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Sean King & Michelle Maxwell #1
Split Second
Two Secret Service agents sworn to guard their protectees lost them in a single moment . . . and in this #1 New York Times bestseller, they're about to learn that the violence has just begun.
Michelle Maxwell has just wrecked her promising career at the Secret Service. Against her instincts, she let a presidential candidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety was her responsibility vanished into thin air.
Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. Eight years earlier, the hard-charging Secret Service agent allowed his attention to be diverted for a split second. And the candidate he was protecting was gunned down before his eyes. Now Michelle and Sean are about to see their destinies converge.
Drawn into a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly coincidences, the two discredited agents uncover a shocking truth: that the separate acts of violence that shattered their lives were really a long time in the making—and are a long way from over.
Michelle Maxwell has just wrecked her promising career at the Secret Service. Against her instincts, she let a presidential candidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety was her responsibility vanished into thin air.
Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. Eight years earlier, the hard-charging Secret Service agent allowed his attention to be diverted for a split second. And the candidate he was protecting was gunned down before his eyes. Now Michelle and Sean are about to see their destinies converge.
Drawn into a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly coincidences, the two discredited agents uncover a shocking truth: that the separate acts of violence that shattered their lives were really a long time in the making—and are a long way from over.
Audio CD
First published September 30, 2003
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About the author
David Baldacci
245 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 3,387 reviews
August 1, 2013
Sometimes you stay up late with a book because it's just that great and you can't bear to put it down; other times, you find yourself up late because you just want this PoS book out of your life as soon as possible.
Like a lot of people right now, I picked up Split Second because it's recently been made into a TV show and I was interested in checking out the source material. Usually the visual media conversion of a book comes off the poorer in any comparison, but after having read the book, I have to say that every change the production company has made has come off as genius in comparison to the poorly written, illogical mess that is Split Second.
It's one of those books that's not just bad, it's boring. I want to call the prose workmanlike, but honestly, I've read a lot of myster-thrillers, it's a genre that generally lends itself to fairly functional storytelling and the prose in Split Second was clunkier and less inspired than its peers. The characters were flat, uninteresting and felt a bit too much like Baldacci's wish-fulfillment.
Related to this, I hated how he wrote Maxwell and the other major female character, Joan Dillinger, both separately and together.
The plot, such as it was, was just painful to get through. Some of this is a style issue. On the one hand, Baldacci gives out information—and really obvious information at that—and then spends the next dozen pages having the characters verbally rehash what just happened. On the other hand, he plays annoyingly coy with any/all the information that would actually let the reader put the pieces together in a way that I more commonly associate with YA, where the author tells you that the character(s) has found or concluded something, but doesn't bother to tell you what it is. I, personally, don't like those types of mysteries; it always feels as though the author isn't playing fair with the reader and that the story (and/or storyteller) isn't good enough to play fair.
The other part of the problem is just that the plot is freaking ridiculous. There is not enough eyeroll in the world for how dumb this story was.
The execution was equally poor. There are all the aforementioned problems, obviously. In one of my status updates, I commented, "This guy never met a scene he wouldn't rather tell than show." (This is especially absurd in a scene where Baldacci narrates only Sean King's half of a phone conversation, even though Sean is the POV character) The forensic and procedural elements read like someone who's never even watched a cop show, let alone done their research.
Bottom line: this was a terrible book that didn't even have the benefit of being interestingly bad. If I hadn't agreed to read it with my husband (and if he hadn't suffered through finishing it ahead of me) I would've never finished it. I certainly didn't enjoy it.
Like a lot of people right now, I picked up Split Second because it's recently been made into a TV show and I was interested in checking out the source material. Usually the visual media conversion of a book comes off the poorer in any comparison, but after having read the book, I have to say that every change the production company has made has come off as genius in comparison to the poorly written, illogical mess that is Split Second.
It's one of those books that's not just bad, it's boring. I want to call the prose workmanlike, but honestly, I've read a lot of myster-thrillers, it's a genre that generally lends itself to fairly functional storytelling and the prose in Split Second was clunkier and less inspired than its peers. The characters were flat, uninteresting and felt a bit too much like Baldacci's wish-fulfillment.
Related to this, I hated how he wrote Maxwell and the other major female character, Joan Dillinger, both separately and together.
The plot, such as it was, was just painful to get through. Some of this is a style issue. On the one hand, Baldacci gives out information—and really obvious information at that—and then spends the next dozen pages having the characters verbally rehash what just happened. On the other hand, he plays annoyingly coy with any/all the information that would actually let the reader put the pieces together in a way that I more commonly associate with YA, where the author tells you that the character(s) has found or concluded something, but doesn't bother to tell you what it is. I, personally, don't like those types of mysteries; it always feels as though the author isn't playing fair with the reader and that the story (and/or storyteller) isn't good enough to play fair.
The other part of the problem is just that the plot is freaking ridiculous. There is not enough eyeroll in the world for how dumb this story was.
The execution was equally poor. There are all the aforementioned problems, obviously. In one of my status updates, I commented, "This guy never met a scene he wouldn't rather tell than show." (This is especially absurd in a scene where Baldacci narrates only Sean King's half of a phone conversation, even though Sean is the POV character) The forensic and procedural elements read like someone who's never even watched a cop show, let alone done their research.
Bottom line: this was a terrible book that didn't even have the benefit of being interestingly bad. If I hadn't agreed to read it with my husband (and if he hadn't suffered through finishing it ahead of me) I would've never finished it. I certainly didn't enjoy it.
October 8, 2009
Do you remember when you first saw Star Wars? If you are a certain gender and a certain age, it was THE defining movie of your childhood. You were either Luke or Han when you played. You craved everything Star Wars.
Then The Empire Strikes Back came out and it added so many layers. You were blown away. “No....I am your father” rocked your little mind. Yoda letting the audience know “No. There is another” led to rampant speculation for a few years about where the story was going to go next.
