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Archer #1
One Good Deed
The #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci introduces an unforgettable new character: Archer, a straight-talking former World War II soldier fresh out of prison for a crime he didn't commit.
It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of do's and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job--and don't ever associate with loose women. The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment - and a stiff drink - leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.
Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.
When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison . . . if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.
It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of do's and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job--and don't ever associate with loose women. The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment - and a stiff drink - leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.
Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.
When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison . . . if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.
422 pages, Hardcover
Published July 23, 2019
17834 people are currently reading
17483 people want to read
About the author
David Baldacci
219 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 3,728 reviews
July 6, 2019
David Baldacci ventures into historical crime fiction with style with his new protagonist, Aloysius Archer, set in 1949 in the drought stricken small Southern Poca City. It begins with Archer being released on parole from Carderock prison for a crime he didn't commit and arriving in Poca with a distinct giveaway prison shuffle. He is armed with a list of things he must not do, such as don't go to bars, drink alcohol, associate with loose women, and a smaller list of things he must do, like report regularly to his parole officer and acquire gainful employment immediately. On his first night, he visits a bar and bumps into a wealthy man, Hank Pittleman, with his multiple businesses that have revived the town economically, accompanied by his bit on the side, Jackie Tuttle. He offers Archer the job of collecting a debt from Lucas Tuttle, or at least the Cadillac that serves as collateral for it.
However, Lucas has no intention of paying the debt or giving up the Cadillac until his daughter, Jackie, leaves Hank and returns home. Archer finds himself in a tight spot as he has spent most of the advance from Pittleman, and the situation is exacerbated further when there is a murder for which he is the primary suspect. After looking into Archer's background, Lieutenant Detective Irving Shaw begins to bond with Archer over their respective experiences in WW2, Shaw as a bomber pilot, and Archer as an infantryman, serving in Italy. Shaw draws in Archer into the investigation, providing Archer with vital experience of being a detective, learning the need for corroboration, skills in interviewing witnesses and suspects, and following leads. Archer has good instincts, and is a skilled observer, and he is motivated to do his best, because whilst Shaw may have begun to believe in his innocence, others in law enforcement do not, and he does not want to hang for crimes he didn't commit. With further murders, family secrets, lies, and conspiracies, Poca turns out to be a town with bucketfuls of intrigue, and Archer must find the truth if he is to live.
This is a great historical crime fiction read from Baldacci, I loved the period details, the cultural and social norms of the day were well depicted, such as the blatant sexism, and the embedded certainty that a woman's place is in the home, looking after the man, and raising children. The two women that become most important to Archer, Jackie and his parole officer, Ernestine Crabtree, a woman with aspirations to become a writer, are independent, strong willed, and smart. Archer is a good man, he respects and is protective of women, extending old fashioned courtesies but he is rather naive when it comes to understanding or intuiting what women might be up to, taking them at face value and being too trusting. This is riveting read, entertaining and suspenseful. I am not certain if this is going to be a series, but Baldacci seems to hint that it will be, as he has Archer on the cusp of embarking on a career as a gumshoe at the end. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
However, Lucas has no intention of paying the debt or giving up the Cadillac until his daughter, Jackie, leaves Hank and returns home. Archer finds himself in a tight spot as he has spent most of the advance from Pittleman, and the situation is exacerbated further when there is a murder for which he is the primary suspect. After looking into Archer's background, Lieutenant Detective Irving Shaw begins to bond with Archer over their respective experiences in WW2, Shaw as a bomber pilot, and Archer as an infantryman, serving in Italy. Shaw draws in Archer into the investigation, providing Archer with vital experience of being a detective, learning the need for corroboration, skills in interviewing witnesses and suspects, and following leads. Archer has good instincts, and is a skilled observer, and he is motivated to do his best, because whilst Shaw may have begun to believe in his innocence, others in law enforcement do not, and he does not want to hang for crimes he didn't commit. With further murders, family secrets, lies, and conspiracies, Poca turns out to be a town with bucketfuls of intrigue, and Archer must find the truth if he is to live.
This is a great historical crime fiction read from Baldacci, I loved the period details, the cultural and social norms of the day were well depicted, such as the blatant sexism, and the embedded certainty that a woman's place is in the home, looking after the man, and raising children. The two women that become most important to Archer, Jackie and his parole officer, Ernestine Crabtree, a woman with aspirations to become a writer, are independent, strong willed, and smart. Archer is a good man, he respects and is protective of women, extending old fashioned courtesies but he is rather naive when it comes to understanding or intuiting what women might be up to, taking them at face value and being too trusting. This is riveting read, entertaining and suspenseful. I am not certain if this is going to be a series, but Baldacci seems to hint that it will be, as he has Archer on the cusp of embarking on a career as a gumshoe at the end. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
October 24, 2019
When I heard the premise of this novel I really wanted to read it. I looked forward to it. When it finally arrived in the mail I put all other books aside. The book was everything I hoped for. The historical setting, the characters, the story line, it was great. The book was headed for five solid stars.
Then it started to deteriorate just a tad.
First, I didn’t go for the dialogue tag all the characters used with the main character. They said his name, “Archer,” while addressing him. It might’ve worked for me if only one character used it and it was a dialogue tick. No big deal. Still loved the book…five stars.
I thought I had the book figured out as far as who did it. I also loved all the jeopardy Archer was up against, it kept me reading.
Three quarters of the way through, the story soured for me. Archer found three different important pieces of evidence and put it in his pocket each time without telling the reader what it was and or said (I’d put more details here but it would be a spoiler). I know this kind of point of view violation is often done in these types of stories, but three times? The author did it for the big reveal in the courtroom scene, like Perry Mason. Okay, so four stars.
Then the courtroom scene was like stepping through the looking glass into fantasyland. Nothing close to real life. Again, I understand that what happens in reality is much different than what happens in novels and movies. It comes down to not what is real but what readers will accept as truth. This scene went way over the line for me (but I’ve sat in court many times at both tables--the good guy/bad guy tables). Three stars.
The ending surprised me. I liked the ending a lot. Didn’t agree with how the reveal had been concealed but I liked the ending. So four stars. ;)
And I would recommend this book.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
Then it started to deteriorate just a tad.
First, I didn’t go for the dialogue tag all the characters used with the main character. They said his name, “Archer,” while addressing him. It might’ve worked for me if only one character used it and it was a dialogue tick. No big deal. Still loved the book…five stars.
I thought I had the book figured out as far as who did it. I also loved all the jeopardy Archer was up against, it kept me reading.
Three quarters of the way through, the story soured for me. Archer found three different important pieces of evidence and put it in his pocket each time without telling the reader what it was and or said (I’d put more details here but it would be a spoiler). I know this kind of point of view violation is often done in these types of stories, but three times? The author did it for the big reveal in the courtroom scene, like Perry Mason. Okay, so four stars.
Then the courtroom scene was like stepping through the looking glass into fantasyland. Nothing close to real life. Again, I understand that what happens in reality is much different than what happens in novels and movies. It comes down to not what is real but what readers will accept as truth. This scene went way over the line for me (but I’ve sat in court many times at both tables--the good guy/bad guy tables). Three stars.
