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The 6:20 Man #3
To Die For
11 hours, 58 minutes
From #1 New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci, the 6:20 Man returns, this time sent to the Pacific Northwest to aid the FBI in a case that gets more complicated with the more questions Devine asks—and he’s about to come face-to-face with his nemesis, the girl on the train.
Travis Devine has become a pro at adapting to any situation to accomplish the mission set in front of him. Whether it’s a high-powered corporate setting or small-town community, Devine will become the man for the job. His time as an Army Ranger and on the financial battlefields of Wall Street gave him the skills he needed, and he’s put them to good use. But this time it’s not his skills that send him to Seattle to aid the FBI in escorting orphaned, twelve-year-old Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, who’s under investigation for RICO charges. Instead, he’s hoping to lie low and keep off the radar of an enemy that he evaded on a train in Switzerland and who has been after him ever since—the girl on the train.
But as Devine gets to know Betsy, questions begin to arise around the death of her parents. Betsy is adamant that they had never used drugs, but the police in the small rural town where they died insist the Odoms died of an overdose. Devine starts digging for answers, and what he finds points to a conspiracy bigger than he could’ve ever imagined. The question is, how do Betsy, her uncle, and various government agencies all fit into it.
It might finally be time for Devine and the girl on the train to come face-to-face, and when that happens, Devine is going to find himself unsure of who are his allies and who are his enemies. And in some cases, they might well be both.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci, the 6:20 Man returns, this time sent to the Pacific Northwest to aid the FBI in a case that gets more complicated with the more questions Devine asks—and he’s about to come face-to-face with his nemesis, the girl on the train.
Travis Devine has become a pro at adapting to any situation to accomplish the mission set in front of him. Whether it’s a high-powered corporate setting or small-town community, Devine will become the man for the job. His time as an Army Ranger and on the financial battlefields of Wall Street gave him the skills he needed, and he’s put them to good use. But this time it’s not his skills that send him to Seattle to aid the FBI in escorting orphaned, twelve-year-old Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, who’s under investigation for RICO charges. Instead, he’s hoping to lie low and keep off the radar of an enemy that he evaded on a train in Switzerland and who has been after him ever since—the girl on the train.
But as Devine gets to know Betsy, questions begin to arise around the death of her parents. Betsy is adamant that they had never used drugs, but the police in the small rural town where they died insist the Odoms died of an overdose. Devine starts digging for answers, and what he finds points to a conspiracy bigger than he could’ve ever imagined. The question is, how do Betsy, her uncle, and various government agencies all fit into it.
It might finally be time for Devine and the girl on the train to come face-to-face, and when that happens, Devine is going to find himself unsure of who are his allies and who are his enemies. And in some cases, they might well be both.
Audiobook
Published November 12, 2024
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About the author
David Baldacci
222 books123k followersDavid Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.”)
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. David has also published seven novels for younger readers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. David has also published seven novels for younger readers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,945 reviews
January 28, 2025
4.5⭐️
To Die For, the third installment in David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series follows former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine, who is now employed by the Office of Special Projects (a stealth operation under the DHS), on his new mission, which takes him to the US West Coast. Danny Glass, a decorated former military man presently under investigation for RICO charges, is applying for guardianship of his recently; orphaned twelve-year-old niece Betsy Odom, and Travis is tasked with Betsy’s safety in collaboration with the FBI and supervising her visits with her uncle. Travis soon realizes that there is more to Betsy’s parents’ death than meets the eye and Danny’s enemies might be targeting her next. What follows is a complex web of murder, cover-ups, corruption, government secrets and much more! Complicating matters further is “The Girl on the Train,” who, after two failed attempts, is only more determined to complete her mission to kill Travis.
Complex plotting, compelling characters, action-packed drama ( I don’t mind suspension of disbelief!) and intrigue that keeps the reader frantically turning pages – David Baldacci thrillers seldom disappoint and the author’s latest offering is no exception. A lot is going on in this novel and initially, I was a bit confused with how the different threads of the story were related, but the author deftly ties it all together as the mystery is unraveled. Travis Devine is an interesting protagonist – a former military man with a heart of gold who would do everything in his power to see that justice is served. As in the author’s other series, facets of the protagonist’s backstory are woven into the present timeline, making for strong character development throughout the series. Betsy, the precocious twelve-year-old, was a handful (I could sympathize with her plight), and I enjoyed seeing her opening up as the plot progressed. I should mention that the direction of the “The Girl on the Train” track did surprise me and I do feel that some aspects of her story remain a mystery and I would have liked to get to know more about her. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of this genre.
Needless to say, I’ll eagerly await the next book in this series (and/or the next book in any of the author’s series).
Please note that though this installment would work well as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of past events mentioned in the course of this novel.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. To Die For was published in the USA on November 12, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
To Die For, the third installment in David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series follows former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine, who is now employed by the Office of Special Projects (a stealth operation under the DHS), on his new mission, which takes him to the US West Coast. Danny Glass, a decorated former military man presently under investigation for RICO charges, is applying for guardianship of his recently; orphaned twelve-year-old niece Betsy Odom, and Travis is tasked with Betsy’s safety in collaboration with the FBI and supervising her visits with her uncle. Travis soon realizes that there is more to Betsy’s parents’ death than meets the eye and Danny’s enemies might be targeting her next. What follows is a complex web of murder, cover-ups, corruption, government secrets and much more! Complicating matters further is “The Girl on the Train,” who, after two failed attempts, is only more determined to complete her mission to kill Travis.