And then we got Return of the Jedi which pretty much showed us that George Lucas was just making this stuff up as he went along. Luke and Leia are brother and sister and it was always Lucas' intention? Watch the kiss in Empire again and tell me if you believe that.
And then he made the “real” first three and things get out of control. Chewbacca and Yoda are “old friends”? Kenobi and Anakin are enemies for about 30 seconds before Obi Wan runs and hides for twenty years but watch the first one and Kenobi is calling Vader “Darth”, as if it was his name and they knew each other for awhile.
Basically, Lucas was winging it. Granted, it is probably one of the most successful wing its in wing it history but still....
A long winded way to get into this review, but “Split Second” was the first novel where Michelle Maxwell and Sean King meet each other, but it is the fourth of their adventures I have read. Some of their back story has been hinted at in the other novels I read but all of those novels were accessible so I didn't really worry about it.
Now having read this story, I am even more appreciative of the “world” that David Baldacci has created. The narrative thread is strong and while some of the situations are obviously a little far fetched (kidnapped Presidential candidates, underground bunkers, and villains renovating derelict buildings while no one notices) the story is engaging and keeps you guessing.
I seem to be in a rut as to the type of story I am reading these days but I am really okay with that.
Next three: “The Race” by Patterson, “Hell to Pay” by Pelecanos and something by Michael Connely.
Then The Empire Strikes Back came out and it added so many layers. You were blown away. “No....I am your father” rocked your little mind. Yoda letting the audience know “No. There is another” led to rampant speculation for a few years about where the story was going to go next.
And then we got Return of the Jedi which pretty much showed us that George Lucas was just making this stuff up as he went along. Luke and Leia are brother and sister and it was always Lucas' intention? Watch the kiss in Empire again and tell me if you believe that.
And then he made the “real” first three and things get out of control. Chewbacca and Yoda are “old friends”? Kenobi and Anakin are enemies for about 30 seconds before Obi Wan runs and hides for twenty years but watch the first one and Kenobi is calling Vader “Darth”, as if it was his name and they knew each other for awhile.
Basically, Lucas was winging it. Granted, it is probably one of the most successful wing its in wing it history but still....
A long winded way to get into this review, but “Split Second” was the first novel where Michelle Maxwell and Sean King meet each other, but it is the fourth of their adventures I have read. Some of their back story has been hinted at in the other novels I read but all of those novels were accessible so I didn't really worry about it.
Now having read this story, I am even more appreciative of the “world” that David Baldacci has created. The narrative thread is strong and while some of the situations are obviously a little far fetched (kidnapped Presidential candidates, underground bunkers, and villains renovating derelict buildings while no one notices) the story is engaging and keeps you guessing.
I seem to be in a rut as to the type of story I am reading these days but I am really okay with that.
Next three: “The Race” by Patterson, “Hell to Pay” by Pelecanos and something by Michael Connely.
October 4, 2015
Secret Service Agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell watched their careers go up in smoke in a split second. Though their events occurred eight years apart, they become connected by the events that altered their courses. It also seems now that the two events might have their own connection.
I enjoyed the story, especially the pace as there was rarely time to relax before the next challenge was presented. I liked the murky characters and odd directions the story would take, sometimes making it a bit convoluted but always interesting. While I figured out the villain, the motivation wasn't something I could have ever deduced.
Scott Brick's narration set the right tone for King and Maxwell's relationship dynamics. I'll continue listening to the series as I liked the interplay between the two characters. This was a good start to the series.
I enjoyed the story, especially the pace as there was rarely time to relax before the next challenge was presented. I liked the murky characters and odd directions the story would take, sometimes making it a bit convoluted but always interesting. While I figured out the villain, the motivation wasn't something I could have ever deduced.
Scott Brick's narration set the right tone for King and Maxwell's relationship dynamics. I'll continue listening to the series as I liked the interplay between the two characters. This was a good start to the series.
March 9, 2020
Book 1 in the King & Maxwell series first published in 2003.
For the first 450 pages this book was heading for a five star review from me but then as the end grew near it took on a Twilight Zone feel, when it stepped into the truly unbelievable. To believe that the villain in this piece, sick and twisted as he was, would go to the lengths he went to, to seek revenge just beggars belief.
Sean King was at one time a Secret Service Agent but was dismissed from the agency because he was found guilty of dereliction of duty when a Presidential candidate was shoot and killed whilst under his protection.
Several years on we find Sean a happy and successful lawyer and to all intents, living the good life. On a day like any other Sean arrives at his office to start another busy day. But this will no be like any other day, because Sean finds his assistant dead on the office floor, not just dead but murdered.
Enter Michele Maxwell. Michele is currently employed as a Secret Service Agent charged with protecting yet another Presidential candidate. Unfortunately for Michele her protectee is kidnapped from right under her nose. As you can imagine the powers that be are not too happy with Michele. As a result Michele finds herself on suspension from the Agency, albeit of full pay.
With a goodly amount of female intuition Michele sees similarities between her situation and that of Sean King’s and decided that a visit to Mr. King is a priority.
King and Maxwell meet for the first time and things are going to get much worst for both of them.
Although the end, for me, was a real let down I still have to give this book 4 out of 5 stars because any book that can keep me turning pages for 450 out of 500 of them deserves 4 stars.
For the first 450 pages this book was heading for a five star review from me but then as the end grew near it took on a Twilight Zone feel, when it stepped into the truly unbelievable. To believe that the villain in this piece, sick and twisted as he was, would go to the lengths he went to, to seek revenge just beggars belief.
Sean King was at one time a Secret Service Agent but was dismissed from the agency because he was found guilty of dereliction of duty when a Presidential candidate was shoot and killed whilst under his protection.
Several years on we find Sean a happy and successful lawyer and to all intents, living the good life. On a day like any other Sean arrives at his office to start another busy day. But this will no be like any other day, because Sean finds his assistant dead on the office floor, not just dead but murdered.