The ending surprised me. I liked the ending a lot. Didn’t agree with how the reveal had been concealed but I liked the ending. So four stars. ;)
And I would recommend this book.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
Read
September 2, 2019DNF – did not finish so I did not give it a rating.
This book was a gift; I don’t usually read NYT best-seller thrillers – not my genre.
World War II veteran Archer has just been released from prison -- he’s a good guy so we know this was a mix-up. He’s a man of few words; the strong silent type. He won medals in the Italian campaign but he was “just doing my duty, ma’am.” He needs work so he hooks up with the wealthiest man in town, re-possessing a car for him. Archer is also hitting on two good-looking women – his new employer’s mistress and his parole officer. Meanwhile his employer ends up dead in a hotel room adjoining his. Not good.
But the book just didn’t work for me. I gave it quite a shot – I read about a third of it. I had it on my bedside table but I just didn’t look forward to reading it – it just didn’t grab me. For those who enjoy this genre I notice it’s quite well rated --- 4.1 with thousands of ratings.
This book was a gift; I don’t usually read NYT best-seller thrillers – not my genre.
World War II veteran Archer has just been released from prison -- he’s a good guy so we know this was a mix-up. He’s a man of few words; the strong silent type. He won medals in the Italian campaign but he was “just doing my duty, ma’am.” He needs work so he hooks up with the wealthiest man in town, re-possessing a car for him. Archer is also hitting on two good-looking women – his new employer’s mistress and his parole officer. Meanwhile his employer ends up dead in a hotel room adjoining his. Not good.
But the book just didn’t work for me. I gave it quite a shot – I read about a third of it. I had it on my bedside table but I just didn’t look forward to reading it – it just didn’t grab me. For those who enjoy this genre I notice it’s quite well rated --- 4.1 with thousands of ratings.
August 3, 2021
It's 1949, and World War II veteran Aloysius Archer finds himself paroled out of prison (unjustly incarcerated) to the up and coming boom town where on his first night he is hired to collect a debt for the town's most influential man... and that's when the games begin. It what feels like a sepia toned post-war American world balancing the rampant criminality and business prosperity, our hero gets tangled up in murder, fabulously exotic women, a few deviant fellow parolees, scandals, pig butchering and more!
With Chinatown-like detailed and compelling conspiracies, a few wonderfully demented 'baddies', superb noir and a protagonist in Archer, that you just gotta love, David Baldacci turns it up, in this tightly plotted and pretty intriguing post dawn of the 1950s Americana mystery thriller. If I can make a small complaint, it is probably, at over 600 pages long, stretched out a bit too much. Overall though, I am yet to read a poor story by this top-drawer commercial fiction writer whom I now rate even more highly witnessing his ability to do his thing in a 1949 setting! 8 out to 12. It feels like the kind of story that would have been immediately option for a movie in 1950s Hollywood!
With Chinatown-like detailed and compelling conspiracies, a few wonderfully demented 'baddies', superb noir and a protagonist in Archer, that you just gotta love, David Baldacci turns it up, in this tightly plotted and pretty intriguing post dawn of the 1950s Americana mystery thriller. If I can make a small complaint, it is probably, at over 600 pages long, stretched out a bit too much. Overall though, I am yet to read a poor story by this top-drawer commercial fiction writer whom I now rate even more highly witnessing his ability to do his thing in a 1949 setting! 8 out to 12. It feels like the kind of story that would have been immediately option for a movie in 1950s Hollywood!
May 10, 2021
In One Good Deed Baldacci takes us back to 1949 and the town of Poca City, USA. Historical mystery no less. Is this a new direction for this author? And is this going to be a new series?
I hope so because the main character, Aloysius Archer, is excellent and definitely worth following up. As the book commences he has just left prison having served a few years for a crime he did not commit. He is young, smart and good looking and probably a bit too nice for his own good. Prison has worn some of that from him and events in Poca City eventually help him develop a healthy amount of suspicion regarding the intentions of others.
I enjoyed every minute of this book. Baldacci always writes well and for this one he has done an enormous amount of research. People's attitudes, what they drove, what they drank and smoked - all these details are there to give the reader a really good feel for the atmosphere in small town USA in the late 40s early 50s.
There is a short court scene at the end which is very entertaining and ties up all the details of who killed who. It also presents a nice, last minute surprise. Very enjoyable and highly recommended!
I hope so because the main character, Aloysius Archer, is excellent and definitely worth following up. As the book commences he has just left prison having served a few years for a crime he did not commit. He is young, smart and good looking and probably a bit too nice for his own good. Prison has worn some of that from him and events in Poca City eventually help him develop a healthy amount of suspicion regarding the intentions of others.
I enjoyed every minute of this book. Baldacci always writes well and for this one he has done an enormous amount of research. People's attitudes, what they drove, what they drank and smoked - all these details are there to give the reader a really good feel for the atmosphere in small town USA in the late 40s early 50s.
There is a short court scene at the end which is very entertaining and ties up all the details of who killed who. It also presents a nice, last minute surprise. Very enjoyable and highly recommended!
September 14, 2020
This story is a complete and thorough literary waste. 0 of 10 stars
January 30, 2023
Aloysius Archer – a World War II soldier fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit
"It was a good day to be free of prison ... he breathed free air for the first time in a while."
But the life of a paroled ex-convict is not an easy row to hoe. And when Aloysius Archer finds himself caught up in the middle of a murder investigation, his biggest worry is being arrested as the murderer and getting sent back to spend the rest of his life in prison.
ONE GOOD DEED is a stellar example of Baldacci’s story-writing chops. The environment, the emotional flavour of the day, the cultural outlook, the misogyny, the parochial small town attitudes, the perennial conflicts between the haves and the have-nots, the behaviour of an ex-con struggling to adjust his life to accommodate a list of do’s and don’ts that extends down the street and around the corner … all well done to a fault.
And I’d be happy to tell any potential reader (particularly those who had yet to sample any of Baldacci’s prodigious body of work) that I’ve yet to pick up one of his stories that I didn’t enjoy. But the fact is that ONE GOOD DEED is one of his weaker efforts. While everything surrounding the story is excellent – and earns all of those requisite literary adjectives: compelling, evocative, provocative, heartwarming, eyebrow raising, and so on – the story itself loses steam around the three-quarters mark of the novel and meanders off into something which is distinctly lacking in credibility. The need to avoid spoiling the story for new readers demands that I refrain from outlining any details so you’ll just have to take it on faith. I enjoyed it, I’d read it again, but I’m not running down the streets shouting its praises to the neighbours.
If anyone chooses to read it as a result of this review, I’d be very interested to hear what you think of it. Please feel free to come back and drop me a comment.
Paul Weiss
"It was a good day to be free of prison ... he breathed free air for the first time in a while."
But the life of a paroled ex-convict is not an easy row to hoe. And when Aloysius Archer finds himself caught up in the middle of a murder investigation, his biggest worry is being arrested as the murderer and getting sent back to spend the rest of his life in prison.