Complex plotting, compelling characters, action-packed drama ( I don’t mind suspension of disbelief!) and intrigue that keeps the reader frantically turning pages – David Baldacci thrillers seldom disappoint and the author’s latest offering is no exception. A lot is going on in this novel and initially, I was a bit confused with how the different threads of the story were related, but the author deftly ties it all together as the mystery is unraveled. Travis Devine is an interesting protagonist – a former military man with a heart of gold who would do everything in his power to see that justice is served. As in the author’s other series, facets of the protagonist’s backstory are woven into the present timeline, making for strong character development throughout the series. Betsy, the precocious twelve-year-old, was a handful (I could sympathize with her plight), and I enjoyed seeing her opening up as the plot progressed. I should mention that the direction of the “The Girl on the Train” track did surprise me and I do feel that some aspects of her story remain a mystery and I would have liked to get to know more about her. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of this genre.
Needless to say, I’ll eagerly await the next book in this series (and/or the next book in any of the author’s series).
Please note that though this installment would work well as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of past events mentioned in the course of this novel.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. To Die For was published in the USA on November 12, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
December 5, 2024
Another excellent read by David Baldacci. In fact, all his books have been remarkable. Such a versatile writer. The 6:20 man series is no exception. The rollercoaster of action starts from the very first page and never stops. Divine is the main character in this read and not someone to mess with if you want to keep good health. He faces The Mob, assassins, a government faction and forms alliances with the strangest people. I was out of breath by the end of this book. Final vote…..great read and deserves a 5. Fellow GR friends, come join me in this exciting action ride.
April 18, 2025
Better than the first two in my opinion. Perhaps, because there's a child involve in the storyline, we see the softer side of Devine, the MC. Looking forward to the next!
March 20, 2025
In this fast paced, page-turning continuing series thriller, readers find themselves in the midst of a dual mystery. Travis Devine who works for the government and has highly specialized skills, is our protagonist being pursued by someone who is bent on killing him. Why?
And, he is also in the midst of a case to protect Betsy, a young 12-year-old girl whose parents were said to have died of an overdose and now wants to be adopted by her only living relative, her Uncle Danny. Who just happens to not be a very good person, and is also being investigated by the FBI for RICO charges. And, who Travis once served with in the Army. Not to mention the many witnesses against Danny who are being murdered around him. Are these just a coincidence?
Travis also has doubts about the true reason and circumstance for Betsy’s parent’s death. Needless to say, Travis has quite a lot on his hands to keep himself and Betsy safe.
As Devine gets more involved in caring about Betsy’s welfare, the more complicated things become.
“Apparently, in the world in which he operated now, few could be trusted…”
Are there domestic terrorists looming between these pages?
“It’s a different world, and the only thing you can be sure of is nothing and that includes people.”
The more and more I got into this story, the more I began to wonder if this was actually a foretelling of the Trump administration’s plan for what was going to happen to our own government. For me to say more would be a spoiler.
I guess you are wondering if I am just keeping spoilers from you about this story, or have some insights into this supposed foretelling? Well, perhaps…both. But again, let’s be clear, I don’t divulge spoilers. So, it is best to just get this book, and read it. Then you can come to your own conclusions. 😉 Still, to be honest, I can’t help but be concerned about what some voters may have unknowingly unleashed upon our country. And, could this story be a blueprint for those in aspirational roles?
Baldacci is amazing when it comes to creating intriguing characters and telling a well-crafted story. He provides quick, fast chapters, and a well-paced plot that keeps readers engaged. Although this is a series, this one can be read as a stand-alone. But if you can, following the series is always best. Just be prepared to not want to put this one down once you get started!
And, he is also in the midst of a case to protect Betsy, a young 12-year-old girl whose parents were said to have died of an overdose and now wants to be adopted by her only living relative, her Uncle Danny. Who just happens to not be a very good person, and is also being investigated by the FBI for RICO charges. And, who Travis once served with in the Army. Not to mention the many witnesses against Danny who are being murdered around him. Are these just a coincidence?
Travis also has doubts about the true reason and circumstance for Betsy’s parent’s death. Needless to say, Travis has quite a lot on his hands to keep himself and Betsy safe.
As Devine gets more involved in caring about Betsy’s welfare, the more complicated things become.
“Apparently, in the world in which he operated now, few could be trusted…”
Are there domestic terrorists looming between these pages?
“It’s a different world, and the only thing you can be sure of is nothing and that includes people.”
The more and more I got into this story, the more I began to wonder if this was actually a foretelling of the Trump administration’s plan for what was going to happen to our own government. For me to say more would be a spoiler.
I guess you are wondering if I am just keeping spoilers from you about this story, or have some insights into this supposed foretelling? Well, perhaps…both. But again, let’s be clear, I don’t divulge spoilers. So, it is best to just get this book, and read it. Then you can come to your own conclusions. 😉 Still, to be honest, I can’t help but be concerned about what some voters may have unknowingly unleashed upon our country. And, could this story be a blueprint for those in aspirational roles?
Baldacci is amazing when it comes to creating intriguing characters and telling a well-crafted story. He provides quick, fast chapters, and a well-paced plot that keeps readers engaged. Although this is a series, this one can be read as a stand-alone. But if you can, following the series is always best. Just be prepared to not want to put this one down once you get started!
October 26, 2024
To Die For is book 3 in the Travis Devine series and in my opinion, the best. From start to finish, this is one amazing book. It is an action packed story, with twists and turns throughout. At the same time it is emotional, with a little girl in danger.
The girl from the train is still stalking Travis and seems to be getting closer. His boss sends him to Seattle to watch over a 12 year old orphan, Betsy. She has recently lost her parents in what police call a drug overdose, but Betsy knows better. Travis of course needs to look into this claim, putting himself in danger.
There is so much more to this story, with a lot going on at all times. There is no time to take a breath before more gunshots are fired in his direction. Travis is a tough guy but with a heart of gold and this little girl gets under his skin. He won’t stop until he gets to the bottom of what is going on in this town, and what happened to Betsy’s parents.