Enter Michele Maxwell. Michele is currently employed as a Secret Service Agent charged with protecting yet another Presidential candidate. Unfortunately for Michele her protectee is kidnapped from right under her nose. As you can imagine the powers that be are not too happy with Michele. As a result Michele finds herself on suspension from the Agency, albeit of full pay.
With a goodly amount of female intuition Michele sees similarities between her situation and that of Sean King’s and decided that a visit to Mr. King is a priority.
King and Maxwell meet for the first time and things are going to get much worst for both of them.
Although the end, for me, was a real let down I still have to give this book 4 out of 5 stars because any book that can keep me turning pages for 450 out of 500 of them deserves 4 stars.
August 23, 2025
An interesting start, a rather dull mid-section and some twists in the final third. Baldacci is far from being a bad writer, but he generally does not overcome his limits. There is something artificial in his heroes, as they have feelings but do not put them in action.
As usual in such stories, bad guys are not smart enough, as they shoot a pile of clothes (instead of Michelle sleeping...), someone scratches concrete!!! with his nails, the final is somehow theatrical.
And this one is perhaps the best from the series...
As usual in such stories, bad guys are not smart enough, as they shoot a pile of clothes (instead of Michelle sleeping...), someone scratches concrete!!! with his nails, the final is somehow theatrical.
And this one is perhaps the best from the series...
January 17, 2025
Empiezo la serie de Sean King y Michelle Maxwell.
Qué bien arma Baldacci las tramas, según lo poco que he leído de este autor. No le hacen falta giros ni sorpresas, porque lo hila todo con coherencia y como una tela de araña.
Esta novela no es trepidante, es tela de araña que el autor va tejiendo sin pausa.
Los dos agentes del Servicio Secreto perdieron su puesto por estar a cargo de la protección de un candidato presidencial y fallar en protegerlo. Entre un caso y otro han pasado 8 años.
La agente Maxwell acaba de ser apartada tras el secuestro del candidato John Bruno delante de sus narices. Acude al ex agente King, buscando alguna conexión, aunque en su caso el candidato Clyde Ritter murió de un inesperado y rápido disparo.
Ambos sucesos ocurrieron en zonas relativamente cercanas.
Sin comerlo ni beberlo, acaban implicados en varios asesinatos bastante sorprendentes en la zona y relacionados con los dos casos. Entonces, ¿los casos de los dos candidatos están relacionados? Ummm...
Al mismo tiempo, Joan Dillinger, ex colega de King, dejó el Servicio Secreto para trabajar en el sector privado, en una prestigiosa empresa de seguridad. Ella estaba en el equipo de King cuando murió Ritter. Ahora Joan investiga el secuestro de Bruno, a petición de la familia de éste y ofrece a King que colabore con ella, a cambio de unos honorarios sustanciosos.
Los tres hacen equipo para desenmarañar lo que está pasando y para protegerse ellos mismos. Se les añade el jefe de los US Marshall, Jefferson Parks, en sus investigaciones.
La última parte es de un ritmo frenético, pues se complican mucho las cosas.
El final, aunque sorprendente, me ha parecido demasiado peliculero. Pero ha sido una buena lectura. 👍
Qué bien arma Baldacci las tramas, según lo poco que he leído de este autor. No le hacen falta giros ni sorpresas, porque lo hila todo con coherencia y como una tela de araña.
Esta novela no es trepidante, es tela de araña que el autor va tejiendo sin pausa.
Los dos agentes del Servicio Secreto perdieron su puesto por estar a cargo de la protección de un candidato presidencial y fallar en protegerlo. Entre un caso y otro han pasado 8 años.
La agente Maxwell acaba de ser apartada tras el secuestro del candidato John Bruno delante de sus narices. Acude al ex agente King, buscando alguna conexión, aunque en su caso el candidato Clyde Ritter murió de un inesperado y rápido disparo.
Ambos sucesos ocurrieron en zonas relativamente cercanas.
Sin comerlo ni beberlo, acaban implicados en varios asesinatos bastante sorprendentes en la zona y relacionados con los dos casos. Entonces, ¿los casos de los dos candidatos están relacionados? Ummm...
Al mismo tiempo, Joan Dillinger, ex colega de King, dejó el Servicio Secreto para trabajar en el sector privado, en una prestigiosa empresa de seguridad. Ella estaba en el equipo de King cuando murió Ritter. Ahora Joan investiga el secuestro de Bruno, a petición de la familia de éste y ofrece a King que colabore con ella, a cambio de unos honorarios sustanciosos.
Los tres hacen equipo para desenmarañar lo que está pasando y para protegerse ellos mismos. Se les añade el jefe de los US Marshall, Jefferson Parks, en sus investigaciones.
La última parte es de un ritmo frenético, pues se complican mucho las cosas.
El final, aunque sorprendente, me ha parecido demasiado peliculero. Pero ha sido una buena lectura. 👍
February 3, 2025
Accustomed to being exceptional in almost every aspect of her life, Secret Service agent Michelle Maxwell must confront the failure of having a protectee abducted under her watch. She is immediately sidelined with the quiet intention to fire her, regardless of the investigation's results. Sean King was an agent who's protectee was assassinated on his watch. He is familiar with the stigma and shame of failure on a national level. Maxwell seeks King out to get his assistance on her case, believing he can help.
Together, they begin an investigation to find her protectee which opens old wounds for King, because there are very similar figures involved, with very similar actions undertaken, and very similar modus operando that might prove to be a copycat, or worse. Their investigatory techniques are invasive, prodding, and sometimes even flat out rude. However, they are also effective, if threats on their lives are any indication.
I don't know how I missed this early (1979) Baldacci novel. It's fast paced, well-written, with characters that intrigue and transcend. The Secret Service angle is fresh. There's a clear chemistry between the two leads. Looking forward to reading more about these two.