ONE GOOD DEED is a stellar example of Baldacci’s story-writing chops. The environment, the emotional flavour of the day, the cultural outlook, the misogyny, the parochial small town attitudes, the perennial conflicts between the haves and the have-nots, the behaviour of an ex-con struggling to adjust his life to accommodate a list of do’s and don’ts that extends down the street and around the corner … all well done to a fault.
And I’d be happy to tell any potential reader (particularly those who had yet to sample any of Baldacci’s prodigious body of work) that I’ve yet to pick up one of his stories that I didn’t enjoy. But the fact is that ONE GOOD DEED is one of his weaker efforts. While everything surrounding the story is excellent – and earns all of those requisite literary adjectives: compelling, evocative, provocative, heartwarming, eyebrow raising, and so on – the story itself loses steam around the three-quarters mark of the novel and meanders off into something which is distinctly lacking in credibility. The need to avoid spoiling the story for new readers demands that I refrain from outlining any details so you’ll just have to take it on faith. I enjoyed it, I’d read it again, but I’m not running down the streets shouting its praises to the neighbours.
If anyone chooses to read it as a result of this review, I’d be very interested to hear what you think of it. Please feel free to come back and drop me a comment.
Paul Weiss
July 31, 2019
In his latest standalone thriller, David Baldacci captivates readers while taking them on a voyage back in time. It’s 1949 and the War is over, as is the short time Aloysius Archer has spent in prison. Heading west, Archer settles in Poca City to serve out his parole. Seeking employment, Archer is approached by Hank Pittleman to help him retrieve a debt. Archer seems happy to help, as long as his parole officer considers this above board. However, as Archer soon discovers, the debtor is anything but happy to repay what is owed and spins a tale of a lost daughter he wishes to protect. Working his verbal magic, Archer feels he might be making headway, until a murder shakes him to his core. The authorities are happy to look at the ex-con for the crime and the evidence points in Archer’s direction. Trying to clear his name and work with the locals to solve the case, Archer uncovers some interesting secrets that sees the investigation widen. Armed with this news and trying to stay one step ahead of the noose, Archer will do whatever it takes, using the sleuthing he heard in his favourite mystery novels while incarcerated. A wonderful novel that has the potential to begin a new series. Baldacci has done it again and I can recommend this to those who love his work, as well as the reader who finds joy in crime thrillers.
I always enjoy new ventures by established authors, as it pushes them out of their comfort zone while allowing readers to see just how vast their abilities tend to be. David Baldacci has done this many times over the years, taking a standalone and, upon rave reviews, builds it into a new series, letting some of his past collections fade into the background. This novel surely has the potential for that, as it is not only well founded, but its characters are interesting and the narrative flows with ease. Aloysius Archer proves to be a wonderful protagonist, seeking to reinvent himself after fighting in Europe and doing a stint in jail. This backstory alone draws the reader to him, but there is more. As he arrives in town—almost Reacher-esque—knowing no one in particular, Archer soon connects with some of the locals and finds himself in the middle of a feud. His skills as an investigator are second to none and this is utilised effectively throughout, allowing Archer to grow and become even better liked by the reader. Supported by a handful of other strong characters, Archer finds himself trying to stay one step ahead of the law without disappearing entirely. The secondary characters are strong and serve to keep the story moving, though their interactions with Archer cannot be dismissed. There is some strong potential, should Baldacci continue the series, though it is apparent that certain storylines will dominate any future plots. Well written with a perfect mix to keep the reader engaged, Baldacci may have a major success on his hands, should he move in that direction.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another great novel. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for readers down the road.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I always enjoy new ventures by established authors, as it pushes them out of their comfort zone while allowing readers to see just how vast their abilities tend to be. David Baldacci has done this many times over the years, taking a standalone and, upon rave reviews, builds it into a new series, letting some of his past collections fade into the background. This novel surely has the potential for that, as it is not only well founded, but its characters are interesting and the narrative flows with ease. Aloysius Archer proves to be a wonderful protagonist, seeking to reinvent himself after fighting in Europe and doing a stint in jail. This backstory alone draws the reader to him, but there is more. As he arrives in town—almost Reacher-esque—knowing no one in particular, Archer soon connects with some of the locals and finds himself in the middle of a feud. His skills as an investigator are second to none and this is utilised effectively throughout, allowing Archer to grow and become even better liked by the reader. Supported by a handful of other strong characters, Archer finds himself trying to stay one step ahead of the law without disappearing entirely. The secondary characters are strong and serve to keep the story moving, though their interactions with Archer cannot be dismissed. There is some strong potential, should Baldacci continue the series, though it is apparent that certain storylines will dominate any future plots. Well written with a perfect mix to keep the reader engaged, Baldacci may have a major success on his hands, should he move in that direction.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another great novel. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for readers down the road.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
June 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this stand alone by author David Baldacci an d it made me realise I really must read more of his work soon. Nicely written and the 640 pages flew by as I enjoyed the twists and turns in this entertaining read. Great characters, especially the lead one Aloysius Archer who I would love to read in other books if the author decided.
It's 1949 and war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of rules to follow to keep him on the straight and narrow. Events move fast for Archer and the town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than he would like. On his very first day of freedom he is offered what appears to be a straight forward job of collecting a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman. It is not long before Archer discovers that the job is not so easy and that the indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay. Archer has a natural charm and the ladies are quick to notice him. Very soon Archer is attracting the attention of Hank's mistress Jackie Tuttle and Archer's parole officer, Miss Ernestine Crabtree.
A murder takes place and ex prisoner Archer finds himself under police suspicion and he realises that this could easily take him back to prison. With his freedom at risk he gets together with Detective Shaw to solve the crime that threatens to send him back into prison.
The book is reasonably slow paced but this did not affect my enjoyment at all, as the characters come to life in this exquisitely written novel.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Macmillan for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
It's 1949 and war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of rules to follow to keep him on the straight and narrow. Events move fast for Archer and the town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than he would like. On his very first day of freedom he is offered what appears to be a straight forward job of collecting a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman. It is not long before Archer discovers that the job is not so easy and that the indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay. Archer has a natural charm and the ladies are quick to notice him. Very soon Archer is attracting the attention of Hank's mistress Jackie Tuttle and Archer's parole officer, Miss Ernestine Crabtree.
A murder takes place and ex prisoner Archer finds himself under police suspicion and he realises that this could easily take him back to prison. With his freedom at risk he gets together with Detective Shaw to solve the crime that threatens to send him back into prison.
The book is reasonably slow paced but this did not affect my enjoyment at all, as the characters come to life in this exquisitely written novel.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Macmillan for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2019
This was my first experience with this author but, since this book is either a standalone or the start of a new series, I thought it was safe to begin here. Based on this book I am not interested in reading anything else of his. This is ersatz 1940s noir featuring Archer, a WWII veteran and ex-con. The dialogue is really horrible. No one has ever talked like these people. The police procedures are completely irrational including sharing facts with suspects, questioning suspects in each other’s presence, taking an ex-con along as you investigate, etc. There’s a pretty high death count for a small town and the book is awash in red herrings. I skimmed to the end.