David Baldacci always writes such compelling stories, with realistic characters that you will either love or hate. I can’t recommend his books enough. An absolute master for crime fiction.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Australia for sending me an early copy of To Die For. As soon as it arrived I had to start it.
Publishes on October 29th.
The girl from the train is still stalking Travis and seems to be getting closer. His boss sends him to Seattle to watch over a 12 year old orphan, Betsy. She has recently lost her parents in what police call a drug overdose, but Betsy knows better. Travis of course needs to look into this claim, putting himself in danger.
There is so much more to this story, with a lot going on at all times. There is no time to take a breath before more gunshots are fired in his direction. Travis is a tough guy but with a heart of gold and this little girl gets under his skin. He won’t stop until he gets to the bottom of what is going on in this town, and what happened to Betsy’s parents.
David Baldacci always writes such compelling stories, with realistic characters that you will either love or hate. I can’t recommend his books enough. An absolute master for crime fiction.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Australia for sending me an early copy of To Die For. As soon as it arrived I had to start it.
Publishes on October 29th.
May 6, 2025
Another fun read from David Baldacci. I can count on one hand the books that I didn't love by him, and I think I've read every book he's ever written. Fast paced. Lots of action. David and Goliath with an added bonus of a cat-and-mouse.
The chase is interesting. We know her as "the girl on the train" (which I hate - she's a full woman, an assassin even, and should be recognized as such!). Feels like she got a lot of closure in this book. Also feels like we'll see her again in a subsequent book, but maybe she'll be less of a hunter and more of friend, ally, and even a romantic interest? I look forward to seeing how she ends up in the next book.
The chase is interesting. We know her as "the girl on the train" (which I hate - she's a full woman, an assassin even, and should be recognized as such!). Feels like she got a lot of closure in this book. Also feels like we'll see her again in a subsequent book, but maybe she'll be less of a hunter and more of friend, ally, and even a romantic interest? I look forward to seeing how she ends up in the next book.
November 26, 2024
Baldacci knocks it out of the park again! This was good with awesome twists that I definitely didn't see coming.
Devine tries to uncover the cause of death behind a couple while their daughter waits in the wings to be adopted by her mother's brother. Thing is uncle isn't so squeaky clean with a criminal case hanging over his head. Girl on the train is also back and Devine has to watch his back or maybe she just might be the case to unraveling what's going on in this town!
Solid 4.5 Stars!!!!
Devine tries to uncover the cause of death behind a couple while their daughter waits in the wings to be adopted by her mother's brother. Thing is uncle isn't so squeaky clean with a criminal case hanging over his head. Girl on the train is also back and Devine has to watch his back or maybe she just might be the case to unraveling what's going on in this town!
Solid 4.5 Stars!!!!
December 26, 2024
The third book in the 6:20 Man series featuring Travis Devine, and it is another good one!
Travis is trying to maintain a low-key existence as he knows the girl on the train (from the earlier books) is still trying to find him and end his life. He accepts an apparently straight forward job watching over a 12 year old girl whose parents have recently died. However the cause of their deaths is not what it seems and Travis is quickly involved in a lot more than he bargained for.
This whole series is Baldacci at his best. The books are fast paced, intriguing and fun. So some of it is unreal - this is fiction after all. Excellent reading and highly recommended!
Travis is trying to maintain a low-key existence as he knows the girl on the train (from the earlier books) is still trying to find him and end his life. He accepts an apparently straight forward job watching over a 12 year old girl whose parents have recently died. However the cause of their deaths is not what it seems and Travis is quickly involved in a lot more than he bargained for.
This whole series is Baldacci at his best. The books are fast paced, intriguing and fun. So some of it is unreal - this is fiction after all. Excellent reading and highly recommended!
November 14, 2024
3.5 stars
I'd enjoyed 'The 6:20 Man' and 'The Edge' so I had 'To Die For', the third Travis Devine novel, on pre-order. I dived in as soon as it appeared on in my Audible Library and was immediately glad that I'd bought the book. From the opening, I thought it was going to be the best in the series so far. I had no idea what was going on and I wasn't trying to figure it out. I was happy to just enjoy the read, confident that whatever the bad guys were up to, Devine, through a mix of determination, sacrifice, violence, empathy, analytical ability and fast reflexes, would find a way to stop them.
The storytelling was a nice mix of mystery and almost cute character-building, spiced with intermittent explosions of violence that Devine has to find a way to survive. It helped that I like Devine. He's a rule follower with empathy and a strong protective streak but without any of Reacher's weirdness. For the first half of the book, 'To Die For' was great entertainment.
BUT...
...reading isn't just about the text, it's about what you bring with you when you're reading the text. 'To Die For' was published on 9th November 2024, so one of the things I brought with me was the outcome of the US Presidential Election four days earlier. That changed my experience of the novel. When, in the second half of the novels, it became clear that a key element of the plot was the attempt by multiple US Federal agencies to frustrate the plans of well-funded and well connect white supremacist domestic terrorist groups to overthrow the government, I had difficulty sustaining my interest. This newly published book suddenly felt atavistic. White supremacists don't need to overthrow the government any more. After Trump's inaugeration, they will BE the government.
I think Baldacci did a great job but I think he built a beach house in the path of the tidal wave of history.
If you can read 'To Die For' as an entertaining thriller, free of the current political context, then I strongly recommend the audiobook version. All of the narrators are good and I really like the techniques of having some of the dialogue spoken by people other than the main narrator.
I'd enjoyed 'The 6:20 Man' and 'The Edge' so I had 'To Die For', the third Travis Devine novel, on pre-order. I dived in as soon as it appeared on in my Audible Library and was immediately glad that I'd bought the book. From the opening, I thought it was going to be the best in the series so far. I had no idea what was going on and I wasn't trying to figure it out. I was happy to just enjoy the read, confident that whatever the bad guys were up to, Devine, through a mix of determination, sacrifice, violence, empathy, analytical ability and fast reflexes, would find a way to stop them.
