Finstere Lügen

The 6:20 Man #1

by Unknown Author

Es ist Zeit, einen Mörder zu fassen.

»Sie ist tot.« Diese Nachricht unterbricht den routinierten Alltag des ehemaligen US-Army-Rangers Travis Devine. An seinem Arbeitsplatz angekommen, erfährt er, dass seine Ex-Freundin und Kollegin Sara ermordet aufgefunden wurde. Und er steht ganz oben auf der Liste der Tatverdächtigen. Als Travis in das Visier der Polizeiermittler gerät, scheint ein zweischneidiges Angebot des US-Geheimdienstes der einzige Ausweg zu als Undercover-Agent dem illegalen Treiben seines Arbeitgebers auf die Spur kommen und dabei Saras Mörder finden. Anderenfalls droht sein dunkelstes Geheimnis an die Oberfläche zu gelangen. Travis begibt sich in das verhängnisvolle Fadenkreuz der Finanzwelt, nicht ahnend, dass er für den Mörder längst zur Zielscheibe geworden ist...

Mörderische Wendepunkte, ein von der Vergangenheit geplagter Held und endlose Dieser Thriller wird seine Hörer so schnell nicht mehr loslassen.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

Paperback

First published July 12, 2022

About the author

Books with known authors are imported from Amazon to this profile. Please do not merge this profile into Unknown.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of action thrillers and the book that started it all was The Innocent by David Baldacci. I'm forever grateful and always a fan. 🙏

The 6:20 Man introduces a brand new character Travis Devine, a former Army Ranger now entry-level financial analyst at a prestigious Wall Street Investment Banking firm. His routine is taking the 6:20 commuter train to work in the city but that all changes when Devine's co-worker/ ex-girlfriend is found dead by hanging inside their office storage room. He knew this was not a suicide. When NYPD realized it was a homicide, Devine became their prime suspect. Devine knew someone is trying to frame him for her death but why?

I like Travis Devine! His backstory and some action are what kept me reading. The plot.... eh... not as much. I was excited about the financial crime angle, murder mystery always works, an intricate web, but part of the reveal was a bit too much OTT unbelievable. 3.5⭐

Love Zachary Webber! 🎧

This is my 30th+ Baldacci book and (for me) not a favorite. I think fans of Baldacci would still want to check it out as the majority of it was enjoyable. But seriously, can we get a Robie and/or Puller book? Pretty please?🤩

[John Rumery · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea where the 3, 4 & 5 star ratings for this train wreck of a book came from. OMG. This is another Baldacci disaster.

A few spoiler alerts but really more time-saver alerts (don't waste your time).

The stereotyped characters and wooden dialogue was a mind-numbing gut punch. Multiple times a character would go into full throttle "finance bro mode", "tech bro mode", "military jargon mode". "russian hacker mode" or "good cop/bad cop mode". Long conversations that no one ever would have in their entire life just to explain some complicated part of the story, and I suppose to add credibility.

The plot... (well, here's a spoiler) pivoted on a train that "stopped" (for no reason) at a place where the passengers could view a swimming pool in a luxury palatial home (why would anyone build a zillion dollar palace next to a train track?) And... the view was made possible because the owner had created an opening in the hedges so people could see a gorgeous woman in a bikini every morning. At the same time. AND this woman (unwittingly) wore different color bikinis to send a signal to SOMEONE on the train (who was never discovered or tracked down) so that some nefarious money laundering scheme could proceed. I think that was the reason.

This really bothered me too. The main character, a West Point grad, Army Ranger, Captain in the Army, multiple ribbons, hero, MBA, etc... was never accepted, respected or loved by his parents... because he did not go into business. His parents were beyond disappointed! What a failure. What an under achiever!! He left the army and began working his way up in some type of brokerage... "analyzing data, writing report, just to win his dad's approval.

The story is so stupid.

But I admit. I read it. Because I COULD NOT believe how bad it could be.

I've read several Baldacci books in the past (several excellent) but something is off now. This was absolutely terrible. I hope you heed my warnings.