Together, they begin an investigation to find her protectee which opens old wounds for King, because there are very similar figures involved, with very similar actions undertaken, and very similar modus operando that might prove to be a copycat, or worse. Their investigatory techniques are invasive, prodding, and sometimes even flat out rude. However, they are also effective, if threats on their lives are any indication.
I don't know how I missed this early (1979) Baldacci novel. It's fast paced, well-written, with characters that intrigue and transcend. The Secret Service angle is fresh. There's a clear chemistry between the two leads. Looking forward to reading more about these two.
March 29, 2023
Dit is het eerste boek van de reeks met Sean King en Michelle Maxwell.
Een presidentskandidaat wordt ontvoerd terwijl Maxwell, als agent van de Secret Service, hem moest beschermen.
Acht jaar eerder werd een presidentskandidaat doodgeschoten toen Sean King, toen ook agent bij de Secret Service, een momentje afgeleid was.
Michelle vermoedt dat beide zaken wel eens met elkaar te maken kunnen hebben, en zoekt Sean King op. Ook Joan Dillinger, die de opdracht heeft om de ontvoerde presidentskandidaat te zoeken, komt aankloppen bij King.
Stilaan wordt duidelijk dat er heel wat meer aan de hand is, en het vergt veel speurwerk en gevaarlijk onderzoek om steeds een beetje verder te komen in deze zaak. Op het eind volgen de gebeurtenissen elkaar razendsnel op.
Maar zowel Joan, Sean als Michelle overleven het en Sean King en Maxwell besluiten een eigen detectivebureau op te zetten, King en Maxwell.
Spannend boek, korte hoofdstukken ook, wat er toe bijdraagt dat men toch steeds nog snel een beetje verder wil lezen.
Een presidentskandidaat wordt ontvoerd terwijl Maxwell, als agent van de Secret Service, hem moest beschermen.
Acht jaar eerder werd een presidentskandidaat doodgeschoten toen Sean King, toen ook agent bij de Secret Service, een momentje afgeleid was.
Michelle vermoedt dat beide zaken wel eens met elkaar te maken kunnen hebben, en zoekt Sean King op. Ook Joan Dillinger, die de opdracht heeft om de ontvoerde presidentskandidaat te zoeken, komt aankloppen bij King.
Stilaan wordt duidelijk dat er heel wat meer aan de hand is, en het vergt veel speurwerk en gevaarlijk onderzoek om steeds een beetje verder te komen in deze zaak. Op het eind volgen de gebeurtenissen elkaar razendsnel op.
Maar zowel Joan, Sean als Michelle overleven het en Sean King en Maxwell besluiten een eigen detectivebureau op te zetten, King en Maxwell.
Spannend boek, korte hoofdstukken ook, wat er toe bijdraagt dat men toch steeds nog snel een beetje verder wil lezen.
October 12, 2010
A good quick read by a very talented storyteller. "Split Second" is the beginning of another Baldacci storyline called the "King and Maxwell Series". Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are two disgraced Secret Service Agents whos presidential candidate's both were either killed or kidnapped. Through an elaborately connected chain of events, though not seeming at the time, Maxwell and King team up to discover who is responsible for the conspiracy. Admittedly, I like Baldacci's later "Camel Club Series" much, much better. This was an engaging read, and maybe I shouldn't be so quick to compare it after having only read the first book of the series, but I thought even the first book of the Camel Club storyline was superbly written and meticulously plotted. Though not hard too hard to follow, I thought the intricacies of the conspiracy in this book were a bit overdone. But, still a good read nevertheless.
January 10, 2022
Well written with lots of characters and an interesting plot with twists that surprise you. Love the dialogue between King and Maxwell which is refreshingly respectful and good humoured. Happy to have a large bookshelf of this Authors books. Rock and Roll David Baldacci. 👀
November 7, 2018
Great story. Loved the weaving mystery. It was a great one. Loved the explosive ending!
July 9, 2022
It was the right book at the right time. This is exactly what I wanted to read right now.
And it must be admitted that Baldacci can write a great story. The plot is really complicated and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the time. A few twists and turns really surprised me. And, of course, there were plenty of suspects.
I really liked the very idea of the story. Two Secret Service agents who spectacularly lost presidential candidates whom they were supposed to protect. This alone interested me. And then we quickly discover that the two cases can have something in common. I was really curious how this case would be resolved and who was responsible for it all.
I also liked the main characters. Of course, as already mentioned, their mistakes makes them interesting. But I also appreciate their extraordinary skills and sharp minds. I like that the women in this story are in no way inferior to men. Of course, Michelle's skills are a bit over the top, she is brilliant at literally everything she does, but I was generally fine with it.
I will definitely read more books in this series and maybe soon, because I will happily return to this pair of main characters and hope that the next book will be as good as this one. I give this book a strong 4.5 stars.
And it must be admitted that Baldacci can write a great story. The plot is really complicated and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the time. A few twists and turns really surprised me. And, of course, there were plenty of suspects.
I really liked the very idea of the story. Two Secret Service agents who spectacularly lost presidential candidates whom they were supposed to protect. This alone interested me. And then we quickly discover that the two cases can have something in common. I was really curious how this case would be resolved and who was responsible for it all.
I also liked the main characters. Of course, as already mentioned, their mistakes makes them interesting. But I also appreciate their extraordinary skills and sharp minds. I like that the women in this story are in no way inferior to men. Of course, Michelle's skills are a bit over the top, she is brilliant at literally everything she does, but I was generally fine with it.
I will definitely read more books in this series and maybe soon, because I will happily return to this pair of main characters and hope that the next book will be as good as this one. I give this book a strong 4.5 stars.
May 11, 2018
Split Second is a typical Baldacci first book in a series. It has interesting characters and excellent writing but the plot is a bit weak. I have seen this trend across his various books and this one is no exception.
As always, the lead characters are extraordinary individuals (secret agents in this case) who have had to deal with a personal/professional tragedy. This time around, it is the loss of the VIPs they were supposed to protect.
