The Simple Truth

by David Baldacci

Librarian’s note: This is an updated cover image for Kindle. See previously published cover here.

THE SIMPLE TRUTH
It's never what it seems...

Young attorney Michael Fiske broke the law when he took Rufus Harms's prison letter from the Supreme Court. But he also sealed his own fate. Suddenly everyone who has anything to do with Harms or his appeal mysteriously dies. Now Michael's brother John, a cop turned attorney, comes to Washington to find out why his brother was murdered--and what it had to do with a crime that Harms committed twenty-five years before. But the one man who can help John, the one man who knows what really happened more than two decades ago--and why--has escaped from prison and is running for his life.

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

532 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 1998

About the author

David 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.

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first novel by this author they I've read, really enjoyed it. Felt very connected to Rufus and his plight. I will read more of this author for sure. This is a prolific author I really don't know much about. Maybe my friends will have to help me fill in the blanks!

[Paul Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A finely crafted legal thriller!

Rufus Harms, a giant of a black man, has served 25 years of a life sentence in a Virginia military prison for the brutal killing of a young white girl. When some obscure government correspondence results in his recovery of hazy, clouded memories, he realizes he did not actually commit the crime for which he was convicted and he smuggles an appeal out of prison to be filed with the US Supreme Court. Shortly afterwards, Harms' lawyer and Michael Fiske, the young Supreme Court clerk who received the documents and had begun to investigate the truth of Harms' claim of innocence, are murdered. Michael's court colleague, Sara Evans, and his brother, ex-cop and small-time defense lawyer, John Fiske, pick up the task and the chase is on to find the real culprits who won't hesitate to murder again and again to cover up their part in a scandal involving the Supreme Court and high level US military personnel!

The thriller part of the novel is pretty standard fare but is exceedingly well written and will keep any reader flipping the pages relentlessly as Baldacci hauls us through multiple murders, chase scenes and gun battles, compelling human family drama and dispute, courtroom struggles, clues with lots of red herrings, and, of course, the mandatory love scenes. But the really hearty meat of this little tale is contained in the telling of the inside scoop on the fascinating detailed workings of the US Supreme Court - the surprising power of the court clerks who are actually still "wet behind the ears" young lawyers barely out of school; the political struggle of the Supreme Court justices as they barter with one another for votes on the cases before them; the astounding (well, it certainly was to me) revelation that US military personnel do not have the right to sue their employer; and the personal struggle of the justices as they realize their efforts will form new case law for years to come. Baldacci's description of the open court acrimonious debate between the young female newcomer to the bench, Elizabeth Knight, and long-standing male member, Chief Justice Harold Ramsey, was particularly fascinating.

This is one thoroughly enjoyable legal thriller! It won't take you long to plow through this one and I've no doubt that, just as soon as you turn that last page, you'll jump up out of the chair to head the store to pick up another one by Baldacci. Happy reading!

Paul Weiss

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This standalone mystery was my first introduction to Baldacci and on this evidence it was easy to see why his legal thrillers are so popular.

The story concers black man Rufus Harms who's been serving 25 years for the murder of a young girl.
His memory is hazy of that night until new evidence comes to light which seeks him wanting to clear his name.

The simple truth behind those events are being desperately covered up as Supreme Court clerk Michael Fiske is murdered.
Instep his brother John, an ex-cop and defense lawyer determined to uncover thr conspiracy.

I was instantly drawn into Rufus Harms plight as the novel moved at a brisk pace, the stakes and death count kept me hooked.
All wrapped up perfectly with the satisfying conclusion.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are all entitled to a fair trial. Rufus Harms has spent 25 years in the US Army's Fort Jackson Military Prison, Virgina.

Michael Fiske, is a "unprecedented" 3rd year senior clerk to a United States Supreme Court, most clerks take 1 year before going to private law practice.
Rufus sends a "appeal" letter to show he was following instructions & drugged in a Army's Vietnam War experiment 25 years ago when accused of a young dead girl - Ruth Ann Mosley(10). Minority races not entitled to justice. Michael receives the letter, goes to investigate & gets killed.