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY! (July 12, 2022)

Thirty-two-year-old Travis Devine, is "The 6:20 Man", boarding the commuter train every morning into Manhattan, arriving early for a grueling day at his entry-level job as a financial analyst at Cowl and Comely, a prestigious investment firm, spending long hours crunching numbers six days a week. A decorated ex-Army Ranger who rose to the rank of Captain, he decided to quit, got his MBA, and joined the world of finance. Though he isn’t completely happy with his new life, he has reconciled with his new reality but his years as a “combat stud” were far more satisfying on a personal level.

One morning he receives an anonymous email informing him that his colleague, mentor to his recruiting class and former girlfriend twenty-eight-year-old Sara Ewes was found dead in his office building, presumed to have committed suicide by hanging. However, Travis is doubtful that she would commit suicide and as the story progresses it becomes obvious that Sara was murdered. Both local and federal authorities reach out to Travis. The NYPD initially regard him as a suspect in Sara’s death. The federal authorities suspect Travis’s employers of shady dealings and reel him in to investigate within his company, compelling him to do so by bringing up the reasons for which he quit the Army- events from his past that still haunt him. As Travis investigates, he unearths secrets from Sara’s past and also realizes that someone is trying to frame him in Sara’s death. He also gathers proof that there is much more to what meets the eye as far as his employers and their business dealings are concerned. Everyone has secrets and everyone is a suspect. He often seeks help from his housemates- a Russian hacker who loves his adopted country, a brilliant tech entrepreneur and a law graduate, but at times he is compelled to regard everyone with suspicion.

What happened to Sara? What or who caused her death? What goes on behind the closed doors of the 52nd floor of Cowl and Comely? Was Sara involved in the suspected shady dealings in the company or was she murdered for more personal reasons? Why is someone trying to implicate Travis?

Overall, David Baldacci’s The 6:20 Man is a thrilling read that weaves a complex web of murder, financial crimes, corrupt businessmen, and international conspiracy. Though the setting of the novel is in the world of finance, the author does not drown us in technical jargon or make it too difficult to comprehend. The author takes his time in introducing the protagonist and his backstory. After a relatively slow start, the story picks up its pace and hooks us in till the very end. Full of twists and turns, Baldacci does not fail to surprise with the final reveal. Every time I thought I had figured it all out, we are delivered another twist and not until the very end do we identify the culprit(s). However, all is not resolved and we can expect a series in the making. Yes, as with most thrillers, we can expect far-fetched and OTT moments, but that’s the fun of reading an action-packed, fast-paced Baldacci thriller! I look forward to more thrillers featuring "The 6:20 Man", Travis Devine in the future.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing a digital review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The 6:20 Man is due for release on July 12, 2022.

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest action packed thriller from the prolific author, David Baldacci, set in the high finance world of New York. 32 year old Travis Devine is a former Army Ranger Captain who had distinguished himself with tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, but having quit, he is now a far from happy entry level grunt analyst, crunching numbers in the dog eat dog world of the powerful investment bank, Cowl and Comely. Every morning he takes the 6.20 train from Mount Kisco, where he shares a house with 3 others, to Manhattan, as it passes the homes of the uber wealthy he often glimpses a beautiful woman in a bikini at a 'palace', a highlight which has most of the male travellers salivating. One morning, he receives a strange anonymous email which informs him of the death of friend and colleague 28 year Sarah Ewes, with whom he had a brief relationship. In what at first is assumed to be a suicide, Sarah is found hanging in a storage room of the bank's building.

For reasons he cannot fathom, Devine finds himself a suspect, being closely interrogated by NYPD Detective Karl Hancock. To exacerbate matters, secrets of his army past comes back to haunt him when he is forced to investigate the bank and Brad Cowl by a former army general, Emerson Campbell, heading the secret Office of Special Projects, part of the Department of Homeland Security. Devine finds himself in his element, able to use his military experience and skills, plus his recently acquired financial expertise, freed at long last from the tedium of his normal long working days. After it becomes clear that Sarah was murdered, Devine becomes convinced that she must have come across evidence of serious financial wrongdoing at the bank. However, nothing is as it appears in the most dangerous of investigations, in which Devine is aided by his housemates, particularly the Russian Will Valentine, a white hatter hacker, and the surprising help that comes from Michelle Montgomery.

