By David Baldacci
For the third book of the Camel Club series, we rejoin
Annabelle and the Camel Club as they face their newest adversary. While Annabelle is confronted with demons
from her past, similarly Oliver finds that key men from his past are being
systematically assassinated. Enter Harry
Finn, a man with a vendetta and one objective: eliminate Oliver Stone.
The action begins with a violent gas explosion at the home
of Carter Gray, former Chief of Intelligence.
Due to their contentious history, Oliver Stone is at the top of the list
of suspects. We soon learn that Carter
Gray is not dead, but he is happy to let his would-be assassin think that he
is. Slowly, more and more is revealed
about the assassin, and we learn why Oliver is being so aggressively targeted. Will Harry prove to be the better assassin
and eliminate Oliver, or can they work together and prove that “the enemy of my
enemy is my friend.”
In addition to Oliver’s never ending problems, Annabelle is
being hunted by Jerry Bagger. Bagger has
started tracking down the other members from her con, and is getting close to
getting Annabelle. To help out their new
honorary member, half of the Camel Club is tracking Bagger’s
investigation. Soon a key member from
Annabelle’s past reveals themselves and becomes an unlikely ally to
Annabelle. But can the Camel Club
protect her from the powerful clutches of Bagger as he seeks to get revenge.
This book was another great example of what Baldacci does
best. Once again, he drives the story by
slowly revealing key aspects and relations between the characters. Baldacci typically baits his readers with the
action and an introduction to the antagonist of the story. We can assume that Oliver Stone will
ultimately become involved, but don’t quite know how. By the end of the book , he has once again
established a very convincing relationship and motive for the characters in the
book. Coupled with a sufficient amount
of action, this was another great Baldacci book. However, I find myself continuing to wait for some ancillary character development, and a reason to care about them. Perhaps in the next book.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Bunsen Burners
Up Next: Divine Justice by David Baldacci