Josh Harms helps his brother escape.
John Fiske, Michael's brother, lawyer & x-cop, were never close but he goes to investigate with Sara Evans also at the Supreme Court. They expose Rufus was forced to enter a Army experiment of PCP to make the murder.
(Lysergic acid diethylamide - known as acid - "psychedelic drug known for its psychological effects, which may include altered awareness of one's surroundings, perceptions, and feelings as well as sensations and images that seem real though they are not.")

During their investigation, John is accused of his brother's murder when they find he is the $500,000 beneficiary to a life insurance policy instead of their parents?

Colonel Frank Rayfield (Warden of Fort Jackson Military Prison, 25 years ago, was a Captain in the experiments), Vic Tremaine (2nd in command at the prison, was a Sergeant), Leo Dellasandro (Supreme Court Police Chief, was a Corporal), Richard Perkins (Marshall of Supreme Court) & Sen. Jordan Knight are all involved with the experiment & it's coverups.

John Fiske, Sara Evans, Rufus Harms, police detective Chandler & FBI Det. McKenna chase the 5 suspects to solve the crime.

The end is interesting, as those in the past, 25 years ago, with the Vietnam crime, now cover it up? How does Justice Elizabeth Knight, 1 of 9 Supreme Court Justices, help solve the crime?
And the end is nice, Rufus Harms & John Fiske can say goodbye together to their dead brothers, Josh Harms & Micheal Fiske.

Typical chase & murders in a thriller book like this continue throughout the book.

*Second read as I had no review entered in my first read*

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of Mr. Baldacci's finest. The main protagonists are Sara Evans, SCOTUS Clerk, and John Fiske, Attorney. The story is about secrets of the U.S. Army in the 1970's and its injections of troops with the experimental drug, LSD. The story centers around conspiracy, murder, intrigue and romance.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stand alone thriller published 1999

An entertaining 4 star read.

First up, this was a top notch thriller.
David Baldacci doesn’t always hit the mark for me but he did so with The Simple Truth.

Rufus Harms has been in a military stockade for the last 25 years for a crime he believed he was guilty of, the murder of an innocent little girl. That was until he received a letter from the US army that set off a light globe inside his head. After the flood gates to his memory were opened revenge and freedom was all he could think of. He gave the letter from the army and a letter written in his own hand to his lawyer and told him to get these letters to the Supreme Court of the USA.

The letter was picked up by Micheal Fiske, a clerk of the court. After he picked his jaw up of the floor Micheal broke all the rules and went to see Rufus Harms in prison.

From this point on this is a run away thriller that is just too hard to put down.

Is Rufus innocent or is he a psychotic killer, you’ll find yourself asking this question many times.

Thrills, spills and twists what more can you ask for in a thriller.

Apart from a highly entertaining read it’s also a good insight into the workings of The Supreme Court of the USA.

A recommended read.

[Annemiek · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into it.. but when i did i didn't want to stop reading, almost every chapter ending with a cliffhanger.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

David B. has created a page turner in his novel SIMPLE TRUTH. A black man, Rufus, was attacked while in the Army and given a syringe of PCP. The attackers, we do not find out actually who they are until the last 20 pages, hope to kill him. Why? because he spends the Vietnam Era in the Army land side. They being "macho" think he deserves to die, for not seeing combat. He does not die but blacks out. He spends the rest of his life in an Army Prison. The book starts at the epoch when he asks for an appeal to the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court Justices and clerks become imeshed in this appeal for justice. Guess who the five men who perputrated the crime are? One man is in the FBI, another in the police force, another....well the plot gets deeper and most interesting because these men hold high offices and are investigating the murders of the men who are actually trying to help Rufus. The story gets so intense at times you have to put the book down to catch your breath.

[Captainslog · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read or stopped reading bad books before, this one however is car crash literature. For believablity sake alone I would urge anyone I cared about not to bother with this. I am 2/3 of the way through and want to toss this across the room. If it were a movie I would have been gone long before now.

Baldacci sets the scene and develops interesting characters as well as adequately describing their personal worldview. The something happens and the characters start doing things that create plot twists but no sane person able to walk and chew gum at the same time would believe.

A Supreme Court Clerk (Michael) proposes to another Supreme Court Clerk (Sara) even though they aren't dating. In fact apart from work they don't see each other. Sara turns him down because there is "no spark"

There "is" however someone she does think about and that just happens to be Michael's brother, John who she has never officially met but seen twice in court.