The author is an experienced thriller writer, and it shows here with the elevated levels of tension and suspense, and the incorporation of numerous unexpected twists in his compulsive storytelling. This is a hugely entertaining read, dark, intense, with a protagonist you cannot help but care for as he fights to stay alive, determined and intent on shining a light in the dark corners of Cowl and Comely and the threat it poses to the country. As is often normal within the genre of thrillers, you are going to have to suspend your sense of disbelief to enjoy this riveting offering from Baldacci. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

My first David Baldacci book and I can see why he is so popular; great writing and he pays attention to minute details. This is an action thriller stand-alone story so I chose the audiobook as I don't read much from this genre. It kept my attention throughout.

It's an engaging story that took a bit of time to start rolling. A lot of different things happening and it was hard to keep track of who the good and bad guys were. That's a definite plus. It just seemed a little too far-fetched for my liking.

From what I gather from his fans this may not be his strongest book. That said, I'd definitely pick-up another book by this author again. I like his writing style.

[Holly B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

New stand-alone and my first by this author!

An engaging beginning that really had me hooked. Protag, Travis Devine takes the 6:20 commuter train to work each morning. He enjoys peering out the window along the ride (along with other commuters). A woman in a bikini gets their attention each morning. Her image has them dreaming about the lives of the people who live in the row of mansions.

The pace is steady in this complex story of corruption ( so much going on), murder, back-stabbing and financial fraud. Devine finds himself barely swimming in a shark invested tank of so called friends.One wrong move could end it all.

The book does eventually enter the far-fetched world and lagged a bit in the middle. I did enjoy/like Devine's character and was invested, but I wasn't totally onboard with the conclusion. If this turns out to be a series, I would read the next one.

Thanks to Novel Suspects for my Arc! OUT July 12, 2022

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is somewhat out of my wheelhouse. But I had seen lots of strong reviews, so decided to give it a try. I love mysteries, but prefer them to be more on the believable side. This comes across more as a Jack Reacher style thriller book with a lot of unbelievable scenes. It got to the point I was actually groaning at times over how unrealistic the plot was and how often it relied on a coincidence. The plot had holes the size of the Grand Canyon.
Travis Devine is an ex-Army Ranger who’s now working as a first year analyst for an investment firm. He hates his job and it’s more penance than enjoyment. The book starts when his secret girlfriend (dating is prohibited among co-workers) is found hanging in a supply closet. He quickly becomes a suspect. He knows he’s being framed but can’t figure out why or by whom. There’s also a separate federal investigation where he’s forced to help. I did appreciate that he doesn’t immediately come across as an investigating savant. He makes mistakes when he asks folks questions; he doesn’t always think things through. The plot is just so bonkers but also pretty predictable. It was obvious early on what the financial shenanigans were going to be. I debated quitting this several times. But I kept wondering how Baldacci would tie everything up. I’m sorry I bothered.
Zachary Weber was the primary narrator and came across just as wooden as the character he was portraying.
It’s the first Baldacci book I’ve read and I won’t rush to try another.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travis Devine is the 6.20 man. He’s ex-highly decorated military now working on Wall Street for Cowl and Comely, a job he hates but pays the bills. He catches the 6.20 daily into NYC and gazes at the multi million dollar properties along the route, the bikini clad woman by the pool of one such mega mansion brightens his early morning commute. His mind numbing daily routine in the pursuit of making money for someone further up the food chain than himself is broken one morning when he receives a strange email about the death of a Co-worker he likes, Sarah Ewes. Her death is initially ruled a suicide- but why? Travis is questioned by NYPD and then by Federal agents who use his army past against him to ‘persuade’ him to go undercover at Cowl and Comely. This is just the tip of the iceberg as what is revealed is submerged in very murky waters in this well crafted thriller.

This standalone is my first David Baldacci and I’m not sure why I’ve never read his books before!!! I definitely feel the need to put that right! This takes a while to get going as it’s a bit over detailed at the start. However, once it gets off the starting blocks it’s a cracking read. Travis is an excellent central protagonist, he’s flawed (who isn’t?!) but very likeable and has good intentions. Initially nothing makes sense to him, then a lot of coincidences are revealed which makes you smell a large nest of rats! There’s a good range of characters from Gordon Gekko types to some you definitely have no wish to encounter anywhere, anytime.

