I haven’t read a David Baldacci novel in some time. When he left the Camel Club behind, I sort of lost interest in his plots. Recently, I picked up his newest, “The Forgotten.” John Puller an Army Criminal Investigator is the main character. He has just completed an investigation in West Virginia that is alluded to throughout the story. I guess that was part of Baldacci’s previous book.
Puller is part of an Army family. His father is a retired three-star general who is suffering from dementia. His brother has committed some heinous crime and in serving a life sentence at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His family background is important to understanding what makes John Puller tick.
John Puller Sr. has received a letter from his younger sister asking for help. She lives in Paradise, Florida, and believes that something very wrong is going on in that community. He sends his son to help her. From the moment he arrives, trouble breaks out at every turn, including the death of his aunt.
This is definitely a page-turner. The chapters are very short and action packed. The police, local lawyers, the wealthy estate owners and a mysterious giant of a man all have questionable motives. Baldacci’s books may not be great literature, but they are always an exciting read.