Well as luck would have it Michael is murdered after he gets personally involved in an appeal that has been filed with the Supreme Court.

Michael's brother John (also a lawyer but once a cop) decides to investigate the case and of course he and Sarah......(see what I mean about ridiculous?)To make it worse she is removed from her job at the Supreme Court, a position she worked all her adult life to attain and seemingly doesn't care because she and John had sex the night before......

Add a handy (but implausible) Army conspiracy, an innocent patsy who has spent 25 years in the stockade for a crime he didn't commit (and of course the Army can't have John and Sarah uncovering their whole sinister plan) as well as one or more Supreme Court Justices that are a tad shady, oh and a perhaps crooked US Senator.....

Throw in an apparently corrupt FBI agent who has the ability to frame John for his brother's death (after the fact, I'm sure Mr Baldacci hopes we didn't see that snafu)

Baldacci can weave an interesting tale, and writes well, but at places in this story the plot is so thin its hardly there at all.

I give this 1 star because I couldn't give it half a star. In my view a terrible (TERRIBLE) book.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early Baldacci that I somehow missed. This book starts very slowly, but at about 1/3 through it starts to pick up and does not let up after that point. Well written, well plotted with lots of action and the usual Baldacci twist at the end. Highly recommended.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner, indeed. 8 of 10 stars

[Gyula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like a good thriller, especially with twists and turns. The first few pages of this book are so well written, that I found it promising. Reading further I was wondering if it was necessary to introduce so many characters in the beginning. Now I think it wasn’t. Some of them could appear later, and the first part of the book could be better paced.

Baldacci kept the secret hidden until the crisis, which was supposed to give suspense. Actually I found it out at the half of the book, so the final bang was not so loud for me. But I liked the twist at the end, when the suspected bad guy turned out to be a good one, and vice versa.

While I was curious what happen next, the book was too long and sometimes too slow for my taste. The characters were OK, even there were an interesting family connection between the Fiske brothers and the parents.

If you have some free time to kill, it’s an OK read.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

The narration did not work for me. Maybe better writing could have developed the plot into a more realistic scenario? I muttered "ah come on" too many times.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in and around Washington DC. It centers around an old man who has spent the last 25 years of his life in a military prison for murder. He files an appeal (I won't tell you why), and a star clerk for the Supreme Court gets involved.

There are lots of twists and lots of suspense. There's murder, cover-up, romance, and everything else that David Baldacci is great at. If you've read anything else by him and liked it, you'll love this one.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best of Badacci's novels, this murder mystery which takes place in and around the US Supreme Court has a rather convoluted plot. Michael Fisk, a gifted young lawyer and US Supreme Court clerk, is murdered in what is made to look like a robbery. His estranged brother John, a criminal defense lawyer and former cop, decides he will aid the police in solving the crime. From this point forward the story involves politicians, convicts, CIA agents, FBI agents, police, Supreme Court security officers, Supreme Court justices and many others leading to a not very climactic end. I was disappointed, as the conspiracy unfolded, that the cause of the initial and subsequent murders did not carry the weight of the ensuing carnage. In that regard the story seemed out of balance for me and the plot felt forced. Otherwise, the book is entertaining and the characters are interesting and relatable.

Here, the principals are Rufus Harms, a slow-witted black giant who, after decades in a military prison, realizes that, for reasons revealed only at the novel's end, he is morally innocent of the murder for which he's doing time; John Fiske, a cop-turned-lawyer who's drawn into Harms's quest for justice after his younger brother, a Supreme Court clerk interested in Harms's case, is murdered; and Sara Evans, another Supreme Court clerk who joins forces and beds with Fiske. Plenty of cinema-ready action ensues as Harms, aided by his Vietnam vet brother, escapes from prison and Fiske and Sara try to get to him before the conspirators who put Harms behind bars do. The novel's resolution is predictable, however. This isn't Baldacci's most original book, but it's his most generously textured, distinguished by thoughtful delvings into family psychodramatics (of both the Fiske and Harms clans), a nicely rendered romance between two tentative lovers and, adding a welcome and strong backdrop of authenticity to the turns of events, vivid detailing of the Supreme Court.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read one other novel by David Baldacci, Divine Justice, one of the Camel Club novels. This was a much better book. Browsing reviews of this book by other readers I get the impression that there are elements of this novel that are common to some of his other books as well. I can understand why that might well be annoying to readers who have read lots of an author's novels. But as someone who is dealing with just this one novel, I'm going to talk mostly just about this book.