The plot is good and it’s all too plausible, sadly, based on the things we have learned over the last year or so. It becomes action packed, we get glimpses of a conspiracy which then becomes very intense and dangerous. The tension ramps up and there are some breathtaking encounters. There are multiple clever plot twists, the pace is fast, the dialogue smart and it becomes more and more intriguing by the minute! The end is good and not one I anticipate which is all to the good and I like how it’s not too neatly tied up in a bow as that feels much more realistic.

I hope Travis appears again as I’d love to read what he gets up to next!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first page, this book hooks you like a train crash you didn’t see coming. Meet Travis Devine, our everyday hero, who kicks off his mornings with a 6:20 a.m. train commute. Sounds mundane, right? Well, think again. His journey gets a quirky twist when he spots a mysterious lady in a bikini. Yes, you read that right – a bikini!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As the story unfolds, you’ll encounter a colorful cast of characters, each with their own peculiar quirks and secrets. It's like a box of assorted chocolates, where each one hides a surprise.

The pace? Lightning fast! The action? Non-stop! This book is a wild ride from start to finish. Trust me, you’ll be flipping pages so quickly, you might just finish it in one sitting. Buckle up and enjoy the

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This guy is so predictable you can set your watch to him. Little wonder this uninspiring character is, "The 6:20 man." 3 of 10 stars

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always have high expectations when I open a Baldacci novel and I was not disappointed by this one.

Travis Devine is ex army and knows how to defend himself - an attribute he calls upon many times as the story progresses. He is currently paying a personal penance for a crime he has committed and consequently is working in a job he hates in an investment company. Then he receives a strange email, someone close to him commits suicide, and events start to develop out of hand.

The book begins slowly but gains momentum as more people die and Travis finds himself mixed up in things at every level. The twists and turns are endless and there are a few "Oh really!" moments but this is Baldacci we are talking about and he knows exactly how to make a book into a major page turner.

The ending has a clever, surprise twist which made me go back over a few pages to sort it all out in my mind. Ends were tied up satisfactorily but there were a couple of over reaching arcs left open which may indicate another Travis Devine book in the future. I hope so!

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travis Devine is a West Point graduate who abruptly cut his military career short, got an MBA and became an overworked analyst at a financial firm. Sara Ewes was Devine’s coworker and former girlfriend, and her suicide starts Devine on a convoluted path. The police won’t stop questioning him, strangers start threatening him and he really wants to know more about the bikini-clad woman who puts on a show every morning for the passengers of the 6:20 train.

I read one other book by this author and didn’t like it very much. This book was much more entertaining. It is a standalone, but can easily be turned into a new series. If there is another book I will read it. It was long, but fast paced and I was never tempted to start skimming. There are a lot of mysteries to be solved as the body count continues to grow. Who is emailing Devine from a hidden account? What’s really happening on the locked floor of the firm? Who can Devine trust? I liked Devine, but there were also a lot of other characters with interesting stories, including Devine’s three housemates and the woman in the bikini. The narrators of the audiobook did a very good job. 4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

[David Putnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a unique structure. I enjoyed the book, but barely. I kept wanting to put it down because it does what I call churning. The story line only has an appearance of moving forward when its not. Its like a stationary boat churning in the same place, in the same place, in the same place. The main character continually uncovers new things but we don't get anywhere. It's almost as if the author is shooting for a certain page count and is stalling. The roadblocks thrown up in front of the character never seem to advance the story. Well, not enough anyway. Could just be me.
Then at the end the single plot line diverges. The plot the main character chased throughout the entire book had nothing to do with the murders. It was merely a coincidence both plots were happening at the same time. This kind of thing--the coincidence--makes me want to throw the book across the room.
Its a decent tale with great descriptions but I wished someone would've told me before hand about the coincidence, I might not have taken such a long churning ride.

d.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely in the minority judging by other reviews but this was a DNF for me at 15%,I found both the writing and the main characters hard going and certain things odd ( people living in houses worth billions do not have a train line running past their mansions,certainly not close enough that the men can spy on a lady in her pool ) very cliched in places (sweet cheeks????) and just not for me

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new character from David Baldacci, in the form of an ex army ranger… count me in.

