The Hit by David Baldacci

[Ray]

From Deseret News:

"Jessica Reel and Will Robie have a lot of things in common, including mental flexibility and superlative aim. They are killers, on the payroll of the government, tasked with eliminating the most serious threats to America — those who would attack the country outright or harm innocents.

Assassination is a field in which Robie has not had peers, but Reel's been developing her own toolbox of skills, and she's giving him a literal challenge. Where they once worked side by side, sometimes in tandem, she has apparently gone rogue. She's no longer working for the government, but is taking out others who work for their agency. After Reel botches an assignment, choosing instead to follow her own hidden agenda, Robie sets out to track her down, his orders to kill or capture her. He needs to find her and stop her immediately — while keeping her from stopping him.

Like every David Baldacci story, this one is taut, action-packed and exciting. It's also replete with the unexpected moments that are a Baldacci staple. Just when the reader thinks they're going to veer one way, Robie or Reel do something completely unforeseen.

If Baldacci has a weakness as an author, it's a flaw in character development. There's no psychoanalysis here, no deep soul searching on either side of good or evil. Action overwhelms motivation, and there aren't a lot of nuances.

That's OK. "The Hit" promises readers a fast-paced adventure, and it delivers and is genuinely hard to put down. That's exactly what millions of loyal readers want from a Baldacci. He's currently published in more than 45 languages and in 80 countries, with more than 110 million copies in print and 3 million ebooks. For character analysis and a slice of life, readers look elsewhere.

As violent as the actions of a hired assassin are, they're not gratuitous, nor is our protagonist, Will Robie, an evil man. Baldacci doesn't describe gore; he details events, not human wreckage.

I pictured this book in a 10-word review: Page-turning, pulse-racing action, with surprises and thrills galore. Or as a one-word review: Mesmerizing."

     As usual, Baldacci doesn't disappoint his readers.

[Carci]

thanks ray, it does sound like typical Baldacci.  i have this on my request list at the library but i have frozen it since we are up north til next week.  I should be able to get it quickly once home because I am #5 on the list and they get dozens of issues of his books.

[rapa]

Started THE HIT last night and didn't blow out the candle until after 3:00!  Captures you from the get-go!  Agree that Will Robie isn't an evil man but you can bet your bippy that he's a lonesome man!

[rapa]

Finished this last night.  This is Baldacci at his best! It was a good, chilling read that speaks of corruption in government . Lots of CIA, Homeland Security, FBI , federal judges, etc.  Then we have the contract killers!  Terrifying to think what can happen undercover!  Very fast paced with enough human interest to give one hope.  Good read!!!!