Atlee Pine Book 1
Book Blurb:
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Catch a tiger by its toe.
It’s seared into Atlee Pine’s memory: the kidnapper’s chilling rhyme as he chose between six-year-old Atlee and her twin sister, Mercy. Mercy was taken. Atlee was spared.
She never saw Mercy again.
Three decades after that terrifying night, Atlee Pine works for the FBI. She’s the lone agent assigned to the Shattered Rock, Arizona resident agency, which is responsible for protecting the Grand Canyon.
So when one of the Grand Canyon’s mules is found stabbed to death at the bottom of the canyon-and its rider missing-Pine is called in to investigate. It soon seems clear the lost tourist had something more clandestine than sightseeing in mind. But just as Pine begins to put together clues pointing to a terrifying plot, she’s abruptly called off the case.
If she disobeys direct orders by continuing to search for the missing man, it will mean the end of her career. But unless Pine keeps working the case and discovers the truth, it could spell the very end of democracy in America as we know it…
My Review:
One thing you must say about a Baldacci book. They are uniquely his style. This one is the first in a new series. As eager as I was to start a new Baldacci series, I struggle to write the review now, and as a book released back in 2018, not sure it matters.
Whether or not this one introduced a new trope or not, I’m becoming weary of the seriously damaged protagonist, particularly a female protagonist. Must they all have suffered some horrible childhood trauma? Are all female detectives or FBI agents carrying scars for which there is no recovery?
The description of the Grand Canyon and surrounds is fun, and as we’ve had the privilege of seeing that Wonder of the World, interesting and engaging. The storyline started out strong and held interest until it severely veered off the rails and went looking for action that didn’t compute, pushing disbelief. Then it catapulted into implausibility and no longer rang close to reality, although given that politics and leaders are appearing to go for broke, perhaps it could be remotely conceivable.
On which level then would that be? Those nations work together? Russians, Chinese, Koreans? Mercenaries? That a possible Olympic weight-lifter, FBI experienced, could pull along a female associate for help after being called off looking into the matter by her superiors. (Aren’t they always?) That a missing person, after hiding out for days (weeks?), with a sophisticated bomb can now help her climb out of the Grand Canyon with it? Really? What was he going to do if she hadn’t found him?
Atlee Pine is smart, macho, and a bit over the top with all that brooding over her twin sister, Mercy, which is apparently going to be the thread that weaves into Book 2.
I’ve read a number of Baldacci books. Another author hit or miss for me. I really enjoyed my last, A Calamity of Souls, picked a Best Book of the Year 2024, but this one missed the mark for me. Too much reaching here and it just didn’t work for me. Maybe it would for you.
Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
Rosepoint Publishing: Three Stars 
Book Details:
Genre: International Mystery & Crime, Action Thriller & Suspense Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Narrators: Brittany Pressley, Kyf Brewer
Release Date: November 13, 2018
Title Links:
Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
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 50 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into over 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.
David is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy programs across the United States.
©2026 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 