This author has so many wonderful and diverse characters. When the Atlee Pine series ended recently, I hope for a new series and it looks like we may get that with Travis Devine. He is a big, strong and very bloody minded man that I wouldn’t want to get the wrong side of. His experience in the army has made him wary and he sees everything. I loved getting to know him in The 620 Man.

Travis Devine has a routine now that his army days are over. He gets up at 4am daily to work out and then he catches the 620am train from his shared home in Mount Kisco to his job in Manhattan. A far cry from the army, he is now working as a financial analyst for Cowl and Comley on WallStreet. One morning he gets an anonymous email telling him that his co worker and ex lover, Sara Ewes was found dead on one of the upper floors of the building that they work. At first it appears to be suicide but further investigation deems her death a homicide. No Travis finds himself the prime suspect, and the target of a government body who want him to investigate the CEO Brad Cowl, in exchange for his army secrets staying that way.

As always with Baldacci, it is a wild and fast paced thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. It gets pretty dark in places. The worlds of finance and politics collide in another fantastic read from this prolific author.

The 620 Man is published in Australia 28th June. Thanks to Macmillan Australia for my advanced copy to read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can always count on David Baldacci for a spine tingling read, and with this latest one, he does not disappoint.

In this latest, we meet Travis Devine, retired Army, working as an entry-level analyst suddenly learning about a colleagues death. Why does it seem personal to him?

With many twists and turns, we will find ourselves following this investigation along with Travis, wondering, what happened, why, and who would do this?

And, what little message does the author share that has some political implications we need to pay attention to, as well.

His second in this series, The Edge comes out November 14, 2023.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2-1/2 /5
Meh! I expected better. A lot of high finance shenanigans and techno babble all of which goes over my head – so I depend on the characters to carry the story for me. Sadly that did not happen. The ‘hero’ Travis Devin is not all that interesting even though the author has done his best to make him so.

Devine is an ex-soldier, having left the Army under strange circumstances and now working in a high powered finance (Wall Street) job mostly to get back in the good graces of his father who was mad at him for going into the army (questionable reason).

A female co-worker has been murdered. Devin slept with her once but he is a suspect and I’m not exactly sure why, anyway this leads to Devine trying to find the real murdered and then some other people get killed just to confuse the issue.

On top of all that turns out he is also working for some Gov. agency trying to suss out what nefarious goings on is happening at the Wall Street firm.

The ending was so ridiculous I felt completely let down.

This is a stand-alone but is quite obvious that it is intended to become a series.

[Dave Edmunds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas gift from my daughter. Not my type of book but I was obviously compelled to read it...and say it was amazing. Which it wasn't. Run of the mill, with pretty average writing. Certainly not the worst book I've read but I'll soon be forgetting about it. Wait a second, what was I talking about?...exactly!

[Tony Monheim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to appease the woke crowd.

What started out as a pretty good story turns into a woke propaganda piece including the now obligatory attacks on Christians as mean and homophobic. I don’t understand why todays authors think they must introduce homosexuals and transgenders into all their narratives. Just as the attacks on Christian “narrow mindedness” seems to be required in all books and movies. Like today’s sports……I was enjoying this book until it went woke. Go woke…..go broke. Just ask the NBA and NFL. No more Baldacci for me.

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good character for a new series!

Travis Devine works at a job he hates, but that his father strongly approves of. He’s an entry-level analyst at a well-known investment firm, Cowl and Comely, making money for the owner, Brad Cowl, and is likely to continue doing so.

Travis works long hours, six days a week, and takes the 6:20 train to Manhattan every morning on time. During his commute, he can see Brad Cowl’s house and a young woman who’s always in a bikini as the train passes by.

One day, upon arriving at work, Travis receives a message: Sara Ewes, a colleague, has been found dead in a storage closet. Stranger still, he gets a text from an unknown number informing him of her death before anyone else knows.

At first, it appears to be suicide, but soon it’s clear someone murdered Sara. Travis launches his own investigation for two reasons: he liked Sara and had feelings for her, and his Army past is catching up, threatening his freedom unless he uncovers the truth.