The storytelling was a nice mix of mystery and almost cute character-building, spiced with intermittent explosions of violence that Devine has to find a way to survive. It helped that I like Devine. He's a rule follower with empathy and a strong protective streak but without any of Reacher's weirdness. For the first half of the book, 'To Die For' was great entertainment.
BUT...
...reading isn't just about the text, it's about what you bring with you when you're reading the text. 'To Die For' was published on 9th November 2024, so one of the things I brought with me was the outcome of the US Presidential Election four days earlier. That changed my experience of the novel. When, in the second half of the novels, it became clear that a key element of the plot was the attempt by multiple US Federal agencies to frustrate the plans of well-funded and well connect white supremacist domestic terrorist groups to overthrow the government, I had difficulty sustaining my interest. This newly published book suddenly felt atavistic. White supremacists don't need to overthrow the government any more. After Trump's inaugeration, they will BE the government.
I think Baldacci did a great job but I think he built a beach house in the path of the tidal wave of history.
If you can read 'To Die For' as an entertaining thriller, free of the current political context, then I strongly recommend the audiobook version. All of the narrators are good and I really like the techniques of having some of the dialogue spoken by people other than the main narrator.
December 21, 2024
For the last couple of years, David Baldacci has been producing two books a year, and focusing most of his attention on his recent series characters of Amos Decker (Memory Man), Will Robie, Atlee Pine, and Aloysius Archer. Last year he branched out and introduced a new character - Travis Devine – a former Army Ranger who finds himself working for a covert government agency under the Homeland security moniker of protecting the United States from its internal and external enemies.
As 2024 comes to a close, Devine returns for his third adventure - “To Die For” – being sent to Seattle to help the FBI in escorting a an orphaned, 12-year-old girl named Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, who’s under a heavy federal investigation into his illegal business operations. Devine is requested for this awkward babysitting mission because he once served on a mission with the uncle back in his military days. Still, Devine feels like there’s something wrong with the situation and that he’s coming in blind.
At the same time, Devine is being hunted by a deadly assassin – the mysterious girl on the train – who has tried twice to kill him twice and is committed to getting the job done because it’s become personal for her. She’s quietly tracking and watching him as he arrives in Seattle.
Nothing is ever easy or straightforward for Devine. The FBI agent in charge of watching Betsy is a professional train wreck, refusing to share pertinent information with him. Betsy is an angry 12-year-old going on 30 years after witnessing both of her parents die. It’s no surprise that she’s scared, and her only options are either going to live with an uncle that is facing a load of RICO charges or being put into social services. Devine is completely out of his element. For him, dealing with a distraught teenage girl is way tougher than facing down any team of professional killers.
It doesn’t take long for Devine to find himself in the middle of a serious mess. The FBI is keeping secrets and playing games as their legal charges are running parallel to the uncle’s emergency court request for custody of Betsy. The uncle demands to meet privately with Devine and then promises to kill him if anything bad happens to his niece. Then someone approaches Devine wanting to share dirt on the uncle, and before he can say what it is, he is killed.
Devine finds himself in a deadly game with several parties – the FBI, government lawyers, an ex-military criminal wanting custody of his niece, a mysterious group targeting the uncle to keep their anti-government plans secret, local law enforcement that’s growing frustrated with Devine’s unwillingness to share what he knows, and more importantly, risking his own life to protect Betsy from those who would use or even kill her to get what they want.
And then there’s the girl on the train, waiting and watching in the background for her own chance to permanently eliminate Devine herself.
Will this be the end of Devine and his service to his country…
Let me be clear right up front. I enjoy reading David Baldacci. Most of the time I greatly enjoy reading his books. I found him to be a compelling and masterful storyteller who has really perfected his craft in the mystery/thriller genre. He tells a story better than James Patterson (I will probably be criticized for saying that). I personally put him right up there with John Grisham and Michael Connelly as the best in the business when it comes to plotting, pacing, suspense, and rhythmic flow. These three writers are so good that I just find myself shutting out the world and enjoying a great escape whenever I get my hands on one of their books.
“To Die For” was a great example of that. A fun, fast-paced, thrill ride that was enjoyable and entertaining. Baldacci treated me as an intelligent reader wanting a complex, multi-layered story that was worthy of reading. Don’t get me wrong. This book won’t go down as a classic by any means, but like most of Baldacci’s novels, it had an interesting setting, conflicted characters, and extremely fast paced plotting. There were the right amount characters, and every time someone popped up throughout the book, you were able to remember who they were, which helped because again, this was one of his faster moving novels. I especially enjoyed how much current political events in our country were woven into a strong mystery and several connected subplots.
I was drawn to several of the characters, but most of all, Betsy Odom. She’s been through more challenges as a 12-year-old adolescent girl than most of us can imagine. Still, she has an inner strength that matches her outer shell of anger and lashing out. She’s actually a lot like Devine, figuring things out on the fly, one challenge at a time, and creating her own advantages when the opportunities arise. I loved how her relationship with Devine developed and grew to the point that he was able to influence and mentor her in a positive way. Neither one of the two trust easily, and they earned it the hard way in this one. In return, her growth had a positive influence on him and made him a better person for it.
I would also consider this book a serious potboiler. Each chapter hummed and then ended in a cliffhanger that easily pulled you right into the next chapter. There was no slowing down most of the time in this one. It was just one thing after another that kept Devine’s investigation moving forward at high speed. There were just enough lulls for the reader to ponder the clues and catch your breath. An excellent escapist read that was very hard to put down for sure.