July 12, 2019
Aloysius Archer has been released from prison, for a crime he did not commit, and sent out of the of the way to a southern town to await his parole. He's only been there for twenty four hours and he's already been in lots of trouble. He had been instructed to meet his parole officer, Ernestine Crabtree, but he gets caught up in a feud between two local businessmen when he had went into the local bar. Hank Pittleman had paid him to collect a debt from his rival and this leads him into all sorts of trouble. Archer has a natural charm with the ladies and that includes Hank's mistress, Jackie Tuttle and his parole officer, Ernestine Crabtree.
I have read several of David Baldacci's books before and I honestly don't know why I stopped reading them. This book is set in post war America in 1949. The story is gripping from the first page as David Baldacci weaves his magic on you. I loved Archer's character, he's a lovable rogue. The rest of the characters are well rounded and believable. Of course the story covers a murder and Archer quickly becomes a suspect. Compelled to clear his name, he searches for answers. He gets together with Detective Shaw to find out the truth. The pace is slow. I do hope that we meet Archer again one day.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author David Baldacci for my ARC In exchange for an honest review.
I have read several of David Baldacci's books before and I honestly don't know why I stopped reading them. This book is set in post war America in 1949. The story is gripping from the first page as David Baldacci weaves his magic on you. I loved Archer's character, he's a lovable rogue. The rest of the characters are well rounded and believable. Of course the story covers a murder and Archer quickly becomes a suspect. Compelled to clear his name, he searches for answers. He gets together with Detective Shaw to find out the truth. The pace is slow. I do hope that we meet Archer again one day.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author David Baldacci for my ARC In exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2019
I have read David Baldacci’s books off and on over the years. I discovered this book’s writing style is a bit different than his usual writing style.
The story is a historical fiction set in 1949 in a small Southern town. The protagonist is Aloysius Archer a WWII veteran and a recent parolee. The book is interesting and well written. The plot twists and turns. The characters are interesting. I think this book would make a good series. I was left wanting to know what happens next with Archer. The book provides a quick get-a-way-from-it-all read.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and forty-one minutes. Edoardo Ballerini does a good job narrating the book. Ballerini is an award-winning actor and audiobook narrator. He has won four AudioFile Earphone Awards and voted the “Best Male Narrator” at the 2010 Audie Awards.
The story is a historical fiction set in 1949 in a small Southern town. The protagonist is Aloysius Archer a WWII veteran and a recent parolee. The book is interesting and well written. The plot twists and turns. The characters are interesting. I think this book would make a good series. I was left wanting to know what happens next with Archer. The book provides a quick get-a-way-from-it-all read.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and forty-one minutes. Edoardo Ballerini does a good job narrating the book. Ballerini is an award-winning actor and audiobook narrator. He has won four AudioFile Earphone Awards and voted the “Best Male Narrator” at the 2010 Audie Awards.
January 27, 2020
Loved the way Baldacci takes you back to 1940’s and you believe you are there. Mystery abounds
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December 10, 2021
Audiobook - 11:40 Hours - Narrator: Edoardo Ballerini
4Stars - "I really liked it"
A few recent listens to some unsatisfactory audiobooks by David Baldacci had hardened into a lack of enthusiasm for this enigmatic author, just as "One Good Deed" popped up on my "Reading Listening Now" list. It would have been easy to defer starting the book, and I almost did, but then I remembered that I had awarded 3Stars, 4Stars or 5Stars to more than two-thirds of my Baldacci "listens", so why wouldn't I take a chance with "One Good Deed"? I'm glad I did!
The story starts when WWII veteran Aloysius Archer is released on parole from jail "for a crime he didn't commit". Here begins the need for some suspension of belief, but what crime/fiction story doesn't require this of its readers? The dialogue seems to be written in a "post-war" mode which is made all the more enjoyable by Edoardo Ballerini's excellent "post-war" sounding narration. Relatively light-hearted, the storyline and plots are easy to follow, with enough, I hesitate to say 'twists', enough veering off the straight and narrow to maintain the reader's/listener's interest and to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
As a number of other reviewers have noted, Baldacci might well develop the "Archer" character into yet another one of his successful series. I think these reviewers are probably correct.
4Stars - "I really liked it"
A few recent listens to some unsatisfactory audiobooks by David Baldacci had hardened into a lack of enthusiasm for this enigmatic author, just as "One Good Deed" popped up on my "
The story starts when WWII veteran Aloysius Archer is released on parole from jail "for a crime he didn't commit". Here begins the need for some suspension of belief, but what crime/fiction story doesn't require this of its readers? The dialogue seems to be written in a "post-war" mode which is made all the more enjoyable by Edoardo Ballerini's excellent "post-war" sounding narration. Relatively light-hearted, the storyline and plots are easy to follow, with enough, I hesitate to say 'twists', enough veering off the straight and narrow to maintain the reader's/listener's interest and to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
As a number of other reviewers have noted, Baldacci might well develop the "Archer" character into yet another one of his successful series. I think these reviewers are probably correct.
July 27, 2019
This was a mediocre story for me. It was certainly out of the norm for a Baldacci book. The writing seemed stilted, especially during the conversations between characters. Way over descriptive when it came to the character's clothing. Who cares?! If his name was not on the cover I would have never guessed that he wrote this.
There were hints of this being the beginning of a new series. Not sure I will be reading any others if this is the case.
There were hints of this being the beginning of a new series. Not sure I will be reading any others if this is the case.
July 30, 2019
Any time a book by one of my all-time favorite authors is released, it goes on my must-read list. And when it brings the promise of a new character, well, I immediately move it to the top; after all, it could be the start of something good.
Honestly, I don't know if the intent here is to launch a series featuring World War II veteran and newly released prison inmate Aloysius Archer; I do know that if it is, count me in. Set in 1949, it's certainly different - with words like "gumshoe," "grub" and "dames" sprinkled liberally throughout. Men wore hats (Archer, a fedora), ladies wore gloves and Veronica Lake peekaboo hairdos and everybody smoked - usually unfiltered Lucky Strikes or Pall Malls. The only thing halfway resembling technology came in the form of a Dictaphone machine (if you need to ask what that is, you're just a young whippersnapper).
Deposited by bus in prison-assigned Poca City, Archer will be on parole for three years and report to officer Ernestine Crabtree. Chancing a stop in a local bar - off limits to parolees - he meets a flaunt-it-all high-roller who's there showing off his female arm candy. They begin to talk, and the guy hires Archer, who must find gainful employment as a condition of parole, to collect a debt (specifically, a Cadillac) he's owed by another local businessman. But when Archer goes to meet that man, he learns there's more to the story; that arm candy, it seems, is the daughter of the guy who hired him. What's more, that Caddy's going nowhere unless the daughter agrees to come back home to daddy - and she ain't budging.
That leaves Archer somewhere between a rock and a hard place, and matters get even more complicated when said daughter decides she's sweet on Archer. If that weren't enough, everywhere he turns, the rather stuffy Miss Crabtree keeps her eye on his comings and goings - as does another ex-con Archer knows to be nastier than most. When one of the characters bites the dust right under Archer's nose, the law comes calling - tapping Archer, of course, as the primary suspect.
