450 prisoners housed in a series of escape proof pods occupy the only maximum security military prison for males at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There, military law rules and no prisoner has ever escaped from the United States Disciplinary Barracks, or (DB). That all changed swiftly with a powerful storm that knocked out the power, the state-of-the-art backup generator failed and all the cells opened. Robert Puller, former Air Force Major, convicted of treason and national security crimes, sentenced to life, escaped, leaving a man dead in his cell.

John Puller is an agent in the Criminal Investigation Command,(CID) His Commanding Officer calls to tell him his brother escaped from prison and he is ordered to take time off and stay away from any investigations concerning his brother. But three other "stars on their shoulders" military big shots override that order and order John to find his brother and return him to prison. John was not in the country when his brother was convicted. The files were sealed, nor would his brother ever talk to him about it when he visited him at DB. Time to get some answers.

Robert and John Puller, Jr. along with their father, General John Puller, Sr., now hospitalized with dementia, always serve their country, would never betray it. Father and brother have a difficult time believing Robert would betray the country he loves. Now is the perfect time to find out if Robert was guilty of treason or was he framed and if so, why?

So many bad guys. So many dead bodies. Conspirators are everywhere. The badest of them is an evil, ambitious woman who hates Robert Puller and gave key evidence at his trial. Susan Reynolds gave me nightmares, as she led the brothers on a long and deadly chase. Stir in Veronica Knox, a Captain at Intelligence and Security Command who is sent to assist John and the plot thickens adding some sassy humor along with too many lies.

THE ESCAPE is vintage David Baldacci. A suspense filled conspiracy told by a master story teller. The description of the visit to their father in the hospital, in full dress, telling him his son was free and cleared of all charges was moving and I shed a tear or two. From one Virginian to another, another five stars. I will eagerly await your next book.

Book Summary

David Baldacci is one of the world's most popular, widely read storytellers. In his blockbuster thrillers Zero Day and The Forgotten, he enthralled readers with John Puller. A combat veteran and special agent with the U.S. Army, Puller is the man they call to investigate the toughest crimes facing the nation. But all his training, all his experience, all his skills will not prepare him for his newest case, one that will force him to hunt down the most formidable and brilliant prey he has ever tracked: his own brother.

THE ESCAPE

It's a prison unlike any other. Military discipline rules. Its security systems are unmatched. None of its prisoners dream of escaping. They know it's impossible . . . until now.

John Puller's older brother, Robert, was convicted of treason and national security crimes. His inexplicable escape from prison makes him the most wanted criminal in the country. Some in the government believe that John Puller represents their best chance at capturing Robert alive, and so Puller must bring in his brother to face justice.

But Puller quickly discovers that his brother is pursued by others who don't want him to survive. Puller is in turn pushed into an uneasy, fraught partnership with another agent, who may have an agenda of her own.

They dig more deeply into the case together, and Puller finds that not only are her allegiances unclear, but there are troubling details about his brother's conviction . . . and someone out there doesn't want the truth to ever come to light. As the nationwide manhunt for Robert grows more urgent, Puller's masterful skills as an investigator and strengths as a fighter may not be enough to save his brother-or himself.