One other thing that I noticed while reading this one had to do with the character of Travis Devine. He’s actually quite similar to two other Baldacci leading characters - Will Robie and John Puller. All three of them have military backgrounds and work for secret U.S. Government agencies. Although they each have some particular skill sets and different backgrounds, in most ways, they all really a blend of each other. To be honest, that really isn’t a big deal when you’re reading the books because they are all entertaining, even if the lead is interchangeable. It was just something that I noticed, but it didn’t negatively impact my reading experience in any way.
The important thing for me was that the prose was definitely Baldacci. His storytelling ability is one of his best writing strengths. He put me in the story right away and established the tension immediately. His characters have depth and real qualities. Their strengths and weaknesses add strength to the story. Baldacci masterfully wraps the plot together over 400 pages so that each step of the mystery is revealed one key moment at a time, and combined with the action sequences to build to a thrilling climax that delivers a winning read. Writing first-class page-turners are not easy. There are few who a truly successful at it, and Baldacci is a master.
Overall, “To Die For” was a worthy follow-up to his previous two Travis Devine adventures - “The 6:20 Man” and “The Edge” - and also provided an unexpected but pleasing outcome to his conflict with the mysterious lady on the train.
For an author that consistently produces two books each year, Baldacci hasn’t lost his ability to maintain his strong writing recipe for success - intricate plotting, character depth, and pacing. “One to Die For” is an excellent example of why Baldacci is one of my favorite mystery / thriller writers. Like most of his books, I am immediately immersed from the first page all the way to end in each, and once I finish one, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.
Until our next reading time together in April, 2025 when he ventures back in history with a World War II novel – “Strangers in Time” – I happily say thank you and best wishes Baldacci!
As 2024 comes to a close, Devine returns for his third adventure - “To Die For” – being sent to Seattle to help the FBI in escorting a an orphaned, 12-year-old girl named Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, who’s under a heavy federal investigation into his illegal business operations. Devine is requested for this awkward babysitting mission because he once served on a mission with the uncle back in his military days. Still, Devine feels like there’s something wrong with the situation and that he’s coming in blind.
At the same time, Devine is being hunted by a deadly assassin – the mysterious girl on the train – who has tried twice to kill him twice and is committed to getting the job done because it’s become personal for her. She’s quietly tracking and watching him as he arrives in Seattle.
Nothing is ever easy or straightforward for Devine. The FBI agent in charge of watching Betsy is a professional train wreck, refusing to share pertinent information with him. Betsy is an angry 12-year-old going on 30 years after witnessing both of her parents die. It’s no surprise that she’s scared, and her only options are either going to live with an uncle that is facing a load of RICO charges or being put into social services. Devine is completely out of his element. For him, dealing with a distraught teenage girl is way tougher than facing down any team of professional killers.
It doesn’t take long for Devine to find himself in the middle of a serious mess. The FBI is keeping secrets and playing games as their legal charges are running parallel to the uncle’s emergency court request for custody of Betsy. The uncle demands to meet privately with Devine and then promises to kill him if anything bad happens to his niece. Then someone approaches Devine wanting to share dirt on the uncle, and before he can say what it is, he is killed.
Devine finds himself in a deadly game with several parties – the FBI, government lawyers, an ex-military criminal wanting custody of his niece, a mysterious group targeting the uncle to keep their anti-government plans secret, local law enforcement that’s growing frustrated with Devine’s unwillingness to share what he knows, and more importantly, risking his own life to protect Betsy from those who would use or even kill her to get what they want.
And then there’s the girl on the train, waiting and watching in the background for her own chance to permanently eliminate Devine herself.
Will this be the end of Devine and his service to his country…
Let me be clear right up front. I enjoy reading David Baldacci. Most of the time I greatly enjoy reading his books. I found him to be a compelling and masterful storyteller who has really perfected his craft in the mystery/thriller genre. He tells a story better than James Patterson (I will probably be criticized for saying that). I personally put him right up there with John Grisham and Michael Connelly as the best in the business when it comes to plotting, pacing, suspense, and rhythmic flow. These three writers are so good that I just find myself shutting out the world and enjoying a great escape whenever I get my hands on one of their books.
“To Die For” was a great example of that. A fun, fast-paced, thrill ride that was enjoyable and entertaining. Baldacci treated me as an intelligent reader wanting a complex, multi-layered story that was worthy of reading. Don’t get me wrong. This book won’t go down as a classic by any means, but like most of Baldacci’s novels, it had an interesting setting, conflicted characters, and extremely fast paced plotting. There were the right amount characters, and every time someone popped up throughout the book, you were able to remember who they were, which helped because again, this was one of his faster moving novels. I especially enjoyed how much current political events in our country were woven into a strong mystery and several connected subplots.
I was drawn to several of the characters, but most of all, Betsy Odom. She’s been through more challenges as a 12-year-old adolescent girl than most of us can imagine. Still, she has an inner strength that matches her outer shell of anger and lashing out. She’s actually a lot like Devine, figuring things out on the fly, one challenge at a time, and creating her own advantages when the opportunities arise. I loved how her relationship with Devine developed and grew to the point that he was able to influence and mentor her in a positive way. Neither one of the two trust easily, and they earned it the hard way in this one. In return, her growth had a positive influence on him and made him a better person for it.
I would also consider this book a serious potboiler. Each chapter hummed and then ended in a cliffhanger that easily pulled you right into the next chapter. There was no slowing down most of the time in this one. It was just one thing after another that kept Devine’s investigation moving forward at high speed. There were just enough lulls for the reader to ponder the clues and catch your breath. An excellent escapist read that was very hard to put down for sure.
One other thing that I noticed while reading this one had to do with the character of Travis Devine. He’s actually quite similar to two other Baldacci leading characters - Will Robie and John Puller. All three of them have military backgrounds and work for secret U.S. Government agencies. Although they each have some particular skill sets and different backgrounds, in most ways, they all really a blend of each other. To be honest, that really isn’t a big deal when you’re reading the books because they are all entertaining, even if the lead is interchangeable. It was just something that I noticed, but it didn’t negatively impact my reading experience in any way.