Returning to jail understandably isn't on Archer's agenda, though, and the only way he can prove his innocence is to find the motive and unearth the real killer. That's exactly what he sets out to do, finding an unlikely ally in the form of one of the detectives on the case - who tells Archer he's got the makings to become a pretty good gumshoe (which I'm taking as a clue that we'll see him again).
And that's where my part of the story ends; the rest is a very entertaining, finely tuned story that had me riveted right up to the end. Yes, it's a bit of a departure from the author's usual fare and the time setting is reminiscent of a Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett book. But I absolutely loved it, and I think other readers will agree. Highly recommended - oh, and more, please?
Honestly, I don't know if the intent here is to launch a series featuring World War II veteran and newly released prison inmate Aloysius Archer; I do know that if it is, count me in. Set in 1949, it's certainly different - with words like "gumshoe," "grub" and "dames" sprinkled liberally throughout. Men wore hats (Archer, a fedora), ladies wore gloves and Veronica Lake peekaboo hairdos and everybody smoked - usually unfiltered Lucky Strikes or Pall Malls. The only thing halfway resembling technology came in the form of a Dictaphone machine (if you need to ask what that is, you're just a young whippersnapper).
Deposited by bus in prison-assigned Poca City, Archer will be on parole for three years and report to officer Ernestine Crabtree. Chancing a stop in a local bar - off limits to parolees - he meets a flaunt-it-all high-roller who's there showing off his female arm candy. They begin to talk, and the guy hires Archer, who must find gainful employment as a condition of parole, to collect a debt (specifically, a Cadillac) he's owed by another local businessman. But when Archer goes to meet that man, he learns there's more to the story; that arm candy, it seems, is the daughter of the guy who hired him. What's more, that Caddy's going nowhere unless the daughter agrees to come back home to daddy - and she ain't budging.
That leaves Archer somewhere between a rock and a hard place, and matters get even more complicated when said daughter decides she's sweet on Archer. If that weren't enough, everywhere he turns, the rather stuffy Miss Crabtree keeps her eye on his comings and goings - as does another ex-con Archer knows to be nastier than most. When one of the characters bites the dust right under Archer's nose, the law comes calling - tapping Archer, of course, as the primary suspect.
Returning to jail understandably isn't on Archer's agenda, though, and the only way he can prove his innocence is to find the motive and unearth the real killer. That's exactly what he sets out to do, finding an unlikely ally in the form of one of the detectives on the case - who tells Archer he's got the makings to become a pretty good gumshoe (which I'm taking as a clue that we'll see him again).
And that's where my part of the story ends; the rest is a very entertaining, finely tuned story that had me riveted right up to the end. Yes, it's a bit of a departure from the author's usual fare and the time setting is reminiscent of a Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett book. But I absolutely loved it, and I think other readers will agree. Highly recommended - oh, and more, please?
November 17, 2023
It’s 1949 and army war veteran Aloysius Archer has just been released from prison and has been settled in the town of Poca City where he is to remain while he serves out his parole period. His parole comes with a long list of rules, do’s and don’ts that must be adhered to or risk returning straight back to prison. On the don’t side of the ledger includes don’t enter a bar and don’t drink alcohol. Archer’s first act is to go to the local bar and order himself a double.
It’s while he’s at the bar that he also manages to get himself a job (another requisite on his parole list). A local businessman, Hank Pittleman, hires him to collect a debt. The man he’s to retrieve this debt from is another local, a farmer named Lucas Tuttle and, it turns out, Archer isn’t the first man who’s attempted to secure this particular payment.
The job turns out to be far more difficult to complete than it first appears. There’s plenty of acrimony involved between the two men involved in the loan arrangement. Not least involves the daughter of one of the men, a woman who also becomes intimately known to Archer himself.
Out of the blue a murder is committed. Dangerously for Archer, it’s in a hotel room very close to where he’s staying and this could spell big trouble for him with the finger of blame almost certain to be pointed at him.
Enter state policeman Lieutenant Detective Irving Shaw who is more than a little canny when it comes to investigating murder. Not only does he quickly get a handle on the case but, as a fellow WWII veteran, he also has the sense to bring Archer into the investigation, quickly recognising his common sense and quick mind.
You get the feeling that this is a full length introduction to Aloysius Archer and his molding into a private investigator. Under the careful tutelage of Shaw’s experienced eye he gets a thorough education into the art of conducting a murder investigation starting with the proper way to interview a suspect to how to interpret clues. We witness his growth and understanding as the story progresses.
There is a significant classic crime fiction about One Good Deed, thanks largely to the post-war time period in which it’s set. The story’s brought vividly to life courtesy of the authenticity of the dialogue and the post-war optimism that is apparent in just about every character who makes an appearance. As a fan of the mid-century hardboiled crime genre I appreciated the depth into which Baldacci went in making sure this had the look and feel of a pulp-style novel of the era.
From a plot that develops in complexity with multiple layers of intrigue to uncover, through to clipped, believable dialogue and characters that are something more than simple, one-dimensional illusions, One Good Deed works as a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery. The trip back to the mid-20th century was worth the journey and I’m looking forward to the growth of Aloysius Archer in future outings.
It’s while he’s at the bar that he also manages to get himself a job (another requisite on his parole list). A local businessman, Hank Pittleman, hires him to collect a debt. The man he’s to retrieve this debt from is another local, a farmer named Lucas Tuttle and, it turns out, Archer isn’t the first man who’s attempted to secure this particular payment.
The job turns out to be far more difficult to complete than it first appears. There’s plenty of acrimony involved between the two men involved in the loan arrangement. Not least involves the daughter of one of the men, a woman who also becomes intimately known to Archer himself.
Out of the blue a murder is committed. Dangerously for Archer, it’s in a hotel room very close to where he’s staying and this could spell big trouble for him with the finger of blame almost certain to be pointed at him.
Enter state policeman Lieutenant Detective Irving Shaw who is more than a little canny when it comes to investigating murder. Not only does he quickly get a handle on the case but, as a fellow WWII veteran, he also has the sense to bring Archer into the investigation, quickly recognising his common sense and quick mind.
You get the feeling that this is a full length introduction to Aloysius Archer and his molding into a private investigator. Under the careful tutelage of Shaw’s experienced eye he gets a thorough education into the art of conducting a murder investigation starting with the proper way to interview a suspect to how to interpret clues. We witness his growth and understanding as the story progresses.
There is a significant classic crime fiction about One Good Deed, thanks largely to the post-war time period in which it’s set. The story’s brought vividly to life courtesy of the authenticity of the dialogue and the post-war optimism that is apparent in just about every character who makes an appearance. As a fan of the mid-century hardboiled crime genre I appreciated the depth into which Baldacci went in making sure this had the look and feel of a pulp-style novel of the era.
From a plot that develops in complexity with multiple layers of intrigue to uncover, through to clipped, believable dialogue and characters that are something more than simple, one-dimensional illusions, One Good Deed works as a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery. The trip back to the mid-20th century was worth the journey and I’m looking forward to the growth of Aloysius Archer in future outings.