I liked it an awful lot, much more than I liked the other novel. This book, dealing with the Supreme Court and the justice system in general, had a much more substantive feel to it than the other novel.

This had the feel of a book that the author cared passionately about. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that Baldacci is concerned about the Supreme Court, its reputation, the tenor of its rulings, and the way the court works vis a vis the cases it takes up, the de-facto negotiation among factions within the court, etc.

I'm not going to talk very much about the plot of the novel, simply because there are already so very many reviews in Goodreads that do that. I'll just say that what makes this, to my mind at least, a book far superior to Divine Justice is a combination of well drawn characters and a plot that is at once personal in its effect on the most important characters and also has big-picture range, exploring the aspects of the high court's function as discussed above. Also, it doesn't stint when it comes to secondary characters. There is a nice balance in the way characters are treated in this novel, with almost all of the minor characters coming alive on the page.

I won't say it's easy, but it is far easier for a writer to make the protagonist and a couple of other key characters seem fairly real. But in this novel, Baldacci goes well beyond that first tier of characters to create a cast of characters that feels like a bunch of people we might actually know. The one character who I felt was not quite made whole was, unfortunately, the young woman, a clerk at the high court, who was involved with another clerk . . . until shortly before that other clerk is murdered. She is not badly drawn, but she is, to my mind, the least seriously considered character who really matters here. She's a little too good. She is flawed, but in a way that it's hard to criticize. She's looking for Mr. Right . . . and it turns out that the damaged brother of her former lover, who she has never really met before the book opens, is that man. She's seen him in action in court, and on the basis of that experience, she has fallen in love with him . . . or is predisposed to do so. I say that because she expresses that thought before she formally meets him in the novel.

Obviously, people do fall in love at first sight sometimes. But having her fall in love from afar with her lover's brother is a pretty twisted bit of psychodrama. And I didn't feel Baldacci really gave the problematic dynamics of that as much attention as it deserved. But otherwise, I thought this was a very well done, tightly suspenseful and well choreographed thriller. It had me worried for the people he wanted me to be worried about, till almost the very end. The end was a little predictable, but I didn't think it was nearly as predictable as some readers seem to have felt. The suspense was there for me up until very close to the end. The fact that the some of what happened at the end was not a big surprise was not nearly serious enough to diminish my enjoyment of the novel

Generally, very well done, Baldacci!

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually love David Baldacci books. I'm a big fan of his Camel Club, John Puller, and Amos Decker series. And Wish You Well is always on my top 10 list. But this book just fell flat for me, and I didn't get beyond page 100. First, I couldn't keep the characters straight (I was tempted to write a cheat sheet) as none of them captured my attention. They were just flat. Second, while red wine may improve with age, this book didn't. It was written in 1998, and it is full of end of the 20th century stereotypes about men, women, and African-Americans. Even with Covid-19, and staying at home, there is no way that I can fill the time with this book.

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had this book been written by anyone other than David Baldacci I may have rated it slightly higher. However, Baldacci one of my favorite authors and I’ve grown to expect nothing less than perfection from him.

While this book is a serviceable thriller about a government conspiracy and murder cover-up, it lacks the normal level of finesse and plotting than I know from David. As other reviewers have stated, it does get off to an incredibly slow start and I’m not quite sure what the purpose of the book is for about the first half.

I did not feel connected to the characters and had a hard time keeping all of them straight. The plot seemed to have a variety of different angles, none of which were fully fleshed out. I think any of the subplots could have either been dropped in favor of fleshing out the others, or picked as the main theme.

I did enjoy the theme of family, as this has proven to be a good theme to parallel action, as shown in the Fast and Furious movies. While the ending is good, it doesn't make up for the rest of the book.

At the end of the day, I find this to be a rare David Baldacci misfire and would recommend passing on this. However I fully know that even the best author has an off day and it has not tainted my overall opinion of his writing.

