Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Grand Central Publishing (2007), Edition: Abridged
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. HTML:Two Secret Service agents sworn to guard their protectees lost them in a single moment . . . and in this #1 New York Times bestseller, they're about to learn that the violence has just begun. Michelle Maxwell has just wrecked her promising career at the Secret Service. Against her instincts, she let a presidential candidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety was her responsibility vanished into thin air. �??Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. Eight years earlier, the hard-charging Secret Service agent allowed his attention to be diverted for a split second. And the candidate he was protecting was gunned down before his eyes. Now Michelle and Sean are about to see their destinies converge. Drawn into a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly coincidences, the two discredited agents uncover a shocking truth: that the separate acts of violence that shattered their lives were really a long time in the making�??and are a long way from… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member PilgrimJess
This was the first Baldacci book that I had read so was able to come to it with an open mind and with no preconceptions.
The opening few chapters were gripping as the two lead characters with seemingly nothing in common, other than the fact that they were both in disgrace with the Secret Service,
Well frankly the ending was just too far-fetched and finished just too neatly for my taste. The last 100 pages just not up to the standard of what had gone before IMHO. On top of which there was the fact that the two events, and in particular the second the kidnapping of a Presidential candidate, which brought the two lead characters together in the first place almost became to feel like an after-thought. I mean where was the rest of the Secret Service and FBI when Sean and Michelle were running about all over the country? Would they really been allowed out and about without some serious surveillance?
A good opening to a series of books with an interesting insight into the two lead characters, for which I give the author credit, but not much more than that.
The opening few chapters were gripping as the two lead characters with seemingly nothing in common, other than the fact that they were both in disgrace with the Secret Service,
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have their lives and worlds turned upside down by two unseemingly unconnected events eight years apart. However once this initial burst occurred the book slowed a little in pace and the characters were allowed to develop which they did nicely, I particularily liked the friction between Michelle and Joan when she was introduced. There were more than enougth plot twists and turns to keep any ballroom or roller-coaster fans happy and the plot never really dropped below well-paced jog. So why I have only awarded it 3 marks?Well frankly the ending was just too far-fetched and finished just too neatly for my taste. The last 100 pages just not up to the standard of what had gone before IMHO. On top of which there was the fact that the two events, and in particular the second the kidnapping of a Presidential candidate, which brought the two lead characters together in the first place almost became to feel like an after-thought. I mean where was the rest of the Secret Service and FBI when Sean and Michelle were running about all over the country? Would they really been allowed out and about without some serious surveillance?
A good opening to a series of books with an interesting insight into the two lead characters, for which I give the author credit, but not much more than that.
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LibraryThing member BibliophileBubba
This book was really good for the first 350 pages or so, and then it just completely fell apart. It features the most absurd ending I've read in years.
Not really worth the time or money.
Not really worth the time or money.
LibraryThing member barefootlibrarian
This was my first Badacci read, and I did enjoy it. Both the leads I very much enjoyed; Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are very different from one another but still feel real. Michelle's a tough chick and extremely accomplished, but flawed in her own way. The plot seemed a little squirrely, and a
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little...much but King and Maxwell remain even-keeled throughout the ordeal. I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member starkravingmad
Over-the-top plot - contrived, forced, and way too complicated, made very little sense. Not among Baldacci's best efforts for sure.
LibraryThing member FKarr
wretched; far-fetched, preposterous; hints of good political thriller buried beneath dreck of psychopathic revenge murder
LibraryThing member she_climber
Being a fan of Baldacci's Camel Club series I decided to try give another of Badacci's series a shot and this book did not disappoint. Plenty of intelligent plot twists and thrilling action to keep the pace at breakneck speed. And characters that I'm truly looking forward to seeing in future books.
LibraryThing member stonesis
A great listen in the car. Not quite as tight a story as it could be, I am looking forward to listening or reading the sequel
LibraryThing member kellynasdeo
Maybe my favorite Baldacci book, I just couldn't put this one down.
LibraryThing member PointedPundit
It Is what It Is – and Its Entertaining Besides
I admit it. I am surprised by the hostile nature of so many of this book’s reviews. I think it is a great thriller.
David Baldacci has created an intricate plot that sees the lives of two discredited Secret Service Agents converge. The story
I admit it. I am surprised by the hostile nature of so many of this book’s reviews. I think it is a great thriller.