June 4, 2022
David Baldacci never ceases to amaze me. His diversity in his writhing is overwhelming. I have to admit when I started this book I was wondering where in the heck he was going to go with this post WW ll setting. I was pleasantly surprised, I am starting on the sequel right now.
January 12, 2020
David Baldacci introduces us to a new character, Aloysius Archer, in One Good Deed. The year is 1949 and Archer, an Army veteran, has just been released from Carderock Prison. He has been paroled to Poca City. We don't know why Archer was in prison or where Poca City is located. Somewhere in the south (United States). As a condition of his parole he is given a list of Do's (get a job) and Don't (go to bars, drink alcohol). Of course one of the first things Archer does after arriving in Poca City is to go to a bar and get a drink ... and a job. Collect a debt owed to a powerful businessman.
It should be a simple job but nothing is what it appears to be. Not Poca City. Not Hank Pittleman, the businessman who hires Archer to collect the debt owed to him. Not Lucas Tuttle, a local farmer who borrowed money from Pittleman. When a murder takes place practically next door to Archer's hotel room he finds himself a suspect and in danger of heading back to Carderock. The local police may think Archer is the killer but Lieutenant Detective Irving Shaw, with the state police and a fellow WWII veteran, believes Archer. Shaw brings Archer into the investigation and provides him with some insight into being an investigator. The need for corroboration, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and following leads. Archer was a scout in the Army and investigative skills come quickly to him.
For me this book started out slowly but started to pick up midway. It was entertaining but not one of Baldacci's best. I have read many books by authors who were alive and writing in 1949. For example Rex Stout. I was reminded of Archie Goodwin, a private detective and Nero Wolfe's legman / assistant. The dialog in this story just didn't ring true. If you were to compare Archer to Archie the dialog was just off in this story. David Baldacci wasn't even alive in 1949. I don't know if this is a standalone or the start of a new series. If we will be seeing more of Archer I hope that the dialog will improve. Maybe David Baldacci can read some of the Nero Wolfe stories by Rex Stout.
It should be a simple job but nothing is what it appears to be. Not Poca City. Not Hank Pittleman, the businessman who hires Archer to collect the debt owed to him. Not Lucas Tuttle, a local farmer who borrowed money from Pittleman. When a murder takes place practically next door to Archer's hotel room he finds himself a suspect and in danger of heading back to Carderock. The local police may think Archer is the killer but Lieutenant Detective Irving Shaw, with the state police and a fellow WWII veteran, believes Archer. Shaw brings Archer into the investigation and provides him with some insight into being an investigator. The need for corroboration, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and following leads. Archer was a scout in the Army and investigative skills come quickly to him.
For me this book started out slowly but started to pick up midway. It was entertaining but not one of Baldacci's best. I have read many books by authors who were alive and writing in 1949. For example Rex Stout. I was reminded of Archie Goodwin, a private detective and Nero Wolfe's legman / assistant. The dialog in this story just didn't ring true. If you were to compare Archer to Archie the dialog was just off in this story. David Baldacci wasn't even alive in 1949. I don't know if this is a standalone or the start of a new series. If we will be seeing more of Archer I hope that the dialog will improve. Maybe David Baldacci can read some of the Nero Wolfe stories by Rex Stout.
February 10, 2020
While I don't typically make crime stories my first choice, I've read many others by this author and felt the 1949 time period was unique. Baldacci is a master when it comes to pacing, plot twists and momentum, and he delivers on all fronts. Written in third party similar to others from the time period, the reader is immersed, engaged and thrown curve balls. Add to that a recent paroled criminal who unlike most, lives with integrity, the makings for a great story unfold. While the basic story line isn't unique, the manner in which it's delivered overcomes the familiarity. Engaging and evocative this is a book any crime fan will enjoy!
July 24, 2019
I feel like I should have liked this one more. I really like this author, initially I liked the noir feel of things, but as things went on Archer came off as a chump. It seemed like everyone was playing him. It wasn't til the end that Archer started to smarten up and then was able to play a few others. By the time the end came I was glad to be done with the book and didn't really care where that last trip took Archer and wasn't surprised at all.
March 20, 2021
What a great book and Archer is a fantastic character. Looking forward to the next book.. A bit different for Baldacci to do an historical fiction but quite enjoyed it
March 6, 2021
ঢাউস সাইজের বই। এজন্য পড়তেও সময় লাগল একটু। ডেভিড বালড্যাচির লেখা সবসময়ই উপভোগ্য। এজন্য পড়তে অসুবিধা হয়নি। শুরুর দিকটা বেশ স্লো-ই। প্রথম একশো পৃষ্টার পর আসল কাহিনীর শুরু। আর্চার নামের এক দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধের যোদ্ধা সদ্যই জেল খেটে প্যারোলের কারণে পোকা সিটিতে যায়। সেখানে পায় একজনের টাকা উদ্ধারের কাজ। কিন্তু হঠাৎ-ই খুন হয় লোকটা। ফেঁসে যায় আর্চার। আর্চার কী নিজেকে নির্দোষ প্রমাণ করতে পারবে?
উপন্যাসটার টাইমলাইন দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্বের ঠিক পরের সময়ের। ফলে স্বাভাবিকভাবেই দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধ ভালোই উঠে এসেছে। ধীরেসুস্থে, প্রক্রিয়া মেনেই সমাধান করা হয়েছে রহস্যের। বুদ্ধিদীপ্তভাবেই কাহিনী সাজিয়েছেন বালড্যাচি। আর্চার ও লেফটেন্যান্ট শ দুটো চরিত্রই ভালো লেগেছে। কিন্তু মাঝখানে আবার একটু ধীরগতির হয়ে গিয়েছিল। ঘুরেফিরে একই ব্যাপার-ই এসেছে। কিন্তু তাই বলে সাসপেন্স কম ছিল না কিন্তু। বেশ ভালো একটা মার্ডার মিস্ট্রি বলা চলে।
সিরিজের পরবর্তী বই গ্যাম্বলিং ম্যান বের হবে এই মাসেই। অপেক্ষায় থাকলাম।
উপন্যাসটার টাইমলাইন দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্বের ঠিক পরের সময়ের। ফলে স্বাভাবিকভাবেই দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধ ভালোই উঠে এসেছে। ধীরেসুস্থে, প্রক্রিয়া মেনেই সমাধান করা হয়েছে রহস্যের। বুদ্ধিদীপ্তভাবেই কাহিনী সাজিয়েছেন বালড্যাচি। আর্চার ও লেফটেন্যান্ট শ দুটো চরিত্রই ভালো লেগেছে। কিন্তু মাঝখানে আবার একটু ধীরগতির হয়ে গিয়েছিল। ঘুরেফিরে একই ব্যাপার-ই এসেছে। কিন্তু তাই বলে সাসপেন্স কম ছিল না কিন্তু। বেশ ভালো একটা মার্ডার মিস্ট্রি বলা চলে।
সিরিজের পরবর্তী বই গ্যাম্বলিং ম্যান বের হবে এই মাসেই। অপেক্ষায় থাকলাম।
August 11, 2022
I thought this was a really good crime mystery. The setting was after WWII in a small town Paco, Oklahoma where a very likable protagonist Aloysius Archer helped a local detective solve crime.
