To Die For by David Baldacci

The author has delivered another ripping action spymaster thriller in the Travis Devine, Department of Homeland Security, series.  This is book three of the series to date, following The 6:20 Man and The Edge. Whilst the previous novels were standard Baldacci-formula (that is, set the scene of a high stakes espionage in progress, introduce a US Defence Department veteran with a troubled past who will stop at nothing to defend the innocent and protect the USA) this third novel goes much further than the previous two instalments.

Whilst Devine and his handler General Campbell are front and centre of this story, Devine is aided by new colleagues from the other two three-letter Agencies, the local police, a down-on-his-luck ex-Delta Force soldier and a former chef. The predator from the previous novel is still active, plotting Devine’s demise by their own hand whilst Devine is tasked with helping the FBI protect a 12 year old girl.

The young girl and her recently deceased parents form a major ‘who-dunnit’ and ‘why’ mystery which Devine seeks to unravel whilst dodging attempts on his own life. Add to the mix a number of sub-plots, murky backgrounds, fake IDs and red herrings and the reader can happily settle into a book of 416 satisfying pages.  The final paragraph, as usual, leads nicely into, hopefully, the next instalment in the series.

A ripper yarn, this far into the series is unusual. The reader is recommended to read books one and two first before delving into To Die For.  All are set in the present day.

Reviewed by BELINDA COOMBS
MURDER AND CRIME READING GROUP