David Baldacci has created an intricate plot that sees the lives of two discredited Secret Service Agents converge. The story
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charges ahead, making the book difficult to put down. What more can you ask for from a novel written to entertain? Show Less
LibraryThing member missmath144
I like the reader (Scott Brick, who also read The Wish List), so enjoyed the book, despite its inconsistencies. Kate Ramsey knew nothing that could help the investigators. Then she knew a little. Then within minutes she knew a lot. She couldn't conceive of her mother having an affair with Thorston
Baldacci loves to tell you that the protagonist has clues that he isn't yet ready to share with his partner or the reader. The mystery isn't so much "who done it" as "what does he know".
Too many of the solutions were things the reader couldn't have known about, and the bad guy was an unbelievable character.
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(spelling?), yet she knew they were engaged eight years later. Continuity was lacking. Joan thinks about a Trojan horse just before she's blindsided by one? Katy says she knew of nothing in her dad's past that would have kept him from getting a professorship at a better college. Then a few minutes later she says he was in a protest in the '70s and was accused of murder and that had kept him from getting on with a better university.Baldacci loves to tell you that the protagonist has clues that he isn't yet ready to share with his partner or the reader. The mystery isn't so much "who done it" as "what does he know".
Too many of the solutions were things the reader couldn't have known about, and the bad guy was an unbelievable character.
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LibraryThing member Grandeplease
Death, more death, betrayal and a little romance. What's not to like?
LibraryThing member sloepoque
This is the first book of Baldacci's series that pairs Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, two members of the US government Secret Service Squad. Both have faced the unthinkable - the loss of the person they were supposed to be protecting on the job. Both take these losses very hard and try to
Unfortunately, the plot itself is highly improbable. So much so that at times it made me laugh rather than draw me into some kind of suspense or tension. However, those pages did keep on turning because whether or not the plot is credible, I had to find out how all the loose ends would resolve. While the ending did stay true to the over-the-top plot basics, it was a satisfying finish and tied everything together in a better conclusion than I expected.
As thrillers go, I think Baldacci is adequate, and would definitely read more of his books in this series.
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compensate for their personal guilt by working on a current case independently of the Secret Service, but together as their own team. From the start they are in sync and have a good working relationship uncluttered by personal attractions or anything to take their focus off the job they've assigned themselves. Split Second starts off as a page turner and continues that way throughout.Unfortunately, the plot itself is highly improbable. So much so that at times it made me laugh rather than draw me into some kind of suspense or tension. However, those pages did keep on turning because whether or not the plot is credible, I had to find out how all the loose ends would resolve. While the ending did stay true to the over-the-top plot basics, it was a satisfying finish and tied everything together in a better conclusion than I expected.
As thrillers go, I think Baldacci is adequate, and would definitely read more of his books in this series.
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LibraryThing member debavp
A bit slow out of the gate, what with the going back and forth of introducing/back-grounding of the primary characters, and then it picks up speed. It's an entertaining read, good guy done wrong and a bit predictable in parts. I told myself who the bad guys were and then talked myself out of it and
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was surprised at the ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member WeeziesBooks
David Baldacci is a favorite author of mine and has written many books that I have loved reading such as “Saving Faith” and “Total Control”. “Split Second” was all a fun read. It may not be his strongest book but is above the level of most mystery writers. The book has suspense, action
The story focus upon two Secret Service agents. One whose reputation has been tarnished and disgraced when unsuccessful guarding of presidential candidate forced him to move to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Baldacci is a wonderful writer and I recommend his books.
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and strongly developed characters.The story focus upon two Secret Service agents. One whose reputation has been tarnished and disgraced when unsuccessful guarding of presidential candidate forced him to move to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Baldacci is a wonderful writer and I recommend his books.
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LibraryThing member dekan
I thought the story line on this book was original. It is your typical Baldacci novel, one of the better ones i thought. You have to admit it's an original take on this type of book. I don't want to give it all away but i quite enjoyed the twists and turns of the story.
The two main characters were
The two main characters were
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quite developed. You do get attached to them. The descriptions are well done and not so deep that it gives a more real feel to them. Show Less
LibraryThing member MomsterBookworm
Book 1 in the 'King and Maxwell' series: Two different veins of Secret Service protection detail gone wrong, set 8 years apart. In the story, they converge, with a whole lot of red herring thrown in. Was a little draggy at times (compared to the 'Camel Club' series) -- until the connection between
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the two cases were made; hence the 2-star rating. I have started on the second book in this series (Hour Game) and that one seems to be a whole lot more engaging from the get-go! Show Less
LibraryThing member Carole-Ann
Great plot, quick read.