I liked everything from story to character including the audio book performance. I don't understand why the story in the end turned into a legal courtroom drama. There wasn't a lot of it so it seem out of place. The preachy ending didn't help. Why bother dropping a few paragraphs about equality? From 4 stars, it was 3.
I liked everything from story to character including the audio book performance. I don't understand why the story in the end turned into a legal courtroom drama. There wasn't a lot of it so it seem out of place. The preachy ending didn't help. Why bother dropping a few paragraphs about equality? From 4 stars, it was 3.
December 13, 2022
Добро начало на историята, но на фона на втората и третата книга, тази им отстъпва малко.
Тук действието в началото започва не така динамично и въведението е плавно, но като за начало е нормално.
Арчър току-що е излязъл от затвора, заради престъпление, което не е извършил. И трябва да се адаптира обратно към социалния живот. По-често става въпрос за ВСВ, отколкото в другите книги – като времева рамка е по-близо до тези събития.
Пока Сити не е толкова вълнуваща дестинация, като в следващите книги, но престъплението, в което Арчър се оказва въвлечен е интересно за проследяване. Още тук си проличават детективските му способности и интересът му към тази професия – макар все още да не е ясно ориентиран накъде ще поеме животът му. [Либърти Калахан (💕) не е част от тази история, но пък тук Арчър се сблъсква с две други жени – не по-малко атрактивни и опасни].
Откъм динамика като че ли втората книга е най-добре изградена, откъм блясък (холивудски) – третата.
В „One Good Deed“ има и няколко напоителни и подробни сцени с убийства на прасета в една кланица, които може да се окажат твърде смущаващи за определени групи.
Оценка: 4.15 ⭐
Тук действието в началото започва не така динамично и въведението е плавно, но като за начало е нормално.
Арчър току-що е излязъл от затвора, заради престъпление, което не е извършил. И трябва да се адаптира обратно към социалния живот. По-често става въпрос за ВСВ, отколкото в другите книги – като времева рамка е по-близо до тези събития.
Пока Сити не е толкова вълнуваща дестинация, като в следващите книги, но престъплението, в което Арчър се оказва въвлечен е интересно за проследяване. Още тук си проличават детективските му способности и интересът му към тази професия – макар все още да не е ясно ориентиран накъде ще поеме животът му. [Либърти Калахан (💕) не е част от тази история, но пък тук Арчър се сблъсква с две други жени – не по-малко атрактивни и опасни].
Откъм динамика като че ли втората книга е най-добре изградена, откъм блясък (холивудски) – третата.
В „One Good Deed“ има и няколко напоителни и подробни сцени с убийства на прасета в една кланица, които може да се окажат твърде смущаващи за определени групи.
Оценка: 4.15 ⭐
March 15, 2022
Baldacci's love letter to Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade. A very basic mystery but I really liked the period and the MC, Aloysius Archer.
It's 1949, and Archer has just been released from jail. After serving in WWII he went a little wild, resulting in several years in the hoosegow. On the day he's released he takes the bus as far as it will go. Poca City might not have much, but it's got a gin joint and it's got Jackie Tuttle. Jackie's easy on the eyes, but she's the arm candy of most important man in town.
Dames. Waddaya gonna do.
One Good Deed is a very straight-forward, no nonsense gumshoe novel sprinkled liberally with porkpie hats, garter belts and wiseguys. Even if the mystery wasn't too complicated, the story was just so much darn fun! I look forward to reading other Archer novels.
It's 1949, and Archer has just been released from jail. After serving in WWII he went a little wild, resulting in several years in the hoosegow. On the day he's released he takes the bus as far as it will go. Poca City might not have much, but it's got a gin joint and it's got Jackie Tuttle. Jackie's easy on the eyes, but she's the arm candy of most important man in town.
Dames. Waddaya gonna do.
One Good Deed is a very straight-forward, no nonsense gumshoe novel sprinkled liberally with porkpie hats, garter belts and wiseguys. Even if the mystery wasn't too complicated, the story was just so much darn fun! I look forward to reading other Archer novels.
October 2, 2019
What an absolute surprise!
I could imagine a traditional Clint Eastwood setting for this one. Set in 1949, Alyosius Archer has just been released from prison and finds himself in small town Poca City, paroled and ready to get his life back on track after serving in WWII and of course his sentence.
Enter town patriarch Pittleman, married but dating arch- rival Tuttle’s daughter, throw Archer in the middle, sent to collect an outstanding debt and you have the setting for a great showdown.
True to the time period Baldacci conveys the norms and values of the era with precision and legitimacy. There are murders, debts, chauvinism, gambling, thuggery, snobbery and of course some gold and a few feisty beautiful women...sound like a good old fashioned read...yes it was exactly that and more.
Will be interesting to see if Archer is the start of a new series?
I could imagine a traditional Clint Eastwood setting for this one. Set in 1949, Alyosius Archer has just been released from prison and finds himself in small town Poca City, paroled and ready to get his life back on track after serving in WWII and of course his sentence.
Enter town patriarch Pittleman, married but dating arch- rival Tuttle’s daughter, throw Archer in the middle, sent to collect an outstanding debt and you have the setting for a great showdown.
True to the time period Baldacci conveys the norms and values of the era with precision and legitimacy. There are murders, debts, chauvinism, gambling, thuggery, snobbery and of course some gold and a few feisty beautiful women...sound like a good old fashioned read...yes it was exactly that and more.
Will be interesting to see if Archer is the start of a new series?
June 13, 2022
For the last couple of years, Baldacci has been producing two books a year, and focusing most of his attention on his series characters of Amos Decker (Memory Man), Will Robie, and John Puller. However, Baldacci is breaking his Spring/Fall book releasee schedule by publishing a third book this summer, in which he introduces a new character – World War II veteran Aloysius Archer – and explores a different historical era.
The book starts in 1949, when Archer arrives in Poca City after being released on parole from Carderock Prison. Archer is both a military veteran and a convicted felon who served time for a crime that he was framed for. Now he’s been given important rules, including what to do and not do in order to keep him from returning to prison. Archer’s goal is to get a job and stay out of trouble. However, after he is hired to collect a debt owed to a local business man, Hank Pittleman, things get crazy and Archer finds himself in the middle of a deadly fuel.
When Archer goes to collect the debt from farmer, Lucas Tuttle, things don’t go well. Tuttle refuses to pay Pittleman back anything until Archer brings Archer brings his daughter, Jackie, back home. The problem is that Jackie is currently Pittleman’s mistress, and she has no interest in returning home or seeing her father. Archer has other problems too. His parole officer, Ernestine Crabtree, is a tough and stern, by-the-book official who is keeping an eye on his activities, to make sure he obeys the rules or be sent back to prison.
It doesn’t take long for Archer to get himself caught-up in small town secrets and personal family histories. While Archer works on getting the debt resolved, a murder occurs, and he is the closest and most-likely suspect. Archer finds himself trying to stay out of jail while solving a murder that it appears that he was set-up to take the fall for. The worst part is that Archer cannot trust anyone, because every time he involves someone, he finds they are not being honest with him.