Travis is a highly likable character. It’s easy to root for him. Baldacci throws in plenty of red herrings to distract from the real culprit and the reasons behind Sara’s murder. Following Travis was definitely entertaining.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Теодор Панов · Rating 5 out of 5]

Страхотно изграден персонаж е този Травис Дивайн! Харесвам го много! 🚅🏃‍♂️

Избрани цитати от българското издание на книгата:

Стр. 72 – Разбира се, момчетата казваха каквото трябва пред хората, за да не сложат прът в колелата на кариерите си, но когато си говореха насаме, беше съвсем друга история. Отрицателното отношение към жените се простираше от редници чак до полковници и генерали. И дребнавите мръсотии, с които си отмъщаваха тези мъже, бяха легендарно безмилостни. За една жена в униформа беше най-болезнено от всичко да разбере, че мъжът в униформа до нея не е готов да ѝ пази гърба – и още по-обидно, дори не иска тя да бъде там.

Стр. 75 – Никой не беше забелязал нараняванията по лицето му, нито колко сковано държи ръката си, защото никой не си беше направил труда да го погледне, когато всички влязоха. Беше съзнателно решение от страна на колегите му, защото той почти винаги идваше пръв на работа и знаеше, че по този начин ги вбесява. В отговор те не обръщаха никакво внимание на ранобудния натрапник. А после се заемаха да го смачкат с резултатите от собствената си вдъхновена работа.

Стр. 80 – Човек научава повече, когато слуша, и колкото по-малко думи излизат от устата му, толкова по-малко се връщат като бумеранг срещу него.

Стр. 119 – А с цялата тежест на очакването идваше и един друг въпрос: Дали в живота, който водят хората, наистина има някакъв истински смисъл? Дали всички не очакваме само едно… нищо?

Стр. 120 – Някои хора бяха готови да съборят всичко, ако им се удадеше възможност. Включително и други хора.

Стр. 313 – Хората с пари са готови да простят много неща, ако парите продължават да се множат. Същото важи и за властите.

# The 6:20 Man (audiobook – review)

[Shruti Vijayakar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of David Baldacci and always eagerly grab his books to read. I felt cheated with this one. It is SO badly written, none of the characters feel real and the purpose of the book seems confused. Many dangling threads were left, the characters were too dumb to ask basic common sense questions and the plot seemed like it was going nowhere. But I persevered only because - David Baldacci so I was hoping for redemption. Then I reached the climax and I was infuriated because it came out of left field completely and seemed SO irrelevant to the rest of the story that I wanted to ask for those hours of my life back. It really feels like he wrote this book because he wanted to buy a new car or something so he just dashed out any crap knowing that his readers will pick it up. I am very disappointed.

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Re: The 6:20 Man

Dear Mr. Baldacci,

I read your book. It was a very painful read.

Please rewrite it and send it to me for editing.

This version is missing not only your voice, but your tightly written and carefully crafted storylines.


This book could not have possibly been written by the same man that wrote “Absolute Power” and “Total Control”.

Many online reviews will confirm my concerns.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Baldacci is one of those authors whose books pull the reader in, no matter the subject matter. While I do enjoy the series he has written, I also find a great deal of happiness reading standalone thrillers, as this one appears to be. Baldacci hits the mark with this piece, intertwining some military background with a crime thriller that is sure to keep the reader up well into the night. I’m happy to see such a variety coming out of Baldacci, but am also looking forward to more of his series to build on the excitement.

Travis Devine is a financial grunt who has the same routine every day before work. Riding the 6:20am train to the heart of New York, Devine preps for another day as an analyst, peering out the window for a sliver of excitement. While is days are usually full of the mundane, when he receives a cryptic email, all this turns on its head. One of his mentors is found hanging and what originally looks like suicide is soon deemed a likely homicide.

While Devine is panicked as to what is going on, the evidence soon points to him as being the murderer. Sure that he will need to stay ahead of the game to exonerate himself, Devine is pulled into a parallel investigation by people from his military past, hoping to reveal something highly sinister. Who might have killed Sara Ewes and for what reason?