[Craig Monson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting comparison with Catherine Coulter’s BLOW OUT (which is also about dirty deeds at and around the US Supreme Court). Baldacci, manages, however, to go a step beyond the “guilty pleasure principle.” That means the author spends considerably more time on the workings and machinations of the court (which may frustrate readers who are daunted by detail), but also on the wider implications of the court’s decisions and “justice for all” (which may put off readers strictly there for escapism). The plot is plenty complicated enough, with a stable of characters that requires some readerly concentration to keep them in line (e.g., which Supreme Court justice is which?) and more than enough plot twists and turns and some reliance on the principle that, ultimately, “the good will be bad and the bad will be good.” Though written in the days of the Rehnquist Court, shortly before its most controversial decision (Busch v. Gore), it remains particularly timely in these politically distracted times, when the Court, its make-up, its decisions (not to mention “justice for all”) loom so large and are worth thinking about. SIMPLE TRUTH offers a painless way to do so, even unintentionally.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can give this one 3.5 stars. It was interesting to have the Supreme Court featured in this novel and to get a glimpse into the day-to-day. The plight of Rufus Harms was indeed deplorable and I am sure I was not alone in rooting for justice and truth to win for his sake.

I found that many of the plot points were believable with some glaring exceptions. What the characters in this novel are able to accomplish in one 24-hour period is simply not feasible. Then add to this the distribution of villains and how many were in high places and I lose more respect for the book. I also found both Sarah and John to be unappealing as main characters. Never really warmed up to either one. Sarah especially was down right ridiculous at points and did not behave like the smart lawyer she was supposed to be.

Finally, I would like to commend Baldacci on the way he presented Rufus's faith. He shared his love of God and scripture with many and they were blessed by it.

[Namita Sreekumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Baldacci's style of writing; for the simplicity of the language, especially because it revolves around law and justice. It is fast-paced with a little romance, action and suspense. He is, without doubt, one of the best 'political-thriller' authors I have come across! The Simple Truth is a page turner and a must-read.

[Albert Felixovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Առաջին գիրքնա Բալդաչիից, բայց մյուս գրածներն էլ կկարդամ էս տարի։ Պուպուշ գալիվուդսկի պաթոսով ֆինալ էր։ Մեջն ինչ ասես կար՝ ծախված դատավորներ, սիրային պուճուրիկ դրամա, ախպերական սեր, էքշըն, մի թեթև պատմություն Ամերիկայի արդարադատության կազմավորումից։ Ընդհանուր հետաքրքիր էր, ուղղակի պետք ա դեմի 150 էջը դիմանալ)
P.S. Հազիվ մի անգամ նախորոք կարացա գուշակեմ գլխավոր զլաձեյին))))

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute best book I have read this year. This is Baldacci at his absolute best. The intertwining of the characters is delicious and the mystery runs right up to the end. There were so many shady people who could have been involved and even when I thought I was close, I was far off. Great story line, great twists and turns.

[Peter Winstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I Don't Believe It!!

Boring, ponderous & disjointed!! I am a great fan, have read numerous Baldaci books & normally give 4/5 stars so what went wrong? If this was the first Baldaci book I had read I certainly wouldn't read any more!!

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to 2 hours of this audio (chapter 10) before turning it off. I jinxed myself last week when I mentioned I can usually finish a book (no matter how bad it is) as long as I'm listening to it! I just couldn't do another 11.5 hours of this tonight!!

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and intense, this thriller kept me on the edge of my seat with all of its twists and turns.

[Beth Lechman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man imprisoned for 25 years and his quest to get the truth out. Well worth your time to read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up
Good characters, especially the unlikeable ones. Complicated plot by did manage to drag sometimes.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book instantly had me hooked from the start! I loved Rufus Harms' character! I sometimes ponder at how many people currently incarcerated are actually innocent, but no one believes them. As for this story,
Rufus has spent 25 years of his life behind bars all the time thinking he's guilty until...
This mystery-thriller was a fun one! Definitely recommend it! Fast-paced and suspenseful.

[Marty Fried · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read with a lot of little mysteries mixed in with the big one. It was pretty sad in many places, and the ending was also sad, but nice that the underdog managed to prevail. Not really a memorable book to me, but more than just decent, and not a waste of time.