The important thing for me was that the prose was definitely Baldacci. His storytelling ability is one of his best writing strengths. He put me in the story right away and established the tension immediately. His characters have depth and real qualities. Their strengths and weaknesses add strength to the story. Baldacci masterfully wraps the plot together over 400 pages so that each step of the mystery is revealed one key moment at a time, and combined with the action sequences to build to a thrilling climax that delivers a winning read. Writing first-class page-turners are not easy. There are few who a truly successful at it, and Baldacci is a master.
Overall, “To Die For” was a worthy follow-up to his previous two Travis Devine adventures - “The 6:20 Man” and “The Edge” - and also provided an unexpected but pleasing outcome to his conflict with the mysterious lady on the train.
For an author that consistently produces two books each year, Baldacci hasn’t lost his ability to maintain his strong writing recipe for success - intricate plotting, character depth, and pacing. “One to Die For” is an excellent example of why Baldacci is one of my favorite mystery / thriller writers. Like most of his books, I am immediately immersed from the first page all the way to end in each, and once I finish one, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.
Until our next reading time together in April, 2025 when he ventures back in history with a World War II novel – “Strangers in Time” – I happily say thank you and best wishes Baldacci!
December 15, 2024
I’ve been a fan of David Baldacci for years, and once again, he’s delivered a thrilling read! This time, Travis Devine is sent to Seattle for what seems like a straightforward job—helping the FBI escort a young girl, Betsy Odom, to a meeting with her uncle. But what starts as a routine mission quickly escalates into something much darker and more dangerous. As Devine gets to know Betsy, he starts to uncover a web of secrets that might change everything he thought he knew.
I couldn’t put this book down! The pacing was spot-on, with just the right balance of action, suspense, and character development. Baldacci’s skill at weaving in twists kept me guessing at every turn, and I loved how he built the tension throughout. Travis Devine is a great protagonist—he’s tough, but there’s a vulnerability to him that makes him easy to root for. I really enjoyed his relationship with Betsy, and it added a nice emotional layer to the story.
The supporting cast was strong, though I’ll admit there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and at times it felt like I had to flip back to remember who was who. But that’s really a small quibble in an otherwise fantastic book. The story is fast-paced but doesn’t feel rushed, and while it’s not the most weighty or thought-provoking novel out there, it was the perfect kind of fun, page-turning thriller that I love.
If you’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. It was a blast to read, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where Baldacci takes Travis Devine next. Highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I couldn’t put this book down! The pacing was spot-on, with just the right balance of action, suspense, and character development. Baldacci’s skill at weaving in twists kept me guessing at every turn, and I loved how he built the tension throughout. Travis Devine is a great protagonist—he’s tough, but there’s a vulnerability to him that makes him easy to root for. I really enjoyed his relationship with Betsy, and it added a nice emotional layer to the story.
The supporting cast was strong, though I’ll admit there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and at times it felt like I had to flip back to remember who was who. But that’s really a small quibble in an otherwise fantastic book. The story is fast-paced but doesn’t feel rushed, and while it’s not the most weighty or thought-provoking novel out there, it was the perfect kind of fun, page-turning thriller that I love.
If you’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. It was a blast to read, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where Baldacci takes Travis Devine next. Highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 9, 2025
Awesome!
December 3, 2024
David Baldacci returns with another great story with Travis Devine in the driver’s seat. While Devine has been trying to stay one step ahead of someone or something trying to scrub him out, he is called to help protect a young girl whose parents have recently been killed. While Devine has a tough start to help protect his new assignment, he soon learns that there is more to the story than he was first provided. A great thriller that proves Baldacci’s abilities once again!
Travis Devine has much experience trying to make sense of being a target for reasons he cannot yet understand. As a former Army Ranger, Devine has faced many a troubling situation and been the target of people from all walks of life. When he is sent to Seattle, he’s tasked with complementing the local FBI agents to protect twelve-year-old Betsy Odam, whose parents apparently died of a drug overdose. About to be handed over to her rich uncle, a man the Feds have changed with RICO indictments, Betsy is ready for some stability, even though.Devine can see the danger of the situation.
While Devine would prefer to stay off the radar with those who keep hunting him, he is committed to helping Betsy and getting to the truth of the matter. Learning that the death of Betsy’s parents is not as it seems, he wonders if someone is creating a massive cover-up and for reasons yet to be determined. Tracing it all back to a small town outside Seattle, Devine learns that there is something more powerful than even Betsy’s uncle at play here. His changes and the pressure to keep Betsy from her uncle could soon be the key to helping Devine reveal the truth.
Struggling to put the pieces together and protect Betsy Odam, Travis Devine will have to choose his supports wisely and watch out for enemies at every turn, all while trying to unravel what appears to be a stunning conspiracy with a pinnacle higher than anyone could have presumed from the outset. A well-developed thriller by David Baldacci, advancing this series effectively.
While I have long been a fan of David Baldacci’s work, I know that his writing can be quite varied. He has many great ideas that are developed over a period of time, providing a solid narrative for the determined reader. With a strong foundation, Baldacci develops a great story that keeps the reader on edge and leaves many hints throughout. Characters flavour the story effectively and provide great twists, greasing the wheels for stunning plot points. Baldacci injects great surprises to keep the reader guessing as they turn pages well into the night. I cannot wait to see where Baldacci takes things from here, either with Travis Devine or many of his other protagonists.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another great story that had me eager to read for long periods.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Travis Devine has much experience trying to make sense of being a target for reasons he cannot yet understand. As a former Army Ranger, Devine has faced many a troubling situation and been the target of people from all walks of life. When he is sent to Seattle, he’s tasked with complementing the local FBI agents to protect twelve-year-old Betsy Odam, whose parents apparently died of a drug overdose. About to be handed over to her rich uncle, a man the Feds have changed with RICO indictments, Betsy is ready for some stability, even though.Devine can see the danger of the situation.