As Devine digs a little deeper, he realises that someone is targeting him and trying to ensure the police do as well. Trying to gather minute pieces of evidence, Devine forges ahead with some theories of his own, only to find himself tangled in the web of his employer and a powerful man at the top. There’s no doubt that Devine is one step away from disaster, but he will have to work fast ensure he gets the answers he needs to provide a pathway for the truth.

When others begin dying as well, Devine surmises that this is more deadly than first he thought. There is someone out there, trying to silence a select few about something that could cause financial chaos should it leak. Armed with his intuition and some help from roommates he hardly knows, Devine will pull out all the stops to prove his innocence and get to the root of Sara Ewes’ murder. Another winner by Baldacci, sure to impress those who enjoy a good thriller.

One need never worry when David Baldacci is at the helm, as the story always flows with ease. Baldacci’s seemingly endless ideas weave together and provide the reader with something well worth their time. Strong characters and a developing plot keep things on pace as the story crescendos to its climax. I am eager to see if there will be more standalone novels, or if Baldacci might weave Travis Devine into some of his other writing.

Key to a successful story is the narrative that leads the reader along. Baldacci has mastered this and provides a strong foundation for a powerful piece. With characters who are as interconnected as they are individualistic, Baldacci uses them to push the story along with ease, without getting too wrapped up in minutiae. A few plot twists to keep the reader from guessing too much provide great turns for all to enjoy. While I do love the series work that Baldacci has developed, I cannot help but enjoy some of his individual books that provide something refreshing for fans. I am eager to see what’s to come in the next few months.

Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another great book. I know those fans will find something in here that they can enjoy.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Maryanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first Baldacci book and my last!

I’m not sure where to start. The plot holes were enormous. The characters were cardboard cutouts. The ending was a literary dump. The killer’s motivation was just stupid.

This was not a thriller. It was a disjointed mess. Save the money and the time.

[Теодор Панов · Rating 5 out of 5]

Първата ми среща с творчеството на Дейвид Балдачи се състоя през миналата година с „Комарджията“ (която харесах много), после продължи с „Dream Town“ (също я харесах ) и сега с „The 6:20 Man“, от която отново съм с прекрасни впечатления.

Може да се каже, че главният персонаж Travis Devine е една особена смесица от Джак Ричър, Алойшъс Арчър и собствена идентичност. Сюжетът в книгата протича бързо и динамично. Има множество непредвидими и вълнуващи обрати, което за мен е страхотен плюс за книга от трилър жанра и даже е силно определящо дали книгата ще ми хареса или не.

По едно време историята тръгна по една ос, която я смятам за твърде банална и клиширана.
Цитат:
„Where the hell are you, Will? Back in Moscow getting a medal from Putin?“
За щастие обаче, действието не тръгва да се развива по тази ос, а поема в ново и неочаквано направление. Като се оказва, че предишното е било заблуда (брилянтна) от страна на Дейвид Балдачи, ако не беше, книгата щеше да получи твърдо 4.00, но сега ѝ давам 4.55 ⭐

A good soldier never discounted the intervention of well-timed luck.
Redemption, a second shot, a new lease on life.
Maybe this was all of those things.
You’ll never know until you try, soldier.
He sat back, closed his eyes, and let the 6:20 train take him somewhere, one more time.

P.S. Не знам дали ще продължа с някои от по-ранните произведения на Дейвид Балдачи („Едно добро дело“ ще го чета със сигурност), но от тези трите, които прочетох до момента, останах със супер впечатления от този автор.
Изглежда не е случайно, че е толкова популярен, просто човекът може да пише добри и завладяващи трилъри.

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audiobook has 3 narrators which was great. I especially love that the female narrator speaks at each female dialogue. Many audiobooks has male voice playing for both male and female. This one especially good on that separation for the entire story!

This story followed an ex-military, Travis Devine. Every day he took the 6:20 train into work. He worked at an investment company. The owner seems to have shady deals because he grew to wealth in a short time. Someone intercepted Travis and asked him to look into the company when a dead body, thought to be suicide was found. Suspiciously, Travis was the only person to have received a notification of this death, which had him questioning. He also knew the woman. He was involved with her once.

At home, he had several roommates. One guy was a hacker and he helped Travis figure out who sent him that anonymous email. Two other female roommates where one own a dating site and one he suspected live under an alias.

