King and Maxwell by David Baldacci

King and Maxwell is the sixth book in David Baldacci’s series featuring the two private investigators, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, both former Secret Service Agents.  Their training and contacts within government law enforcement attract them to a different type of client than the typical PI.

Tyler Wingo is a teenage boy living in the Washington DC suburbs whose world has just been turned upside down.  The army has just informed him and his new step mother that Sam, his father has been killed in action in Afghanistan.  To make matters worse, Sam is supposedly suspected of some wrong doing surrounding a secret mission.  However, Sam had emailed Tyler after his reported time of death to declare his innocence.  Tyler’s step mother mysteriously disappears and Tyler hires King and Maxwell to investigate and find his father.

King starts with his Army contacts.  Some casual inquiries result in attempts on his and Maxwell’s lives so they know all is not as it seems.  The FBI and Department of Homeland Security then warn the PI’s to stay off the case but with Tyler’s life in danger and Sam possibly still alive, they refuse to stand down.  Then the President of the United States takes note of their actions and encourages King and Maxwell to complete their assignment… with strong objections from the FBI and DHS of course.  The President has moved on to 'manage the scandal' mode but doesn't realize what dangers lie ahead.

 

King and Maxwell learn that Sam Wingo was assigned to deliver one billion euros to forces that would overthrow a significant Middle Eastern country.  His mission went terribly wrong when supposed CIA operatives confiscated his shipment.  Wingo became the fall guy for an apparent hair brained move by the President.  But someone apparently outside the government wants Wingo dead and the President impeached... or worse.  It’s up to King and Maxwell to figure out the who and the why while protecting young Tyler and helping the President.

 King and Maxwell is one of Baldacci’s better efforts.  The characters are likable and believable.  The plot is a bit far-fetched but to a cynical mind becomes plausible.  Yet with Baldacci, I feel like he lacks originality… like I’ve seen this before.  Maybe that’s because this series was made into a TV show albeit cancelled after one season… I don’t know.  But at the end of the day this book has most everything we ask for in our genre… quick pace, well developed characters, a plausible plot with some interesting twists.  It’s a good read but it’s just not exceptional. Take it to the beach this summer but keep your expectations in check.