We're back with former Secret Service Agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, but this time, they're going separate ways for awhile. Michelle is struggling with the crazy events that occurred in Baldacci's previous book, HOUR GAME, and is in such trouble that she agrees to go in a psychiatric institution. Sean is worried about paying all the bills and takes a case working for his old girlfriend. He's sent to investigate a mysterious death in Babbage Town, a place where scientific geniuses are doing clandestine work. The death occurred at the CIA training camp that's located right next door to Babbage Town, and Sean must determine whether the death was a suicide or something more sinister.

Meanwhile, Michelle is not adapting well to life in the psychiatric ward. Plus, she sees some odd behavior that leads her to believe something criminal is going on there. Hmmm. Maybe she's just trying to avoid dealing with her own issues. The end result is that she checks herself out and goes looking for Sean -- just in time for the dramatic and violent culmination of his case.

Sean and Michelle work like the complex and efficient team they are, attempting to save the life of a young girl and to determine exactly who's involved in corruption that goes throughout the government.

As always, an excellent read from David Baldacci, one of my favorite authors. He weaves complex characterization into equally complex plots -- a surefire way to author a winner! I'm waiting, as always, for the next Michelle and Sean adventure (or any Baldacci book!).

Book Summary

Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are back, and struggling in the emotional aftermath of the events that brought them to the brink in Hour Game. Dogged by personal demons, Maxwell is agrees to treatment in a psychiatric institution, after barely surviving a violent barroom brawl. And King, to right their partnership, accepts an offer to investigate a murder in a scientific think tank named Babbage Town. Feeling cured, Michelle joins him on the case, and they penetrate this secret enclave of geniuses working to surpass the capabilities of the most sophisticated microprocessor in the world. Suddenly, the pair find themselves in a race against time to expose those who would tip the entire global power structure...and destroy what's left of their lives.