More dead bodies piling up. Travis working with women around him, those who has relations with the owner. The owner was shady as expected but the twist did happen in the end when the killer reveal what has been happening.

The story lose my interest for the most part because it focused a lot more on his suspicion of the owner and him being in the building was repeated often. Many other deaths were glazed over but the first death was over analyzed.

Thank you Grandcentralpub for the opportunity to read and review. I listened to an audiobook via Libby App.

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Man on the Train
Review of the Grand Central Publishing Kindle eBook edition, released simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover (July 12, 2022)

Author Baldacci often writes interesting protagonists. I especially like his cranky detective Amos Decker with his hyperthymesia (total memory recall) & synesthesia (ability to crossover senses e.g. to "feel" a "colour"). But frequently his twists and conspiracies are so over the top that you are left feeling unsatisfied by the end. He is also so prolific that you can't really keep up and you worry that quality will suffer as quantity increases. So I didn't rush to pickup The 6:20 Man when it released last summer. When it was a Kindle Deal of the Day for $2.99 on January 8, 2023, I did grab it though.

This was actually quite good almost right up until the end, when the absurd twist finally appears to provide the letdown. The twist was also pretty much un-guessable on the part of the reader (you could say there was one very slim clue), so there was the added feeling of having the rug pulled out from under you. An Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ is the result.

Ex-Ranger Travis Devine has left the army under mysterious circumstances, despite having had a successful military career. He now works in a low-level entry position at a high-end Manhattan investment firm. He commutes daily on the 6:20 a.m. train into the city, thus the title of the book. His life begins to unravel when one of the firm's high-earners is found dead in a supply closet one morning, an apparent suicide. Travis had dated the woman in the past (not actually allowed under the firm's code of conduct) and it soon appears that he is being framed for what is quickly determined to have been a murder. His housemates all play supportive roles in attempting to assist him, but they are each perhaps not whom they seem. He has run-ins with various other workers at the firm and other associated businesses. And finally he meets the actual working partner CEO who may be a figurehead for something much more nefarious than investments. Devine has to choose his allies carefully and call upon his close combat skills (there is a recognizable Reacher-vibe to those encounters) to solve it all.

So although the twist was a let-down, I did enjoy the book for the most part. It isn't listed as the first of a series, but I suspect that Travis Devine may become another recurring character for Baldacci.

[Barry who enjoys well-written thrillers, mysteries , & espionage & loathes romance, horror & supernat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had promised myself that I would never read another book by Baldacci but, weak-willed guy that I am, I was hooked by the high ratings and interesting summary so.... Firstly, let me say that the book was not bad, or pas mal, as is said in France. Neither was it great but I never lost interest in it and it wasn´t as formulaic as Baldacci´s books often are.

Travis has been in and out of the army where he attained the rank of Captain and was as lethal a killing machine as the organization produced. Nonetheless, he left something in which he excelled for the world of business, initially obtaining an MBA and then a position in a big time, work like a dog to try and make partner, investment house. In part, he did this to make his father, who frequently demeaned his army career, proud of him.

Strange things began to happen in the investment house like people turning up dead; people with whom Travis had a connection of some sort. He began to poke around to see what he could learn and he, surprisingly found himself sitting across the table from... well, that´d be too much to give away.

The 6:20 Man had a very interesting and somewhat compelling plot - not the best but certainly much better than mediocre. Most of the characters were interesting and fairly well developed although a few important ones were a bit thin. Baldacci´s writing, if he did, indeed, write the book himself, was straightforward and although not elegant was certainly readable and inoffensive. The twists, however, were a step too far and just not plausible, accounting for the lack of a fourth star.

I may read another Baldacci book but with so many fine writers creating such excellent books, I suspect not.

I can only recommend this book to a true Baldacci fan.

Fini

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugely enjoyable thriller from the oen of David Baldacci, made for me mainly by the main character, Travis Devine, who it seems we may meet again. Hope so.

It is a mish mash of political and financial thriller with a classic murder mystery embedded in and plenty of action to keep it exciting.

Loved the writing, loved the supporting characters especially the roommates and it was beautifully done from first page to last.

Very good indeed. Recommended.