quick read and had some good twists.
Linda A. (Springfieldreader) from SPRINGFIELD, IL wrote on 9/4/2008...
A great thriller!
Jennefer H. from LAYTON, UT wrote on 2/22/2007...
Secret Service agent Michelle Maxwell let a presidential candidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety was her responsibility vanished! What follows is a gripping page-turner of a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly coincidences for Michelle and Sean King, another discredited agent, to unravel the shocking secret! Scarey, tense action, quick paced.
Marcia L. (Marcia) from NEWCOMERSTOWN, OH wrote on 2/20/2007...
Michelle Maxwell wrecked her career at the Secret Service when she let a presidential candidate out of her sights for just a second, and he vanished. Sean King knows how she feels, because 8 years ago he allowed his attention to be deverted and he lost a presidentical canidate to a mad man's bullet. Now they are about to see their destinies collide. Now they discover the truth that shattered their lives.
Tammy P. from COLUMBIA, SC wrote on 2/17/2007...
great book, I read it in one afternoon because I couldnt put it down!
Kevin & Kari K. from SUWANEE, GA wrote on 2/7/2007...
Very exciting
Kathy B. (MsLuLu) from ATLANTA, GA wrote on 2/1/2007...
"Pulse- pounding suspence." Booklist
Linda F. from LAKE FOREST, CA wrote on 1/23/2007...
what a surprise ending. good suspense. fast read.
Jim J. (texastech) from ARVADA, CO wrote on 1/9/2007...
A Main Selection of Book-of-the Month Club.
A terrific storyteller.
Claire G. (CGinKY) from RICHMOND, KY wrote on 1/6/2007...
Good book about a female secret service agent who has ruined her career when she let a presidential candidate out of her sight, and he disappeared. Excellent book.