By: Brad Meltzer
Synopsis
Archie Mint has a secret. He’s led a charmed life – he’s got a beautiful wife, two impressive kids, and a successful military career. But when he’s killed while trying to stop a robbery in his own home, his family is shattered – and then shocked when the other shoe drops. Mint’s been hiding criminal secrets none of them could have imagined.
While working on Mint’s body before his funeral, mortician “Zig” Zigarowski discovers something he was never meant to see. That telling detail leads him to Mint’s former top secret military unit and his connection to artist Nola Brown. Two years ago, Nola saved Zig’s life – so he knows better than most that she’s as volatile and dangerous as a bolt of lightning.
Following Nola’s trail, he uncovers one of the U.S. government’s most intensely guarded secrets – an undisclosed military facility that dates back to the Cold War and holds the key to something far more sinister: a hidden group willing to compromise the very safety and security of America itself.
My Thoughts
I have been a Brad Meltzer fan for years now, so my expectations were high. I was not disappointed. This is an engrossing read. I had to pace myself so that I would not finish it too quickly. It grabs your attention in the first couple of pages, and doesn’t let go. The story moves along at a good pace. There are constant little twists and turns that keep you guessing with a major twist at the very end. I got almost to the end where there was an unexpected twist and thought, oh that was the twist he keeps talking about. Nope. There was another one at the very end. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t read it yet (why haven’t you?!) since the book has just come out. So, all I’ll say is I hope he is already writing the next one and we don’t have to wait four more years. This is definitely a must read for anyone that loves thrillers. I recommend reading the first book in the series, The Escape Artist, first, but you don’t have to. Go read this book! Then come back and lets talk about it.
I got to meet Brad Meltzer and Karin Slaughter at his book signing event in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. He is just as nice in person as I’d heard. Karin Slaughter was the moderator and interviewed him, and the camaraderie between the two was engaging. They were both entertaining and interesting. It was definitely worth the two hour drive. They were both so gracious and just genuinely nice people.