There are a several good things about this book and Baldacci’s new character, Aloysius Archer. The first of which, is Baldacci’s risk in taking on a different time period. 1949 is not 2018, and it requires a strong ability to not only describe things like dress styles and transportation vehicles, but also truly understand the proper political and social norms, and enough details from World War II to provide the depth and quality needed to portray the true historical context. For example, Baldacci uses the social and financial inequality between men and women in that time period to propel and strengthen his story. Both Jackie Tuttle and Ernestine Crabtree contributed greatly throughout the book.
I also found myself really enjoying the role of Irving Shaw, the state detective. I am not sure if his name is intended to be in honor of the well-known author, Irwin Shaw, but I couldn’t help myself thinking that it might be. I loved Shaw and his investigation methods, especially how he kept calling Archer – “son”. Shaw kept reminding me of a 1949 version of Peter Falk’s famous television detective, Columbo.
This book really surprised me in its high level of quality. Publishing two books each year is a hard thing to do without losing quality. Publishing a third book in a year seems almost impossible, but somehow Baldacci pulls it off. Baldacci’s smooth rhythmic writing style is there, stronger than ever. He connects his plot, characters, and style together like the lyrics of a good Eagles hit song that you just sing along with and get lost in the music. His books are a smooth and fluid read. There are no disruptions or hiccups in the flow of words. His language is descriptive, but focused on moving the story forward with high and lows in both action sequences and moments of discovery.
Baldacci knows his characters and he shares them with us on an intimate level. As Archer works his way through the clues and deals with the obstacles thrown his way, important information is revealed step by step, like peeling away the layers of an onion. For an author that produces two books a year (or more), Baldacci shows that he is still capable of intricate plotting, character depth, and pacing.
Overall, “One Good Deed” is an enjoyable journey back in time when things were different and America was recovering and rebuilding following the devastation of World War II. For me, I consider this some of his best work, reflecting fast-paced plotting, vigorous elements of mystery, and strong multi-dimensional characters you can appreciate. I am definitely interested in reading another Archer adventure where he can explore the new career that was openly alluded to. I would also love to see another appearance from detective Irving Shaw.
Come on Baldacci – bring them back again…
The book starts in 1949, when Archer arrives in Poca City after being released on parole from Carderock Prison. Archer is both a military veteran and a convicted felon who served time for a crime that he was framed for. Now he’s been given important rules, including what to do and not do in order to keep him from returning to prison. Archer’s goal is to get a job and stay out of trouble. However, after he is hired to collect a debt owed to a local business man, Hank Pittleman, things get crazy and Archer finds himself in the middle of a deadly fuel.
When Archer goes to collect the debt from farmer, Lucas Tuttle, things don’t go well. Tuttle refuses to pay Pittleman back anything until Archer brings Archer brings his daughter, Jackie, back home. The problem is that Jackie is currently Pittleman’s mistress, and she has no interest in returning home or seeing her father. Archer has other problems too. His parole officer, Ernestine Crabtree, is a tough and stern, by-the-book official who is keeping an eye on his activities, to make sure he obeys the rules or be sent back to prison.
It doesn’t take long for Archer to get himself caught-up in small town secrets and personal family histories. While Archer works on getting the debt resolved, a murder occurs, and he is the closest and most-likely suspect. Archer finds himself trying to stay out of jail while solving a murder that it appears that he was set-up to take the fall for. The worst part is that Archer cannot trust anyone, because every time he involves someone, he finds they are not being honest with him.
There are a several good things about this book and Baldacci’s new character, Aloysius Archer. The first of which, is Baldacci’s risk in taking on a different time period. 1949 is not 2018, and it requires a strong ability to not only describe things like dress styles and transportation vehicles, but also truly understand the proper political and social norms, and enough details from World War II to provide the depth and quality needed to portray the true historical context. For example, Baldacci uses the social and financial inequality between men and women in that time period to propel and strengthen his story. Both Jackie Tuttle and Ernestine Crabtree contributed greatly throughout the book.
I also found myself really enjoying the role of Irving Shaw, the state detective. I am not sure if his name is intended to be in honor of the well-known author, Irwin Shaw, but I couldn’t help myself thinking that it might be. I loved Shaw and his investigation methods, especially how he kept calling Archer – “son”. Shaw kept reminding me of a 1949 version of Peter Falk’s famous television detective, Columbo.
This book really surprised me in its high level of quality. Publishing two books each year is a hard thing to do without losing quality. Publishing a third book in a year seems almost impossible, but somehow Baldacci pulls it off. Baldacci’s smooth rhythmic writing style is there, stronger than ever. He connects his plot, characters, and style together like the lyrics of a good Eagles hit song that you just sing along with and get lost in the music. His books are a smooth and fluid read. There are no disruptions or hiccups in the flow of words. His language is descriptive, but focused on moving the story forward with high and lows in both action sequences and moments of discovery.
Baldacci knows his characters and he shares them with us on an intimate level. As Archer works his way through the clues and deals with the obstacles thrown his way, important information is revealed step by step, like peeling away the layers of an onion. For an author that produces two books a year (or more), Baldacci shows that he is still capable of intricate plotting, character depth, and pacing.
Overall, “One Good Deed” is an enjoyable journey back in time when things were different and America was recovering and rebuilding following the devastation of World War II. For me, I consider this some of his best work, reflecting fast-paced plotting, vigorous elements of mystery, and strong multi-dimensional characters you can appreciate. I am definitely interested in reading another Archer adventure where he can explore the new career that was openly alluded to. I would also love to see another appearance from detective Irving Shaw.
Come on Baldacci – bring them back again…
September 29, 2019
4 stars.
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July 29, 2019
This standalone that introduces the character, Aloysius Archer, feels like it may well be the beginning of a series -- something that would please this reader to no end!
Set in post-WWII America, Archer is sent by the Department of Prisons to a town in the middle of nowhere to serve his three years of parole. He has a few dollars in his pocket and the suit of clothes he wore to prison and that's about it except for his worn hat, something which he thinks every man should wear.
Is Archer ready for Poca City, or is the question is Poca City ready for Archer? His only aim is to maintain his freedom and begin to live his life. The ex-con isn't there for 24 hours before he's offered a job by a well-to-do "gentlemen;" to repossess a car who which this gentleman holds the promissory note. From there, the action doesn't stop for Archer, with twists and turns he couldn't have imagined coming his way.
Set in post-WWII America, Archer is sent by the Department of Prisons to a town in the middle of nowhere to serve his three years of parole. He has a few dollars in his pocket and the suit of clothes he wore to prison and that's about it except for his worn hat, something which he thinks every man should wear.
Is Archer ready for Poca City, or is the question is Poca City ready for Archer? His only aim is to maintain his freedom and begin to live his life. The ex-con isn't there for 24 hours before he's offered a job by a well-to-do "gentlemen;" to repossess a car who which this gentleman holds the promissory note. From there, the action doesn't stop for Archer, with twists and turns he couldn't have imagined coming his way.
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