I loved the chemistry between the leads. And the reversal of roles too. The woman is the superior ass-kicker while the man is the superior analyst. They have differing views on life and this makes their interactions interesting.
The plot was weak though. There is this huge conspiracy and a complicated plot that is hinted at. In the end, the plot fizzles out. But, regardless, I still enjoyed the book because, you know, it's Baldacci.
As always, the lead characters are extraordinary individuals (secret agents in this case) who have had to deal with a personal/professional tragedy. This time around, it is the loss of the VIPs they were supposed to protect.
I loved the chemistry between the leads. And the reversal of roles too. The woman is the superior ass-kicker while the man is the superior analyst. They have differing views on life and this makes their interactions interesting.
The plot was weak though. There is this huge conspiracy and a complicated plot that is hinted at. In the end, the plot fizzles out. But, regardless, I still enjoyed the book because, you know, it's Baldacci.
January 20, 2016
I have completely forgotten to review this book. Read it this summer thought it was ok, nothing really special. The two main character felt a bit boring to be honest it was nothing like reading about Patrick and Angie by Dennis Lehane. Will perhaps read the rest of the series if I run out of books...lol...
March 9, 2013
This was the first Sean King and Michelle Maxwell book in the series.
Eight years ago, Sean King's career as a Secret Service Agent came to a screeching halt when a presidential candidate was killed on his watch. Now, eight years later, Michelle Maxwell gets a taste of what Sean felt like when a candidate she's in charge of is kidnapped.
Sean has worked hard to put his life back together after the Ritter assassination. He's a sucessful lawyer now with a nice house on the lake. Then the man working with Sean is found murdered in Sean's office.
Michelle seeks Sean out after her own failure with the secret service. The two soon begin to link the two incidents together. They both become targets as ghost from the past come back to haunt Sean King.
This was not my favorite David Baldacci novel. I was reading this one with my husband as a buddy read, and felt the same way I did. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it it lacked something. Sometimes there were too many things going on at once and sometimes the story just stalled.
Overall this one is a C.
Eight years ago, Sean King's career as a Secret Service Agent came to a screeching halt when a presidential candidate was killed on his watch. Now, eight years later, Michelle Maxwell gets a taste of what Sean felt like when a candidate she's in charge of is kidnapped.
Sean has worked hard to put his life back together after the Ritter assassination. He's a sucessful lawyer now with a nice house on the lake. Then the man working with Sean is found murdered in Sean's office.
Michelle seeks Sean out after her own failure with the secret service. The two soon begin to link the two incidents together. They both become targets as ghost from the past come back to haunt Sean King.
This was not my favorite David Baldacci novel. I was reading this one with my husband as a buddy read, and felt the same way I did. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it it lacked something. Sometimes there were too many things going on at once and sometimes the story just stalled.
Overall this one is a C.
August 27, 2024
Two somewhat disgraced Secret Service agents team up to solve the kidnapping of a presidential candidates. The first book of a series. A lot of collateral damage in this continuously evolving story. A bit complicated and the two main characters didn’t grab and pull me in. But I’ll try the second book and see how it goes.
July 20, 2018
Published and set in 2003/2004, the plot revolves around the assassination of one Presidential candidate eight years before the start of this book and the kidnapping of another one in the story's present day. The main characters are the two Secret Service agents, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, whose errors in judgment factored heavily into the aforementioned assassination and kidnapping. Events conspire to bring King and Maxwell together to figure out how, or even if, the two events are related.
As with most of the Baldacci books I've read to date, the writing style is smooth and easy with a sure-footed pacing that ensures a fast read. King and Maxwell make for likable characters; he's in his mid-forties and has managed to rebuild his life after his career took a nose-dive after he lost his protectee to an assassin's bullet. She's in her early thirties and facing her first real failure at, well, anything once the candidate she was guarding gets snatched right out from under her nose. It did irk me a little that once the two started working together it seemed like it was only King who ever made the important connections and discoveries in the cases while Maxwell was left to mostly function as his sounding board. The crimes also seemed extreme and over-the-top considering the motivation behind them. It would be akin to taking some overly winding, side road to get from point A to point B, that ends up taking you three hours out of your way before you get there, instead of the interstate highway that offers a straight shot.
That said, I haven't read a bad Baldacci book yet. I'm always entertained and this book met that standard.
As with most of the Baldacci books I've read to date, the writing style is smooth and easy with a sure-footed pacing that ensures a fast read. King and Maxwell make for likable characters; he's in his mid-forties and has managed to rebuild his life after his career took a nose-dive after he lost his protectee to an assassin's bullet. She's in her early thirties and facing her first real failure at, well, anything once the candidate she was guarding gets snatched right out from under her nose. It did irk me a little that once the two started working together it seemed like it was only King who ever made the important connections and discoveries in the cases while Maxwell was left to mostly function as his sounding board. The crimes also seemed extreme and over-the-top considering the motivation behind them. It would be akin to taking some overly winding, side road to get from point A to point B, that ends up taking you three hours out of your way before you get there, instead of the interstate highway that offers a straight shot.
That said, I haven't read a bad Baldacci book yet. I'm always entertained and this book met that standard.
January 8, 2016
I bought it in India international trade fair at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. I wanted to read a new thriller writer and the salesman suggested this. I am thankful to him.
All it takes is a split second to ruin your career. Maxwell and king of secret service has this is common. Now both unite and try to redeem themselves. will they b successful?
I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is a page turner. Kept me engrossed. Highly recommended.
Sean is very fastidious and judicious. Michelle is very unorganised and spontaneous. Though Sean is more experienced and older but he is equally energetic. They complement each other and form a good team of investigators. The relationship is platonic though is wished it should be somewhat romantic. The pace is breakneck and mystery is satisfying. It gives very good thrill. Climax explains everything and ties up loose ends.
Some excerpts:
It only took a split second, although to Secret Service agent Sean King it seemed like the longest split second ever. They were on the campaign trail at a nondescript hotel meet-and-greet in a place so far out you almost had to use a satellite phone to reach the boonies. Standing behind his protectee, King scanned the crowd while his ear mike buzzed sporadically with unremarkable information.