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Fine story with multiple twists and turns.
LibraryThing member Kathy89
First King & Maxwell book. Wanted to read this because I read that TNT is making a made for TV movie of this book.
Former secret service agent is caught up in a case that is similiar to the one that ended his career. While protecting a presidential candidate at fundraiser the man killed disgracing
Former secret service agent is caught up in a case that is similiar to the one that ended his career. While protecting a presidential candidate at fundraiser the man killed disgracing
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the secret service and ending Maxwell's career. Now, years later another politician has been kidnapped under strange circumstances and the agent assigned to him has been put on desk duty but starts making her own investigation and contacts Maxwell. Show Less
LibraryThing member kcoleman428
I think I found a new favorite author! I love the mystery in this book, as well as the parallels that Sean King and Michelle Maxwell had in their careers. Maxwell was my favorite in this book, I love strong female characters, and she absolutely lived up to my expectations!
LibraryThing member Barb_H
Very exciting book that managed to keep my attention until the end. I like that I was able to figure out some of the bad guys, but not all of them so it kept me guessing and captivated. Definitely will be reading more by Baldacci. I have liked all his books I've read so far.
LibraryThing member Gatorhater
Michelle Maxwell has just blown her future with the Secret Service. Against her instincts, she let a presidential candidate out of her site to comfort a grieving widow. Then behind closed doors, the politican whose safety was her responsibility vanishes into thin air. Living a new life on a quiet
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lake in central Virginia, Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. He's been there before. How Michelle and Sean are about to see their destinies converge. His being an assassinated presidential candidate and Michelle's being a kidnapped presidential candidate eight years later, both Secret Service agents hired to protect those candidates. Show Less
LibraryThing member adriel
A great who-done-it. Two secret service agents, who both lost candidates under their protection, work together to solve a complex tangle that relates both incidents together. There is quite a bit of good action in this book but the most fun is the theories that the agents throw back and forth as
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they work their way to the conclusion. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jiraiya
What can be said about Split Second that hasn't been said already. Plenty, actually. Both good and bad stuff. All the things that are the hallmark of Baldacci are present, but in lesser and more minute forms. Cruel tragic death at the end, check. Serial killing, check. Character the epitome of
The motive of the villain is the achilles heel in this brew of a thriller. Very comic book villainy. The journey to the ending was fun. Not so the drowning parts. More so the bleedingly patient investigation. I do love me some mystery. I blazed through the pages in that section. Enjoyed reading the detailed questioning like it was vintage Agatha Christie.
King and Maxwell were different enough from the Camel Club - my favorite series of Baldacci. King is a more ordinary person compared to Oliver Stone. Sean King was downright insulting to Maxwell at many times. And it was not justified. Not even finding a body in your office justifies it of one wants you to believe in the righteousness of the hero. But that was never Baldacci's aim. He wanted to tweak his stock hero and add foibles to the design of the latter. Maxwell is a very likable character. She has enough wits about her to guess the right thing at the right time. A few of her moments are the best parts of the book. King and Maxwell team up for the second book. Can't wait.
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training, check. Age difference between hero and heroine, check. And twist after insane twist, che-didly-eck.The motive of the villain is the achilles heel in this brew of a thriller. Very comic book villainy. The journey to the ending was fun. Not so the drowning parts. More so the bleedingly patient investigation. I do love me some mystery. I blazed through the pages in that section. Enjoyed reading the detailed questioning like it was vintage Agatha Christie.
King and Maxwell were different enough from the Camel Club - my favorite series of Baldacci. King is a more ordinary person compared to Oliver Stone. Sean King was downright insulting to Maxwell at many times. And it was not justified. Not even finding a body in your office justifies it of one wants you to believe in the righteousness of the hero. But that was never Baldacci's aim. He wanted to tweak his stock hero and add foibles to the design of the latter. Maxwell is a very likable character. She has enough wits about her to guess the right thing at the right time. A few of her moments are the best parts of the book. King and Maxwell team up for the second book. Can't wait.
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LibraryThing member KidQuislet
Very well written mystery adventure. I enjoy the author's characterizations and story pacing.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2003
Physical description
5.75 inches
ISBN
1600240917 / 9781600240911