Jo V. (jovan) reviewed on 7/26/2009 + 301 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

This is my second Baldacci book. The first was split second which I had some reservations about the author cheating by withholding information the main character discovered. Since the critics didn't think that was Baldacci's best work, I decided to give the author another chance.

Right up to page 488, I was glad I did. Last Man Standing is psychologically riveting with lots of good action and strong characters and keeps you guessing about who the real villains are and what their motives might be. I didn't even mind too much that the author used a couple of cheap "unknown to her" tricks to up the tension. I didn't mind to terribly much when the villains and their motives are played out in a scene that's only one step removed from them babbling to each other about the whys and wherefores.

SPOILER ALERT * What I can't cope with is when the 10 year old boy who was kidnapped early on suddenly becomes a master lock pick and escape artist as soon as the hero's psychiatrist joins him in captivity, thereby rescuing himself and her at the most convenient moment for the plot.

I'm sure other readers will overlook these things, accepting Baldacci's ability to build tension and keep readers wondering as an adequate trade off for these things that I find disappointing in such a promising author, but I just don't see myself reading anything more from him.

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