--------
Michelle raced through the wreckage, dodging flames and smoke and screaming out his name. “Sean! Sean!”
------
Another explosion rocked the structure, and she jumped off the front porch a few seconds before it came tumbling down. The concussive force of a second explosion knocked her through the air, and she landed hard, all the breath squeezed from her. She felt all sorts of heavy things hitting all around her, like mortar fire. She lay there in the dirt, her head cut, her lungs drowning in lethal fumes, her legs and arms bruised and battered.
-------
All it takes is a split second to ruin your career. Maxwell and king of secret service has this is common. Now both unite and try to redeem themselves. will they b successful?
I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is a page turner. Kept me engrossed. Highly recommended.
Sean is very fastidious and judicious. Michelle is very unorganised and spontaneous. Though Sean is more experienced and older but he is equally energetic. They complement each other and form a good team of investigators. The relationship is platonic though is wished it should be somewhat romantic. The pace is breakneck and mystery is satisfying. It gives very good thrill. Climax explains everything and ties up loose ends.
Some excerpts:
It only took a split second, although to Secret Service agent Sean King it seemed like the longest split second ever. They were on the campaign trail at a nondescript hotel meet-and-greet in a place so far out you almost had to use a satellite phone to reach the boonies. Standing behind his protectee, King scanned the crowd while his ear mike buzzed sporadically with unremarkable information.
--------
Michelle raced through the wreckage, dodging flames and smoke and screaming out his name. “Sean! Sean!”
------
Another explosion rocked the structure, and she jumped off the front porch a few seconds before it came tumbling down. The concussive force of a second explosion knocked her through the air, and she landed hard, all the breath squeezed from her. She felt all sorts of heavy things hitting all around her, like mortar fire. She lay there in the dirt, her head cut, her lungs drowning in lethal fumes, her legs and arms bruised and battered.
-------
October 29, 2013
I loved this. I had read other Baldacci books but none about Sean King and Michelle Maxwell but now I have to read them all.
Sean King is a former Secret Service agent whose split second lack of attention 8 years ago caused a tea party type presidential candidate to lose his life (before there even was a tea party)when a brilliant professor working at a third rate college (he was a UC Berkeley PhD who had fallen from grace after his activism over the Vietnam War and Watergate) stepped up and shot him while Sean was being flashed from an elevator by the female agent he was screwing (someone sent her a phony request from Sean). He now leads a quiet life after being dumped by the Service as a lawyer in a country town and has a nice home on the water.
The quiet erupts into pandemonium when another agent- Michelle Maxwell- loses another presidential candidate and is disgraced. She shows up at Sean's door just as the dead bodies start arriving at his office and home. Soon they, along with the flasher agent from years before, all realize that the two cases are linked and someone intends revenge on Sean and others so the three link up with a crooked US Marshal and this leads to an explosive conclusion (literally).
I enjoyed watching them try to unravel the tangle of past and present evidence and really liked the ending. If mystery, suspense, thrills, and action is your game, you'll like this. If you are like me and like to see intelligent, strong, and capable women you'll love this as Joan and Michelle (who both leave the Secret Service for better careers) are all that and more.
Sean King is a former Secret Service agent whose split second lack of attention 8 years ago caused a tea party type presidential candidate to lose his life (before there even was a tea party)when a brilliant professor working at a third rate college (he was a UC Berkeley PhD who had fallen from grace after his activism over the Vietnam War and Watergate) stepped up and shot him while Sean was being flashed from an elevator by the female agent he was screwing (someone sent her a phony request from Sean). He now leads a quiet life after being dumped by the Service as a lawyer in a country town and has a nice home on the water.
The quiet erupts into pandemonium when another agent- Michelle Maxwell- loses another presidential candidate and is disgraced. She shows up at Sean's door just as the dead bodies start arriving at his office and home. Soon they, along with the flasher agent from years before, all realize that the two cases are linked and someone intends revenge on Sean and others so the three link up with a crooked US Marshal and this leads to an explosive conclusion (literally).
I enjoyed watching them try to unravel the tangle of past and present evidence and really liked the ending. If mystery, suspense, thrills, and action is your game, you'll like this. If you are like me and like to see intelligent, strong, and capable women you'll love this as Joan and Michelle (who both leave the Secret Service for better careers) are all that and more.
October 14, 2019
2.5 ★★✬✩✩ maximal
⤐Insgesamt.
An Krimis habe ich einen besonders hohen Anspruch - aus keinem besonderen Grund. Ich bin einfach noch immer geflasht von der Genialität die da heißt Crimson Lake. Crimson Lake und der Nachfolger (Redemption Point) gehören für mich von nun an zu dem Maßstab, dem andere Krimi-Romane gerecht werden müssen. Und im Vergleich zu diesen beiden verblasst Im Bruchteil einer Sekunde gnadenlos.
Ich muss dazu auch einfach sagen, dass mir die 08/15 Geschichten, die in den USA spielen so langsam nicht mehr lesen kann, besonders, da mir auch die Charaktere nicht sehr sympathisch waren. Ihr könnt mir erzählen, was ihr wollt, aber wenn man bei jeder 3. Äußerung genervt aufschnauft und den Showdown des Bösewichts als überspitzt und ÜBER empfindet, fällt es einfach schwer, viel gutes zu sagen.
Als opportunistischer Read war es wohl ganz okay.
Dieses Buch könnte dir gefallen, wenn… du einen sehr bescheidenen Geschmack hast, was Thriller angeht, und die Inszinierungen der Amerikaner liebst, in denen sie sich wie die absoluten Helden darstellen.
⤐Insgesamt.