While Devine would prefer to stay off the radar with those who keep hunting him, he is committed to helping Betsy and getting to the truth of the matter. Learning that the death of Betsy’s parents is not as it seems, he wonders if someone is creating a massive cover-up and for reasons yet to be determined. Tracing it all back to a small town outside Seattle, Devine learns that there is something more powerful than even Betsy’s uncle at play here. His changes and the pressure to keep Betsy from her uncle could soon be the key to helping Devine reveal the truth.
Struggling to put the pieces together and protect Betsy Odam, Travis Devine will have to choose his supports wisely and watch out for enemies at every turn, all while trying to unravel what appears to be a stunning conspiracy with a pinnacle higher than anyone could have presumed from the outset. A well-developed thriller by David Baldacci, advancing this series effectively.
While I have long been a fan of David Baldacci’s work, I know that his writing can be quite varied. He has many great ideas that are developed over a period of time, providing a solid narrative for the determined reader. With a strong foundation, Baldacci develops a great story that keeps the reader on edge and leaves many hints throughout. Characters flavour the story effectively and provide great twists, greasing the wheels for stunning plot points. Baldacci injects great surprises to keep the reader guessing as they turn pages well into the night. I cannot wait to see where Baldacci takes things from here, either with Travis Devine or many of his other protagonists.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another great story that had me eager to read for long periods.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
October 13, 2025
The last installment (so far) in the 6:20 Man series.
Travis Devine, a former Army Ranger now working for the government in a special capacity, is sent to Seattle on a new mission: to protect and accompany twelve-year-old orphan Betsy Odom to visit her uncle, Danny Glass, who faces pending RICO charges from the FBI.
Travis quickly senses there’s more to the mission. Betsy’s parents didn’t use drugs, so why are their deaths classified as overdoses? And why does it seem someone is targeting Betsy? It will take all of Travis’s skills to uncover the truth while evading the mysterious “girl on the train” who is out to kill him.
To Die For delivers action, treachery, and suspense. Poor Travis—he had no idea whom to trust. Most readers will likely agree that the “girl on the train” steals the show, making everything far more gripping. I would like to see her again.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Travis Devine, a former Army Ranger now working for the government in a special capacity, is sent to Seattle on a new mission: to protect and accompany twelve-year-old orphan Betsy Odom to visit her uncle, Danny Glass, who faces pending RICO charges from the FBI.
Travis quickly senses there’s more to the mission. Betsy’s parents didn’t use drugs, so why are their deaths classified as overdoses? And why does it seem someone is targeting Betsy? It will take all of Travis’s skills to uncover the truth while evading the mysterious “girl on the train” who is out to kill him.
To Die For delivers action, treachery, and suspense. Poor Travis—he had no idea whom to trust. Most readers will likely agree that the “girl on the train” steals the show, making everything far more gripping. I would like to see her again.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
December 22, 2024
Dissappointed
This book is a collage of under developed characters and events. It portrays an unrealistic assembly of childlike gangs, it tells of unbelievable government resources and it expects an educated readership to swallow the poorly explained and supported plot. The book demeans the author who, in most cases has written interesting, clever and entertaining stories.
This book is a collage of under developed characters and events. It portrays an unrealistic assembly of childlike gangs, it tells of unbelievable government resources and it expects an educated readership to swallow the poorly explained and supported plot. The book demeans the author who, in most cases has written interesting, clever and entertaining stories.
March 12, 2025
It's a smart thriller...intriguing to piece together exactly what is happening and why.
Might have enjoyed more interaction between the "12 year old going on 45" Betsy and Travis.
Might have enjoyed more interaction between the "12 year old going on 45" Betsy and Travis.
July 5, 2025
I think the essential element of a book is good storytelling. Good storytelling is having an interesting and believable story. Same for the characters. It should move along nicely and not bog down. And the twists and ending should make sense and be consistent with the story. Baldacci’s books are overall excellent and he makes complex books very readable. In this one, there is a threat to overthrow the government. But it’s doubtful the group is capable of that so believability is stretched a bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2024
Two stars only because I finished the book. It is a horribly convoluted plot revolving around a child who is unbelievable in her precociousness.
December 2, 2024
AN ACTION-PACKED AND INTRIGUING READ
SUMMARY
Travis Devine travels to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest to assist with a complicated FBI case. His mission begins when he helps the FBI escort a impestous twelve-year-old orphan, Betsy Odom, to a meeting with her infamous uncle, Danny Glass, who is currently under federal investigation, but also an past combat buddy of Devine’s. Glass is interested in becoming Betsy legal guardian and eventually adopting his niece.
During the mission Devine comes face to face with his female nemesis, and his assignment becomes even more complicated as Betsy insists that her parents were not drug dealers as the police claim. At her insistence Devine searches for the answers of how Betsy’s parents really died, and unearths more than he bargained for.
REVIEW
David Baldacci captivates readers with this complicated and timely story of conspiracy and intrigue. His writing, as always is exemplary and his characters are gripping. Some are colorful, while others are despicable and richly flawed. Devine drives the narrative forward with his every gut-wrenching move to save Betsy and you can't stop turning the pages.
My favorite character was the Auburn curley-haired and freckled Betsy, who according to Travis is twelve going on forty-two and has a mouth like a sailor. She is not afraid to speak up when those around her are not listening to her.
TO DIE FOR is a compelling, meticulous and action-packed read. The twists and turns keep your head in the entertaining book. Highly recommended!
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Published November 12, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
Travis Devine travels to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest to assist with a complicated FBI case. His mission begins when he helps the FBI escort a impestous twelve-year-old orphan, Betsy Odom, to a meeting with her infamous uncle, Danny Glass, who is currently under federal investigation, but also an past combat buddy of Devine’s. Glass is interested in becoming Betsy legal guardian and eventually adopting his niece.