An Krimis habe ich einen besonders hohen Anspruch - aus keinem besonderen Grund. Ich bin einfach noch immer geflasht von der Genialität die da heißt Crimson Lake. Crimson Lake und der Nachfolger (Redemption Point) gehören für mich von nun an zu dem Maßstab, dem andere Krimi-Romane gerecht werden müssen. Und im Vergleich zu diesen beiden verblasst Im Bruchteil einer Sekunde gnadenlos.
Ich muss dazu auch einfach sagen, dass mir die 08/15 Geschichten, die in den USA spielen so langsam nicht mehr lesen kann, besonders, da mir auch die Charaktere nicht sehr sympathisch waren. Ihr könnt mir erzählen, was ihr wollt, aber wenn man bei jeder 3. Äußerung genervt aufschnauft und den Showdown des Bösewichts als überspitzt und ÜBER empfindet, fällt es einfach schwer, viel gutes zu sagen.
Als opportunistischer Read war es wohl ganz okay.
June 14, 2017
The first book in the Sean King & Michelle Maxwell series, and a good start to a seemingly good series! The book started out kind of slow, and jumped around a lot, and hard to follow, but after about 100 pages it started to pick up, then it got really good!
Split Second follows former US Secret Service Agent Sean King who's career ended when a Political Candidate who he was guarding is gunned down right in front of him, and failed to stop the assassin. Now 8 years later, young Secret Service Agent Michelle Maxwell is guarding another Political Candidate, who had vanished without a trace while Maxwell was supposed to be guarding him at all times. Now with Michelle's career on the line, she teams up with Sean King who is now working for a small law firm after his career with the Secret Service ended. Learning of King's past and seeing similarities between the present disappearance of one candidate, and the assassination of another 8 years earlier, King and Maxwell form a Lethal Weapon-type partnership and work to find the missing candidate, and discover the motive of the assassination 8 years earlier, and also learning of a deadly conspiracy.
A great first entry to the series, now onto book #2, Hour Game!
Split Second follows former US Secret Service Agent Sean King who's career ended when a Political Candidate who he was guarding is gunned down right in front of him, and failed to stop the assassin. Now 8 years later, young Secret Service Agent Michelle Maxwell is guarding another Political Candidate, who had vanished without a trace while Maxwell was supposed to be guarding him at all times. Now with Michelle's career on the line, she teams up with Sean King who is now working for a small law firm after his career with the Secret Service ended. Learning of King's past and seeing similarities between the present disappearance of one candidate, and the assassination of another 8 years earlier, King and Maxwell form a Lethal Weapon-type partnership and work to find the missing candidate, and discover the motive of the assassination 8 years earlier, and also learning of a deadly conspiracy.
A great first entry to the series, now onto book #2, Hour Game!
September 25, 2011
Just finished Split Second and, as with The Winner, was very impressed with Baldacci's style. The research and planning that went into this book was amazing. Unlike The Winner, I did figure out who 'the bad guy' was about a third of the way in, even when he tried to make it look as though I was wrong a bit later. I was, however, wrong about his accomplice.
It will be interesting to see if Total Control, next on my list, is similar to these two books. David Baldacci seems to have a thing about his villains being masters of disguise...and that could get a little old. Still, it's fun to try and figure out who it might be.
All in all, because it kept my interest-from start to finish-I'll give it a five. I think the very end kind of sucked and should have gone a different way, but that's coming from the perspective of someone who's been writing romance novels for a long time.
A final note...I hope that this author continues with this genre...and stays away from romance in the future. After reading The Christmas Train, I was a little hesitant to read anything else by him. Fortunately Split Second was every bit as good as The Winner.
It will be interesting to see if Total Control, next on my list, is similar to these two books. David Baldacci seems to have a thing about his villains being masters of disguise...and that could get a little old. Still, it's fun to try and figure out who it might be.
All in all, because it kept my interest-from start to finish-I'll give it a five. I think the very end kind of sucked and should have gone a different way, but that's coming from the perspective of someone who's been writing romance novels for a long time.
A final note...I hope that this author continues with this genre...and stays away from romance in the future. After reading The Christmas Train, I was a little hesitant to read anything else by him. Fortunately Split Second was every bit as good as The Winner.
July 9, 2022
4,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Onbewaakt ogenblik is de eerste thriller waarin de personages King en Maxwell hun opwachting maken. Deze personages worden in de eerste hoofdstukken uitvoerig uitgewerkt en dat zorgt al meteen voor een goede kennismaking met de twee.
Michelle Maxwell is agent bij de Secret Service en heeft de opdracht de presidentskandidaat John Bruno te bewaken. Tegen de regels in, maar vooral omdat Bruno er op aandringt, laat ze hem alleen achter in een onbewaakte ruimte. Niet veel later is hij verdwenen. Het heeft er alle schijn van dat hij is ontvoerd. Acht jaar eerder is voormalig Secret Agent-agent Sean King als gevolg van een soortgelijk voorval door de dienst ontslagen. Maxwell vermoed dat beide zaken met elkaar te maken hebben en brengt King een bezoek. Vanaf dat moment gaan ze, waarbij ze geholpen worden door Joan Dillinger, op onderzoek uit en stuiten daarbij op onverwachte en hachelijke momenten.
Het verhaal komt rustig op gang, maar naarmate het vordert komt de snelheid er steeds meer in. Maar wasrom het boek een thriller genoemd wordt is mij niet duidelijk. Sidderende is ver te zoeken. Het heeft meer qeg van een detective.
De ontknoping was wel een verrassing te noemen. Benieuwd naar de overige boeken uit deze serie.
Onbewaakt ogenblik is de eerste thriller waarin de personages King en Maxwell hun opwachting maken. Deze personages worden in de eerste hoofdstukken uitvoerig uitgewerkt en dat zorgt al meteen voor een goede kennismaking met de twee.
Michelle Maxwell is agent bij de Secret Service en heeft de opdracht de presidentskandidaat John Bruno te bewaken. Tegen de regels in, maar vooral omdat Bruno er op aandringt, laat ze hem alleen achter in een onbewaakte ruimte. Niet veel later is hij verdwenen. Het heeft er alle schijn van dat hij is ontvoerd. Acht jaar eerder is voormalig Secret Agent-agent Sean King als gevolg van een soortgelijk voorval door de dienst ontslagen. Maxwell vermoed dat beide zaken met elkaar te maken hebben en brengt King een bezoek. Vanaf dat moment gaan ze, waarbij ze geholpen worden door Joan Dillinger, op onderzoek uit en stuiten daarbij op onverwachte en hachelijke momenten.
Het verhaal komt rustig op gang, maar naarmate het vordert komt de snelheid er steeds meer in. Maar wasrom het boek een thriller genoemd wordt is mij niet duidelijk. Sidderende is ver te zoeken. Het heeft meer qeg van een detective.
De ontknoping was wel een verrassing te noemen. Benieuwd naar de overige boeken uit deze serie.
September 17, 2021
This is the first King & Maxwell book and lays an excellent foundation for the remainder of the series. King & Maxwell have each lost a person they were protecting and they find their cases are connected. They try to solve this mystery and resurrect their careers. Good action, good plot twists, but the resolution is slightly muddled. Recommended. Good fun.
April 8, 2024
I'm really a fan of Baldacci... and I loved this one. A pair of disgraced secret service agents team up to solve the puzzle of how a one presidential candidates assassination and another's disappearance 8 years later are connected. It kept me on the edge of your tractor seat listening to this audiobook.
October 16, 2018
Intense action and a devious puzzle that kept the pages turning.
February 21, 2025
Сполучливо начало на поредица от Балдачи. Двамата главни герои успяха да хванат интереса ми и да ме стимулират да прочета следващи книги, за да разбера какво се случва частната им детективска практика.
От сюжетна гледна точка книгата ми се видя малко претрупана с персонажи, а връзките им в миналото и настоящето често ми се губиха, тъй като (признавам) четох книгата в движение, без да мога твърде много да се съсредоточа.
Все пак 3 заслужени звезди за началото, а надявам се и повече за следващите книги с Кинг и Максуел.
От сюжетна гледна точка книгата ми се видя малко претрупана с персонажи, а връзките им в миналото и настоящето често ми се губиха, тъй като (признавам) четох книгата в движение, без да мога твърде много да се съсредоточа.
Все пак 3 заслужени звезди за началото, а надявам се и повече за следващите книги с Кинг и Максуел.
May 3, 2022
“There’s no greater chaos than when swift, violent death knocks on the door of an unsuspecting crowd.”
In my search for new Thriller/Mystery authors Baldacci crossed my path and in a split second I decide that there will be more of him in my reading life.
This one is fast paced with characters that entertain and a plot filled with twist and turns.
I’m intrigued to see where King and Maxwell will go with their new PI endeavour. Adding the next book in the series to my TBR! Also, I’ll be looking into other works of Baldacci.
Just realised there’s a TV adaptation as well… My Baldacci is going to keep me busy.
In my search for new Thriller/Mystery authors Baldacci crossed my path and in a split second I decide that there will be more of him in my reading life.
This one is fast paced with characters that entertain and a plot filled with twist and turns.
I’m intrigued to see where King and Maxwell will go with their new PI endeavour. Adding the next book in the series to my TBR! Also, I’ll be looking into other works of Baldacci.
Just realised there’s a TV adaptation as well… My Baldacci is going to keep me busy.
June 19, 2013
This is my first experience with David Baldacci. His books are one of those I see around bookstore a lot (in mystery section) but I haven't felt compelled to try. Now I know that he is the author of Absolute Power (I enjoy the movie) and King & Maxwell series from TNT. Because I like the pilot of King & Maxwell, I decided to check out the series.
I love a good mystery. A good mystery book is a good book. And I think this one provides a good mystery. For a peeker like myself, I'm even able to stop from peeking (!). And I am able to guess one of the bad guys. Yay!
King and Maxwell have good chemistry of being partners -- and I hope it doesn't move into romance territory, because as much as I love romance, but sometimes it is not necessary. It is really interesting having characters that start as Secret Service Agent who fall down from grace: King's protectee was killed and eight years later Maxwell's protectee was kidnapped.
I like how it turns out that both cases are very much related, but at the same time, it's not really about them. That it actually has a more twisted plot behind it ().
The story moves along in a nice quick pace -- and very, VERY likeable characters. It's been awhile since I read male/female partnership in mystery (the only one that I read is Lehane's Kenzie/Genarro, I think; MAN, I need to expand my world of mystery!). So I will definitely keep reading the next books. I guess my first experience with Baldacci is a success...
I love a good mystery. A good mystery book is a good book. And I think this one provides a good mystery. For a peeker like myself, I'm even able to stop from peeking (!). And I am able to guess one of the bad guys. Yay!
King and Maxwell have good chemistry of being partners -- and I hope it doesn't move into romance territory, because as much as I love romance, but sometimes it is not necessary. It is really interesting having characters that start as Secret Service Agent who fall down from grace: King's protectee was killed and eight years later Maxwell's protectee was kidnapped.
I like how it turns out that both cases are very much related, but at the same time, it's not really about them. That it actually has a more twisted plot behind it ().
The story moves along in a nice quick pace -- and very, VERY likeable characters. It's been awhile since I read male/female partnership in mystery (the only one that I read is Lehane's Kenzie/Genarro, I think; MAN, I need to expand my world of mystery!). So I will definitely keep reading the next books. I guess my first experience with Baldacci is a success...
November 28, 2014
Great travel, beach, bedside reading. Short, pithy chapters and action that seldom slows down. Two Secret Service agents who make little mistakes on the job with big consequences. The mistakes are related but the plot is pretty complicated and will keep you interested to the slightly hokey end. I might be a little generous at 4 Stars as there were flaws. But I want to see King and Maxwell carry on in future adventures. Maxwell is great, she kicks butt. King is more of the braniac and moody. Should be a great pairing.
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