During the mission Devine comes face to face with his female nemesis, and his assignment becomes even more complicated as Betsy insists that her parents were not drug dealers as the police claim. At her insistence Devine searches for the answers of how Betsy’s parents really died, and unearths more than he bargained for.
REVIEW
David Baldacci captivates readers with this complicated and timely story of conspiracy and intrigue. His writing, as always is exemplary and his characters are gripping. Some are colorful, while others are despicable and richly flawed. Devine drives the narrative forward with his every gut-wrenching move to save Betsy and you can't stop turning the pages.
My favorite character was the Auburn curley-haired and freckled Betsy, who according to Travis is twelve going on forty-two and has a mouth like a sailor. She is not afraid to speak up when those around her are not listening to her.
TO DIE FOR is a compelling, meticulous and action-packed read. The twists and turns keep your head in the entertaining book. Highly recommended!
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Published November 12, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
November 26, 2024
Well written.
Complex characters.
Action packed story line.
Excellent book.
This is the third book of the 6:20 Man.
This book can be read as a standalone,
but I think it’s better to read the previous
two books first.
I recommend this book.
Complex characters.
Action packed story line.
Excellent book.
This is the third book of the 6:20 Man.
This book can be read as a standalone,
but I think it’s better to read the previous
two books first.
I recommend this book.
November 4, 2024
Travis Devine, the agent with a heart, is one trouble magnet. He's sent to Seattle by his boss in Homeland Security to assist the FBI agent in protecting Betsy Odom, a 12-year-old girl whose parents died from drug overdoses and whose wealthy uncle is under RICO charges. It should be an easy assignment but when Betsy insists her parents weren't drug users, Travis investigates their deaths and realizes they were pawns in something much more world-shattering.
What a convoluted, exciting plot with a timely topic that touches on the current world political scene. Too bad the publishing date wasn't before the November 5th US election.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
What a convoluted, exciting plot with a timely topic that touches on the current world political scene. Too bad the publishing date wasn't before the November 5th US election.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2024
Not my favorite Baldacci. It was slow for me.
November 23, 2024
Travis Devine has an impressive background, having served as an Army Ranger, worked on Wall Street, and is currently a fixer with Homeland Security. He is also trying to evade an assassin on his trail, known only as "The Girl on the Train." Devine latest assignment involves overseeing a meeting between wealthy businessman Danny Glass and his 12-year-old niece Betsy Odom. Glass, who is accused of racketeering, drug smuggling, and more awaits trial on multiple RICO charges in Washington state, is seeking custody of Betsy following the death of her parents of a supposed drug overdose. As Devine delves deeper, he suspects foul play surrounding Betsey's parents' death and finds himself knee-deep in an action-packed mission that is much more sinister than originally suspected. It is further complicated by the reappearance of "The Girl on the Train."
To Die For is the third book in David Baldacci's 6:20 Man series. I look forward to reading more as Devine is such an appealing character. He's a smart, tough, damaged man who is also sensitive. The heart of the book is his endearing relationship with Betsy Odom. The book features a great supporting cast of characters and provides a fast-paced, enjoyable read.
Rated 4.25
Review posted on MicheleReader.
To Die For is the third book in David Baldacci's 6:20 Man series. I look forward to reading more as Devine is such an appealing character. He's a smart, tough, damaged man who is also sensitive. The heart of the book is his endearing relationship with Betsy Odom. The book features a great supporting cast of characters and provides a fast-paced, enjoyable read.
Rated 4.25
Review posted on MicheleReader.
December 19, 2024
David Baldacci doesn’t disappoint!
November 22, 2024
Great story until the author decides to act like a MSNBC host and interject some of their off base opinions on what is going on in this country. Cut out that nonsense and the story was excellent.
May 6, 2025
This book is almost comical in how blatantly political it is—Baldacci has clearly taken a sharp turn to the far left. Naturally, he crafts a story featuring a major threat from white supremacists who supposedly endanger the very fabric of America. It seems that going full-on leftist is now a prerequisite for getting published, but even I was surprised by the heavy-handed narrative suggesting that America is inherently racist and bigoted. If you're in the mood for a political fantasy, go ahead—but be aware that Baldacci now seems to inhabit the same ideological bubble as Stephen King.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2024
This entire book is owned by one little girl. Her name is Betsy and she is EVERYTHING.
In fact, she’s such an awesome character that the parts of the book without her in it pale.
I loved her growing relationship with Travis and her incorrigible spirit. I loved that she tried so hard to be brave and tough, even as she was hurting.
There were other characters in the book, but I barely remember them because it’s all Betsy lol.
I want more of her.
• ARC via Publisher
In fact, she’s such an awesome character that the parts of the book without her in it pale.
I loved her growing relationship with Travis and her incorrigible spirit. I loved that she tried so hard to be brave and tough, even as she was hurting.
There were other characters in the book, but I barely remember them because it’s all Betsy lol.
I want more of her.
• ARC via Publisher
November 27, 2024
Not Much
I could never get into this story. It was long and boring and had to force myself to read it. Devine seems super human and foes are idiots. Don't waste your time. Find something else.
I could never get into this story. It was long and boring and had to force myself to read it. Devine seems super human and foes are idiots. Don't waste your time. Find something else.
December 29, 2024
Out of the three books in this franchise, this one finishes in third place. Still enjoy Mr.Balcacci's writing, but the plot was far to convoluted and unbelievable. Sometimes simpler is better.
December 11, 2024
Excellent book. I do like some of the minor characters in this book. One of the complaints I had was Betsy is a brat in the beginning so that annoyed me. The other was the Girl on the Train was his enemy then turned friend. It was a couple minor complaints but looking forward to how this series continues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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